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