My definition of a 'Terrorist' is anyone crazy enough to think that killing or maiming of 'Innocent' civilians is a justifiable way to bring attention to their beliefs/cause.
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Now, the definition of 'Innocent' is much more murky...
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'Terrorist' definition would not cover acts like most school shootings, work place shootings, or personal grudge type situations.
That's just plain, simple crazy people settling personal grudges with murder since it wasn't done to publicize any particular religious/political or activist cause.
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And I agree, the word 'Terrorist' and it's derivatives have been used for some many situations where it doesn't apply that it's quickly loosing it's meaning.
Much like the 'War On Drugs' has lost it's meaning when they are arresting 15 year old girls for carrying 'Mydol' to school that's a 'Drug Free Zone' and arresting 14 year olds for lending 'Tyolnol' to a classmate that banged his knee during gym class...
'Terrorist' has lost all meaning when a 7 year old 1st grader is taken away in handcuffs and expelled, and charged with 'Terroristic Threatening' when it threatens to bonk another kid over the head in a school yard argument over a toy truck...
No mention of killing anyone, and the kid didn't actually do it, but I think a 'Time Out' or a call to parents for a swat on the butt would have been the appropriate response,
Not a half dozen SWAT members, an arrest, criminal record, and expulsion over two first graders wanting to play with the same toy...
Who over reacted in this situation?...
The world is full of extremists and nuts,
And more of them seem to be taking positions of authority every day...
People with a complete lack of common sense!