What is a terrorist?
National NewsAn excellent debate was started on another website (which shall remain nameless for the time being :) )
What does it mean to be a Terrorist?
My personal view of a terrorist is someone who uses fear and intimidation to get their political agenda across; typically and most specifically targeting unarmed and otherwise innocent civilians who are easy (soft) targets, easy to kill or maim and don't have the ability to fight back.
The argument here is that the US is acting as a terrorist organization and that simply by occupying Iraq, we are giving just cause for the Iraqi resistance to attack us; and, by association, those in Iraq who side with the US.
My counter to this claim would be that the US is not purposefully attacking civilians. We're not blowing up car bombs in crowded markets, we're not mowing down funeral processions. Similarly, the "resistance" is really not much of one anymore...at least against the US. There are still elements fighting US forces, but the majority of reports coming out of Iraq now are of the Sunni Muslims attacking Shia Muslims, provoking them into Civil War.
That's my view in a nutshell...what is your opinion?
Sound off in the forums - What does it mean to be a Terrorist?
~Dubya
If they wanna go back to being troll bait they may have caved in already.
Any chance we can get an open thread for blog boycott refugees?
I know the cause behind the boycott is a good one. I don't want to be a reason, ie., "the 60 year old woman called..." I'm hardly a little old lady who needs boy scouts to help her across the street.
But, I miss everyone! I was just feeling comfortable. Before I felt comfortable enough to join in the posting I had read and enjoyed the great people who made me laugh, think, and learn.
Dubya, I agree with your definition of a terrorist. But I think Bush&Co are accusing people who don't fit that description of being terrorists. And with their new-found freedoms of the Patriot Act they get to decide who is accused, then held without charges or defense. Don't you imagine they are holding people who are protecting their families, homes and way of life?
Citizens also become victims in more traditional war scenarios with clearly defined combatants... maybe even more so. War is ugly. War sucks. War is hard on people. But, sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette. Sadly some unfortunate people are usually caught in the middle when war is being waged, no matter how well intentioned the leaders are.
I'll have to see if I can find it again, but there is a picture I've seen of a Palestinian (militant or terrorist??) with an AK-47, shooting at Israelis, while 4 young men, unarmed, stand right next to him, holding their ears as he fires. Ironically, they were on the shell-ejection side, which struck me as somewhat amusing.
But again...that's part of where Political Correctness is getting in the way. We are so worried about what everyone is going to think that we not only fail to accomplish our goals, we are rendered virtually paralyzed by fear of action.
~Dubya
I'll be your boy scout anytime, Kinda Inks!
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