War on War

America has had some good wars and some bad wars against other countries (to wit, WWII: good, Vietnam: bad). One thing about both WWII and Vietnam that at least made them definable was that they were wars against definable countries, not vague problems.

On the other side of the spectrum are three other American wars: (1) the War on Drugs; (2) the War on Poverty; and (3) the War on Terror. Johnson's War on Poverty was somewhat distinguishable in that it didn't involve physically attacking anyone, but each of these three "Wars" are the same in that they are against concepts, not countries. [Ed: Drugs are a concept? Abe: Come on, you know what I mean.]

Anyone who is capable of analytical thinking realizes that these "Wars" cannot be "won". People will always have to deal with drugs, poverty, and terror. As such, these "Wars" could be disregarded as silly political efforts that no one can legitimately disagree with. Do you think the War on Poverty is a bad idea? Why, are you for poverty?

The newest war against a concept, the "War on Terror" is the most dangerous because it tries to act like a real live war. In fact, its proponents brag loudly that this is a WAR, not something to be dealt with using intelligence agencies, police actions, and international laws.

But then they say it's not like a real live war. We've made our own rules for this kind of "War". It can be a military action to invade and occupy another country if we are "terrified" that it might someday attack us. Prisoners we capture during this "War" aren't really "prisoners of war" but "enemy combatants" who we can do with as we please and to hell with the Geneva Conventions. There is no real objective here like there is in a war against a country. We aren't trying to topple the leaders of any countries, really, so the war has no natural ending point.

Worse, the media has swallowed this "War" like it was coated with honey. How many times have you seen polls in which people are asked if they approve of Bush's approach to the "War on Terror"?... a "War" that he made up. These are his highest approval numbers. In other words, people are buying it.

Maybe the "War on Terror" is not broad enough. I mean, North Korea is not really a breeding ground for terrorists. Neither was Iraq. It's time for John Kerry to declare that if he were elected President, he would declare an all out "War on Bad Stuff". Let's not limit ourselves.