Terrorist or Not?

[Steven Vaccaro]

Since everyone is mudding up Darins thread, I thought I would start the pot stirring myself in a new thread.

So do you think Nadal(the Fort Hood Killer) is an Islamic terrorist or just an insane us citizen?

It seems to me that if he didn't want to fight Muslims overseas, but decided in his eyes it was ok to kill unarmed US citizens, he's a Islamic Terrorists.

[RCprince]

Insane in the membrane, insane in the brain.

I think we've found a new buzz word since 911 and now everyone and everything is a terrorist. Was the Charles Manson a terrorist? was the Son of Sam a terrorist? was Ted Bundy a Terrorist? Is that guy in Cleveland who allegedly killed those 11 women a terrorist? I think that word is use to invoke a certain emotion in people.

[RCprince]

Why we don't call Wall Street Bankers Terrorist? They've been terrorizing our economy for decades.

[Fluid]

Based on comments I've read - that he had stated he's a Muslim first, an American second; that he attended the same mosque that several of the 9/11 terrorists did; that he followed the same pre-attack regimine that the 9/11 terrorists did (strip clubs, gambling, etc); that he hollered "Allah akbar!" during the shooting - and the fact he attacked departing soldiers, I say he's an Islamic terrorist. You don't have to be part of a cell to be a terrorist.

For those with short or defective memories, Timmothy McVey was called a terrorist long before 9/11. So were the Black September hijackers of the 1970s. This is hardly a new buzz word - except among those who think the world began only when they became aware of it......


And I hate to read and hear this comment: "alleged shooter".



.

[RCprince]

I was watching CNN, yesterday an a private who was in the vicinity when the shooting occurred, While being coached by the anchor, said he hear him say that, then when the anchor asked him again, the private said he didn't hear him say it.

[Steven Vaccaro]

Insane in the membrane, insane in the brain.

I think we've found a new buzz word since 911 and now everyone and everything is a terrorist. Was the Charles Manson a terrorist? was the Son of Sam a terrorist? was Ted Bundy a Terrorist? Is that guy in Cleveland who allegedly killed those 11 women a terrorist? I think that word is use to invoke a certain emotion in people.

I think a person that kills innocent people for religious or governmental differences is a terrorist. For example Nadal, McVey are both terrorists.

[RCprince]

So using that logic, Jim Jones was a terrorist! But wait, then the Catholic Church is a terrorist organization, they've Killed millions, via, burnings hanging and crucifixions.

Terrorist is a word used to conjure a provocative subjective reaction. The connotation of Terrorist is: Being Muslim. Are the KKK terrorist? How about the anti-abortionist?

[carsonschaos]

A guess you can argue that the people flying the planes on 9 11 were not terrorist using the same defense. So I guess you win. No such thing as a terrorist. It's odd that the same people I see on the tube, not wanting to use the term terrorist are the same people that can't wait to cry "Hate Crime".

And an abortion clinic bomber should probably be considered a terrorist also, I my view.

[RCprince]

My point is not to question if they are terrorist or not! But why not use the term to describe all people or organizations who commit those acts.

[AndyKunz]

If there goal is to achieve superiority by threat of force (inflicting terror), usually by acts intended to achieve a particular emotional response from or toward the victims, they are terrorists. Does anybody remember Munich? THOSE were terrorists. Does anybody remember the hostage crisis? THOSE were terrorists (are - one is now their President and he seems to keep using the same tactics). People hijacking airliners flying out of Cuba aren't terrorists, they're repressed citizens who have turned to acts of desperation.

If they are only seeking to achieve victory over a local enemy, they are combatants.

Was this guy a terrorists or a combatant? I guess the law will have to figure it out. Either way, his days should be numbered.

Andy

[carsonschaos]

I'll agree that the term is thrown around far too often. It's kinda hard to make black or white. (racism not intended) Snicker.
But this political correctness that we seem to be bogged down in, is going weaken us tremendously. We have to see things as they are and not how we wish they were.

[Bill-SOCAL]

I think a person that kills innocent people for religious or governmental differences is a terrorist. For example Nadal, McVey are both terrorists.

What about this guy?

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/06/07/2009-06-07_scott_roeder_charged_with_abortion_doctor_george_tillers_murder_says_more_violen.html

And what if he was a white guy who yelled "Praise Jesus" before killing people? Terrorist or not?

I understand the desire to paint Hasan as a terrorist. It is the easy thing to do and allows us an avenue to explain what happened and to demonize an entire religious group based on the actions of a single individual. Plus it serves the political purposes of the right to do so. Keeps the "Be very afraid" idea going and allows them a way to politicize this tragedy, something they are very good at doing.

It is far more disquieting to view these murders for what they are, the actions of an insane person. David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) got his orders from God, but he was a pre 9/11 killer, so never got called a terrorist (he killed because God told him to).

When we are confronted with the actions of insane people it places rational people at the disadvantage because we try to place the actions within a sane context, which is doomed from the start.

Crazy people do crazy things.

[NitroVal]

I wouldnt go so far as to call him a terrorist before this happened.. A radical maybe... But it seems to me like a few other issues besides religion and allah lit hit fuse for him to snap and do what he did...

[Bill-SOCAL]

And I hate to read and hear this comment: "alleged shooter".

One of those distasteful side effects of that thing we call the "Constitution". The whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing.

[Bill-SOCAL]

An interesting tidbit in the news today:

Officials said Hasan will be tried in a military court, not a civilian one, a choice that suggests his alleged actions are not thought to have emanated from a terrorist organization.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091110/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_fort_hood_shooting;_ylt=ArESfqlMxm3pTRB7k5NXP9as0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNsZGNmZGplBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMTEwL3VzX2ZvcnRfaG9vZF9zaG9vdGluZwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzMEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA2Z1bGxuYnNwc3Rvcg--