The Great Kerfuffle

Let me see if I have this right.  As someone from the left, understanding things that are right, has become near Impossible.  On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched extensive strikes against Iran starting a war that was to last 2 to 3 weeks.  We are not allowed to call it a war.  We often refer to it as a war, but then realize our mistake and call it an excursion.  Then  when we call it a war again, we correct ourselves and call it a “military exercise.”  Then we slip up and call it a war again.

Estimates were adjusted and readjusted and the war is now to last four to six weeks. Just before the 60-day clock rquiring congressional approval ran out, we announced a ceasefire, We did this while still blockading the blockade of Iran, which is also an act of war. With this fragile ceasefire in place, it is announced that the need for congressional approval is no longer needed just in case anyone thought this was a war in the first place. Then we fire on an Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran fires on us, which would seem to end the ceasefire. President Trump assures us that the ceasefire is holding and that this little exchange of gunfire is only, to use his term, “a Trifle.” What’s a little gunfire between frenemies.

While I have no great insight into how we end this thing, I do know what we should call it. Since it would be illegal to call it a war, we need another term. I’m sorry, but “excursion” reminds me of what you do on a vacation cruise after you arrive in a new port. I think we should all agree that the official term for all official documents, public announcements, and official U.S. Government tweets and posts, should be kerfuffle. This is the Iranian Kerfuffle or perhaps more accurately, the United States, Israel, Iran Kerfuffle (USIIK) pronounced "you-sick".

By definition, a kerfuffle is a commotion, fuss, or disorderly outburst, usually caused by a dispute or conflict. It implies a noisy, somewhat chaotic situation or a minor scandal, often considered a "to-do" or "hoo-ha" that may be exaggerated. I don't like "to-do" as it sounds like a list and "hoo-ha" brings something else to mind. Since kefuffle is a vague, seldom used word that dates back to 19th century Scottish Gaelic, it should be easy to remember for our President of Scottish ancestry. His mispronunciations of the word should be good for a few laughs.

I must say I also considered ruckus, rumpus, and brouhaha, but kerfuffle stood out for its extra-vagary. This whole debacle, from its origin, to what’s happening on the ground, to how much damage it has caused, to how long it will last, to how much it will cost our budget, to how much it will cost average Americans through higher prices, to how much it will cost the world, is all very vague. It fits that we use a term that places empahsis on its chaotic nature.

If you ever hear the President, use the term kerfuffle in reference to the war, you will know that he is reading my posts. I won’t hold my breath. In the meantime I think there is Breaking News about some new Middle East kerfuffle