The word "war" is often misused for nefarious purposes

[Harmony Blue]

That doesn't mean it is acceptable to continue doing so. A "war" on terror, or a "war" on drugs, can never be ended, thus, it truly doesn't fit into the context of war, but crime. Furthermore, certain laws allow the suspension of rights during war, because traditionally wars are very short, or if they were protracted over 100 years they happened in bursts, but never sustained.

Once you accept that fighting terror or drugs is "war", you are essentially giving up your rights for an unknown amount of time against an "enemy" that is more than just one social group, tribe, or nation. The "war" on terror, or the "war" on drugs, can never be won. Just like the "war" on theft or prostitution can never be won. These are all crimes, which we strive to lesson their impact on our society, but victory can never be ensured.

OBL was found through the means of investigation, and intelligence gathering, because the shift of thinking of him as an enemy combatant to an at large criminal allowed the West to do their homework. OBL probably would have never been found if the West continued to view him purely as an enemy combatant in this "war".

[loyalsister]

1. I refuse to use it

unless it enables military action against another country. We are conducting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq for example.
We have various "anti policies" regarding terrorism, drugs, crime, poverty, etc.

[saras]

2. A real war on terror would go after Poe, Lovecraft, King, Carpenter...

not to mention public speaking, old age, spiders, snakes, heights...

of course, one could also suggest that the idea "war on terror" was intended to refer, indirectly, to a war on a basic primate emotion, i.e. a war on our nature. it often appears that what they wish to create is beings that won't be terrorized (or repulsed, or enraged) at being abused, lied to, strip-searched, spied on, reduced to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual servitude, and being told that's their lot for eternity, here on this planet and afterwards.