What is terrorism?

[greencrest1272]

Some pretty interesting questions. Im curious where your stand is on this. You havent really answered any of the question you are asking yourself. Ive got an idea of what some of your answers are, but Im hoping you will surprise me.

well considering every Japanese person located in those areas were warned by the US before the bombs were dropped, I don`t see how you can possibly try and piece that together with 9/11. So since we were warned about that then why did it come as such a schock to everyone?? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[gcdevil22]

i dont think we are terrorists...just an interesting question...form the definition i have been given of terrorism when at first glance it looked a lot like what we were doing

i think the main thing that seperates the 2 are who the target is...we didnt target civilians, but they were a casualty, the "terrorists" purposefully pick ou and target civilians

but i also dont think we are as "innocent" and "big brotherish" as we want the public to believe either

[greencrest1272]

You've surprised me slightly. You have raised some interesting questions. Pretty neat little thread you've got going here.

[CoeburnCane]

gcdevil22 actually has some good ideas when some of the more conservative posters amongst us don't automatically swat away his thoughts on the wars we've waged and terrorism internationally, and dismiss them as liberal slander against God's chosen president. A lot of people would be done a lot of good if they could see their hand past their face when it comes to the way the US is viewed by others internationally. He's brought up some good questions here.

Basically, the Japanese can rationalize Pearl Harbor just the same as we can rationalize Hiroshima. Iraq & Saddam could have rationalized invading Kuwait just as the US can rationalize invading Iraq. Germany can rationalize the actions of Hitler just the same as the Soviets can rationalize the actions of Stalin. Either way...it depends on what side of the fence you're on as to what you see is right or wrong. It's all relative. Us as Americans may think the American Revolution was needed and necessary, while at the same time thinking the French Revolution was too violent and bloody, while also being unnecessary.

It's all about frame of reference. These "jihadists" feel they're doing the work of Allah, just the same way that Pat Robertson, James Dobson, and the rest of the extremist religious right feel they're doing the work of God. There are people on this planet that feel George Bush is evil just as we feel that Osama Bin Laden is evil. It's important to keep these things in mind when trying to understand the situations we are faced with in terms of terrorism and international relations. If we would talk and understand more instead of going in with guns blazing as has become the American way, according to the international opinion of our country. We must be aware of this.

I'd say it would have to be the constant fear in the back of your mind, when will it happen and how.
Do i feel safe and let my guard down today, or is it the day i die for no reason, or my family.
Will it be a bomb, a suicide bomber, or just a person with a ak 47.
Will my kids make it through the day, will i make it through the day.
Terrorism is being attacked without a known reason, with innocent people dying so others can say they got revenge.
They set about a lury feeling in everyone's mind. How safe am i today?
It's a constant state of fear, not talked about, not seen outwardly but always there.
That is no way to live.
Has the US done it, i don't know. Our attack on Japan was to end the war, one because Japan could of fought on longer, and the US did not want to have so many deaths, two Japan was told about the bombs, more than what the US got at Pearl Harbor.
Has any other nations done it?
Well i remember watching as kids in day care died, mom and dad's died. Families lost alot as two planes crashed into two buildings and forever changed a country once again into a country that can no longer let it's guard down.
Terrorism just a constant state of fear, of when, why, where and for what reason.
So one or two who lead many, can justify their belief and their wishes, and assert their power and ideaology, and what they think about things and how they should be run.

[greencrest1272]

gcdevil has just made us all stop and think a little bit which I really like. Instead of just swinging away with left and right punches, it just has made you think and analyze the question no matter your political ideologies.

[CoeburnCane]

Exactly greencrest...and that's how it should be. Lots of times, anyone with a liberal idea around here can't get anyone to scale past all of their conservative ideologies to even listen to a liberal idea that may make perfect sense. Lots and lots of closed-minded people all over the place...higher in population around here.

[greencrest1272]

Well the thing about it is gcdevil didnt just spit out a left wing idea, he just raised some interesting questions which is kind of out of the ordinary for him. Something I might need to look into doing.

[CoeburnCane]

I think it's somewhat of a liberal idea...saying that not all terrorism is limited to Muslim extremists, especially in today's international environment. I'm not disagreeing or arguing greencrest...I just think it's an idea that normally wouldn't be well accepted on this board...and people should take this under consideration.