what's GOOD about terrorism?(for once)

[krissy]

the bigger the bomb the quieter the voice

[XxSephirothxX]

I don't think killing people is good no matter how it happens, but I can see one thing that's almost good about terrorism.

-Governments needed a wakeup call; war isn't about two opposing factions standing in straight lines and shooting at each other. The American army was untrained in guerilla tactics when it went into Iraq, and they paid the price. When you're fighting for your life, you should be using any methods available to survive, and that is the future of warfare.

One other thing that really bugs me: Americans have gone ballistic over terrorism since 9/11, but terrorism has existed for hundreds of years in one form or another. We were just too ignorant to care about it till it hit us right in the face, and I don't think it will be possible to fully eradicate terrorism.

[Cloud No.9]

in fact they supported it with the IRA and NORAID. which cheekily enough was against their greatest ally.

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

There's a big difference between a terrorist and someone merely labeled a terrorist. Ghandi was not a terrorist, he used nonviolent methods. Terrorists use fear, intimidation, violence and atrocities. I support no organization that uses such tactics, and thus I feel terrorists are not to be supported.

[Dr.K]

One person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. thats what i feel anyway.

I'd agree with this. Terrorism does not arise spontaniously. It is, in my opinion, the acts of people working hard to make changes, albeit in a shocking and violent manner. I am appalled by it yes, but I wouldn't say it's mindless and useless when taken as a whole.

[Teek]

There's a big difference between a terrorist and someone merely labeled a terrorist. Ghandi was not a terrorist, he used nonviolent methods. Terrorists use fear, intimidation, violence and atrocities. I support no organization that uses such tactics, and thus I feel terrorists are not to be supported.

Quoted for truth.

Everyone, we understand that sometimes governments label freedom fighters as terrorists when they are not. However, we're using the objective terms here, which states that a terrorist was not, say, Ghandi, no matter what the British government thought. We have to cleraly define the terms in order to assess the situation.

I mean, having defined them, I don't see how anyone can see any good in terrorism. What Cloud No. 9 - and all those who support him - is getting at is that there are those who were labeled as terrorists, but were, in actuality, fighting for the right cause - and not using terrorist actions. Ghandi, for example, was not a terrorist - in the real definition of the term.

And to all those who are going (and starting) to bring up the "War on Terror": we all know Mr. Bush is a smurfing idiot in that regard. Thanks.

[Skyblade]

One person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. thats what i feel anyway.

I'd agree with this. Terrorism does not arise spontaniously. It is, in my opinion, the acts of people working hard to make changes, albeit in a shocking and violent manner. I am appalled by it yes, but I wouldn't say it's mindless and useless when taken as a whole.

Bull$#!+. If you want to lift oppression, you target the ones oppressing you, not innocent civilians.

[udsuna]

What you're misunderstanding, guys, is that "freedom fighters" are NOT terrorists.

A terrorist attacks civilian targets. Innocent human lives.

A freedom fighter is fighting for a military cause. Against military targets. They may use the same hit and run tactics, they might be called spies and sabotuers and a lot of other things, but armed resistance is simply armed resistance, whatever the armaments, whomever the armed opponent.

Terrorism is related to resistance in the same way that firing upon unnarmed civilians is related to standard military operations.

At the same time, I don't count "collateral damage" against the so-called terrorists. The suicide bombing of checkpoints is a valid military action, even if random strangers that are simply in the way get hurt.

[Skyblade]

What you're misunderstanding, guys, is that "freedom fighters" are NOT terrorists.

A terrorist attacks civilian targets. Innocent human lives.

A freedom fighter is fighting for a military cause. Against military targets. They may use the same hit and run tactics, they might be called spies and sabotuers and a lot of other things, but armed resistance is simply armed resistance, whatever the armaments, whomever the armed opponent.

Terrorism is related to resistance in the same way that firing upon unnarmed civilians is related to standard military operations.

At the same time, I don't count "collateral damage" against the so-called terrorists. The suicide bombing of checkpoints is a valid military action, even if random strangers that are simply in the way get hurt.

Well, they should try to wear some kind of uniform, since without one they are recognized only as spies by the Geneva Convention and are to be dealt with accordingly (ie: put up against a wall and shot). But otherwise, I fully agree with you.

[Cloud No.9]

the human rights act prevents the execution of spies (in fact all people). though the rules of war disagree.

[Skyblade]

the human rights act prevents the execution of spies (in fact all people). though the rules of war disagree.

Funny, that doesn't stop terrorists...

And before you argue, I consider that killing civilians without giving them a chance to defend themselves to be execution.

[ThroneofDravaris]

It creates great social commentaries like Team America.

[Cloud No.9]

skyblade i'm not arguing for the murder of civillians (unless in a state of total war). i am arguing for urban guerrilla war.

[Skyblade]

skyblade i'm not arguing for the murder of civillians (unless in a state of total war). i am arguing for urban guerrilla war.

Urban guerrilla fighters are not what was under discussion. Terrorists were. The two are not the same.

[Cloud No.9]

depends what you see. are the iraqi insurgents who destory us convoys and murder servicement fighting a guerrilla war or being terrorists?