The Impact of Words

OK, we know that a municipal ordinance is not quite the stature of the Declaration of Independence, the writing Epidemics, or even the presidential inaugural address of 1961. But two things are clear. The current tree ordinance was crafted by some very good minds, and it took longer to craft than all three of these writings put together.

Most importantly, the power of words is immeasurable in what they connote and denote. Certainly the preamble to the current tree ordinance promises an appropriate document, one that will protect its greatest natural resource: " The Township Council of the Township of West Orange finds that: trees are among the Township’s most valuable natural resource assets, greatly enhancing the appearance of the Township and contributing to its suburban residential character."

But, alas, the promise is never fulfilled as one continues to read the subsequent clauses. The most striking lack of integrity in the language is signaled by the use of the phrase to the greatest extent possible. The phrase, in context, is the ultimate cop out, and compromises every other aspect of the ordinance. The circumvention of absolutes regarding the destruction, removal and replacement of trees, particularly as it relates to development projects, is in direct contrast to the golden promise of the preamble.

The council had the opportunity to be bold in creating this ordinance, but did not have the courage to commit to the vision they created in the first few paragraphs.

And if anyone believes that a few words here or there have no real impact, then consider these five words added on to the writings by Thomas Jefferson, Hippocrates and JFK.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness........to the greatest extent possible.

The physician must be able to tell the antecedents, know the present, and foretell the future - must mediate these things, and have two special objects in view with regard to disease, namely, to do good or to do no harm.......to the greatest extent possible.

And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.....to the greatest extent possible.

Would we have thought these writers and their writings to be extraordiary with these five words added on to what have become iconic phrases in the American lexicon?

Hardly. Their addition would have created confusion and, most likely, scorn.

Things have not changed that much over the years. These five words as applied to what is right and what is wrong in guarding our resources only raise the suspicions and rankle those who feel the town, its residents, and most obviously, its trees, deserve better.