Dissident  Voice

 

 

Confused?

Having difficulty telling the good guys from the bad guys?

Use this handy Guide to differences between Terrorists and the U.S. Government

by Daniel Solnit

October 9, 2001

 

 

 

TERRORISTS:

Supposed leader is the spoiled son of a powerful politician, from extremely wealthy construction/oil family

US GOVERNMENT:

Supposed leader is the spoiled son of a powerful politician, from extremely wealthy oil family

 

TERRORISTS:

Leader has declared a holy war (‘Jihad’) against his ‘enemies’; believes any nation not with him is against him; believes god is on his side, and that any means are justified.

US GOVERNMENT:

Leader has declared a holy war (‘Crusade’) against his ‘enemies’; believes any nation not with him is against him; believes god is on his side, and that any means are justified.

 

TERRORISTS:

Supported by extreme fundamentalist religious leaders who preach hatred, intolerance, subjugation of women, and persecution of non-believers

US GOVERNMENT:

Supported by extreme fundamentalist religious leaders who preach hatred, intolerance, subjugation of women, and persecution of non-believers

 

TERRORISTS:

Leadership was not elected by a majority of the people in a free and fair democratic election

US GOVERNMENT:

Leadership was not elected by a majority of the people in a free and fair democratic election

 

TERRORISTS:

Kills thousands of innocent civilians, some of them children, in cold blooded bombings

US GOVERNMENT:

Kills (tens of) thousands of innocent civilians, some of them children, in cold blooded bombings

 

TERRORISTS:

Operates through clandestine organization (al Qaeda) with agents in many countries; uses bombing, assassination, other terrorist tactics

US GOVERNMENT:

Operates through clandestine organization (CIA) with agents in many countries; uses bombing, assassination, other terrorist tactics

 

TERRORISTS:

Using war as pretext to clamp down on dissent and undermine civil liberties

US GOVERNMENT:

Using war as pretext to clamp down on dissent and undermine civil liberties

 

TERRORISTS:

Weapon of choice: a three-dollar box cutter

US GOVERNMENT:

Weapon of choice: a billion-dollar B1 bomber

 

 

STOP THE WAR!

 

 

Daniel Solnit is a writer and activist with the Sonoma County Green Party.

 

 

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