From the mailbag:
Dear Mr. Language Person:
I just read that 71 per cent of respondents believe we will have an act of terrorism in Canada in the next few years and I'm afraid. But what is "terrorism?" And how scared should I be?
Sincerely,
Not sure if I should panic yet
Dear "Panic":
What is terrorism? That's an excellent question. Terrorism is, quite frankly, whatever you want it to be. It used to be that you could just compare someone to Hitler and that would be enough. But Hitler comparisons are so ... so ... last week. These days, terrorism is the new Hitler.
As one example, anyone caught committing civil disobedience in the cause of the environment can now be accused of "environmental terrorism."
It's not even necessary to involve violence or weapons, so you're quite free to accuse people of "educational terrorism." Once upon a time, acts like this might be defended as "freedom of expression," but that sort of shit is for weenies these days.
There is a limit, however. While you might want to bandy about the word "terrorism" with impunity, it is critically important to never, ever, ever use it in the context of actual violence or threats of death. See? When you write about a potential pipe bomb attack on an abortion clinic, you must be careful not to let your emotions get the best of you, or the word "terrorism" might slip out and that would be embarrassing.
In short, "terrorism" is, quite simply, what other people do. I trust we've cleared up any confusion.
Mr. Language Person,
Redefining the discourse whatever the hell way I want
3 comments:
I dunno, I kind of trust Ollie North's word on terrorism. I mean, that guy has experience dealing with terrorists to rival Osama himself. Not many people have actually worked to support and supply a terrorist organization.
terrorists are the new Revolutionarists partizans who are extremely unhappy the ways things go today .. and want changes .. without real power they use unconventional "poor mens weapons " just like little David used against Goliath../now that sounds too romantic I know /
It is all about OWNERSHIP of The LAND . Colonial ant anticolonial forces.. there is No end in sight..
Terrorist, or 'terrist' is the word used in place of "violently anarchistic, fearmongering guerilla" despite still being harder to say, because otherwise, the general public will conclude large escaped zoo animals are on the loose. Deflates the whole balloon.
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