A few definitions: Terrorism is the systematic "use of terror, manifesting itself in violence and intimidation. Terrorism has been used by groups wishing to coerce a government in order to achieve political or other objectives, and also by dictatorships or other autocratic governments in order to overcome opposition to their policies." (Source: www.embassy.org.nz/hasbara/glossary.html)
The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as "the unlawful use of -- or thretened use of -- force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intiidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives."
(Source: www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/algaeda/glossary.html).
Lastly, terrorism is the "systematic use of terror, the deliberte creation and exploitation of fear for bringing about political change." (Source: wps.prenhall.com/chet_langan_preparign_1/0.9681.1613226-content.00.html).
The senseless attacks that ocurred on September 11, 2001 at the New York Trade Towers, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., plus the plane that went down in Pennsylvannia, are sheer acts of terrorism. They were ministred by Al Qu'ida operatives, who planned out a systamatic strike on United States targets to stir political opinion and create terror and horror in the World. These acts of violence have now spread into England, Spain and many other countries.
Shots were fired in the 1960's that sent horror into the hearts of Americans: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated; Senator Robert Kennedy was gunned down in San Francisco, California; and Martin Luther King was murdered. These were clearly acts of terrorism!
Again, but in different words, let me say that terrorism is any "act including, but not limited to, the use of force or violence and/or threat thereof of any person or group(s) of persons whether acting alone or on behalf of, or in conneciton with, and organisations(s) or government(s) committed for political, religious, ideological or similar purposes, including the intention to influence any government and/or to put the public or any secion of the public in fear." (Source: www.ecis.org/finance/paisdefin.htm).
What about the Holy Crusades? The Holy Roman Empires reigh against the Christians? What about the Catholic Churches terror on people not of their faith? Adolph Hitler and his attempt to dominate Europe and rid the world of the 'Jewish Issue'? The Salem Witch Trails? The domination and excess rule of King George over the Colonies? What of Joseph Stalin and Lenin? What about the conflicts in Ireland over religious beliefs?
Are there any others?
Did these conflicts, organization or individuals stir the pot of contention and terrorism? Indeed, they did, especially when they denied people their rights, murdered, destroyed or stole property, or simply killed or plundered for disagreement sake. What about religious cult leaders who put fear in their followers to they point they murder themselves or others Indeed, these are forms of terrorism.
What about the present Bush Administration? Terrorism can also take the opposite approach, i.e., saying someone is a terrorist, thus instilling fear into the hearts of America. President Bush lied to the American people, by erroneously saying Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Distruction (WMD) and that he was about to use them against the world. His erroneous resoucres of inaccurate material gave the Bush Administration the "cause" to rally the American people behind him, and allow him to call American and Allied forces to duty to attack Iraq.