N.Y. Times, others call Iraq conflict ‘civil war’ (joins NBC)

[sabra]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15937233/

N.Y. Times, others call Iraq conflict ‘civil war’
Newspaper joins NBC’s highly publicized labeling of fighting in Iraq

WASHINGTON - Over White House objections, The New York Times and other U.S. news outlets have adopted the term "civil war" for the fighting in Iraq, reflecting a growing consensus that sectarian violence has engulfed the country.

After NBC News' widely publicized decision Monday to brand the conflict a civil war, several prominent newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, pointed to their use of the phrase.

"It's hard to argue that this war does not fit the generally accepted definition of civil war," New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller said in a statement.

[Lerkfish]

1. so, they're basically lemmings. For the last several years, they've

allowed the admin. to push them around. Now, all it takes is one of them to tel the truth, and the dominoes fall.

although I'm glad NOW, It makes me nauseous to think on what a thin precipice they waver.

[longship]

2. The dominoes are falling.

It took one solitary person, Keith Olbermann, to bring the whole house of cards down. Olbermann may be the only news person on television whose ratings are rising. The other media outlets--both print and otherwise--see that and are going to respond accordingly.

I think this next year is going to be very interesting and very fast moving. Things are changing. The tipping point has passed.

Hang on, DUers. It's going to be a helluva ride.

[NOLADEM]

4. Yes, but I also think they have been waiting for an incident for cover

The massive car bombs this past week and the purely military response with mortars into neighborhoods was an opportunity as good as any in recent months to hop off of the fence without appearing to change your opinion mid-stream.

The situation on the ground has deteriorated to the point that civil war is undeniable they will say.

They knew along with the rest of reasoned, well informed people that the situation was a civil conflict long ago, but you have your own future to consider when jumping out into the public eye with a new assertion as powerfully different as this one is.

This to me is almost as big as the election in terms of actually changing the course of our commitment in Iraq. Americans want no part of a Civil War in Iraq - even many war supporters.

Finally, this announcement to me will offer many war supporters an opportunity to back out of their support as well. Many citizens have supported it and continued to support it because they think that you should see any such action through to the end no matter the cost, but maybe they now wish that we weren't there. This offers many people an opportunity to say 'Hey, I was all for helping Iraqi's out, but if they are gonna have a Civil War, fine but count me out.'

This is a big deal.

[calimary]

3. Yay! My story about this is up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2990334

For your consideration...

[Jacobin]

5. "Hey, that thing floating around in the toilet...."

"Why, I believe its just a brown thing, possibly made of wood, a carving perhaps."

"No no no, my friend, that is a turd."

"Why, no, it couldn't possibly be a turd. It must be a caterpillar, yes about to blossom into a butterfly."

And on and on and on.



WHAT TO CALL IT IS A FUCKING MEANINGLESS DISTRACTION AND I REFUSE TO READ ANOTHER THREAD ABOUT IT!!!!

[stepnw1f]

6. Geee.... How Ballsy

:sarcasm:

[teryang]

7. "Over White House objections....?"

WTF? How Orwellian. I guess they're upset that the deciders decision on language content and talking points is being ignored by the otherwise subservient Times. How forward thinking of them.

[truthisfreedom]

8. but but but but...

but but but but... but but but but... but but but but... but but but but...

but!

[rocktivity]

9. Don't think that the Dems coming to power has nothing to do with it.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Cha]

10. It didn't take them

effen long to sell the American public on bombing Iraq, though, did it?