For those of you who don't live in the U.S., you may not be aware of the all-encompassing discussion about "sequestration" here, related to budget cuts. Here is one discussion of it.
I just think it's an odd term to use for this. Juries are sequestered or sequestration can be a legal term by courts to lock up valuable property. But, to me, it seems inappropriate for being used for budgetary cuts. Do you use the term this way in the UK? What do my fellow Americans think?
It is interesting that, as in orient and orientation, there is another verb, sequestrate, besides sequester.
I can see how it might have developed from the 'seclude, segregate; requisition, confiscate' meaning to one of 'taking away a portion of somebody's budget'.This message has been edited. Last edited by: zmježd,
Originally posted by Kalleh: But, to me, it seems inappropriate for being used for budgetary cuts. Do you use the term this way in the UK? What do my fellow Americans think?
I think the way it's being defined (as a budget cut) is confusing. The budget law is pretty similar to a writ of sequestration, where, for example, a property which will be needed to make good on a judgment (if it goes against the defendant) is seized & held until judgment is made, to make sure the owner doesn't meanwhile sell it or ruin it. Now that we've passed the deadline & due for the cuts, we're in the phase where the court sells off the property to pay off the judgment.
What is odd is that this term normally heard only among lawyers & courts has entered the mainstream.
Meanwhile it's pretty funny reading through the history of trying to use this legal process to force congress to live within its means. Can't see anyplace yet where it has actually worked out that way...This message has been edited. Last edited by: bethree5,
Posts: 2605 | Location: As they say at 101.5FM: Not New York... Not Philadelphia... PROUD TO BE NEW JERSEY!
I had assumed that the term came from sequin and equus, sequin festooned parade horses ridden by members of congress. Of course, all we ever see is the departing part of the horse and its former contents.
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
I still don't understand how everyone can be in debt. Who are we all in debt to?
That is a good point, Bob. Of course in the U.S. it's China.
I did see that Cyprus situation and just can't believe it. What is the government thinking? One article I read said that once the government can confiscate your money like that, it's a slippery slope. Amen!
[Fixed typo]This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kalleh,
I don't believe I've ever heard or seen the word sequestration before, though I have heard of sequestering a jury. But today I picked up a book at a used book store and, lo and behold, there it was. It was talking about how insects sequester chemicals from the plants they feed on to form chemical defenses and pheromones.
Of course in the U.S. it's China.