Martin Sheen proud of uncle's IRA past

[thir]

We've been through this already: freedom fighter and terrorist are quite distinct. One is a goal, the other a tactic or strategy. Some people may be both, others are clearly only one or the other: Timothy McVeigh might arguably be both from some perspectives, but Gandhi? Clearly no terrorist - objectively, he did not employ violence or terror - but recognised widely as a freedom fighter since he fought for freedom. Your confusion of the two is not 'logic 101', but a failure thereof.

I cannot for the life of me see how you distinguish between the two. Can you define a terrorist by atrocities done? Because armies do the same.

Examples of armies:
The Blittz of London could not be justified with strategic targets alone.
The bombing of Dresden - after the nazis were beaten, was pure revenge - understandable, but wrong.
The atom bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasagi were done to terrorize a surrender earlier than it would have come - some say Japan was already ready to surrender, at least after Hiroshima.
In Iraq, the destruction of Faluja was specifically called 'operation Shock and Awe' in recognition of the fact that the operation was not just to take it out as a stronghold, but to terrorize the country into surrender.

It would seem that if small, non-soldier gruops commit atrocities without a specific military target but to terrify, then they are terrorists, but if an army does it, it is ok.

Where are the rules? And who sets them??

[Thorne]

Where are the rules? And who sets them??

As in most cases, the rules are set by the bully with the biggest fist, and they change according to his whims.

The Israeli's attacking an Iranian nuclear site is an act of self-defense. The Iranians attacking an Israeli nuclear site would be an act of terrorism. See the difference?

[thir]

As in most cases, the rules are set by the bully with the biggest fist, and they change according to his whims.

The Israeli's attacking an Iranian nuclear site is an act of self-defense. The Iranians attacking an Israeli nuclear site would be an act of terrorism. See the difference?

No.

I can't tell if you are ironic, or I just do not get it - ehm..

[Thorne]

No.

I can't tell if you are ironic, or I just do not get it - ehm..

I was being ironic, yes. I just haven't been able to find the Irony font.