# Smapti is Pitted **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 21, 2014, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907 "2014-05-21T08:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 59
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1161 "2014-12-14T18:30:45Z")
How can something go from “terrorism” to “not terrorism” just by being permitted by authorities? Shouldn’t that call into question your definition of terrorism? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1162 "2014-12-14T18:30:55Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > And why is your view right? I already said why I think it’s right. Quit sidestepping all your wrongness. You said MLK Jr. was a terrorist. You said you wouldn’t risk anything at all to help slaves escape. You’ve said many things that are repugnant, and many things that are just incredibly wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1163 "2014-12-14T18:34:55Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > You’ve said many things that are repugnant, and many things that are just incredibly wrong. _In your view._ ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1164 "2014-12-14T18:36:17Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > How can something go from “terrorism” to “not terrorism” just by being permitted by authorities? Shouldn’t that call into question your definition of terrorism? Terrorism is a crime. If it’s been sanctioned by the state, it’s not a crime, and therefore it’s not terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1165 "2014-12-14T18:45:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Terrorism is a crime. If it’s been sanctioned by the state, it’s not a crime, and therefore it’s not terrorism. You’re revealing your lack of facility with logic. All things that are crimes are not terrorism. Alternatively, given that you are you, an authority fellator, I should ask: In your opinion, is the fundamental problem with terrorism that it is against the law? Hypothetically, if the Oklahoma City Bombing been granted a permit, would it not have been terrorism? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1166 "2014-12-14T18:58:07Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > You’re revealing your lack of facility with logic. All things that are crimes are not terrorism. Not all crimes are terrorism, but all terrorism is criminal. > [@](#): > > Alternatively, given that you are you, an authority fellator, I should ask: In your opinion, is the fundamental problem with terrorism that it is against the law? Hypothetically, if the Oklahoma City Bombing been granted a permit, would it not have been terrorism? By definition, yes. It’s not terrorism if it’s legal. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1167 "2014-12-14T19:08:33Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > By definition, yes. It’s not terrorism if it’s legal. I actually can’t believe people are arguing with you about this… It’s clear that they’re not bothered about what you’re saying, they’re arguing just because it’s you. Idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1168 "2014-12-14T19:13:41Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I actually can’t believe people are arguing with you about this… It’s clear that they’re not bothered about what you’re saying, they’re arguing just because it’s you. > > Idiots. **Steophan** , do you agree with **Smapti** that blocking traffic is terrorism? I hope so, because it will solidify everyone’s awareness that you’re a fucking moron. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1169 "2014-12-14T19:22:30Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > **Steophan** , do you agree with **Smapti** that blocking traffic is terrorism? I hope so, because it will solidify everyone’s awareness that you’re a fucking moron. What is terrorism? ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1170 "2014-12-14T19:31:18Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > **Steophan** , do you agree with **Smapti** that blocking traffic is terrorism? I hope so, because it will solidify everyone’s awareness that you’re a fucking moron. So, you take from me saying that not everything he says is wrong, to meaning I must agree with all he says? It’s not me who’s looking like a fucking moron. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1171 "2014-12-14T19:33:51Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > So, you take from me saying that not everything he says is wrong, to meaning I must agree with all he says? It’s not me who’s looking like a fucking moron. Yes or no? You’re the one who couldn’t believe anyone was arguing this point with him, you fucking moron. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1172 "2014-12-14T19:36:24Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Yes or no? You’re the one who couldn’t believe anyone was arguing this point with him, you fucking moron. No I’m not, you illiterate cretin. You claimed that legal acts can be terrorism, and you also used completely idiotic false logic to claim **Smapti** thought all crimes were terrorism. The _only_ think I’ve expressed an opinion on is whether legal acts can be terrorism. The answer is no, by definition. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1173 "2014-12-14T19:36:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Not all crimes are terrorism, but all terrorism is criminal. > > By definition, yes. It’s not terrorism if it’s legal. You’re insane. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1174 "2014-12-14T19:44:03Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > You’re insane. What the actual fuck? What he said is literally, factually, entirely correct. What _possible_ part of it could you be arguing against? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Why\_Bother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19adc/32.png) [@Doctor\_Why\_Bother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why_Bother)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1175 "2014-12-14T19:47:56Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > What the actual fuck? What he said is literally, factually, entirely correct. What _possible_ part of it could you be arguing against? Krystallnacht was “legal”. Was it not terrorism? ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1176 "2014-12-14T19:56:11Z")
> [@Doctor\_Why\_Bother](#): > > Krystallnacht was “legal”. Was it not terrorism? It was ignored by the authorities, not officially sanctioned by them, it wasn’t “legal” in any sense. Not all acts by governments or their representatives are legal. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1177 "2014-12-14T20:21:20Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > What the actual fuck? What he said is literally, factually, entirely correct. What _possible_ part of it could you be arguing against? Okay, see if you can follow this, you fucking moron. The problem with what Timothy McVeigh did was NOT that he failed to get the proper permits in advance. The problem was that it killed hundreds of people, destroyed a building and caused terror and devastation for millions of people. If he got a permit in advance, the act would still have caused all of those things. Only an authoritarian psychopath excuses horrific behavior because it is sanctioned by authorities. Blocking traffic causes inconvenience and frustration. It does not cause terror. The problem with terrorism is not that it is a criminal act. Only a fucking moron, who is also a psychopathic piece of shit like yourself, would think that. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1178 "2014-12-14T20:34:52Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > The problem with what Timothy McVeigh did was NOT that he failed to get the proper permits in advance. The problem was that it killed hundreds of people, destroyed a building and caused terror and devastation for millions of people. If he got a permit in advance, the act would still have caused all of those things. Only an authoritarian psychopath excuses horrific behavior because it is sanctioned by authorities. Was the bombing of Hiroshima terrorism? ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1179 "2014-12-14T20:41:37Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Okay, see if you can follow this, you fucking moron. > > The problem with what Timothy McVeigh did was NOT that he failed to get the proper permits in advance. The problem was that it killed hundreds of people, destroyed a building and caused terror and devastation for millions of people. If he got a permit in advance, the act would still have caused all of those things. Only an authoritarian psychopath excuses horrific behavior because it is sanctioned by authorities. > > Blocking traffic causes inconvenience and frustration. It does not cause terror. > > The problem with terrorism is not that it is a criminal act. Only a fucking moron, who is also a psychopathic piece of shit like yourself, would think that. Good lord you really are stupid. You write rather well, which is why it’s odd that you seem unable to read. Someone legally demolishing a building would not be terrorism, which is what would have happened had McVeigh got the appropriate permits. There is no legal way for a private individual to blow up a building full of people, so talking about it is absurd. If an army legally blows up a building full of people in a war, that’s also not terrorism. Also, no-one has claimed the problem with terrorism is that it’s criminal, so I don’t know who you’re talking to there. It’s because terrorism is a problem that it’s illegal. There aren’t legal acts that are terrorist, any such acts would already be illegal. There are plenty of illegal acts that don’t harm people, and no-one’s calling them terrorist. Terrorism is a subset of criminal activity. There is no terrorist activity that is not criminal. There is much criminal activity that is not terrorist. Do you understand yet? But hey, if you want to argue that the government demolishing someone’s house despite them not wanting to leave is the equivalent of what McVeigh did, go for it, it won’t make me look stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1180 "2014-12-14T20:42:43Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Was the bombing of Hiroshima terrorism? I’m betting he’ll say yes. Because he finds words hard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=58) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=60)