To me its important to use words that convey specific meaning. If the meaning of terrorist has changed to something I’m not familiar with, I’d like to know.
I believe you that Garak engaged in non-state-sponsored acts of terrorism. And perhaps the definition of terrorism should include some state sponsored acts, like perhaps KGB-agents roughing up people, or the FBI targeting civil rights groups. Or fucking ICE doing everything they’ve got going on. Dang language is hard. I think I’m changing my mind.
My definition of terrorism would very clearly and unequivocally say that planting a bomb on a diplomat’s ship is an act of terrorism. That’s a very standard definition and straightforward case. The meaning has not “changed,” such an act would always have been considered terrorism.
This whole question of whether it’s still considered terrorism when a state does it or whether we should call that something else, is just because you disputed that definition, saying that terrorism is when you harm the populace. I just pointed out that Garak also harmed the populace, and that Kira, who you do consider a terrorist, did not. Include acts conducted by states, don’t include them, either way, Garak did both.
To me its important to use words that convey specific meaning. If the meaning of terrorist has changed to something I’m not familiar with, I’d like to know.
I believe you that Garak engaged in non-state-sponsored acts of terrorism. And perhaps the definition of terrorism should include some state sponsored acts, like perhaps KGB-agents roughing up people, or the FBI targeting civil rights groups. Or fucking ICE doing everything they’ve got going on. Dang language is hard. I think I’m changing my mind.
My definition of terrorism would very clearly and unequivocally say that planting a bomb on a diplomat’s ship is an act of terrorism. That’s a very standard definition and straightforward case. The meaning has not “changed,” such an act would always have been considered terrorism.
This whole question of whether it’s still considered terrorism when a state does it or whether we should call that something else, is just because you disputed that definition, saying that terrorism is when you harm the populace. I just pointed out that Garak also harmed the populace, and that Kira, who you do consider a terrorist, did not. Include acts conducted by states, don’t include them, either way, Garak did both.