August 17, 2007

• Terrorism

  Terrorism is, by definition, non-governmental. When governments engage in terrorism, it’s called ‘war.’

  Thus, you cannot, by definition, say that a governmental agency is a terrorist group. For instance, if you say that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is a terrorist organization, you might as well say that the United States Secret Service is a terrorist organization. The term ‘terrorist’ loses all meaning in such a comparison.

  Which is, of course, exactly the point, and why it’s being done. Americans understand the rest of the world about as much as they understand themselves, which is to say not at all. We don’t know why someone would say that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was a terrorist organization, but we consider why it might be true. We place too much trust in those re-defining the terms, because they’re supposed to have authority in the matter.

  For instance, here’s the headline for Dale McFeatters’ editorial in the Boston Herald:
  

  Pragmatism in calling Iran Guards terrorists

  This is the equivalent of “Pragmatism in calling Ahmadinejad a poopy-head,” unless Bush can point to acts of war by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. And if he can do that, then we’re at war anyway.

  Bush/Cheney wants to go to war with Iran, but wants to wait until the last possible moment of his Presidency to do so. He will saddle the next President with three wars.

  And, as many have pointed out, Iraq is Czechoslovakia, and Iran will be Poland. If you don’t get what that means, then join the club: You’re American.

  • 6:32 pm
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