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Viruses and terrorism

Posted by Chris L on 1998/02/10 15:16

I personally have a fairly simple definition of the difference between
a terrorist and a freedom fighter. It is simple that a terrorist
will target civilians whereas a freedom fighter targets the
military.

The problem with that definition is that most regimes in the world fit the category of having targetted civilian populations at some point.
The Americans in Vietnam, The Americans with Japan. (The Japanese had attempted to sue for surrender 6 months before Hiroshima and were suing for peace when Nagasaki happened), The british in Ireland one Sunday a little over 25 years ago. etc.

The french resistance were not terrorists. A terrorist uses TERROR as his
main weapon, by attacking soft random targets. I wouldn't call
Army Group West in France either a soft target or one terrorified of the
french resistance.

My answer to that.

the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter is your point of
view.

Guess what the Germans described the resistance as.

A slightly longer definition of a terrorist is someone who attempts to cause a major change in the political system from outside the power structure, often using force.
Whether the targets are military or civilian makes no difference to this definition.

The average sane(?) terrorist in the street wouldn't think it
worth the cost. Plus terrorist atrocities are aimed at getting maximum

publicity for the cause. If you've just killed everyone...

> so, dose that mean we don't have to worry about them getting nuclear

weapons either?

We should probably worry about that one. You can set off a nuclear explosion in another country without necessarily wiping out your own population.
...............................................................................
clyth@
In relativity, matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter
how to move. The Heart of Gold told space to get knotted...
D. Adams Life, The Universe and Everything

Viruses and terrorism

Posted by Adam Hattrell on 1998/02/10 16:33

I personally have a fairly simple definition of the difference between
a terrorist and a freedom fighter. It is simple that a terrorist
will target civilians whereas a freedom fighter targets the
military.

The problem with that definition is that most regimes in the world fit
the category of having targetted civilian populations at some point.

Once again, you'll notice I was defining the _difference_ between a
terrorist and a freedom fighter. That is not the same as defining
a terrorist.

The Americans in Vietnam, The Americans with Japan.
The british in Ireland one Sunday a little over 25 years ago. etc.

However, I will stand by my opinion that an army that deliberately
attacks civilians, is no better than, and in many cases, is equivalent
to a terrorist.

Later,

Adam Hattrell, Support, Cimio Ltd. adam@

Viruses and terrorism

Posted by Chris L on 1998/02/10 16:55

I personally have a fairly simple definition of the difference between
a terrorist and a freedom fighter. It is simple that a terrorist
will target civilians whereas a freedom fighter targets the
military.

The problem with that definition is that most regimes in the world fit
the category of having targetted civilian populations at some point.

Once again, you'll notice I was defining the _difference_ between a
terrorist and a freedom fighter. That is not the same as defining
a terrorist.

Fair enough, but my point is about how the terrorist/freedom fighter defines himself.

The Americans in Vietnam, The Americans with Japan.
The british in Ireland one Sunday a little over 25 years ago. etc.

However, I will stand by my opinion that an army that deliberately
attacks civilians, is no better than, and in many cases, is equivalent
to a terrorist

too true.

...............................................................................
clyth@
In relativity, matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter
how to move. The Heart of Gold told space to get knotted...
D. Adams Life, The Universe and Everything

----------
From: Adam Hattrell
Sent: 10 February 1998 16:33
To: c=GB;a=ATTmail;p=MAFF400;o=MAFF;ou1=SMTP;dda:RFC-822=chat(a)ifis.org.uk;
Subject: Re: Re : Viruses and terrorism

I personally have a fairly simple definition of the difference between
a terrorist and a freedom fighter. It is simple that a terrorist
will target civilians whereas a freedom fighter targets the
military.

The problem with that definition is that most regimes in the world fit
the category of having targetted civilian populations at some point.

Once again, you'll notice I was defining the _difference_ between a
terrorist and a freedom fighter. That is not the same as defining
a terrorist.

The Americans in Vietnam, The Americans with Japan.
The british in Ireland one Sunday a little over 25 years ago. etc.

However, I will stand by my opinion that an army that deliberately
attacks civilians, is no better than, and in many cases, is equivalent
to a terrorist.

Later,

Adam Hattrell, Support, Cimio Ltd. adam@