“I believe that Terrorism, in any shape or form, is against humanity. There should be zero tolerance for it”. (strangely enough Narendra Modi).
Terrorism is not necessarily just a person, thing, nation, organization or strategy. Terrorism is a state of mind we must all oppose from time to time.
Many of our leaders misapply this term, often manipulating its meaning, who can be and who may not be a terrorist. The Israeli Troops in Gaza have evolved into a well-organized, well-trained force that takes orders from a “terrorist”, Prime Minister Netanyahu. Don’t you think so? Israeli Forces are terrorizing the Palestinian population to drive them away from Gaza. Sounds like a job for a terrorist don’t you think? Che Guevara was known as a terrorist to the Bolivian and American governments, but the people of Cuba and Bolivia saw him as a freedom fighter.
Terrorists have one job and that is to inflict, amplify and direct fear into populations or groups of people. Terrorists simply terrify other people. Those who employ and use terrorists are themselves terrorists. Iran has invested in and supported many terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Boko Haram and even their own Revolutionary Militia. America supported anti-Sandinista Forces and anti-Castro Forces which were known to be terrorists to the Cuban and Sandinista Governments. One people’s freedom fighter seems to be another’s terrorist.
Police are often accused of acting in a terroristic fashion by protestors and activists alike. To break up a protest march or event police have used weapons against unarmed groups of people. Does that sound terroristic to you? Create fear and drive the protestors away. Job done right? In police academies throughout North America the use of force, psychological weaponization of the very concept of Democracy, the freedom to speak our minds and protest peacefully is taught and openly employed in situations that often do not require such actions. The police fear those they are hired to protect. This fear is used to bring under control citizens who are simply carrying out their rights to free speech and assembly. Just wait until Donald Trump is re-elected. These methods will be used openly more and more.
Freedom Fighters are not terrorists unless they employ actions that create fear within the population like attacking innocent citizens, public gatherings and figures that represent the public. The difference is based on intention. Do freedom fighters, protestors or activists want to harm citizens or that authorities they claim misrepresent themselves to the public?
In North Africa, I experienced firsthand various forms of terrorism such as authorities upon the citizenry, religious terrorism and criminality imposing terror upon their prey. Fear reigns in this continent. Fear of those supposed to be defending the public’s needs, big business and foreign concerns all out to acquire power and wealth for a few. Terrorism is a way of life in Africa and many other parts of the world.
Terminology needs to be understood too. I have heard Canadians describe Justin Trudeau to be a terrorist. Terrorist, no. You can call the P.M. a tyrant, political hack, or totalitarian despot, but surely not a terrorist. Get it straight. Vladimir Putin is not a terrorist either, but a despot with ambitions that equal someone he admires, Joseph Stalin. Donald Trump’s followers besieged the Capital Building creating for a showtime a national sense of terror. Amateurish or perhaps unsuspecting terrorist. They only did what their leader and future tyrant had asked of them. The nation is still dealing with this distinct form of terrorism.
Terrorism does not need to be based on politics but can be criminal in nature, or even personal. The Drug Cartels are very much “terroristic” in every way possible. They deliberately inflict harm, death and destruction in order to spread fear-terror among the public. Fear creates a greater demand for drugs, as the tension and lack of hope spread throughout the population. The public becomes the cartel’s customer, victim, and protector all at the same moment.
A couple are torn by undue violence and abuse. Perhaps the husband inflicts mental, economic and physical terror upon his partner, family and even community. When a family member hits another to get what they want, that is terrorism. If a boss forces your mom, sister or brother to sexually service him, that is a form of terrorism. Remember all terrorism needs to flourish is the inaction of good people.
No matter your station in life, if you see terrorism in action and do nothing about it you are very much a part of that infliction upon others. A terrorist does not even need a gun or weapon except for their fists and cruel mouths to speak horrendous things to another person. Inflicting fear-terror for the sake of acquiring or achieving something no matter its purpose is wrong and socially punishable. Hero’s do something about their fear. They set it aside for a moment and do what is right in their eyes and that of society.
Raising your hand against another for whatever purpose you may have, can be viewed as a form of terrorism”. Violence of any kind is its tool to get what it wants and desires. ( S.K.)
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
