World

The Global War On Terror is over! The War is Over!

by tlreed | April 1, 2009 at 03:08 am

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You would be hard pressed to see any dancing in the streets, tickertapes streaming from skyscrapers, or sailors kissing ladies in the streets, but The Global War on Terror is over (not that anyone knew what a Global War on Terror really meant in the first place). On Monday Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton confirmed that the term "global war on terrorism" will no longer be used. The Office of Security Review in The Pentagon has been instructed to refer to it as an "overseas contingency operation.” Recently the Obama administration also dropped the term ''enemy combatant'' for suspected terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay.

Meanwhile, the United States and its allies are still engaged in “combat missions” in Afghanistan and Iraq. President Obama ran on a platform of “CHANGE,” and that is what he is delivering. A change in terminology is a small step, but at least we will no longer be stuck with terminology that conceals more than it reveals. It is a small victory, but a victory none the less.

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djermano

at 04:37 on April 1st, 2009

Obama and Hillary could call it a picnic, but if they are still occupying countries that had nothing to do with the 911 attacks...who gives a literal rats tail...what terminology they use, when they still support it? The War on Drugs still goes on, and the war on violence and murder is a never ending battle.....Because instead of doing the good, like all Americans they lie....through their teeth. Truely Native Americans know......Americans speak with Fork Tongue. Impeach Obama.....Lying sack.

Rev. Jermano

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:23 on April 1st, 2009

I.ll second that, as I search for sniper attacks on Hillary on a runway at Eagle Base, Tusla, Bosnia

tlreed

at 05:24 on April 1st, 2009

Hmmn, I sense some bitterness there. Impeach Obama? To what end, what are you looking to achieve. Politicians are all liars, I agree, but would we honestly get a better President if he left office? The focus of the story I posted is the importance of using the right terms when talking about issues and policy. I would think that you would agree since you use the term "Native Americans."

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:39 on April 1st, 2009

There is nothing to achieve, and neither would it happen. What really needs to happen is the hatred of one ideology of the other. People and politicians should engage in healthy debate, without name calling. Unfortunately, people have drawn the battle line and the fight between the far left and far right is on. They are the ones making all the noise. Most of us are in the centre someplace and need to engage a lot more, so not only the far left and far right voices are heard.

Uwe Paschen

at 05:29 on April 1st, 2009

The term may be no more, yet the war goes on, today US drones killed 12 Pakistani civilian.

We just changed the name and made it Political correct yet the war goes on... And not only in Afghanistan or Pakistan now as well. Many more places are still burning and no end in sight. Just words.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:41 on April 1st, 2009

Pashen I agree with you. A lot of empty words. As an old wise man once said, Show me deeds not words.

tlreed

at 19:05 on April 1st, 2009

You should never underestimate the power of words, indeed it is mere words that got Obama elected to the most powerful position in the world.

Words have the power to save or kill, they have the power to encourage or demoralize. The US military loves the Global War on Terror. As National Review's Andrew McCarthy puts it: "War is a powerful word, redolent of power, force, zeal, and national purpose." Or as Fred Schwarz mockingly asks: "What Did You Do in the Overseas Contingency Operation, Daddy?" It diffuses the zeal for violence, the deep feeling of nationalism and superiority to those who are not American. If you shoot a civilian in cold blood during a war the event is merely “collateral damage,” but if there is no war it is murder. And what about propaganda, it is also merely words, but I doubt anyone would deny its effectiveness.