What's in a Name?
The Associated Press has taken to calling members of al-Qaida in Iraq and Saudi Arabia "militants". For example, today "Militants focused their anger on Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and his government" or "Saudis offer Militants One Month-Amnesty". What's the big deal. Well, here are the definitions of "militant" and "terrorist" (actually "terrorism" too). Read them and try to tell me that the AP isn't making a statement with their naming convention. Tell me that "terrorist" isn't the far more accurate label.
Militant: A fighting, warring, or aggressive person or party.
Terrorist: One that engages in acts or an act of terrorism.
Terrorism: The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.
Posted by kris at June 23, 2004 10:07 PM
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| # March 7th, 2005 6:48 PM Converted_Comment | |
next it'll be "freedom fighters" |
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