*Terrorism* is a Political Tool

[Avalux]

Our government has somehow managed to take this word - terrorism - and sucessfully convince most Americans that it is unique to Islam. It isn't. It isn't unique to any religion, any race or any country. It has been around for centuries and has been used in various ways by all peoples and governments for political leverage.

Merriam-Webster's definition of terrorism is as follows:

Main Entry: ter·ror·ism
Pronunciation: 'ter-&r-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion
- ter·ror·ist /-&r-ist/ adjective or noun
- ter·ror·is·tic /"ter-&r-'is-tik/ adjective

Now, after reading this definition, how does this apply to the tactics of our own government? Isn't it just a bit ironic, that after the worst tragedy in our country's history defined as being carried out by terrorists, our government chose to embrace terrorism and use it against us, the people, as a way to usurp power?

The people of this country are victims. Not only victims of a group of extremists that do want to do harm to our country (and did), but victims of our own government, who have stolen the Constitution right out from under us as we quake in fear of terrorism.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. You will never hear Bushco and/or the neocons define "terrorism"

Its so much more useful as a fluid, undefined term.

[Avalux]

2. Of course not.

The term is vague by nature; Buscho has been terrorizing this country since 9/11.

[BlueEyedSon]

3. And yes if they gave it a fixed definition all kinds of things would

fit the description.

[valerief]

6. They're redefining the word Democracy, too. n/t

[BlueEyedSon]

9. Moslty they talk about "freedom", not democracy

they are afraid of real democracy, and it's already a well defined term.

OTOH, when they say "freedom" they mean unregulated corporate capitalism (economic freedom).

[valerief]

10. You're right. In the past, the rhetoric was to "spread democracy."

Now it's to "bring freedom." Good point.

[BlueEyedSon]

11. Iraq???? How's about we bring DEMOCRACY to Florida & Ohio?

An oldie but a goodie!

[rhiannon55]

4. Our military is terrorizing people

in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Israeli military is terrorizing people in Gaza and Lebanon.

Why is it not terrorism when carried out by governments?

What obscene hypocrisy!

:wtf:

[TheFriedPiper]

5. Republicans use FEAR to achieve their political agenda

That makes them TERRORISTS, by definition.

[Cha]

7. Every American who can read

should read, Orwell's "1984" and then see how effective the chimp is.

[liberal N proud]

8. By the definition, what bu$h and the republican are doing is terrorism

They are using terror and fear to coerce the American idiots to vote for them and support their tyrannical methods.