It's not a ban on actual jihad being waged by actual jihadists. Because if they were doing that, that would actually be something. This is just a ban on labeling it the way that everyone else on the planet - from the victims to the terrorists - labels it. Because the best way to solve a problem is to go out of your way to obfuscate it:

Condoleeza Rice has approved a new lexicon for State Department usage, absolutely forbidding the use of the terms "jihad" and "jihadist" by any State Department official. The argument... [is] that by using the word jihad, we're validating the jihadist claim to be waging jihad. Of course, it's ridiculous to think that the U.S. State Department carries any validating authority within the Islamic world to determine what is Islam and what isn't... Also, the claim is that by using the word "jihad," we are insulting the peaceful Muslims who are waging the daily jihad of the struggle against sin, the struggle against the dirty dishes, etc. And that's great, if that's what any Muslim actually believes is the sum and substance of jihad, but it is an understanding of jihad that is at odds with the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

But at least it's not unsophisticated! Although it's still not as stupid as that Orwellian "anti-Islamic activity" stunt that the Brits pulled a few months ago. And as long we're banning words - any chance we can get the State Department to ban the word "espionage" because it reeks of anti-Semitic double-loyalty insinuations.

You're thinking no?

References:
* New State Department lexicon forbids use of the words "jihad" or "jihadist" [Spencer]
* We're Going To Miss Westminster Abbey - Britain More Or Less Gives Up [MR]
* ANALYSIS: New espionage affair may be old story, but will greatly damage Israel [Ha'aretz]

Previously:
* State Department Deliberately Circumvents Anti-Terrorism Laws, Funds Hamas
* State Department: How About We Screw Terrorism Victims, Protect Palestinian Terrorists In US Courts? (Plus: One Jerusalem Launches Campaign)
* Mere Rhetoric: State Department Tries To Cleanse Obviously Illegal "No Jews Allowed" Application But Is Too Fucking Stupid To Turn Off Track Changes