Just Because You are Attacked, Do Not Assume You are At War

We have seen this narrowing of rhetorical space in prior crisis situations. Within days of the 1993 standoff in Waco, Texas, the Branch Davidians had been labeled as a cult and the public rhetoric helped drive their confrontation with federal agents to its tragic end. Language has real power to shape our world, and we urge everyone concerned about responding to the horror of September 11, 2001 to think carefully before using the language of war to describe the current crisis.

Here are five reasons not to describe the current crisis as a war:

1. If we describe this as a war, we grant the perpetrators of these unspeakable acts a dignity they do not deserve.
     These are criminal acts. We have no evidence that those who perpetrated them are legitimate rulers of a state or nation. They may not even be legitimate representatives of a disenfranchised identity group seeking representation within a state or nation.
2. If we describe this as a war, we assume that we are dealing with an identifiable enemy, located in a clear space and subject to military attack.
     The perpetrators of this horror are not clearly identifiable, cannot be located easily, and probably cannot be attacked successfully using military means.
     Any military-style response that might target some of these persons effectively is likely to violate the rules of war, making the world a much more dangerous place for everyone.
3. If we describe this as a war, we imply that war can bring our enemies to their knees and keep them from ever harming us again.
     We have yet to fight successfully a "war to end all wars" and this will be no exception.
     Military attacks on any nation that harbors the criminals responsible for these atrocities will create thousands of refugees; refugee camps have been the breeding ground for suicide bombers. Thus, we will only perpetuate the cycle of fear and terror for our children and grandchildren.
4. If we describe this as a war, we avoid asking why anyone would hate us enough to kill oneself, in order to seek vengeance upon us.
     We fail to examine and address the conditions and policies that have given rise to the cycles of unrest, violence, and terror that have been escalating around the world and that on September 11, 2001 entered the previously "safe space" of the most powerful nation on earth.
5. If we describe this as a war, we betray our own highest values of due process, justice and fairness.
     Criminals are granted rights that enemies in war are denied.
     If we fail to invoke the national and international laws that apply to criminal acts, we undercut the rule of law and weaken the sources of our own long-term protection.