Define terrorism

[Pongui]

Originally posted by EdwardTking
A key point is that terrorism induces an emotional response.

If you refuse to be terrified; terrorism by its definition fails.

Yup. That's why mailing letters sprinkled with harmless baking soda, or calling in a false bomb threat to an elementary school, is terrorism.

Terrorists do things specifically to terrify. Many Americans, unfortunately, took up the terror of 9/11 and stoked it. They've gone on to further terrify people, for political leverage or whatever. This makes them accomplices of terror in my eyes.

The 9/11 hijackers were not absolute terrorists or direct enemies of the American people. They could have hit the Statue of Liberty or Disneyland, for example. President Bush could have told Americans, "Don't be afraid, it's our military and big business being targeted", but this never crossed his mind because the terror was directed at him. Instead, he pointed his finger at innocent Americans and said they were the prime targets of terror attacks, diverting the terror onto them.

Doubtless Saddam in Iraq uses the same trick, diverting external hatred of his regime into threats that US bombs will target civilians, not his own seats of power. Terror flows so easily.

 

[Sultan Bhargash]

Originally posted by Sean Lindstrom

Yup. That's why mailing letters sprinkled with harmless baking soda, or calling in a false bomb threat to an elementary school, is terrorism.

Agree.

Originally posted by Sean Lindstrom

Terrorists do things specifically to terrify. Many Americans, unfortunately, took up the terror of 9/11 and stoked it. They've gone on to further terrify people, for political leverage or whatever. This makes them accomplices of terror in my eyes.

Strongly agree on language, but not implications. (i.e. I wouldn't want Rush Limbaugh tried in a secret court and hung at Gitmo).

Originally posted by Sean Lindstrom

The 9/11 hijackers were not absolute terrorists or direct enemies of the American people.

Strongly disagree. There were American people on those planes, and American people - civilians, non-business employees - at both target sites.

Originally posted by Sean Lindstrom

They could have hit the Statue of Liberty or Disneyland, for example.

And insult the French?

Originally posted by Sean Lindstrom

President Bush could have told Americans, "Don't be afraid, it's our military and big business being targeted", but this never crossed his mind because the terror was directed at him. Instead, he pointed his finger at innocent Americans and said they were the prime targets of terror attacks, diverting the terror onto them.

I agree in principle- I agree Bush has played on our fears in a disgraceful manner unbecoming a leader. But again I disagree with all of the implications. Even if he wanted to say it was "military and big business" he wouldn't convince the family of janitors and service workers and priests and stewardesses that died. He botches it when he says "they hate our freedom" and then does as much as he can to restrict our freedom. I agree they hated our military and business more than our civilians that day.

Originally posted by Sean Lindstrom

Doubtless Saddam in Iraq uses the same trick, diverting external hatred of his regime into threats that US bombs will target civilians, not his own seats of power. Terror flows so easily.

There is no question Saddam is doing what he can to make the Iraqis think that the US is against them and not just him. Just like the wise over here know it is Bush to blame, the wise over there know it Saddam's folly.

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
They don't care about people being paranoid, they just want us DEAD.

When you say "us" who do you mean? U.S. citizens? That's the implication I get when reading that statement. I will say that it is partially true, but not limited to that.

As Sultan pointed out, groups like the KKK (maybe not as much today, but once they were) are also terrorist groups. People in other countries are terrorized by different groups as well.

I'm sure you didn't mean it that way rm, I'm just pointing out to everyone that "us" can mean anyone on this earth.

 

[Sultan Bhargash]

Not to him it don't.

 

[Pongui]

Originally posted by Sultan Bhargash

Strongly disagree. There were American people on those planes, and American people - civilians, non-business employees - at both target sites.

I meant that they're indirect enemies of Americans. They put their cause above innocent civilian life. They'll sacrifice Americans. If they were direct enemies of Americans they would have done something else, aimed at killing a lot more people.

Anyway, one civilian death is too many, and Al Quada is now an enemy of the American people. It can't hope to survive now.