[lbo-talk] Operation Odyssey Dawn

123hop at comcast.net 123hop at comcast.net
Sat Apr 23 20:23:48 PDT 2011


Are We Running Out of War Names?

By BRIAN J. FOLEY

Are we running out of names for military operations?

I understand why this one couldn't be called Operation Intervention in Libya (acronym: OIL). But why not Operation Libyan Freedom (OLF)? Or "Putting Qadaffi Down" (PDQ)?

"Operation Odyssey Dawn" provides no indication of what this is war is about, unlike "Operation Enduring Freedom [to bomb poor countries, here, Afghanistan (2001-present)]," or "Operation Iraqi Freedom," "Operation Just Cause" (Panama 1989) or "Operation Desert Storm" (Gulf War 1991).

Odyssey Dawn?

I hope our bombs are more accurate than this name is at describing combat.

What's scary is that "Odyssey Dawn" can be used for almost anything – think liquid dishwashing soap. Or nuking Canada.

How did Pentagon PR flacks ever come up with this name? I picture the roundtable meeting … "Think personal journey …. But something classical-sounding … Think new beginning … The public will love Odyssey Dawn!"

I wonder what these lexical lushes were smoking.

I guess this is what happens when we start wars on weekends.

Brian J. Foley is a law professor and comedian and author of the forthcoming A New Financial You in 28 Days – A 37 Day Plan. Check out his blog at http://brianjfoley.net or email him at brian_j_foley at yahoo.com



More information about the lbo-talk mailing list