Terrorist attack in Pakistan (Photo from Infidels Are Cool)From The Washington Post:
The end of the Global War on Terror -- or at least the use of that phrase -- has been codified at the Pentagon. Reports that the phrase was being retired have been circulating for some time amongst senior administration officials, and this morning speechwriters and other staff were notified via this e-mail to use "Overseas Contingency Operation" instead.
"Recently, in a LtGen [John] Bergman, USMC, statement for the 25 March [congressional] hearing, OMB required that the following change be made before going to the Hill," Dave Riedel, of the Office of Security Review, wrote in an e-mail.
"OMB says: 'This Administration prefers to avoid using the term "Long War" or "Global War on Terror" [GWOT]. Please use "Overseas Contingency Operation.'"
Read more ....
My Comment: If it walks like a duck. Quacks like a duck. It is a duck.
Or ....
Terrorism is like pornography .... when you see it you know what it is.
The use of language has always been important in defining an issue or policy. President Obama clearly wishes to redefine what is terrorism and how it is going to be confronted. Like the lawyer that he is, he perceives this as a legal issue that must be defined using legal terms .... hence the use of the term "Overseas Contingency Operation".
Personally .... from my point of view .... the use of terms and words like "terrorism" and "the long war" are appropriate. They clearly define what we are fighting against, and that this struggle is going to be a long one.