Call Them What They Are---USE THE WORDS---TERRORISTS & ASSASSINS

[kpete]

If the reluctance to call the events what they are is based on a desire not to further flame the heated rhetoric we all believe inspired this act, then the reluctance is understandable. But I wonder if that is the case. I wonder if it is related to the same reluctance to call the Oklahoma City bombing and such murders as that of Dr. Tiller acts of "terrorism."

True, words like "terrorism" and "assassination" are extremely scary and should not be used without considerable caution. But I think both terms are appropriate to describe what happened yesterday in Tucson.

In order for us as Americans to fully comprehend the scope of what happened yesterday - and what has been happening to the national mood these past several years - then we must use those terms which fully describe them and not hide behind those metaphors which blunt the impact of the events. Only then can we challenge and prevent future such events.

Those who wish to write their names in history with blood are unquestionably "terrorists"; those who strike at our political leaders from the darkness are properly called "assassins."

more:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/9/934646/-Use-the-word-assassination

[leveymg]

1. Add the unspoken third term - RIGHT-WING REPUBLICAN - and you've nailed it.

[JDPriestly]

2. Yes, this was a terrorist act.

It was a threat or an act of violence aimed to achieve a political end. The terrorist may have been insane, but then aren't most terrorists insane? It's just a matter of degree, isn't it.

Also, his motivations may have been primarily very personal, but he acted them out by attacking a political figure in a political situation -- thus, the effect is to discourage or even punish people of the political persuasion of the person attacked.

The fact that innocent people, people who were not the particular political targets, were killed is not an issue. After all, most of the victims on 9/22 in the Towers were innocent and not targeted for their personal political beliefs, yet we consider the attacks on 9/11 to have been terrorist attacks.

And as for the argument that this was an assassination? Assassinations are just one form of terrorism.

So, yes, this was a terrorist act. Pure and simple.

[lonestarnot]

3. And serial killers!

[old guy]

4. Absolutely agree.

This was an assassination attempt by a terrorist. It should be framed this way when being discussed at every opportunity. The corporate media will fail to do this for reasons of their own, but it shouldn't and won't stop me.