Words should mean something... even "terrorism"

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Terrorists do not generally consider themselves terrorists. They consider themselves to be warriors.

If we are to use the word terrorism to mean anything we cannot rely on how the perpetrator would characterize his actions.

There is a good chance that Major Hasan thought his actions were some sort of legitimate act of war, in the context of perceiving that the United States is engaged in a broad war against Islam.

Was he mentally disturbed? Um... yeah. No shit. Does that disturbance mean he cannot be a terrorist? I hope not! I have never considered mental health to be a pre-requisite of being a suicide bomber, for instance. I assume that most people we could all agree merit the terrorist label have experienced stress, have suffered professional disappointments, have poor relationships with women, have poor self-esteem... a feverish desire to kill strangers and/or commit suicide is seldom associated with perfect mental health.

Was Timothy McVeigh the picture of mental health? I am guessing not.


The thirst to say that his actions shall not, can not, MUST not be characterized as terrorism because that would agree with something some Republican said, or might somehow reflect poorly on President Obama, is one of the silliest adoptions of doctrinaire non-think yet.

You cannot argue backward from what you wish to be true.

If a person commits mass-murder of Americans to, in some way, protest or punish American policies that is terrorism in any reasonable sense of the word. (One can note that I do not *know* his motive. Yes, but doesn't that objection apply equally to people saying he is NOT a terrorist?)

Either way, it isn't President Obama's fault.

[theoldman]

1. It all depends on whose side you are on.

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. I think we use the word terrorist too freely.

[Gman2]

2. Nope, his was a misconstrued humanitarian act. He thought he was ultimately saving humans.

I will lay money on it. I think he will say that it had nothing to do with strict ideology.

[slackmaster]

3. Scott Roeder thought he was saving humans when he murdered Dr. George TIller

I think he will say that it had nothing to do with strict ideology.

Being blinded by strict ideology goes with the territory.