[kelipso]

This reminds me of that scene where Ned Stark goes and shows a legal document to Cersei and she tears up the piece of paper. It’s DoW because all the official documents, websites, buildings, communications, whatever say it’s DoW, everyone in the chain calls it DoW, etc. Some piece of paper from 1949 doesn’t change that.

[mullingitover]

You're not wrong, indeed the Constitution is some piece of paper from the late 18th century because all three branches of government have been captured by a group of weirdo influencers and podcasters.

Point stands though that the 'pieces of paper' are special, even if the people handling them are lawless. In the long term, cosplaying it as Department of War is just that.

[j-conn]

All the more important for people who value the rule of law to continue to call it the Department of Defense. Executive power ultimately depends on acceptance and compliance. Corrupt and unconstitutional actions are only legitimized by collective acceptance

[fernandopj]

Exactly. POSIWID, the "purpose of a system is what it does".

The administration proudly call it that, formal documents call it that, and war they wage. It is a Department of War.

A remarkable exception of non-doublespeak nowadays.