I’m calling an early end to this year’s contest for most overused word or phrase. The lead is insurmountable. The winner is “rebel.” Or “militant” or “insurgent” or “hostage taker” – or any of several other euphemisms approved by the mainstream media. They are all equivalent, politically correct replacements for “Islamic terrorist.”

Why does the media use the bland words almost exclusively? If they ennoble even slightly the Islamist thugs, they weaken those who oppose the thugs. If they use the true label, they strengthen and perhaps even validate the opposition. That will not happen until Wednesday, Nov. 3, if ever.

Is Vladimir Putin now having second thoughts about his decisions early last year? The brave “rebels” shoot children in the back in Russia.

They hide in “holy” places in Iraq, where the U.S. military has more respect for the religion of Islam than many Muslims have.

Michael LeBlanc, E. Wilton