After all, what is in a name?

"I did a career working for the Defense Department. It was fine. Could I have worked with an organization called the War Department? In a minute. I mean, what is in a name? The direction and capabilities for a War Department would be the same as the Defense Department." 

Oh my! The president and Secretary Hegseth are at it again. It seems that the name of our Defense Department is not quite truculent enough. As Pete recently said (and I will paraphrase), "Sure this department deals with a lot of defense type issues - but sometimes it also deals with offensive issues." With that, the president was on board. Seems he has never been a fan of the Defense Department name.

The Defense Department was known as the Department of War for years - many years. In fact, it was right after the conclusion of World War II, that Congress had the name changed to something weird. On July 26, 1947, Truman signed into law the National Security Act. Part of this act was merging all the fighting organizations into one new organization called the National Military Establishment (Huh?) It seems Truman did not like the name War Department - reminded him of too much authoritarianism. Give me a break!

On August 10, 1949, we got to where we are today. The National Security Act was amended to take care of some housecleaning, as well as to change the name to the Defense Department. For the past 76 years, that is where this department stands. That is - until today. Our current regime does not care for what history has done to the cherished name of the War Department. It looks like this month, the gears will be in motion to get it changed back to what it once was. Will the Democrats in Congress let them? Do pigs (I mean donkeys fly)?

Times change. Situations change. After WW II, by constitution Japan was allowed to have some arms. But they had to be a part of a Self Defense Force. With the emergence of a much more aggressive China (as well as Rusia's encroachments), Japan needed to tweak their Self Defense Force into something more.

My opinion? I did a career working for the Defense Department. It was fine. Could I have worked with an organization called the War Department? In a minute. I mean, what is in a name? The direction and capabilities for a War Department would be the same as the Defense Department. Would this be history repeating itself? We have only been in world wars with a War Department. A harbinger, or a non sequitur?

We might find out today during the televised cabinet meeting. It (as usual) will be "must see" TV. Will this drive the Democrats bonkers? All I have to say is watch out for exploding heads. Once again, Trump will keep the other side spinning.