It was an idea whose time had passed as soon as it came: various administration bigs suggested renaming the war we are in "the global struggle against violent extremism.".

It was an idea whose time had passed as soon as it came: Various administration bigs suggested renaming the war we are in "the global struggle against violent extremism." But President Bush tacitly overruled them, using "war on terror" five times in a speech in Texas. The longer phrase sat on the tongue. "The global struggle against violent extremism is hell." "This day is called the global struggle against violent extremism. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, will stand a-tiptoe when this day is named." Not that "war on terror" is flawless. Though we oppose all terror, it is Islamofascist terror that we are fighting. In addition, this war will be conducted by many means during lulls in actual conflict. But a war it is: We must be willing to attack and kill our enemies and their patrons; they, more radically, use violence, not just as a means to sap our will, but as a sacrament in a cult of death. World War II didn't say it all either, but it served. This is our longer, trickier equivalent. On with it.