MORE OBAMAN WORDPLAY - AT 7:08 P.M. ET:  Reader Jean Spik alerts us to this, from the Washington Post:

The end of the Global War on Terror -- or at least the use of that phrase -- has been codified at the Pentagon. Reports that the phrase was being retired have been circulating for some time amongst senior administration officials, and this morning speechwriters and other staff were notified via this e-mail to use "Overseas Contingency Operation" instead.

"Recently, in a LtGen [John] Bergman, USMC, statement for the 25 March [congressional] hearing, OMB required that the following change be made before going to the Hill," Dave Riedel, of the Office of Security Review, wrote in an e-mail.

"OMB says: 'This Administration prefers to avoid using the term "Long War" or "Global War on Terror" [GWOT]. Please use "Overseas Contingency Operation.'"

Riedel asked recipients to "Please pass on to your speech writers and try to catch this change before the statements make it to OMB."

COMMENT:  I can see what's coming.  A terrorist attack on the United States would be "an ethnic expression of frustration."  Obama appeasement of sworn enemies would be "realistic recognition of legitimate grievances."  An Iranian nuclear weapon would be "an inspiring achievement by a previously oppressed people."

Didn't Orwell write about this kind of thing?

March 24, 2009