Don't call it "war." Call it a "counter-terrorism operation," Secretary of State John Kerry.

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:03:09 -0400

Don't call it "war." Call it a "counter-terrorism operation," Secretary of State John Kerry told multiple reporters in separate interviews on Thursday. But Republicans say Kerry's preferred terminology minimizes and weakens the U.S. mission. My question is when did the war on terror ever stop. Does it minimize and weaken our mission. Does this terminology bother you?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 12 at 2014 1:20 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:20:25 -0400

The words used doesn't lessen the overall mission. "Counter-terrorism operation", "Police Action", or whatever else you want to use will all go down in the history books as a "war".

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 1:25 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:25:19 -0400

I think that this administration is trying to distance itself from the past administration, while making some of the same mistakes.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 12 at 2014 3:58 PM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:58:41 -0400

Just typical political double speak....politics is where peeing down your leg and telling you it's raining was invented. Heck, go on congress.org and read a few bills/resolutions. Half or more require a "yes" vote to oppose and a "nay" vote to support.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Sep 12 at 2014 4:25 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 16:25:14 -0400

This is, to me, another example of an administration that seems to want to minimize the seriousness of the growing threat that is ISIS/ISIL/IS and other militant, extremist Muslim factions. "We" so desperately want to be seen as not waging a war against Islam that "we" can not even call any/all combat actions against these extremists war for fear of offending moderate Muslims. While it is true that only Congress can declare war, these extremist groups have already done that for us by declaring war on us, it comes across as, to me anyways, disingenuous by not calling it war when that is what it is. Sugar coat it however you want, call it by whatever term you wish, "If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck..."; it's war, get over trying to not to offend people that seem to really have no problem with not speaking out against or tacitly supporting the extremists who are hell-bent on taking over THEIR religion and waging war against those who are not of the Muslim faith.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Sep 12 at 2014 10:02 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:02:44 -0400

That's what we called the hunt for Osama bin Laden back before 9/11. We lobbed a few missles at him and missed. The FBI sent out thousands of wanted posters to police departments and post offices all ove rthe country clearly printed in English and offering a $5 million dollar reward.Great techniques for dealing with American criminals. Not great techniques for dealing with international terrorists, however.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 10:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:23:38 -0400

Terror isn't an enemy; it's a state of mind. You can't logically have a war without a clearly-defined enemy. Instead the "War on Terror" will continue to be what it was from the start: a "war" that elevates terrorist boogeymen to an unearned status out of fear, a means of needlessly perpetuating armed conflict around the world, and a cash-cow for politicians & the lobbyists that own them. Not that we shouldn't fight and defeat major international and domestic terrorists -- we should, but we shouldn't lend them additional credibility by pretending they are a serious threat to the American way of life overall.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 12 at 2014 11:20 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 23:20:10 -0400

Why do I think f that scene in Full Metal Jacket? "Substitute the term Sweep & Clear for Search & Destroy".......

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Sep 12 at 2014 11:48 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 23:48:18 -0400

Nope the terminology doesn't bother me, John Kerry does. Call it "Go" or "Aggressive tidily-winks" for all I care, just get the morons out of power.

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Sep 13 at 2014 4:57 PM

Capt Chris McVeigh — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 16:57:56 -0400

Not only does the terminology bother me but the fact that we have not actually declared war since WWII hugely bothers me. If the government feels strongly enough about a conflict to involve US forces in it, have the damn balls to declare war.

The president has his temporary authorities under the War Powers Act, but after that it requires congress' decision (which should be a Deceleration of War, or an order to return home). All the continuing resolutions/authorizations of force are complete cop outs.

Though to be fair, our actions against ISIS I would call Counter Terrorism Operations vice war.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 1 at 2015 2:34 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:34:40 -0400

You can call what the Beagle drops in the yard a Brownie but that does not change te fact that it is crap.

When it comes to the people in this current administration, I often think about this quote:

"You know it's a funny thing about that little white speck on the top of Chicken Shit? Well, that little white speck is Chicken Shit too."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GTLM89pN0A

Pure Country - Chicken Shit Quote