Fort Dix "Terror" Plot?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 04:38 PM

Fox and I'm sure other organizations are calling this a "terror" plot. How can you call a plot "terrorism" when the target was a military installation?

Stylerod · 05-08-2007, 04:48 PM

Terror: violence or threats of violence used for intimidation or coercion

I guess you can. It fits the definition.

7960 · 05-08-2007, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

How can you call a plot "terrorism" when the target was a military installation?

how can you decide whether it was going to be an act of terror or not based solely on the target?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I guess you can. It fits the definition.

So terrorism no longer includes the element of attacking civilians? I guess if we're going to use such a broad definition, then the US is a terrorist nation, huh?

7960 · 05-08-2007, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

So terrorism no longer includes the element of attacking civilians? I guess if we're going to use such a broad definition, then the US is a terrorist nation, huh?

what?

so you're saying it isn't terrorism if the target is something military? terrorism is only directed at civilians?

I'd like to see that definition in print.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

how can you decide whether it was going to be an act of terror or not based on the target?

Usually acts of terrorism are directed against civilians. If violence or threats of violence for coercion were sufficient to be terrorism, then the US and every other nation state would be a terrorist when it goes to war, regardless of whether it's justified.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

what?

so you're saying it isn't terrorism if the target is something military? terrorism is only directed at civilians?

I'd like to see that definition in print.

UNIFEED

any action "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act."

7960 · 05-08-2007, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Usually acts of terrorism are directed against civilians.

so if someone directly attacks a military base, besides "stupid" what would you call it?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 04:58 PM

By the way, I'm not trying to argue there is one definition of terrorism as found in X book, and because this doesn't fit it, it's wrong. I realize the definition of terrorism is disputed.

I'm more arguing that having a definition so broad as to encompass attacking pure military targets is absurd.

7960 · 05-08-2007, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

By the way, I'm not trying to argue there is one definition of terrorism as found in X book, and because this doesn't fit it, it's wrong. I realize the definition of terrorism is disputed.

I'm more arguing that having a definition so broad as to encompass attacking pure military targets is absurd.

so if someone directly attacks a military base, besides "stupid" what would you call it?

Stylerod · 05-08-2007, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Usually acts of terrorism are directed against civilians. If violence or threats of violence for coercion were sufficient to be terrorism, then the US and every other nation state would be a terrorist when it goes to war, regardless of whether it's justified.

Whatever you want to call it.

I would more say a terrorist is out to kill as many people as possible with no tactical goals other than killing.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

so if someone directly attacks a military base, besides "stupid" what would you call it?

Plan, plot, scheme, conspiracy, etc. to attack Fort Dix.

ballz2wallz · 05-08-2007, 05:01 PM

It's FOX NEWS bias

I can't assume Fort Dix is directly involved in a war, being that the war is in Iraq. Therefore, this is as much a terrorist act as any.

7960 · 05-08-2007, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Plan, plot, scheme, conspiracy, etc. to attack Fort Dix.

drudge headline

Six Arrests In Alleged Terror Plot To Kill N.J. Soldiers...

pretty close, pretty close

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

It's FOX NEWS bias

there is no FOX NEWS bias

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I would more say a terrorist is out to kill as many people as possible with no tactical goals other than killing.

How is attacking a military base for the purpose of killing soldiers not a "tactical goal"? If you succeed, you'll lower morale, take out some of the enemy, and force them to divert resources to further fortify their bases.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

drudge headline

Six Arrests In Alleged Terror Plot To Kill N.J. Soldiers...

pretty close, pretty close

Except for the word terror, which is crucial.

Don't you find it absurd that we're supposedly in a war on terror, yet people are starting to throw around the word so liberally that the USA is encompassed in the definition?

ballz2wallz · 05-08-2007, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

If you succeed, you'll lower morale, take out some of the enemy, and force them to divert resources to further fortify their bases.

No you don't

ballz2wallz · 05-08-2007, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Don't you find it absurd that we're supposedly in a war on terror, yet people are starting to throw around the word so liberally that the USA is encompassed in the definition?

No?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

It's FOX NEWS bias

I can't assume Fort Dix is directly involved in a war, being that the war is in Iraq. Therefore, this is as much a terrorist act as any.

Wow, you're really stretching, huh?! The US military is heavily involved in a war, and you say the enemy attacking a home military base is too far removed from Iraq to be called a military target, so it's terrorism? What sort of link between Fort Dix and the Iraq war do you require to say it's not terror?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 05-08-2007, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

No you don't

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

No?

Okay.