definition

Submitted by Abdul Rahman Reijerink (Australia), Jul 4, 2006 at 09:32

Dear Moshe,

Terrorist has largely become a term of abuse devoid of real meaning. It has become a propaganda term that draws attention to one group of people while neatly avoiding the official ally or self or some other group.

State sponsored terrorism is by far the biggest component in the phenomenom of intimidatory violence today.

Moshe "And if it was already done before, it is OK to do it now?"

that is just insulting. My main contention is that all violence that intimidates people into following the perpetrators goals should be opposed. thgis includes retail terrorism, you know off the shelf explosive belts worn in civil streets right up to whole sale terrorism, where (proxy)/armies terrorise whole civilian populations like in some of the examples cited. Far too much attention is being payed to retail terror (which should be opposed) to the detriment of the massive terror perpetrated by states like many US client states on their own and neighbouring populations.

I am dismayed that you think I am trying to legitimise the actions of the retail terrorists, I have always opposed them. Do you justify the terrorism of Israel or the US (and I do not mean legitimate and principled acts of defence here so please don't twist my words yet again)? I hope not, the best sort of patriot always opposes the evils of his own regime. that is why I quoted stories about the blood on my governments hands, it is not because I hate Australia, on the contrary, it is because I love it, and wish to see the stain removed.

half truth and inaccurate, unproved allegations? says you. do some research. and if the stories I reported are true, do they constitute terrorism or not?

I really can't see how you twisted my words to say what you allege they do, I can only guess that the spirit of true dialogue is not as strong in you as I thought several days ago, I feel that it is as if you only want to hear ugliness and murder. Do not put me in your little muslim stereotype box and consider that you have done the intellectually rigorous thing.

Ultimately I do not care how you view me, my self respect is not dependent on your opinion, I know my heart and God knows it even more.

I really thought that we had a chance to dialogue, but I see that slipping away. sadly.

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