GWOT or not? The term isn’t important, but the facts are

[unhappycamper]

GWOT or not? The term isn’t important, but the facts are
Robert F. Dorr - [e-mail].

~snip~

On Oct. 5, Washington Post columnist Al Kamen wrote that Adm. Michael Mullen, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, banned the use of the phrase “Global War on Terror” and prohibited it in correspondence. But when I asked Mullen’s people about it, his spokesman, Navy Capt. John Kirby, issued this statement: “Adm. Mike Mullen did not direct the Joint Staff to stop using the term ‘Global War on Terror.’ ” It is interesting to note, however, that in a letter to airmen and their families that ran in the Oct. 15 issue of Air Force Times, Mullen consistently referred to the “wars in Iraq and Afghanistan” and did not use the term “Global War on Terror.”

Some feel “Global War on Terror” isn’t an accurate label for today’s conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. I asked some troops what they thought. About two dozen responded via phone and e-mail, and most of them believe the term is appropriate.

“If they end the term GWOT and the term ‘Global War on Terror,’ does that mean they will change the names of our medals we’ve earned?” an Air National Guard technical sergeant asked. “Does that mean the president is banned from using that term? He still uses it.”

“GWOT is a true way to say what is going on,” a C-5 Galaxy loadmaster said. “I’m not a fan of trying to make this sound less than it is. We are at war on a global scale.” This airman said Americans must be reminded that “others are determined to hurt all of us.”

In my view, the term “GWOT” has exactly the opposite effect. It makes us forget where we’ve been and where we are. On Sept. 12, 2001, reeling from an attack that killed almost 3,000 of us, our president had the support of most of the world. He could have built on that goodwill by asking Congress to declare war on al-Qaida and launching a global assault on Osama bin Laden’s organization.

We initially took the right steps in Afghanistan, where a Taliban regime harbored al-Qaida terrorists, including bin Laden. But today, the feckless government we created in Afghanistan has little power outside the capital, Kabul, and is offering to negotiate with the Taliban.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_gwot_071022/

[Lasher]

1. War against everyone, and no one.

Global = everyone. War against a tactic = no one.

[baldguy]

2. Oceania's War Against Eurasia,

Or is that Eastasia?