What makes a terrorist?

[Smiling JOe]

punzy, well said, and no, I don't think you are pro-terrorism based on what you typed. Look no further than my signature line, and you will know where I stand on the issue. IMO, the Fed Gov't of the USA is growing more and more like the old English Rule, and my thoughts are more and more like those of our Founding Fathers.




These radical Muslims have been killing Christians for hundreds of years, and vice versa. What makes people think that the end of the US is coming?

 

[Bob]

This thread is confusing and totally beyond my comprehension and I am not exactly uneducated. It seems to me half of the intelligent posters don't know what they are talking about and the other half of the intelligent poster's points get lost in their own rhetoric.

It sure beats network TV, but not the sunset.

 

[Smiling JOe]

What do you label a man shooting at U.S. troops in Iraq? Insurgent, terrorist, combatant, angry boy, patriot? What? Should not the big question be, what the hell are we doing over there? Who is sitting in whose neighborhood?

You can bet big money that if I had enemy troupes invading my town and neighborhood, I would be using guerrilla tactics to injure and kill them, in hopes that they will pack up and get the hell out of Dodge. I will not be letting them convert me to their way of thinking. Damn, I'm beginning to sound like those people being described as terrorists. :scratch:

 

[SON]

What MAKES a Terrorist.......????

You Do by the label and the meaning you attach

One causing Terror to you and or your loved ones

The people in Waco Texas saw uncle SAM as a terrorist

Could be the person living next store of whatever faith or no faith

That is why I prefer the word Enemy, no excess baggage .

Someone who is going to take away everything you have and hold dear

Could be a rapist or Iran and you could be just as dead either way

 

[SON]

Make that next door unless your in retail...

 

[Miss Kitty]

Here I go...it's simple, so bear with me. I see alot of this as fear of the unknown...we don't understand it and it goes against everything we know...so, it must be wrong and cause fear that overrules common sense. Of course, is there any common sense active in our government? I understand we as Americans are all about democracy, but who died and made us King of the World?

 

[SON]

Elvis?

 

[Miss Kitty]

Elvis?

...omg, STOP IT!!!!!

 

[SON]

I just had to try for a laugh

IT GETS SO HEAVY SOMETIMES

Have a great weekend

 

[Mango]

It seems to me as though you've embraced the brand, Mango, and not the definition our government provided us. Morally disengaged is the criteria? Well...

Tarring and feathering Loyalists — those individuals who sympathized and were supportive of the British Crown, royal tax collectors, and other officials — was a common practice carried out by the more radical elements of the organizations. (from EarlyAmerica.com)

I think the key here is "the more radical elements of the organization. Not all sons of liberty took to tarring and feathering and it's not lethal.
What makes some people more radical than others? What makes someone have a total disregard for life to further their agenda vs. people who have similar views but won't resort to physical violence?

When I say morally disengaged, I meant relative to the value of life.

Not to be argumentative Mango, but active duty personnel would like to be anywhere but Iraq, and most are only in it for the stability/paycheck. Most terrorists are absolutely convinced they are taking the high moral ground and have God on their side.

I don't consider any opinions as argumentative at all. I value them. It makes for healthy debate.
I am sure that there are many reasons for enlistment in the services as well as those like SJ pointed above.
I am not debating that.

But like SJ's Marine friend who was trained to get pumped up to blow things up, does this not make people wonder where these people are coming from mentally and psychologically who can do this without any feeling any moral consequence?

So in asking what makes a terrorist, I feel moral disengagement has to be a factor.