Do You Feel The Label 'civil war' Is An Oxymoron?

Question

We have been hearing a lot about 'civil war' recently in the news with regards to Iraq. I began to think there is nothing 'civil' about it. The words 'civil' and 'war' don't mix.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxymoron

So what's your opinion on the label 'civil war' in general? Feel free to comment on Iraq too.

-Leon S

Answer 1

Yeah, it is. And I don't think Americans can use words like civil war regarding Iraq anyway since it isn't our country.
We have our own problems to worry about.

Answer 2

"A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control of an area. Some civil wars are also categorized as revolutions when major societal restructuring is a possible outcome of the conflict. An insurgency, whether successful or not, is likely to be classified as a civil war by some historians if, and only if, organized armies fight conventional battles. Other historians state the criteria for a civil war is that there must be prolonged violence between organized factions or defined regions of a country (conventionally fought or not)."

Like you, I agree there is nothing Civil about War, however, it is a linguist tool to differentiate between two state engaged in belligerence, and the internal population engaged in belligerence in a general move to uphold or overthrow its own government.

Answer 3

Civil War has always been used to describe war within a country, without foreign involvement. Iraq started as an invasion but factions within Iraq have joined invaders to attack another faction. If it continues in this direction, we will come home.

Answer 4

Some words have several meanings dude.

Answer 5

Its up there with military intelligence

Answer 6

na

Answer 7

BOLOGNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT'S IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!