Re: Islam and Terrorism

Greetings;

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Paul Hammond) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...

> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Robert Arvay) wrote
> > > 

> > The saying that one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist
> > is a worldplay to excuse terrorism.  It's like saying that one woman's
> > rapist is another's lover, when in fact they are quite the opposite.
> 
> The definition of "terrorist" is not quite so clear cut as
> that of "rapist".

Only if you wish to blur the distinctions.  A terrorist is one who
deliberately targets and murders noncombatants (such as children and
grandmothers) for the purpose of achieving political goals by
instilling fear and dread (terror), thereby stifling political
opposition.
> 
> However, if you asked the rapists to provide the definition,
> rather than the women, you *might* come up with some
> different definitions.
> 
> Your problem, Robert, is that when it comes to al-Qaida,
> you are asking the women, and when it comes to the US
> and Israel, you are asking the rapist.

Once again, you are designating Israel and the US as the perpetrator. 
Your evidence is anecdotal--- some inexcusable misdeeds to be sure---
but ignoring the plan and pattern and consistency of terrorist
organizations which deliberately attack and kill Israeli children.

I will agree that attacks on Israeli and US military are not terrorist
acts, although sometimes reported that way.

But bombings of pizza parlors is terrorism.  To define it otherwise is
simply to side with the terrorists.
> 

> "This mentality is what leads people to say that any use of force is an
> act of terrorism, even in self-defense."
> 
> No-one has actually equated "any use of force" = "terrorism".
> 
I have found quite clear the implication that US military actions
against terrorists are to be equated with the actions of the
terrorists themselves.

This amounts to a defense of terrorism, and helps to perpetuate
violence in the region.  If there were half the approbation against
Yasser Arafat for his corruption and terrorism, as there is against
Israel, a just peace could already have been achieved in Israel and
Palestine.