People use this term so loosely today. What quantifies being a terrorist?
Dictionary.com says terrorism is
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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
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This is very vague. The US could easily be included by this definition.
Are Palestinians fighting for a home terrorists? Is someone who gives money to Palestinians relief agencies terrorists? Is an Iraqi fighting for his countries freedom a terrorist?
Somehow I don't think our government's current interpretation of the word is correct. It seems that our government believes terrorism is anyone who is willing to fight for something they believe in that we don't believe in.
I think we need to stop using this word so loosely because it is going to loose its meaning. Is Cat Steevens a terrorist? Obviously no. Does he have terrorist ties? Well if giving money to Palestinian relief agencies that may use the money in non-kosher ways is aiding terrorism then i guess he does. But then again doesn't the US giving money to Saddam, Saudi Arabia, Taliban, ect constitute to supporting terrorism?
Let's face it we have been very hypocritical using this word. The guys who flew planes into the towers are terrorists. The guys who took over the school of children in Chechnya are terrorists. Eric Harris and Dylan Kleabald are terrorists. But the people fighting in Iraq are not terrorists.