I just watched a campaign commercial on TV that set me to thinking. An elderly couple was shown speaking about their personal tragedy, presumably because the candidate they supported would help their cause.

The gentleman began (as best I can recall, forgive me if I paraphrase) "In _______our son was murdered by a bisexual predator..."; the key being the term "bisexual", or more precisely, the prefix "bi".

One syllable, two little letters, introduces a very specific spin to this statement. I don't doubt for a moment that the statement is factually correct, but I was struck that the killer referred to was not just a pervert, or a sexual predator, but a BIsexual predator. Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but I do not think this is an accident. Every nuance in a campaign commercial is carefully calculated for effect and efficacy and precisely targeted at a specific audience. Even though the couple speaking certainly were not being calculating or sinister in their remarks, the producers of the spot certainly were very well aware of the subtext. I'm certain it was filmed and edited with great care.

Since it was their son that was taken, the perpetrator is thereby identified as male, but he is not directly accused of being a homosexual predator even though the act is by definition a homosexual one. Is this to avoid litigation from the law-abiding and politically organized homosexual community? Or is it a disguised attack on the concept of bisexuality itself, even when practiced by non-predatory bisexuals with consenting adults? In any event, the alleged bisexuality of the criminal is irrelevant even if it is true and (at least in my case) distracting.

Personally, I don't care one way or another. As far as I can tell, I don't even know any bisexuals. But I do resent this sort of subtle manipulation. It's really refreshing you don't see this kind of hidden agenda in HZ posters.