"A Lauer-certified civil war": What's in a name?

As you may know, NBC made a big deal on Monday about the fact that its news department has decided to start calling the "sectarian violence" in Iraq by its real name. Other news organizations have done the same, but as I wrote today, "leave it to the TV network to turn a shift in nomenclature into a branded marketing event."

Anyway, what difference does it really make? As you'll read, the change in name will likely make very little difference in how people - both pro and con - perceive it.

Link: Kansas City Star | 11/29/2006 | NBC first network to label Iraq fight ‘Civil War’.