Comment Re:Terrorism too strong a word (Score 2, Informative) 366
http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3ATerrorism
http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3AState+Spon sored+Terrorism
Terrorism is defined by the U.S. Department of Defense as "the unlawful use of -- or threatened use of -- force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives."
The criteria of unlawfulness would generally rule out the prospect of terrorism being practiced by a government as it is the government that makes the laws. It may be practiced by individuals or groups within the government, if their actions are unlawful. Likewise you may believe that the laws enacted by your government are immoral or "evil"; however it does not fit the definition of terrorism. A government's actions may fit the definition of state terrorism or state-sponsored terrorism which as stated by the OP are separate concepts.
Perhaps you want to define terrorism differently; in any case if you want to have a dialogue about something, you first have to clearly agree on the definitions of the words you're going to use, and use the correct words to describe what you're talking about.
http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3AState+Spo
Terrorism is defined by the U.S. Department of Defense as "the unlawful use of -- or threatened use of -- force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives."
The criteria of unlawfulness would generally rule out the prospect of terrorism being practiced by a government as it is the government that makes the laws. It may be practiced by individuals or groups within the government, if their actions are unlawful. Likewise you may believe that the laws enacted by your government are immoral or "evil"; however it does not fit the definition of terrorism. A government's actions may fit the definition of state terrorism or state-sponsored terrorism which as stated by the OP are separate concepts.
Perhaps you want to define terrorism differently; in any case if you want to have a dialogue about something, you first have to clearly agree on the definitions of the words you're going to use, and use the correct words to describe what you're talking about.
