In a column I posted last July, I explored the way political language is used for emotive and manipulative rather than cognitive and informative purposes.
On your last point about the dire consequences of literal "thoughtlessness" see also Hannah Arendt's essay on "Thinking and Moral Considerations."
On your last point about the dire consequences of literal "thoughtlessness" see also Hannah Arendt's essay on "Thinking and Moral Considerations."