I coined the name “Operation Iraqi Freedom”
This is odd. I’ve been seeing a barrage of hits from all over the US for searches for “operation iraqi freedom”. Just now I found this weblog post in my referers. Someone pinch me. I can’t find what is truly going on as that Google search returns one of my weblog entries as the only search result! I knew I should have trademarked that phrase.
Someone fill me in! Folks, this is the real deal. I just heard it on a local news station. You can also find it at the following “legitimate news” links: I never thought that someone would actually name the war “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. It was a name I thought of as a joke. I mean, how exactly are these Iraqis being freed? By the 3000 bombs which will hail down from above? At the time, the name seemed absurd. Trust the US government to once again become their own parody. Regardless of the absurdity of the name, you can bet that I will try and find some way to milk this for all it’s worth. As the one who originally thought up the name, I must be entitled to something! Update (03/19 12:45): The hits keep coming in, now numbering in the hundreds from all over the world and from varying search engines, discussion boards and weblogs. The shock of the naming has long gone, only to be replaced by pity; pity for an administration which couldn’t come up with a name which doesn’t so easily lend itself to parody. Mind you, the name is not yet official so the US administration can still redeem itself. The Google bubble should burst any minute now. Update (03/19 13:32): Gary Turner’s Weblog: Pre-Emptive Copyrights: Actually, I wonder if a bunch of high google ranking anti-war bloggers ‘hi-jacked’ the name for the operation, if that would constitute negative, unpatriotic behaviour? You’re damned right it would! That’s why I should have registered operationiraqifreedom.com when the first few dozen hits came in. Hey, if more people link to this site and include the words “operation iraqi freedom”, there’ll be at least one anti-war weblog in the top ten search results. Update (03/19 20:16): The Google bubble has finally burst. Nothing to see here, folks.
Anti-war MPs vowed to fight on; they are convinced that disaster awaits Mr Blair during the campaign dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom by the US yesterday.
Posted on March 18th, 2003 in politics - No Comments »
A Canadian is smug
Canadians are smug: Guest blogger - my business partner:
I want to tell how, as a Canadian citizen I am embarrassed by my government’s behavior over the past year or so. I am ashamed by my Prime Minister’s utter lack of honor, fortitude and courage. Unfortunately our government and federal political system is not representative of the people.
That last statement is so incorrect as to be laughable. Almost 60% of Canadians oppose a American military action outside of the UN, so our PM’s stance is indeed representative of the people. Furthermore, if any of the “coalition of the willing” required the consensus of their people, there wouldn’t even be a war:
- US: 47% are in favour of invading Iraq if the US decides not to offer the resolution to the UN and says it will proceed with military action without any new vote in the UN. This is precisely what is happening, and a minority in the US support this action!
- UK: 15% say Britain and the US should take military action regardless of whether they get a second UN resolution. Furthermore, Prime Minister Blair faces a rebellion within his own party and is reduced to pleading for party backing on Iraq.
- Australia:
Polls show at least two-thirds of Australians oppose war in Iraq without U.N. backing and [Prime Minister] Howard said he was aware the government’s decision might upset many people.
There is very little support for this war on a global scale. It is clear that the administration of those countries which support an unsanctioned attack on Iraq don’t give two shits what their people think. They are going to go through with it no matter what and do their best to “educate” their people so they can manufacture support. This brings to mind a quote which has been circulating these past few months:
“Of course the people don’t want war. But after all, it’s the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it’s a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.”
The source is, of course, Hermann Goering during the Nuremberg trials.
Posted on March 18th, 2003 in politics - No Comments »