Explosion in New York...

[TDale313]

Statement by Mayor Di Blassio that it was an intentional act but no evidence it was terror related/an act of terror? Ok, I get what the point is (i.e. Links to radical Islamic terrorism) but it just drives me nuts that our definition of terrorism has gotten so skewed. Someone intentionally set of an explosive in a busy New York area and injured dozens. That is terrorism.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It might or might not be terrorism.

The accepted legal definition of terrorism is an act of violence against civilians for political or ideological purposes. If it's just vandalism or violent assholery with no political/ideological component it's not terrorism. The reason for the distinction is that if law enforcement believes something is done to further a political agenda they have to start looking for others who might be involved or who might have inspired or encouraged the act. Otherwise it's just a one-off crime. Maybe some knucklehead blew up a dumpster just because he wanted to stir up a commotion; that wouldn't be terrorism.

[musicblind]

4. Hmm. I didn't think of that possibility.

I had always just assumed that any act causing terror would be an act of terrorism. You learn something new every day.

[MadDAsHell]

2. That definition doesn't fly on DU though...

Most DUers are worried that terrorism is only used to describe acts committed by Arabs or Muslims, which offends them, so they want to see the word used anytime someone is killed, period.

Problem is, as you said, terrorism has a very specific definition. And the reason it tends to be used in describing violent acts committed by Arabs and Muslims is because they do indeed tell the world they're doing these things for political or ideological purposes, as opposed to the typical lone wolf who stays silent or, often, kills himself in the act.

There certainly do seem to be folks who want to assume a racist/bigoted motivation behind everything. What they don't realize though, is that if EVERYTHING is called racist/bigoted/microagression/not-safe-space-friendly, then really we've completely eliminated what those words actually mean. They become meaningless.

[underthematrix]

6. We have homegrpown terrorists and terrorist groups

and HHS is watching all of them. The lone wolves are the hardest to deal with because you really have to rely on relatives or freinds or associates to provide information.

[Zynx]

3. Terrorism implies a political purpose. It's entirely possible that this was just some crackpot.

That's not terrorism.

[unblock]

7. i agree, people care way too much about what goes on in the mind of a criminal

yes, the exact nature of the intent is certainly an important element of certain crimes when it comes to meting out justice.

but generally speaking, the most important thing is simply whether it was an accident or deliberate. if it was deliberate, for most of us, it doesn't matter the exact reasoning or distorted thinking in the criminal mind.

this is a general weakness of our society. intent doesn't matter. if the situation doesn't work, fix it or find a better situation. you often don't need to understand why the situation doesn't work.

why is my boss such a jerk to me? who cares, just find a better job.
why is my significant other hurting me? who cares, just leave.