FLATWIRE: Nations Sanitize Libya Lingo For The War Weary (Charles Lewis)

Sept. 1, 2011 (National Post) -- On March 19, a coalition of nations allied with rebel fighters in Libya to help drive Muammar Gaddafi from power. NATO forces, including Britain, France, Canada and the United States began with sorties, a naval blockade and the firing of deadly Tomahawk cruise missiles.

On that day, all became participants in a bloody fight, putting their military forces at risk and adding to the carnage already taking place on the ground.

Yet, with rare exception, their leaders did everything possible to avoid the word that made it clear what they had got themselves and their citizens into — a war.

They have reached for every euphemism possible — “military action,” “use of force,” “mission,” “operation,” “conflict,” “intervention” and “responsibility to protect” have all acted as stand-ins for “war.”

READ MORE: National Post