Is the War on Terror really a "war" ?

[kentuck]

If so, what nation are we at war with? Iraq, you say. Are we still at war with Iraq or has the mission been "accomplished"? Or were we really just at war with Saddam Hussein? We never fought any great armies or navies, as might be suspected in a real "war". Isn't using this term doing a disservice to all the great wars that have been fought over the centuries? Isn't it more of a police action in a nation building exercise?

In a classic definition, isn't "war" between two opposing nations? Did the terrorists that attacked the WTC declare war on us? They committed a great crime against our nation, no doubt, and should be brought to justice. However, I had not heard an official declaration of war against us. The point being, that we should be more careful in our use of the language, especially when "war" can go on for generations, even without a visible enemy.

[Bombtrack]

1. It's a campaign against an ideology, like the cold war

and it needs to be waged, whether you were against Iraq war or not

[el_gato]

2. it's a scam, just like the cold war

but certain people get filthy rich, while the rest of us loose all our freedoms

[Minstrel Boy]

3. it's an exercise in mind control

with all of America the subject.

[KG]

4. scam

because, like the 'war on (some) drugs' it is a 'war on (some) terrorists'

[TankLV]

5. OK, here goes, one more time:

It's a "war":

1) if it helps bunkerboy politically,

2)if it keeps amerikkkans in a state of permantent fright, helping "1" above;

3) if it gets more money for bunkerboy's programs and his cronies, helping "1" above;

4) if it helps gut the constitution, helping "1" above;

It's NOT a "war":

5) so bunkerboy can unilaterally keep POW's and other persons it doesn't approve of under any resemblance of the Geneva Conventions, helping "1" above;

6) so bunkerboy can unilaterally wage without congress' approval as required by the US Constitution, helping "1" above;

Are we all clear now?

[ComerPerro]

6. Is Bush really the President?

No.

Besides, as far as I am concerned it is not a war when the President still takes his annual monthlong vacation.

[damnraddem]

9. But what about when Dubya takes his ...

monthly month-long vacation?

[Hogarth]

7. We're warring against an abstract noun.

... and so many are simply willing to accept that phrase in the name of nationalism. Who do we want to beat up next, and how many lives will it cost?

War on terror? Give me a break.

[damnraddem]

8. Get it straight! It's a war. It's just not a war on terror.

Instead, it's exactly what Dubya said it is: a war on Terra. Yeah, the US versus the world.

But Iraq, that's not a war. It was an invasion. Now it's a quagmire.

[Jai4WKC08]

10. Ummm.... actually

"Did the terrorists that attacked the WTC declare war on us? They committed a great crime against our nation, no doubt, and should be brought to justice. However, I had not heard an official declaration of war against us. "

They did. Formally and in writing.

http://www.humanunderground.com/archive/usamah-war.html

I wouldn't get too hung up on the nation vs. nation part either. It's a different world than the one Clausewitz wrote about.