Jonah: The terminology is changing too fast! I want to stand athwart euphemism and yell “Slow down!” Your commenters are having fun with the administration’s latest comical attempt to avoid mentioning the war, but they haven’t yet suggested reading material for the president: The Art of Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action by Sun-Tzu. Of course, if he had read the book, he would have learned that:
The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
Oh, why didn't I think of that one!
Still, I wonder whether this will be the time-limited, scope-limited military action to end all time-limited, scope-limited military actions.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow about we call the military action against Libya: "comprehensive non-diplomatic reform."
We all know how Obama wants comprehensive reform.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf you've got the time, we've got the scope.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOne from Chaucer seems particularly apropos, all things considered:
"Masters, there is many a man to cry 'time-limited, scope-limited military action,' 'time-limited, scope-limited military action!' who yet knows but little of the meaning of it."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFirst in time-limited, scope-limited military action, first in the cessation of hostilities, first in the hearts of his countrypersons.
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Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusewww.jrganymede.com
We've always had a hard time coming up with a good term for the savage time-limited, scope-limited military actions of peace.
www.jrganymede.com
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTime-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action and Peace
The Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action of the Roses
All is fair in love and Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Actions
The Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action Between the States
Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action As I Knew It
World Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action I
World Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action II
There is a time for peace and a time for Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMark, we're just getting started.
"A time-limited, scope-limited military action is a continuation of diplomacy by other means." - Clausewitz
"A time-limited, scope-limited military action is bad for children and other living things."
"I'm already against the next time-limited, scope-limited military action" (Obnoxious bumber sticker)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseVoters next year can make this a time-limited, scope-limited Administration.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Cry 'Cyclops's younger brother' and let slip the domesticated canines of time-limited, scope-limited military action."
I think it leaves something to be desired. Perhaps there is a reason that modern society hasn't produced another Shakespeare.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs seen on a sign carried by an old smelly hippie on a street corner in (fill in) Berkley, Ann Arbor, Madison. "Make love not time-limited, scope-limited military action!"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIn another day, the time-limited, scope-limited military action in Libya will equal the length of 1967's Arab-Israeli "Six Day" Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWait, is it "The Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action Between the States" or the Civil Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action? Or, as South Carolinians would have it, the Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action of Yankee Aggression.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNightly news sign-off body count reminder:
Monday
There have been 364 American troops killed in action following President Obama's declaration of a time-limited, scope limited military action.
Tuesday
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThere have been 367 American troops killed in action following President Obama's declaration of a time-limited, scope limited military action.
"Time-limited, scope-limited military action."
Isn't that the definition of a drive-by shooting?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSpeaking of reading...
"It makes no difference what men think of time-limited, scope-limited military action, said the judge. Time-limited, scope-limited military action endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. Time-limited, scope-limited military action was always here. Before man was, time-limited, scope-limited military action waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting the ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse-- from 'Blood Meridian' by Cormac McCarthy