Humodour Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 I wouldn't consider the guy a terrorist. Just a disturbed man. Back before Muslims got involved, 'terrorist' meant somebody who sows fear & panic and targets civilians to further a political/ideological agenda. So yeah, he's definitely a terrorist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadly_Nightshade Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 I wouldn't consider the guy a terrorist. Just a disturbed man. Would you say the old-IRA was a terrorist organization? If so, how is this any different? "Geez. It's like we lost some sort of bet and ended up saddled with a bunch of terrible new posters on this forum." -Hurlshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calax Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 I wouldn't consider the guy a terrorist. Just a disturbed man. Back before Muslims got involved, 'terrorist' meant somebody who sows fear & panic and targets civilians to further a political/ideological agenda. So yeah, he's definitely a terrorist. *takes a LOOONG look at the church of scientology* so... why aren't they on a terrorist watch list? That said, what Krez and Deadly say is perfectly true, by the definition he's a terrorist. Victor of the 5 year fan fic competition! Kevin Butler will awesome your face off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 The cult of Scientology is dangerous but they are not terrorists; their agenda is insidious but it does not seek to sow fear in civilian institutions. They are currently being heavily scrutinised by various government agencies here in Australia and elsewhere (e.g. Germany) for their typical practices: kidnapping, forced abortions, black mail, fraud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 That is because you live in a country founded by tax evaders. ROFLMAO. Coffee up nose. "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Di Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 (edited) I wouldn't consider the guy a terrorist. Just a disturbed man. Back before Muslims got involved, 'terrorist' meant somebody who sows fear & panic and targets civilians to further a political/ideological agenda. So yeah, he's definitely a terrorist. So what's the difference, in your opinion, between a criminal who sows fear & panic and targets civilians by, say, murdering them serial-killer style and a "terrorist"? This incident was a single individual who was mad as hell and committed a criminal act as a huge "**** you" to the tax man. You can call a potato a tomato until hell freezes over, but you still can't make a decent marinara out of spuds. Edited March 21, 2010 by Gorth CIrcumventing language filter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadly_Nightshade Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 So what's the difference, in your opinion, between a criminal who sows fear & panic and targets civilians by, say, murdering them serial-killer style and a "terrorist"? The serial-killer might not intend to cause terror while a terrorist, by definition, wants to. "Geez. It's like we lost some sort of bet and ended up saddled with a bunch of terrible new posters on this forum." -Hurlshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I wouldn't consider the guy a terrorist. Just a disturbed man. Back before Muslims got involved, 'terrorist' meant somebody who sows fear & panic and targets civilians to further a political/ideological agenda. So yeah, he's definitely a terrorist. So what's the difference, in your opinion, between a criminal who sows fear & panic and targets civilians by, say, murdering them serial-killer style and a "terrorist"? Intention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 (edited) Be careful, mate. I've long taken the view that terrorism is a tactic, not a strategy incorporating the political dimension in detail. It is there, obviously, because no action is without a 'political strategic' dimension, but it really isn't the the focus of terrorism. The only political point common to all terrorists is that they have chosen to emphasise violence over discourse for some reason, despite having an inferior military force to their target. Edited March 21, 2010 by Walsingham "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Di Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 (edited) I wouldn't consider the guy a terrorist. Just a disturbed man. Back before Muslims got involved, 'terrorist' meant somebody who sows fear & panic and targets civilians to further a political/ideological agenda. So yeah, he's definitely a terrorist. So what's the difference, in your opinion, between a criminal who sows fear & panic and targets civilians by, say, murdering them serial-killer style and a "terrorist"? Intention. Case closed. This guy was not a terrorist, because his intent was not to cause terror and he had no political agenda. His intent was to destroy the IRS building, because he was mad as hell that he couldn't pay his taxes. I thought this had pretty well been established a month ago. Then someone comes in with the implication that because it happened in the USA, if the guy had been Muslim he would have been called a terrorist and everyone jumps on the bandwagon, nodding. Well, no. He would still be considered a depressed and angry loser who couldn't pay his taxes and was mad as hell at the IRS. As far as that goes, I have no idea what his religion was. It flat doesn't matter. It's a criminal matter. Period. Edited March 22, 2010 by ~Di Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I wouldn't consider the guy a terrorist. Just a disturbed man. Back before Muslims got involved, 'terrorist' meant somebody who sows fear & panic and targets civilians to further a political/ideological agenda. So yeah, he's definitely a terrorist. So what's the difference, in your opinion, between a criminal who sows fear & panic and targets civilians by, say, murdering them serial-killer style and a "terrorist"? Intention. Case closed. This guy was not a terrorist, because his intent was not to cause terror and he had no political agenda. His intent was to destroy the IRS building, because he was mad as hell that he couldn't pay his taxes. Case reopened. This guy's intent was to target innocents for political reasons. Sorry Di, but tax is pretty political. Especially in America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 (edited) You may not have meant to present the dichotomoy, but I don't see why terrorism can't be a crime. Certainly fighting it using just law enforcement poses problems, but it's certainly criminal. EDIT: It's also fair to say that a lot of terrorists are just fething nutloops. Edited March 22, 2010 by Walsingham "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 You may not have meant to present the dichotomoy, but I don't see why terrorism can't be a crime. Certainly fighting it using just law enforcement poses problems, but it's certainly criminal. EDIT: It's also fair to say that a lot of terrorists are just fething nutloops. Yes and yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlshort Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I believe he left an anti-government rant on a blog before he took off. That would make it a terrorist act. If he'd up and shot the IRS guy he was dealing with because he was angry, that'd be one thing, but he targeted a government building to make a political statement with his death. Just because it is a rather weak statement and he didn't join any organized group does not mean it still isn't a terrorist act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I agree with hurlshot. Abject failure doesn't invalidate the attempt. Otherwise I should certainly still be a virgin. "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlshort Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 It's like the old expression "You don't have to attend meetings to be an alcoholic." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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