Terrorists or Freedom Fighters
No matter if it’s from Terrorism or War - the results are the same.
It seems to me watching the news around the world that especially since September 11th, any organization that does something “you” (country wise) don’t like is automatically labeled a terrorist organization with the insinuation that they are full of blood thirsty, instinct driven, uneducated crazy terrorists… ENOUGH!
Definition of Terrorism and Terrorist
The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. A terrorist is a person who engages in acts or an act of terrorism.
Definition of War and Freedom Fighter
A state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties. A freedom fighter is a person who is engaged in armed rebellion or resistance against an oppressive government.
War vs Terrorism
Notice how “open to interpretation” the definition for terrorism actually is, hence why it is abused by political “leaders” around the world to push their own agendas. In the modern world, countries do not “agree to fight”, one simply attacks the other so the term “unlawful” used for terrorism makes no sense as on the larger front, there is nothing “lawful” about a war either. This whole idea that war is somehow legal while terrorism is “illegal” simply holds no water. The end result or expectations are the same, only the magnitude is different. Both “events” do have multiple warnings but they are sadly ignored before it’s too late.
Freedom Fighters vs Terrorists
One persons freedom fighter is another persons terrorist, just like war vs terrorism, the difference is open to interpretation depending on the side you are on. So one day, the acts done may be considered terrorism while at another time, they may be considered “alright” because you where engaged in a war. Terrorists, solders or freedom fighters, have families and loved ones, usually a solid head on their shoulders and far from crazy roaming idiots our leaders try to portray them to be.
Why do group resort to terrorism?
Countries have armies to settle differences because they have the resources to build and procure incredibly expensive machinery whose sole purpose is war (offensive and/or defensive). Individuals or groups don’t have these types of resources in their arsenal so their “weapon of choice” is what they can find around them, leading to what countries label as terrorist acts such as suicide bombings, hijackings and you name it.
Real-world Example
Now that I have set the rules up, lets see how the game plays out in the real world – I wish history lessons where mandatory for people in leadership roles as hopefully they wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes once more.
Israel vs Britain
60 years ago, Britain ruled over what is presently known as Israel and guess what, the “oppressed” Israelis fought their occupiers just as thoroughly as the Palestinians are fighting Israel in present day. The “freedom fighters” who bombed a hotel (killing 92 civilians inside) are still considered “terrorists” by Britain. What I find humorous is that in “celebration” of the event, Mr. Netanyahu said during a speech that the difference between what these “freedom fighters” did and what Hamas (currently considered a terrorist group) is doing now is that they (Israelis) where governed by morals. Israel now says they placed a warning (which Britain never received), so indirectly blaming Britain for the deaths caused by their own bomb. I don’t understand how a moral organization or person can celebrate the killing of 92 innocent civilians in that one single even (there where many more) – do you?
Reference: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-2277717,00.html
How to solve terrorism in this world?
Talk, plain and simple… listen to their grievances and see if you can do something about it – deal with the root cause, which I would bet 90% of the time is related to poverty, occupation and desperation. For that 10%, quick, decisive action must be done to deal with the “leaders”, most people in this world are followers, meaning if the “leader” it taken care of – much of the will to fight dissipates if military action is followed directly by an improvement in lifestyle. Problems arise when military actions begin to hit more innocent civilians then soldiers/terrorists.
Current Listing: http://www.religioustolerance.org/curr_war.htm
Interesting Article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/18/dobbs.july19/index.html
Why war is so counter-productive: http://dahrjamailiraq.com/weblog/archives/lebanon/000436.php
The Bottom Line
There are no “morals” in war or terrorism, only death and destruction.
