The Link Yep, these guys are terrorists. I wish the media would start calling them what they are. They may not do what they do in the name of Christianity, or any other religion, but they are terrorists through and through. (I do wonder however how many of them profess to be Catholic or another religion; would that make them "terrorists?") Now they are murdering a mayor. Certainly this isnt the first time politicians have been assinated by the Zetas or other drug smuggling terrorist groups, but we really, really need to take a serious look at legalizing drugs in the U.S. Proper legalization is the only way to end the supposed drug war. This is getting out of hand.
Why are you mentioning religion? Just because Al Queda is religious based doesn't mean all terrorists are. Most, historically, have been anarchist, not religious. Today we have environmentalist terrorists, racial separatists like the Basques, pro-communist or anti-communist terrorists, anti-globalization group terrorists, pro-life and pro-choice groups, pro-Castro and anti-Castro groups, and a 100 others.
Battleship, you seem to be agreeing with me. As to why I brought up religion, its pretty self explanatory in my post. I agree with everything you posted. The Zetas are never referred to as a terrorist organization in the media despite the fact that they dont have a religious affliation. They should be called terrorists, but for some reason they arent.
Are their any American mafia/gangs that have been described as terrorists? By your definition they should be. Too much importance is given to that word.
i think there is a distinction although its trivial. it seems that groups that try for political change through violence are called terrorists. Their targets are random and include places and people. The larger the number of deaths and the more extravagant an event the better. Gangs and organized crime are more selective in their targets...usually.. They go after individuals usually either to settle scores or send a message to others or simply take care of business. There used to be more of an honor code about it but the new gangs dont seem to have that sensibility.
When I read about what the Zetas or other groups do, they are more than worthy of the name. Kiling officers or politicians or journalists who get in their way to make a point is the definition or terrorism. They seek to scare people into giving in. They terrorize them. Terrorist and terrorism are words have become popular to define Muslims extremists. Its becoming almost synonomous. People need to see groups like the Zetas and Al Qaeda in the same light. They both are bad groups of people with bad intentions.
Coel, their agendas are different. Of course. But they are both terrorist organizations. One is motivated by drugs and money, the other is motivated by their brand of religious beliefs. Either way, they both terrorize. If terrorism is synonymous with religious extremism, then so be it. I dont think it is however.
Or, in other words, we're not fighting Al Qaeda simply because they terrorize, although certainly the weaselly manner in which they visit violence upon unsuspecting civilians is certainly emblematic of a value set that deserves to be opposed. We also fight them because we rightly regard them as presenting a larger threat to our society than a group like the Zetas.
