usmcsis's Diaryland Diary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- just a pet peeve of mine The following definition is taken from the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary: ter�ror�ism: ter-r-i-zm; noun: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion - ter�ror�ist adjective or noun - ter�ror�is�tic adjective i was listening to talk radio today on the radio. (a nasty habit i picked up from jeff lol) and i heard people debating whether or not the current serial spree of a sniper in the maryland/d.c./virginia area is the work of a "terrorist". now, by terrorist, of course, these people debating the situation are speaking of people such as those middle eastern scumbags whom caused the situation of 9/11. however, no where in the definition of the words terrorism or terrorist is there any mention of middle eastern people, crazed religious people, etc. the definition quite simply states that terrorism is the systematic use of terror. period. now here's the question... do i think the "Beltway Sniper", as he/she/it has so eloquently been named by the media, is a terrorist? and the answer is yes. now, say they find and arrest the sick individual who is responsible for the seven shootings in as many days and he's just some crazy white dude. will i still say that he is a terrorist? yes. the reason that i believe that this person is a terrorist is simple. his actions are quite simply creating a feeling of terror and panic. his systematic use of terror in the past week make him a terrorist no matter what his ethnicity or background or belief system (or lack thereof). okay, so that's enough of that soap box. i rarely talk about anything of any importance so don't worry, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled bullshit tomorrow. toodles 3:39 pm - 08 Oct 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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