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Terrorism
Terrorism has been around since the beginning of time. It fits with my theme of Pop-Culture because unfortunately just the word, terrorism or terrorist sets off politicians, both left and right, activists, revolutionaries, presidents, kings etc.
The terms are used as political labels, to condemn violence or the threat of violence by certain groups, countries etc as immoral and unjustified. It is also used to condemn entire regions or a segment of the population.
It seems no one can agree on the definition. One mans terrorist is another mans hero or freedom fighter.
Unfortunately, for us Americans, we spent all of last week in shock. This week we are grieving. Next week we will be angry.
Even as we grieve, our politicians are thumping their agendas and arguing over the ‘term, terrorist.’
The definition from http://merriam-webster.com
The systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular objective.
The definition from http://www.wikipedia.org
An abiding characteristic is the indiscriminate use of violence against noncombatants for the purpose of gaining publicity for a group, cause or individual. The symbolism of terrorism can leverage human fear to help achieve these goals.
The terms first documented use was used to describe the actions of the Jacobin Club during the “Reign of Terror” in the French Revolution.
“Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible and prompt.” said Jacobin leader Maximillien Robespierre.
In 1795, Edmund Burke denounced the Jacobins for letting “thousands of those hell hounds called terrorists”…loose on the people of France.
However, it gets spun terrorism is pure evil no matter who the actor is and no matter what the reason and all acts should immediately be called what they are and condemned.
