Coffee Thursdays Just Brewing Thoughts
The real terrorist
The anti-terrorism law known as the Human Security Act (HSA) took effect almost a month ago. The Philippine government describes the law as the primary legislation that would dissuade terrorist activities in the country. This includes the ability of police to hold a terror suspect for several days without charge.
However, many sectors are worried that the HSA might be used to repress indisputable dissent. Its implementation draws a thin line with human rights violations and self serving political motives. Such policies instigate debates questioning: who are considered to be the Real Terrorists?
Terrorism is a term used to describe violence or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians by groups or persons for political or ideological goals. The terms "terrorism" and "terrorist" (someone who engages in terrorism) carry a strong negative connotation. These terms are often used as political labels to condemn violence or threat of violence by certain actions as immoral, indiscriminate, or unjustified.
"Inside Terrorism" Bruce Hoffman wrote in Chapter One: Defining Terrorism that: On one point, at least, everyone agrees: terrorism is a pejorative term. It is a word with intrinsically negative connotations that is generally applied to one's enemies and opponents, or to those with whom one disagrees and would otherwise prefer to ignore. 'What is called terrorism,' Brian Jenkins has written, “thus seems to depend on one's point of view. Use of the term implies a moral judgment; and if one party can successfully attach the label terrorist to its opponent, then it has indirectly persuaded others to adopt its moral viewpoint.” Hence the decision to call someone or label some organization “terrorist” becomes almost unavoidably subjective, depending largely on whether one sympathizes with or opposes the person/group/cause concerned. If one identifies with the victim of the violence, for example, then the act is terrorism. If, however, one identifies with the perpetrator, the violent act is regarded in a more sympathetic, if not positive (or, at the worst, an ambivalent) light; and it is not terrorism.
As we understand, terrorism is a very subjective term. One mans' terrorist is another mans' freedom fighter. To put it simply, a terrorist is somebody we call enemy of our beliefs.
The real definition of TERRORISM IS TO CREATE FEAR OR TERROR -- United Nations conventions on Terrorism.
In our private lives, our little society where we live in, who are we afraid of? Who brings us terror?
The rich businessman who manipulates his workers, adorned and worshiped because of his money. Money being the root of all evil, allows opportunities to people to do the things out of their own willingness. I have to do this or else I will lose my job. I have to make it happen or else I will be starving without a job. The rich man is the owner of a poor man's soul.
The influential politician who controls the state empowers the feeble citizen who consistently follows the constitution orders. Fear intimidating people, he who goes against the norms will be punished for treason and disobedience of the law.
The religious groups who assert power and preaching salvation based on the law of the church. Anyone who disobeys the church will be thrown to the pits of hell, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. Follow what the pious preacher says and your soul will be saved.
The political parties, the leftists and the revolutionaries who engage themselves in uprising, they want freedom and autonomy. In order to be heard they pose threat to people's lives or even lead to violent confrontation. The demands are the end results of the belief they are fighting for. They want control and people fear them.
These are the many faces of fear. We are afraid. We fear a lot of things, and this terror is only created by us.
There is terror in each and everyone of us. The terror of being alone, terror of doing anything not in the manuals of good behavior, terror of God's judgment, terror of what other people would say, of the law punishing any mistake, terror of trying and failing, terror of succeeding and having to live with the envy of other people, terror of loving and being rejected, terror of asking a raise in salary, terror of not making the right impression, terror of growing old, terror of dying, terror of making our own decision and terror of being blamed... Life is a reign of terror. "In every moment of doubt, terror remains, if mankind is virtuous, only because terror exists. "
The real terrorists... are our fears, are the people and things controlling us, our beliefs and indifferences, ourselves!