09 January 2011

Is the hysteria about "terrorists" akin to McCarthyism?

So, taking a break form religion for a while, let's discuss something that is more and more relevant to our everyday lives: the ongoing hysteria over "terrorism."

For a perfect example, let's take a look at a recent new story, that of Wikileaks and Julian Assange. Now, Assange has been called a terrorist by countless reporters and politicians. However, if one takes the time to look at the definition of terrorism, he doesn't fit in to that category at all. Terrorism is using violence or threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes, although I'm sure most of you know that, it appears that most mainstream news reporters don't. Especially since Assange has never done this. Now, all of the reporters stating that he should be assassinated, legally or otherwise, are in fact threatening and inciting violence. Does this make them terrorist? Certainly to a greater degree than Assange is.

Another perfect example of the needless terrorism craze is the new TSA full body scanners. On numerous occasions, their propensity for failure has been demonstrated. I don't have the statistic offhand, but the number of terrorists who have been stopped by the TSA versus the number of people searched, scanned, etc. is shockingly low, and a perfect example of the uselessness of such procedures.

When looking at all the news about so called terrorists, one is reminded of the McCarthyism of the Cold War. How many people need to be wrongly accused or inconvenienced by unnecessary procedures before someone realizes this?

Just something to think about. Thanks for reading.

I'll leave you with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXbCwq4ewBU

8 comments:

  1. I'm an avid supporter of Assange. I don't think he is a terrorist at all. And for the scanners, I'm actually all for them.

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  2. I'm certainly for some method of security in airports, but the scanners themselves have a minimal benefit, if any at all, and seem to be(in my opinion at least) invasive and unnecessary.

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  3. Assange is hardly a terrorist. Now some of his supporters on the other hand...

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  4. Just more excuses for the government to take away our civil liberties.

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  5. Very interesting read.
    And VERY good video, haha.

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  6. Interesting connection between the two, something i hadnt thaught about

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