The Illustrated Guide to Terrorism
Chapter 1: What Is Terrorism?
Page 3: Violence
NARRATOR
Let’s start our definition with one attribute that most people will agree is a necessary element of terrorism:
There must be an act of physical VIOLENCE.
Demagogue shouting at podium labeled “HATE” => NOT TERRORISM
Bus exploded by bomb with bodies => TERRORISM
Marching yahoos with signs “Fear Me!” “No” and “Not you” => NOT TERRORISM
Masked gunmen shooting up a workplace => TERRORISM
Man in suit denying money, college, job, immigration, saying “Denied. Get out.” => NOT TERRORISM
Man with axe about to lop off children’s hands while parents watch => TERRORISM
NARRATOR
Terrorism always involves the use or threat of PHYSICAL FORCE intended to cause PHYSICAL HARM.
People have discovered countless ways to be evil to fellow human beings. Terrorism is only one of them.
Non-violent evils include all kinds of injustice, oppression, indignity, marginalization, theft, bigotry, and exclusion. But because they are not violent, they cannot be terrorism.
Obviously, not EVERY assault or murder is an act of terrorism. The difference isn’t so much HOW it’s committed…
“You don’t have to be crazy to work here. We’ll train you.”
You can consider me amused.
Thanks, Adal!
What about something like cyber-terrorism, that doesn’t involve any physical damage?