When is a civil war, a "civil war"?

[Kelvin Mace]

I keep hearing everyone in the media and government claiming that Iraq is on the "brink" of civil war, "approaching" a civil war, or "falling" into a civil war. At what point does it actually become a civil war? It seems the press (who helped instigate the war) and the government who illegally waged the war, have a vested interest in never admitting that a civil war is actually taking place in Iraq.

With Iraq losing about 100 people A DAY, isn't the issue moot? I went out and looked at other conflicts already deemed "civil wars" by the press and history and looked at the body count, which to me seems to be the only real criteria.

Algeria (1991-2002) - 50 dead/day
Greece (1946-1949 - 46 dead/day
Ireland (1922-1923) - 11 dead/day
Lebanon (1975-1990) - 18 dead/day
Liberia (1989-1996) - 98 dead/day
Nigeria (1967-1970) - 3,289 dead/day
Rwanda (1994) - 10,710 dead/day


Obviously, Rwanda and Nigeria have horrific body counts, yet Iraq is well ahead of the rest cited. Yes, this is just a sampling, but I think it supports my view that the Iraqi Civil War began when the Coalition Provisional Authority left in 2004.

[Lindacooks]

1. When two 'native' peoples in the same country are fighting each other,

that's a civil war, in my book. And in most of the world's opinion. Except for Dumsfeld and his crew.

[emmadoggy]

2. I've been wondering the same thing for a long time now.

Interesting stats. Yes, Nigeria and Rwanda are incomprehensible.

Of course, the Shrub administration will NEVER admit it's a civil war, so don't hold your breath. I think the truth is pretty obvious to anyone who is paying attention though (and isn't hiding behind a huge case of DENIAL).

[Hubert Flottz]

3. When it reaches a high enough level of incivility...

civil war
n.
1. A war between factions or regions of the same country.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/civil%20war

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. When the bosses decide to tell you there's one.

"It's NOT a civil war."
"It's not a civil war."
"It's not yet a civil war."
"It resembles a civil war, but isn't."
"It could turn into a civil war."
"We hope it won't turn into a civil war."
"It could be described as a civil war."
"There are indications that it is a civil war."
"By gum, it is a civil war."