Bush Dwelled on a 'War on Terror,' but Obama Chooses Different Words
"War on Terror" is a phrase that President Barack Obama is removing from his lexicon, after seven years of war-on-terror declarations by George W. Bush.Less than two weeks into his administration, reporters and pundits are starting to notice that Obama employs other phrases, such as "enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism." Substitute "ongoing" for
This doesn't mean Obama is going soft. He frequently refers to terrorists as "extremists," criminals whom the United States will "go after" in order to "win this fight."
Analysts are suggesting various reasons why "war on terror" is on the way out. One is that "terror" is not the name of a country or group. Another is that Obama wants to avoid labeling all Muslims or Arabs as terrorists. Regardless, in a subtle way, President Obama is seeking to take a different tone.
SOURCE
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Fabletoo
02/03/2009
I for one am sick to death on the "War...." on anything. And I'm thrilled to see that Obama has an approach to this huge problem that's going to be more about communication and less about bombing. Violence never did anything bet beget violence. Look at N. Ireland. That went on for almost 300 years!!
Raymond Alexander Kukkee
02/02/2009
Choosing to call the effort against terror by a different name makes absolutely no difference. The bitter, archaic and violent people conducting terrorist activities must be dealt with on an international, coordinated, and uniform basis. I fail to see any advantage in not labeling terrorists for what they are, and they are terrorists, regardless of ethnicity, age, or intent--a terrorist is a terrorist.
leslie burris
02/01/2009
My spin on the whole "War on Terra" was a type of branding that meant nothing but was a justification for the Bush Administration to get what they wanted-making up things as they went along to keep Americans playing along, making up rules as they went along to do as they pleased without any regard to the needs of the American people. It is impossible to fight a war based on something like terrorism because it is an intangible, in my opinion. Thanks for this article, Michael-enjoyable and thought provoking as always!
Momie Tullottes
02/01/2009
Excellent report! :-)
Carol Rucker
02/01/2009
Frankly, I always saw the "War on Terror," like Bush's "Evil Axis Of Power," as a lame reason for bombing Iraq. When the weapons inspectors found nothing, no weapons of mass distruction, he came up with these two concepts for the American public. I never bought it.
saul relative
02/01/2009
There never was a "war on terror" with the Bush administration. Kill the bogeyman and you have nothing to scare the voters with on election day. Until they figure it out or get desensitized to it. The "War on terrorism" is being fought the same way it was fought before 9/11. The "War on Terror" was just Bush and the Bobbleheads way of distracting everyone just long enough to wreck a planet...
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