Reply #9: Soldiers were targeted so I agree it is not terrorism [View All]

[exboyfil]

if you define terrorism as the targeting of civilians (not the collateral damage from targeting combatants but also killing civilians).


Are the following terrorist acts:

1. Hijacking, murdering some of the crew and flying a civilian aircraft into a skyscraper filled with business people (yes).
2. The same but hitting a military target instead (the Pentagon). A closer call but because the underlying action (hijacking of a civilian aircraft led to the deaths of the civilians then it is terrorism). Remotely flying a private plane into the Pentagon would not be considered terrorism. (It could be considered a war crime and the individuals involved could be executed because they were not under uniform and not participating in a declared war under the Geneva Convention).

Hypotheticals -

Flying a private plane into the White House (not terrorism because the primary target is the Commander in Chief)

Flying a private plane into Congress (??? don't know)

Flying a private plane into a manufacturing facility which builds both civilian and military trucks (???)