In Search Of Utopia: Terrorism by any other name... Is Terrorism

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August 01, 2005

Terrorism by any other name... Is Terrorism

Jack, who is one of my favorite Moderate Bloggers, posts a whopper, from another favorite:

Joe Gandelman, of The Moderate Voice, has written of his opposition to the apparent rebranding by the current Administration of President George W. Bush of the so-called "Global War on Terror".

Gandelman writes:

The idea that this battle is more than just military, is a sound one.
But I thought that just a few months ago conservative commentators were up in arms about the BBC and Reuters refusing to use the word "terrorist." TMV isn't a conservative (OR a liberal) blogger and he thought it was silly too. But he knows Rush, and Sean and all the others (including bloggers) will now be falling all over themselves saying what a genius idea it is, but we must say:

It was dumb when the BBC didn't use the "t" word and it's dumb when the administration tries to recast this conflict now. The enemy is terrorism. Free and democratic societies may have to fight it on many levels â€” but the enemy is TERRORISTS and TERRORISM.

OH: We know it's a terrible sin to be consistent on these things, so we'll plead guilty. And we'll save you the trouble: "How can you call yourself a moderate if you don't accept the new definition of the global war on violent extremism?" Answer: EASILY.

Read all of it, it is the usual brilliant stuff from two brilliant guys. Those of us who are firmly on the Left know that this is what the Bush Administation is best at... Marketing. These guys are experts at spinning slogans and defining and manipulating positions trough rhetoric.

It is refreshing to see someone other than a die hard Liberal calling them on it! While Jack may not agree with Joe's criticism of the White House's "Rebranding of the War on Terror," he reccognizes what most of us have recognized all along, and that is that the strategy up until now has been flawed. My only concern is that Jack is being too optimistic, and that this is not a change in direction, as much as it is simply a change in rhetoric!

Posted by David A at August 1, 2005 04:00 PM
Filed Under | 363 Words

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Comments

I'm glad to see that some of the bigger names in blogging are picking up on this. I had written a piece on it last week, although I was more interested in the backing away from the term "war" instead of the term "terrorism". I think any rebranding of this conflict we're now in is counter-productive as it will only confuse the American public.

Posted by: Robbie at August 1, 2005 04:37 PM

Robbie, it needed to be talked about. There are so many stories coming out of the Whackie House these days that it is hard to decide which, "low hanging fruit," to pick!

Posted by: David Anderson at August 1, 2005 06:43 PM

The Global war on terror, GWOT
Its ratings are slipping, a lot
A new kind o war
Never seen before
Then they’ll emerge from that rot

No more gloomy vision
They’ve reached a unanimous decision
No line in the sand
For this new brand
It's the Global struggle against violent extremism

A new slogan that’s the strategy
Where Halliburton charges the fee
The same cast is in
Who cares, did we win?
The show goes on you’ll see

A plot with such a spin
Go anywhere and just begin
Dollars roll out
The people shout
G save them, from their sin

Beams emerge from the Network
Dazzling them that tend to lurk
This is reality
Direct from WMD
Today we interrogate a Turk!

Judges, lawyers and all the crew
No need, we hired a kangaroo
We/re right your wrong
Wait for the gong
Then it’s Guantanamo for you

We hear what we see
Especially when on TV
It can’t be bad
If sponsored by ad
From our friends at P&G

Posted by: sum won at August 5, 2005 11:46 PM