"Palestinian Hamas activists take part in an anti-Israel rally organized by
the Hamas movement in Gaza March 7, 2008. Israel and Palestinian militants
in the Gaza Strip have been holding off from violence that could jeopardize
Egyptian efforts to mediate a ceasefire, sources from both sides said on
Monday"

I really don't agree with it, but I can see a solid case being made for the
label "activist".

In my mind, these are "wannabees" and possibly supporters. Until they try to
take an action, or plan one. Then they step over the line into terrorism.

The same is true for me with the term "Palistinian Militant". If they are
firing rockets over the border at military targets they are militants (even
if they hit civilian targets. They they are just inefficient militants). If
they are walking into a coffee shop, or targeting civilians (or even
off-duty military) they are terrorists. Or murderers. Depending on
motivation.

Here is how I think about it.

A local example. The crazies that stand our front of abortion clinics. Some
are "reasonable", and try to argue facts and emotions. Some are a little
scary, with an empty noose or a gun on a sign. An implication, but not a
direct threat. Some have a list of doctors, with a gun in the corner, and
the names of doctors who have been killed with a line through them. And
every few years, one has a bomb in his satchel.

Everyone except the last one, no matter how scary, are activists. Even if
they are scary enough to cause terror. The last one is a terrorist.

I am leery of expanding the definition much, since the distinction between
rhetoric and action is, too me, very important.


On Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 2:41 PM, Michael Dinowitz <
[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> They're not terrorists, they're activists. Even Reuters says so:
>
> http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080310/photos_ts/2008_03_10t062100_450x320_us_palestinians_israel/
>
> Oh, ignore the suicide bomber suits, that's just activist clothing no
> matter
> how kkk it looks.
>


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