{"id":1628,"date":"2010-02-18T21:06:00","date_gmt":"2010-02-19T01:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/2010\/02\/18\/yes-its-terrorism-and-we-need-to-talk-honestly-about-it\/"},"modified":"2010-02-18T21:06:00","modified_gmt":"2010-02-19T01:06:00","slug":"yes-its-terrorism-and-we-need-to-talk-honestly-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/2010\/02\/18\/yes-its-terrorism-and-we-need-to-talk-honestly-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Yes, it’s terrorism. And we need to talk honestly about it."},"content":{"rendered":"

When a man flies an airplane into a building<\/a> to protest actions of the Internal Revenue Service, it’s terrorism.<\/p>\n

That’s what Joseph Stack, age 53, is alleged to have done this morning.<\/p>\n

If the facts as we know them currently prove to be true, that Mr. Stack carried out this act as a form of retribution against the American government, it is terrorism.<\/p>\n

The language being used is being complicated by a peculiar form of political correctness.<\/p>\n

Asked about the attack, newly elected Republican Senator Scott Brown, in an interview today on Fox News<\/a>, seemed eager to rationalize Mr. Stack’s behavior.<\/p>\n

“People are frustrated. They want transparency,” he said, going on to say, “I’m not sure if there’s a connection, I certainly hope not.” <\/p>\n

He concluded, “We need to do things better.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wrong answer, Sen. Brown. <\/p>\n

What we need to do, in a democracy with fair elections (illustrated most recently by the remarkable GOP upset in Massachusetts) and legitimate representation, is condemn all forms of political violence unambiguously.<\/p>\n

As the New York Times reports, the television networks have been unsure what to call the attack<\/a> so far. <\/p>\n

This issue became controversial last year, when the Department of Homeland Security published a report<\/a> suggesting that the “current economic and political climate” is fueling a resurgence of recruiting and radicalization among right-wing groups. <\/p>\n

Conservatives were furious, describing the document as an attempt to smear legitimate conservative activism. <\/p>\n

But even right-wing provocateurs like Glenn Beck have admitted concern that right-wing anger could explode in violence.<\/p>\n

“I fear what will happen,” Beck said<\/a>. “We have a giant fuse burning in this country.” He talked ominously about the “bomb at the end.”<\/p>\n

<\/param><\/param><\/param><\/embed><\/object><\/p>\n

This act of alleged domestic terrorism will surely revive a debate over the rhetoric of right-wing activism, which has often embraced the language (if not the reality) of violence. <\/p>\n

Despite sensitivity among conservatives, it’s time to have a real conversation about the tone and vitriol of some of that language.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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