Feds to redefine 'terrorism'

[theloniusfleabag]

I have no link yet, but I heard on the news this am that the gov't wishes to re-define terrorism as 'any act of violence driven by political, religious, or ideological grounds'. Phooey, I say, there already is a definition of terrorism, and this isn't it.

[AndrewL]

I have no link yet, but I heard on the news this am that the gov't wishes to re-define terrorism as 'any act of violence driven by political, religious, or ideological grounds'. Phooey, I say, there already is a definition of terrorism, and this isn't it.

So the Iraq war is state terrorism. The existence of Israel was forged through terrorism., etc...

That definition is the oldest definition of terrorism around, and it is rejected by states because it defines them as terrorists, rightly so IMO.

Andrew

[Black Dog]

Story

The federal government is considering changes to the Anti-Terrorism Act to make it clear police and security agents do not engage in racial or religious profiling.

Justice Minister Vic Toews said last night he is troubled by the ATA's definition of terrorism as an offence motivated in whole or in part for a "political, religious or ideological purpose."

That said, the current definition is pretty broad.

[Leafless]

theloniusfleabag

You wrote:

'I have no link yet, but I heard on the news this am that the gov't wishes to re-define terrorism as 'any act of violence driven by political, religious, or ideological grounds'. Phooey, I say, there already is a definition of terrorism, and this isn't it."

That definition is along the lines of Wikipedia and they did a good job with their definition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear Leafless,

I admit that the Wikipedia definition is fairly comprehensive, but previous to the internet, the definition was roughly : "for one group to attack a second group (generally civilians of a state), with the aim that the second group would coerce a third group (the state to which they belong) into concessions or aquiesence to the first group's demands". The 'terror bombing' of German civilians by the British in WWII (and by the Germans of English cities) was an example.

If they are going to re-define or broaden the term 'terrorism', then they might have to come up with a new name for the old 'terrorism'.