Tuesday, January 23, 2007
What's in a designation
I don’t know what to make of this:
“Hezbollah-led protesters paralyzed Lebanon Tuesday by burning tires and cars on major thoroughfares in and around the capital to enforce a general strike that aims to topple the government.” Opposition strike paralyzes Lebanon - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com
Were this Iraq, this would probably qualify as the actions of a Civil War. However, I guess since the U.S. (and by extension George Bush) isn’t in Lebanon with troops, what would be the point of NBC making such a declaration?
As for injury reports, MSNBC tells us:
“Several people have been reported wounded in clashes between government and opposition supporters in northern Lebanon. Earlier reports indicating that at least one government supporter had been killed in a gunfight were incorrect, Reuters reported.”
Meanwhile over at the Washington Post:
“Clashes erupted along the country's fault lines, injuring at least 50 people.” Opposition Protesters Paralyze Lebanon
At the same time, on the same page, the same Washington Post is reporting:
“Hezbollah-backed protesters seeking to unseat the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called for a strike across Lebanon on Tuesday, blocking highways and sparking clashes that killed at least two people and injured 100 or more”
No decision yet though on whether one major party openly seeking the overthrow of the ruling party qualifies for the sparingly-used “Civil War” designation.
“Hezbollah-led protesters paralyzed Lebanon Tuesday by burning tires and cars on major thoroughfares in and around the capital to enforce a general strike that aims to topple the government.” Opposition strike paralyzes Lebanon - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com
Were this Iraq, this would probably qualify as the actions of a Civil War. However, I guess since the U.S. (and by extension George Bush) isn’t in Lebanon with troops, what would be the point of NBC making such a declaration?
As for injury reports, MSNBC tells us:
“Several people have been reported wounded in clashes between government and opposition supporters in northern Lebanon. Earlier reports indicating that at least one government supporter had been killed in a gunfight were incorrect, Reuters reported.”
Meanwhile over at the Washington Post:
“Clashes erupted along the country's fault lines, injuring at least 50 people.” Opposition Protesters Paralyze Lebanon
At the same time, on the same page, the same Washington Post is reporting:
“Hezbollah-backed protesters seeking to unseat the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called for a strike across Lebanon on Tuesday, blocking highways and sparking clashes that killed at least two people and injured 100 or more”
No decision yet though on whether one major party openly seeking the overthrow of the ruling party qualifies for the sparingly-used “Civil War” designation.
