What is a Terrorist???

Chaos-Engine

After the events of September 11th the worlds governments have been rushing "Anti-Terrorism" and "Increased Servalence" Leislation through their respective parliments. Apart from the deep infringment on our civil liberties by even foreign governments their shortsighted and broad view of :
"What exactly is a Terrorist?"
"Who are the Terrorists?" and
"What is an act of Terrorism?"
is some what disturbing....

For example. Script kiddies can now be called terrorists and some how be compared to the Hijackers. e.g. http://www.securityfocus.com/news/257


I think the governments of the world should be able to categories the various types of terrorism and perhaps be able to see the visible differences between: Anarchy and Violent Terrorism... Anarchy is a form of protest used widly by Anti-Globalists, Socialists, Ecologists and French Farmers. Under some of the proposed definitions of terrorism protests will practically become illegal.

We need to fight for our civil liberties and help teh governments see the differences between Socio-Economic Anarchic Protest(political or not) and Violent Terrorism(Bombs, Kidnapping, Violence)...

--

Next the Thought Police will be out patroling and our own children will be proclaiming us spys

Bard

From dictionary.com:


ter·ror·ist (trr-st)
n.
One that engages in acts or an act of terrorism.

adj.
Of or relating to terrorism.

ter·ror·ism (tr-rzm)
n.
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.

you work it out

Victor

Based on the dictionary definition (however broad) script kiddies doing some modest h4X0r1ng aren't terrorists.

bonkey

Originally posted by Victor
Based on the dictionary definition (however broad) script kiddies doing some modest h4X0r1ng aren't terrorists.

You'll probably find that the legal profession has a simple definition of a terrorist - one who engages in, plans, funds, etc. acts of terrorism. So now, its just down to listing off what constitute acts of terrorism, which script kiddes could get lumbered with.

And, TBH, I have no issue with script kiddies getting considered terrorists and getting hit by the new full weight of the law.

However, going back to the original point about anarchy being a "common" method of protest particularly with socio-economic issues, and this being arguably classed as terrorism.

Look at it very simply. You protest peacefully, without intimidation, and no-one can accuse you of terrorism. You smash windows, deface property, burn cars, cause riots, etc. then you are at the least guilty of criminal damages, if not engaging in acts of terrorism (using fear and terror as a weapon). This is a fine line, but to be honest....

Given the way that protests around the G4 summits have been going, I woiuld have no qualms about seeing a violent protestor tried as a terrorist. This is not an infringement of anyone's civil liberties, before you all come screaming at me. No-one has the right to engage in random acts of violence and/or rioting in the name of protest. You do it, and you deserve to have the full force of the law rammed down your hypocritical throat.

I support peaceful protest. Violent protest disgusts me.

Oh - and before people come waving the "police brutality" or the "they started it" flags, just have a look at the cases you would like to argue. Either it is a clear case of unprovoked assault by the police, or it is a case of there being someone causing trouble which the rest of the protestors (peaceful ones) have suffered for.

jc

Hobbes

I can't wait for the first script kiddie to get jailed screaming "But you can't jail me! It's not real life!! I am too l33t!!"

Although the law itself is a bit crazy. By it's defination a sys admin telling someone how an exploit works can be jailed.

I can see the RIAA having people who copy music defined as terrorists.

Excelsior

Originally posted by bonkey


the G4 summits

Damn those Apple Mac LANs! Damn them to hell. They are worse than Hitler!

bonkey

*Cough*

/me tries to remember his numbers.

jc

Chaos-Engine

Anarchy isn't violent mostly
I mean look at the protest on O'Connell street last Saturday.

"RECLAIM THE STREETS"

It was about EU car free day. Backed by Dublin Corperation.
The Plan was to cycle down O'Connel street and blockade it. Then play some street football outside the GPO.
The Gardaí dispirsed the protesters and arrested 5 elderly men for cycling too slowly....

YES IT WAS ANARCHY... NO IT WASN'T VIOLENT(at least till the Gards arrived)

bonkey

Originally posted by Chaos-Engine


Anarchy isn't violent mostly
I mean look at the protest on O'Connell street last Saturday.

"RECLAIM THE STREETS"

The whole "reclaim the streets" movement over the years has, in general, been a tremendous success.

However, many of the events did include significant amounts of damage to property. While I accept that this is caused by a minority, that does not excuse it.

The minority who use the RTS events as an excuse to perform random acts of vandalism and/or violence can be classed as terrorists, and I'll be much happier. I reckon most of the genuine RTS protestors would be happier to see these louts arrested too.

Anarchy does not explicitly mean violence. Anarchy means "no law". Unfortunately, there are just too many ars3hol3s on this planet who take "no law" to mean "I can do what I like, and damn everyone else". I think very people would shed a tear if one of these louts was arrested and found himself on the wrong end of a stiff "terrorism-related" sentence.

jc