A lesson, and dont tell me the earth is square in Zionville.
Dad ... what's a terrorist?
By David Campbell
April 23, 2004
Dad ... what's a terrorist?
Well, according to the Oxford dictionary a terrorist is "a person who uses violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims". Which means that terrorists are very bad men and women who frighten ordinary people like us, and sometimes even kill them.
Why do they kill them?
Because they hate them or their country. It's hard to explain ... it's just the way things are. For many different reasons a lot of people in our world are full of hate.
Like the ones in Iraq who are capturing people and saying that they'll kill them if all the soldiers don't leave?
Exactly! That's an evil thing called "blackmail". Those innocent people are hostages, and the terrorists are saying that if governments don't do what they want the hostages will be killed.
So was it blackmail when we said we'd attack Iraq and kill innocent people unless they told us where all their weapons were?
No! Well ... yes, I suppose. In a way. But that was an "ultimatum" ... call it "good blackmail.
Good blackmail? What's that?
That's when it's done for good reasons. Those weapons were very dangerous and could have hurt a lot of people all over the world. It was very important to find them and destroy them.
But Dad ... there weren't any weapons.
True. We know that now. But we didn't at the time. We thought there were.
So was killing all those innocent people in Iraq a mistake?
No. It was a tragedy, but we also saved a lot of lives. You see, we had to stop a very cruel man called Saddam Hussein from killing a great many ordinary Iraqi people. Saddam Hussein stayed in power by giving orders that meant thousands of people died or were horribly injured. Mothers and fathers. Even children.
Like that boy I saw on TV? The one who had his arms blown off by a bomb?
Yes ... just like him.
But we did that. Does that mean our leaders are terrorists?
Good heavens, no! Whatever gave you that idea? That was just an accident. Unfortunately, innocent people get hurt in a war. You can't expect anything else when you drop bombs on cities. Nobody wants it to happen ... it's just the way things are.
So in a war only soldiers are supposed to get killed?
Well, soldiers are trained to fight for their country. It's their job, and they're very brave. They know that war is dangerous and that they might be killed. As soon as they put on a uniform they become a target.
What uniforms do terrorists wear?
That's just the problem ... they don't! We can't tell them apart from the civilians. We don't know who we're fighting. And that's why so many innocent people are getting killed ... the terrorists don't follow the rules of war.
War has rules?
Oh, yes. Soldiers must wear uniforms. And you can't just suddenly attack someone unless they do something to you first. Then you can defend yourself.
So that's why we attacked Iraq? Because Iraq attacked us first and we were just defending ourselves?
Not exactly. Iraq didn't attack us ... but it might have. We decided to get in first. Just in case Iraq used those weapons we were talking about.
The ones they didn't have? So we broke the rules of war?
Technically speaking, yes. But ...
So if we broke the rules first, why isn't it OK for those people in Iraq who aren't wearing uniforms to break the rules?
Well, that's different. We were doing the right thing when we broke the rules.
But Dad ... how do we know we were doing the right thing?
Our leaders ... Bush and Blair and Howard ... they told us it was the right thing. And if they don't know, who does? They say that something had to be done to make Iraq a better place.
Is it a better place?
I suppose so, but I don't know for sure. Innocent people are still being killed and these kidnappings are terrible things. I feel very sorry for the families of those poor hostages, but we simply can't give in to terrorists. We must stand firm.
Would you say that if I was captured by terrorists?
Uh ... yes ... no ... I mean, it's very difficult ...
So you'd let me be killed? Don't you love me?
Of course! I love you very much. It's just that it's a very complicated issue and I don't know what I'd do ...
Well, if somebody attacked us and bombed our house and killed you and Mum and Jamie I know what I'd do.
What?
I'd find out who did it and kill them. Any way I could. I'd hate them for ever and ever.
But ... but ... you'd kill a lot of innocent people.
I know. But it's war, Dad. And that's just the way things are. Remember?
David Campbell is a Melbourne writer.
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Last edited by sufee_b on Apr-24-2004 at 06:53
Apr-24-2004 06:47
Yoepus
Neo-condimist
Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Ketchup fields, Texas
dad what's a troll?
i donna son, never saw one
p.s.
good of you to include the name of the author for a change. Who knows maybe next time we'll get a source too!
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p.s.
good of you to include the name of the author for a change. Who knows maybe next time we'll get a source too!
Your childish humour is amusing, how old are you, 14? Sounds like it. Anyways i told you already, whoever wants a source can just PM, some did and i gave it to them....But this is the STUPIDEST thing I have heard...you missed the whole point of the article...ITS NOT AN EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE, its a lesson!
Please try again
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Apr-24-2004 06:56
Yoepus
Neo-condimist
Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Ketchup fields, Texas
quote:
Originally posted by sufee_b
Your childish humour is amusing, how old are you, 14? Sounds like it.
Thank you, I try my harded to keep this place as light hearted as possible.
quote:
Anyways i told you already, whoever wants a source can just PM, some did and i gave it to them....But this is the STUPIDEST thing I have heard...
Wow, and your acusing me of not being around the block enough times!
Surely you've This isn't the STUPIDEST thing you've heard...
quote:
you missed the whole point of the article...ITS NOT AN EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE, its a lesson!
Melbourne only has two major daily papers (there are lots of others, but none of them are particularly large, circulation wise), so the 'Melbourne Writer' bit should have given you a clue if you were in the mood for an investigation.
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Apr-24-2004 07:44
Arbiter
Naked Power Organ
Registered: May 2002
Location:
I'm still trying to figure out the point of this article. So far, my best guess is that "stupid parents tend to have stupid children."
Apr-24-2004 08:27
tathi
wanderlust
Registered: Jan 2003
Location:
is this guy the antithesis of mike or something?
Apr-24-2004 10:34
ogvh5150
Formula 1 Addict
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: F1 2008 Red Bull Racing/BMW Sauber
I have a dictionary copyrighted from 1972 that says a terrorist is also a government.
If you don't think that, apply terrorist (without the current definition I just made) to a government like N. Korea, China, Hitler's Germany, Communist USSR, Pinochet's Chile and others and you'll see.
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Apr-24-2004 10:45
Moongoose
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Apr 2003
Location: Celje, Slovenia
Thats why children rock! They say whatever it is they are thinking without consideration and usualy make adults confused nervous or embarrased
Now if this would be a real case i would pat the child on his back and instructed him to go for the KO in the next round. Its about time his father started thinking for himself and stopped beliving all that propaganda BS on TV.
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Apr-24-2004 10:51
DigiNut
You kids get off my lawn!
Registered: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, Self-proclaimed Centre of the Universe
quote:
Originally posted by sufee_b
Read that a while ago...and nicely rebutted as well. Thanks for the link though, send more like it if you have time.
lol, nicely rebutted by ad-hominems and stubborn contradictions, you mean?
I sort of imagine you as a 150-lb lightweight in a boxing ring facing a 300-lb crusher, and you nick him in the nose, turn your back and walk away with your arms raised in triumph.
Sure, pay no heed to the utterly crushing force of logic and reason against your propaganda... just ignore it, or find someone else who posted a pathetic objection and say that they already took care of it. Good strategy! Now go away.
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Apr-24-2004 16:14
sufee_b
4/11/08 - Go home n00b
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Fluff City
quote:
Originally posted by DigiNut
lol, nicely rebutted by ad-hominems and stubborn contradictions, you mean?
I sort of imagine you as a 150-lb lightweight in a boxing ring facing a 300-lb crusher, and you nick him in the nose, turn your back and walk away with your arms raised in triumph.
Sure, pay no heed to the utterly crushing force of logic and reason against your propaganda... just ignore it, or find someone else who posted a pathetic objection and say that they already took care of it. Good strategy! Now go away.
Diginuts...i thing your fantasizing about me..whatever works for you, but anyways cut the rhetoric, hate and BS and say something useful or dont say anything
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