Is one man's terrorist another man's freedom fighter?

Question

We called the Mujahideen who fought against the soviets in Afghanistan " freedom fighters." We were their principal allies and supplier of arms. To the Soviets they were terrorists. They committed unspeakable acts of violence on the Soviet officers they captured. Today, some of those same freedom fighters are fighting with the Taliban. Now we call them terrorists.

Answer 1

Well, one man's ceiling is another man's floor, and one person's trash is another's treasure, so there is certainly precedent for your assertion! Tough political climate right now to sell it in though.

Answer 2

A terrorist is usually someone who uses violence or the threat of violence against an innocent unarmed civillian population for political gain.

A freedom fighter fights to gain freedom from oppresion.

It is possible to be one or both depending on the circumstances.

Just because someone faught for freedom during one time then uses terrorism another time does not make them one in the same.

Answer 3

"Today, bombing is meant to be a learning experience. For the bombed. Bombing is pedagogy. A citizen with a stick of white phosphorous on his roof begins to think quite seriously about how much longer he wants to continue the war."- Donald Barthleme, THE KING

All shows of force have a single function: intimidation. All acts of violence are terrorism in that they are designed to move governments, societies, or individuals to acquiesance through fear. I am not a pacifist and I am not a liberal. Our government is waging a war of terror on several fronts.

All violence is terror.

Answer 4

I guess you answered your own question.

And by that I guess we should just admit that we are hypocrites and give into the demands of these former allies of ours and submit to their view of the world.

The world is a big complicated place. Things are not as simple as you have projected them.

Way to go Choopie.... love that answer.

Answer 5

YES- THEY ARE FIGHTING FREEDOM EVERYWHERE