The relationship between language in threatening communications and violence risk

Game Theory:

Iran relations is an example of game theory. One of the games played in their interaction, for instance, is the 'game of chicken' where neither player yields to the other. The United States, for instance, imposed multilateral sanctions on Iran, but Iran still continued its game of uranium enrichment. The ongoing game played between the two countries is one of mistrust and unwillingness to make concessions. Each has its own goals and options, and each uses different strategies to gain its particular ends. Iran, for instance, argues that it produces low level enriched uranium for nuclear fuel use, but the West claims Iran plans further enrichment suitable for making atomic bombs. Using Western-style reasoning, Iran contends that it has an "inalienable right" under Article IV of the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty to develop, research, and produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes Each country plays the game of trying to gain the upper position, of stalemating and not letting the other win. In the U.S.-Iran situation, each side tries to win by threatening the other (Source: Torbat, a. (March 26, 2007) U.S.-Iran "Game of Chicken": Iran Stays Firm despite UN Sanctions http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20070326&articleId=5184).)

Phonological features

Phonological features dealing with the ways that sound functions or conveying encoded meaning. Surrounded by security, the head of the Ku Klax Khan, Roy Larson prides himself on being the face of hate. Meeting with journalists of ebaumsworld.com at an undisclosed hotel in Indiana he discussed his opinions as to why membership in the KKK was on the rise and then, in the course of conversation, hinted that were presidential candidate Obama to be elected President, his life would be cut short: "I don't need to worry about it because someone else from the South will do the job.. If that man was elected candidate he will be shot sure as hell." Further on he said: "The hate will be so deep from down south, that someone will definitely do something" Here, inflection or accentuation on certain nuances or words were used in order to convey his intention. (Source: (Nov 11, 2008) ebaumsworld.com: The KKK Want Barack Obama Dead ( Proof ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORf_RyNH4gI)

Syntactic features

During her campaign Hilary Clinton (April 16, 2008) was asked by Good Morning America (MSNBC's Countdown), how she would respond if Iran attacked Israel with weapons. Her response:

" an attack on Israel will trigger massive retaliation… any attack on Israel will prompt massive nuclear response from the United States.. If I am the president we will attack Iran.. And want them to understand that because whatever stage of development they might be in the weapons development program. In the next 10 years if they consider launching an attack against Israel we would be totally able o obliterate them.. That's a terrible thing to say, but those people who run Iran need to understand that because that perhaps would deter them from doing something reckless, foolish, and tragic." (Source: YouTube Hillary Clinton on the Nuclear Deterrence of Iran. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08n4bj1Mz4A&NR=1&feature=fvwp)