# A war on terrorism IS terrorism **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 16, 2001, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960 "2001-09-16T09:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/21 "2001-09-16T23:47:21Z")
**Erek** , right now would probably be a good time for you to apologize to **Jasmine** for the personal insult, then e-mail a Mod, apologize to him or her (I’d recommend **Gaudere** ; I don’t know why, I just kind of like her), and request that the offending statement be edited out. As to your warning about sanctioning a “war on terrorism,” I feel you have some solid arguments to present for your position. But that’s just one more reason you have to take the high road and keep your posts and responses courteous. ---
**Author:** ![Tr8rJake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@Tr8rJake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tr8rJake)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/22 "2001-09-16T23:56:47Z")
“Terrorism” is only a word specifying a certain type of warfare. Specifically, it is used to refer to warfare that is uncivilized. Of course, what constitutes “civilized” warfare varies greatly. Soldiers are killed in combat universally (of course). But, at some times and places in history, captured combatants are executed, imprisoned or even assimilated (into the conquering nation). Usually the distinction of terrorism hinges on the treatment of non-combatants. But, even there, there is plenty of gray area. Why is it acceptable to kill a 16y/o boy with a rifle but, not say, a 22y/o factory worker. The rifleman may pose an immediate threat; but, if the factory worker’s plant produces 500 main battle tanks a month (WAG), he may well pose a greater threat. But, the infantryman intends, firsthand, to inflict harm directly. However, by that reasoning, high-ranking officers would be invalid targets, and forward observers and spotters would be completely off-limits. Also, though I understand that a soldier’s life is considered less valuable b/c of a (usually) voluntary career choice; why are male lives considered less valuable, and young lives. A 40y/o tanker can no more be ressurected than a 16y/o schoolgirl. My theory is that war, though impossible to elliminate due to human nature, is senseless. The powers that be KNOW that it is senseless but, try to impose order on the institution by inventing rules that are essentially arbitrary. “Sure, we’re destroying the lives of fellow human-beings; but, we’re not barbarians. See, we have rules; right here on this paper.” Personally, I don’t care if the WTC attack is referred to as an act of war, a terrorist act or a criminal act. On a practical basis it doesn’t matter. However it is classified, it is unacceptable and the only rational course of action is to find those (individuals, organizations and/or governments) responsible and destroy them. If I had my druthers, the US would recognize our enemy as an autonomous state. That way, in accordance with the current set of arbitrary rules of war, its agents would be soldiers, not criminals, and instead of being arrested and tried, we would be empowered to simply find and kill them. PS: I feel my opinions to be reasonably informed as I am a veteran and am fairly well aquainted with the Geneva Convention, International Rules of War, and military history. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/23 "2001-09-16T23:59:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jasmine \* > \*\* > If you knew ANYTHING about history, you would know that there was not even one instance of “carpet bombing” during the Gulf War against Iraq. We exclusively used “smart weapons”, laser guided weapons that were pinpoint in their precision. We decimated the fourth largest military force in the world (Iraq’s) with AMAZINGLY few civilian casualties. > > \*\* Woopsie. give [http://www.deoxy.org/wc/wc-myth.htm](http://www.deoxy.org/wc/wc-myth.htm) a read. “…The total number of bombs dropped by allied forces in the war comes to about 250,000. Of these only 22,000 were the so-called “smart bombs” or guided bombs. About 10,000 of these guided bombs were laser-guided and about 10,000 were guided anti-tank bombs. The remaining 2,000 were radiation guided bombs directed at communication and radar installations…” \*\* > [@](#): > > In regards to our policy towards Iraq, it is designed to prevent their military machine from regaining the kind of power that allowed it to unjustly invade and conquer one of its neighbors. If Iraqi civilians are suffering, it is because of Saddam Hussein’s single-minded desire to defy that policy at the cost of his OWN people. > > \*\* Yes, it IS hard to raise a military when most of your potential conscripts are starving to death. \*\* > [@](#): > > It should be obvious to any intelligent individual that not only do these people have no regard for the lives of our civilian citizens, they have no regard for the lives of their OWN civilian citizens. > \*\* That’s what CNN said, and I’m sticking to it. After all, there’s a Big Mean Evil Dictator over there! \*\* > [@](#): > > It is quite obvious that you are a “terrorist sympathizer”. I think it is disgusting. I think YOU are disgusting. In any event, stand ready because your pals are going to pay for the THOUSANDS OF COUNTS OF CAPITAL MURDER against CIVILIAN MEN, WOMEN and CHILDREN for which they are GUILTY. \*\* Yep, if you don’t advocate flattening lot’s more innocents for this, you’re a terrorist sympathizer. ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/24 "2001-09-17T00:11:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kaylasdad99 \* > **Erek, right now would probably be a good time for you to apologize to Jasmine for the personal insult, then e-mail a Mod, apologize to him or her (I’d recommend Gaudere; I don’t know why, I just kind of like her), and request that the offending statement be edited out.** Did you actually read **Jasmine** ’s post? I think “It is quite obvious that you are a ‘terrorist sympathizer’.” and “I think YOU are disgusting.” and “Again You Show Your Ignorance” are a lot worse insults than “you’re a moron”. If you’re going to be chastising people in this thread for personal insults, at least do it with a fair hand. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/25 "2001-09-17T01:26:41Z")
Quite right, **Monocracy** , and I apologize for letting **Jasmmine’s** ill-advised accusations slide. I swallowed a camel and strained at a gnat. **Jasmine?** A moment of your time, please. Your accusations against **mswas** were foul, unfounded, and insupportable. I stongly urge you to follow the advice I just dished up to him. I know you’re in a state of emotional turmoil such as you have never experienced before (please, God, don’t let anyone ask me for a cite for that}, but when this has us, the targets, going for one another’s throats, the terrorists win. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/26 "2001-09-17T01:29:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kaylasdad99 \* > \*\ ***Erek** , right now would probably be a good time for you to apologize to **Jasmine** for the personal insult, then e-mail a Mod, apologize to him or her (I’d recommend **Gaudere** ; I don’t know why, I just kind of like her), and request that the offending statement be edited out. > > As to your warning about sanctioning a “war on terrorism,” I feel you have some solid arguments to present for your position. But that’s just one more reason you have to take the high road and keep your posts and responses courteous. \*\* I think you are right. Jasmine, I should not have voiced my personal opinions about your intelligence even though, you have previously voiced your personal opinions about mine earlier on in this thread. As for the ops, I am sorry I brought the Pit to Great Debates. Erek ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/27 "2001-09-17T02:40:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mswas \* > My point is that a war on terrorism is too broad and it IS in fact a terror campaign. We won’t know how broad a war on terrorism is until it begins. So far it’s just a catch phrase, and not a very terrifying one. > [@](#): > > In other words make countries afraid to support terrorists, therefore coercing them with a political motivation. That political motivation is the cessation of terrorism. The means are terrorizing them into submission through superior military might and the will to use it against a perceived terrorist. So far, I don’t see the moral problem with this. In fact, I see moral negligence if we don’t do this and try to reduce the number of innocent people killed over the years to come. > [@](#): > > So a war on terrorism IS terrorism. We must use terror tactics to truly fight terrorism. Why would we have to use terror tactics? I sincerely hope we will not resort to bombing innocent people in retaliation for the bombing of innocent people. Our targets are the terrorists, not subsistence farmers or shopkeepers in Afghanistan or Palestine. I think we should do everything possible to ensure that the people we retaliate against are those who direct, organize, or pull the triggers in terrorist attacks (or train those who do). > [@](#): > > War is terrorism. No, it isn’t. That’s why we have two different words: to describe two different phenomena. War and terrorism are both horrible in that people get killed, but they are not the same. > [@](#): > > If we go beyond the retaliation, then we are terrorists. The police and FBI try to fight terrorism beyond retaliation: they actually try to _prevent_ terrorist attacks and _arrest terrorists after they attack_! Are the police terrorists? It seems as though you’re using some absurdly broad definition of terrorist like: ‘someone who makes another person afraid.’ That’s not what the word means. Many of the questions you raise in your last paragraph are valid points, but we cannot be sure they apply until we know what form this “war on terrorism” will take. IMHO, the “war on terrorism” should be fought with Special Forces raids, the FBI, the INS, Border Patrol, airport security, and lots of good police work. Under no circumstances would I support the bombing of innocent civilians in Afghanistan or elsewhere. To do so would only encourage terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960/28 "2001-09-17T13:34:11Z")
\*\* > [@](#): > > IMHO, the “war on terrorism” should be fought with Special Forces raids, the FBI, the INS, Border Patrol, airport security, and lots of good police work. Under no circumstances would I support the bombing of innocent civilians in Afghanistan or elsewhere. To do so would only encourage terrorism.\*\* If this is what it is limited to then maybe it will be ok. However, I still think we should ONLY go after Terrorists that strike US interests or those of our allies. A unilateral war on terrorism will pretty quickly be tyranny at home and abroad. I am just thinking of what tyranny the War on Drugs has led to, and the fact that it has had absolutely NO success whatsoever. Erek [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-war-on-terrorism-is-terrorism/81960.md?page=1)