Comments on: Choosing our words strategically http://opposedsystemsdesign.blogsome.com/2008/04/25/choosing-our-words-strategically/ Strategy, Systems Thinking and Military Affairs. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:32:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Wiggins http://opposedsystemsdesign.blogsome.com/2008/04/25/choosing-our-words-strategically/#comment-430 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:28:26 +0100 http://opposedsystemsdesign.blogsome.com/2008/04/25/choosing-our-words-strategically/#comment-430 Oops. Thank for the catch Jason. Link is fixed now. The point is to define the enemy as narrowly and precisely as possible. AGW, True, and if we don't make that distinction, then we're actually helping al-Qaeda's narrative. The memo noted in the linked article was written in March and approved by State last week. As I indicate, though, folks have been making this point for several years (...but it hasn't seemed to rise out of the realm of wonkdom). Oops. Thank for the catch Jason. Link is fixed now. The point is to define the enemy as narrowly and precisely as possible.

AGW,
True, and if we don’t make that distinction, then we’re actually helping al-Qaeda’s narrative. The memo noted in the linked article was written in March and approved by State last week. As I indicate, though, folks have been making this point for several years (…but it hasn’t seemed to rise out of the realm of wonkdom).

]]> by: Jason http://opposedsystemsdesign.blogsome.com/2008/04/25/choosing-our-words-strategically/#comment-429 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:08:15 +0100 http://opposedsystemsdesign.blogsome.com/2008/04/25/choosing-our-words-strategically/#comment-429 "This is a point I’ve made before." Link is broken. I mention it only because I would like to see what you've said in this area. “This is a point I’ve made before.”

Link is broken. I mention it only because I would like to see what you’ve said in this area.

]]> by: AGW http://opposedsystemsdesign.blogsome.com/2008/04/25/choosing-our-words-strategically/#comment-428 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:04:18 +0100 http://opposedsystemsdesign.blogsome.com/2008/04/25/choosing-our-words-strategically/#comment-428 It's about time! This isn't even a matter of whether it's strategically prudent or imprudent to use these terms; it comes down to the fact that they're imprecise. Not all people who believe in jihad believe in the most violent and offensive versions of it. The writings of Islam, like those of every religion, are complex and multidimensional; to assume that "Islam" necessarily supports the kinds of actions certain individuals have been carrying out in its name is absurd. When did this happen? Why hasn't it generated more noise? It’s about time!

This isn’t even a matter of whether it’s strategically prudent or imprudent to use these terms; it comes down to the fact that they’re imprecise. Not all people who believe in jihad believe in the most violent and offensive versions of it. The writings of Islam, like those of every religion, are complex and multidimensional; to assume that “Islam” necessarily supports the kinds of actions certain individuals have been carrying out in its name is absurd.

When did this happen? Why hasn’t it generated more noise?

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