Freedom Fighters?

Question

What are the distinctions between "terrorists" and "freedom fighters", as the media speaks?

I must add that this is not only the media, strictly speaking, governments (specifically the US) is also known for using these labels.

People have been stating that terrorists attack and kill innocent people to further their own agenda, and freedom fighters just fight for their rights. This is an assumption that the two are mutually exclusive: they usually aren't. Terrorists feel repressed and are fighting for their freedom, as they know it. Freedom fighters kill innocent people (take the Chechens, for example, which have, at least last year, been reffered to as freedom fighters). Please keep this in mind when answering.

Answer 1

The distinction between "freedom fighters" and "terrorists" is that thin that you can consider them as synonyms. Both use violence for political reasons.

In fact, history decides afterwards who's who. Especially the winner fixes it. "History is written by the winners".

A State or an administration will consider another group as terrorist as this group will contest the legitimacy of the State.
Ex. : the colonized VS the colons. The algerian FLN was considered in France as terrorists, the algerian considered them as freedom fighters. After the independance, the FLN took the power. So we can consider them as freedom fighters.

During the Nazi era in Europe, all the resistant movements were said to be terrorists, but in the end (and because Germany was defeated) they are said to be freedom fighters.

So it depends on which side of the barreer you are, and on the time of the events you speak of.

Answer 2

In my opinion, I believe that freedom fighters truly believe in the foundations of democracy, and freedom of choice, and I am not talking just about abortion here. I mean when you go to the polling station and vote that it counts. I mean that when an election is held that the outcome is accepted and made into law. The terrorist on the other hand do not see it this way and force their agenda upon the citizens despite popular opinion. Let me give you some examples. Ten years ago this November the people in the sovereign state of California voted to pass a law that would help the sick and dying, or anyone with a serious condition that cannabis would help with to become the law of that great state. Despite this the federal government in more recent days has continued to push their agenda on these people, and some would even use the word terrorizing these people when they have passed a law, asking the gov. to regulate this issue. While this alone does not create the weaker dollar that we have seen in the last year and a half it is a contributing factor, its just another addition to the long list of money being wasted to push their agenda. So I would argue that before democracy can work in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, we should make sure it works at home. The same holds true for the other states that have passed similar laws. I really would like to see the powers that be walk the walk and not just talk the talk especially with regard to states rights.

I for one have been the subject of a state prosecution that ended with the jury telling me that I was doing exactly what they voted for and asked me to do it again. Now I am living abroad as there are federal charges present against me and I would NOT be allowed to mount a reasonable defense and tell the truth...So who are the terrorist's and why are they doing what they are doing? To push their own agenda. Despite popular opinion.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Answer 3

Ronald Reagan called the Contras "freedom fighters" and "equivalent to the US founding fathers". In reality, they were trained by the CIA to commit murder, rape, bomb, torture and other heinous acts, all in an attempt to destablize the freely and fairly elected Sandanista government in Nicaragua.

Whether you're a "freedom fighter" or "terrorist" depends on which side you and they are on. The Nazis called the White Rose terrorists, the US called the Khmer Rouge (remember "The Killing Fields"?) "democratic allies" in the war on communism (meanwhile, Vietnam has become an open society on their own), the South African Apartheid government called the African National Congress a "communist and terrorist organization", etc.

Interestingly, now that the US realizes it's losing in Iraq (it always was, but nobody realized it), the media has started saying there is a resistance by Iraqis and not "foreign terrorists against democracy".

Answer 4

Well, disregard what the media thinks about certain names it labels groups of people. They are irrelevant and mostly wrong. But the main distinction between terrorists and freedom fighter is the cause and the purpose. Terrorists cause fear and pandemonium. Freedom Fighters just try and protect their God given freedoms. While what side of the political line you fall on will dictate what you think of them. Their purpose it good and they're trying to do good.

Answer 5

There is NO any distinction between "terrorists" and freedom fighters. It is how the people that present the story to you presents it to you. However, it is important to use your own knowledge and judgement and decide if they are a terrorist or a freedom fighters.

Freedom fighter, fights for his freedom, while the people he is fighting is a terrorist to him, so it WILL NOT be fair to listen to the media and decide you the story themselves.

Answer 6

"Freedom Fighters" are terrorists that fight against a cause or government you disagree with.

I haven't heard the media use the term since the first Bush administration was using it to describe the terrorists in Central America.

Answer 7

Terrorists are animals that love to kill children or anyone just to
make a blood worthy video.

Freedom fighters are people united against an oppressor that
inslaves the state

Answer 8

Freedom fighters are what liberals call the Muslim terrorists hoping that they will endear themselves and won't get killed -I'm sure a lot of people in the WTC called them freedom fighters before it was destroyed

Answer 9

It depends whose side you're on! If they are fighting against the common culture then they are 'terrorists', if they are fighting for a common cause they are 'freedom fighters'. One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter.

Answer 10

Forget the media. They support the terrorists.