What is "terrorism"?

There seems to be a lot of debate about what constitutes and fulfils the definition of "terrorism".
So perhaps it is a good time to explore that issue??

Is it "terrorism" to fly a drone over a village halfway around the world and have it drop a bomb on a designated target, even knowing there will be "collateral damage"? The "collateral damage" is almost always children, women, and the elderly. Would you call that "terrorism"?

end of story

>>>>Would you call that "terrorism"?>>>>>

As long as an actual combatant was the *target*.

The influential and wealthy, who often are in control of the state, wage war. The poor who live underneath them wage terrorism in response. It's the most cynical definition I know. There are lots of loopholes in such an argument, but I'm too tired to hash it out except to say that often, it does contain a chord of truth that can't be denied.

If I had ordered the invasion of a country that had nothing to do with any attack on the US, I'd be called "controversial." If I had killed a bunch of civilians by planting truck bombs in front of buildings run by the state, I'd be called a terrorist by those who run the state.

If you want to kill people and get away with it out in the open, run for office and win. Otherwise, you'll just be on the run hiding from the police and the military.

Use of drones by the U.S. or any state against legitimate military targets is not considered terrorism, even if the shot misses completely and kills only civilians or non-combatants.

My brother is retired Navy.

My two Nephews are veterans having a total of 4 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. My children, both the adults and minors, have chosen not to enter the military and pursued other means of making a living and serving their country. I respect them for their decisions and support them in what ever they do.

In what capacity do you serve or have you served your country? Service is not limited to military but can include attending active protests against the war or war. I did that after my return from 'Nam. Service includes voting. I do that every election. Service can be military, but it is also actively petitioning your government to change policies you find wrong. I've done that. My many letters to my U.S. Congressmen (Duncun Hunter father and now son for the last decade), Senator Feinstein, and Senator Boxer have had mixed results. I've also donated to the Democratic party (though not anymore because of their miserable record over the last year) and will donate as I can to candidates that I see as liberals or progressives. I am sure you hold a record of long service, also.

Bitching about things at DU are not service. Calling into question the character of people you don't know is not service.

The question on this thread concerned whether or not the use of drones are an act of terror. You seem to be unknowledgable concerning the fact that there are real laws that govern warfare and that define what is and is not terrorism. The use of a drone against a valid military target, and the death of civilians while shooting at valid military targets is legal under the Geneva Conventions and the rules of war. It is not an act of terror by legal definition, which was what I said in my previous post.

I am glad I had this chance to explain it to you.

gets a "Well done, Shipmate!"

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including its own citizens . .

:freak: