When a religious zealot kills a group of pro western supporters, we call his a terrorist. Why? He or she is creating an environment of fear in an attempt to cause a shift in policy. So, when a religious zealot kills an abortion doctor in an attempt to cause fear among abortion doctors leading to the illegalization of abortion, isn’t that terrorism too? There is no difference between a Christian fundamentalist terrorist and a Muslim fundamentalist terrorist, except that the US is a pro Christian nation. The killing of George Tiller by Scott Roeder is not a simple case of murder. This is a case about terrorism. Is the United States going to stand idly by while a group of ultra conservatives wield fear as a tool to create change? We must set an example with Roeder. He must be tried as a terrorist. He must treated as we treat all terrorists, by putting him to death, or a very dark hole for the rest of his miserable and pathetic life. This isn’t about being pro-life or pro-choice. This is about affecting political change by constructive means, rather than through fear and violence. The United States is in a world full of people who promote fear as a method of control. We must stand up for our ideals though. The United States cannot become a Saudi Arabia for Christian fundamentalists. We cannot protect these people. They must be dealt with, harshly. And lets call them what they are: Terrorists!
UPDATE: (6/14/09) Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad was charged with terrorism for killing a US army recruiter. We officially have a double standard. Welcome to America, land of equality (if you are christian)
Agreed J, but isn’t this a semantic argument. All murder could be considered an act of ‘terror.’ Do we really need a separation line. The killing of police officers on the Mexican border by the drug cartels is terrorism. They are trying to effect change (the change of minimal police interference in their business) by killing those who stand in their way. Not only are they killing police, they are making examples of them through the mutilated remains they leave to be found, in an effort to strike fear into others. Or what of US street gangs who intimidate or kill witnesses in order to prevent them from testifying against them in court (see Melo in the “Don’t Snitch” videos). These criminals are terrorizing their neighbors in order to operate with impunity.
I guess the point is if George Tiller wasn’t a famous abortion provider, his murder would have been just as terrifying to that community because of the semmingly randomness of it. Imagine if the 9/11 attacks were perpetrated by nihilists. Would our country have been less ‘terrorized’ because the culprits had no desire to effect change, or would we have been more terrorized because of the randomness of it and the inability to put it into perspective.
By putting different hues other a heinous crime, we distance ourselves from the reality that a man is dead, a family is without a father, and a community is in shock.
Comment by Eric — June 8, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Thank you Eric for an intelligent and insightful rebuttal. Now for something less intelligent. For the record, I agree with both of you. And my answer comes best from one of my favorite South Park quotes of all time: “If you don’t like America, then you can just geeeeet-ooout. These colors don’t run.” Insert redneck euphemism here. I think Team America World Police says it best: America – fuck yeah! So lick my butt and suck on my balls!
Comment by Dr Sexy — June 21, 2009 @ 11:24 am