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How do you define terrorism?
Topic Started: Apr 11 2004, 07:03 PM (291 Views)
somerled
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Admiral MacDonald RN
Surely it depends on one's perspective - if you are a memeber of a downtrodden, persecuted or defeated peoples or nation who have had their ability to wage normal warfare using normal military means removed from them, then the acts of violence on the part of patriots and freedom fighters against civilian infrastructure and to harass the enemy occupiers might not be regarded as terrorism by you, but as acts of patriotism or martyredom (if the attacks are suicidal).

On the other hand , the occupiers / enemy will see these acts as terrorism and murder by bloodfirsty senseless fanatics (at least this is what they would say in public - ie they Germans in occupied Europe in WWII if one wants a contempary model).

Its all a matter of one's perspective.

Now if you are talking about the warfare in Iraq - doesn't this stem from fustration in that the majority of the Iraqis are feeling disenfranchised once again in that the occupiers want to to impose a "temporary" government comprised mainly of USA friendly ex-pats (many of whom have out of Iraq for decades) and who will do everything they can to avoid an actual majority government representing the majority of people in Iraq taking power.
Sounds very much like the Coalision are treading on very thin ice in Iraq.
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doctortobe
Speak softly, and carry a 57 megaton stick!
But as I said before, the only perspective that matters in the long run is that on the winner.
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somerled
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Admiral MacDonald RN
Perhaps , probably because it is the only perspective that survives in the end , since the victors write the histories.

But this doesn't necessarily always make the surviving perspective the morally right one.
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Hoss
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
somerled
Apr 12 2004, 11:13 PM
Perhaps , probably because it is the only perspective that survives in the end , since the victors write the histories.

But this doesn't necessarily always make the surviving perspective the morally right one.

Don't get moral on me, athiest. Who's to say it isn't morally right for one nation to take over another because it is stronger? That is how it is done in the rest of nature.
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Dandandat
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Time to put something here
38957
Apr 13 2004, 12:57 AM
Don't get moral on me, athiest.

Am I to take this to mean that athiest arent moral?
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Hoss
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
Dandandat
Apr 13 2004, 12:03 AM
38957
Apr 13 2004, 12:57 AM
Don't get moral on me, athiest.

Am I to take this to mean that athiest arent moral?

I don't know.

But, I was just getting on Somerled for using such a term. Sounds so judgemental, like those pesky religious sort.
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somerled
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Admiral MacDonald RN
Dear me - who put that nasty pine cone up your arse ? :loling: :rotfl: :loling: :rotfl:

Since when was being an athiest something immoral ? Some of you guys crack me up.

Oh. Wait a second. You've lost the moral high ground so you have decided to resort to personal attacks. Water of a duck's back.
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Fesarius
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Admiral
Quote:
 
Perhaps , probably because it is the only perspective that survives in the end , since the victors write the histories.

I seem to recall something similar being said in Trek, but I can't remember where I heard this. Something peripherally-related was mentioned in Space Seed, but I don't think that that's the episode I am thinking of....
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somerled
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Admiral MacDonald RN
Fesarius :

Not wrong there.

I frequently hear similar things said in debates on sensitive subjects (on current affairs programs), often the discussion becomes HEATED.

I for one am not scared of taking on debating subjects that are tough or difficult. This may not win many friends but it does ensure these matters get an airing where they may not otherwize (being taboo or not confortable to some) but everyone benefits by learning something.
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Fesarius
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Admiral
^^^
Agreed. As you can see, I edited my post, since it could have been interpreted by some that I was pointing fingers. That's not why I joined SisterTrek. :)
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Intrepid2002
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UNGH!
Terrorism, to me, is another form of guerilla warfare but notched up a bit.
It's a sneaky, dishonorable way to fight a stonger opponent. Have you noticed?

Wars have evolved into this. we as Americans can't fight the honorable opponent anymore. While watching the movie, "The Patriot" starring Mel Gibson :drool: I noticed his characted being berated by Cornwalis. Rules of engagement not being followed, officers not being targets, claiming aggrieved status etc. etc. etc...... we don't fight wars like this anymore. Almost anything can be claimed as a form of terrorism depending who you talk to.
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Fesarius
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Admiral
^^^
Yes, it's probably why terrorism is frequently referred to as an act done by cowards. BTW, nice to see the Trek (DS9) reference in your post, whether intentional or not. :)
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