02-Aug-2003, 08:29 PM
Sinn Fein was not always legal! Indeed, it was proscribed for years. I referred to the days of illegality when it was struggling to be heard.
"Terrorism' has many connotations, sorry, meanings. When no avenue is open for legitimate expression of dissent then the society that enforces suppression is illegal and any action to counter the repression cannot be called illegal. I recognize that certain circumstances call for means illegal in that society and if 'terrorism' is the only way, then it is a natural outcome. What I condemn are 'blunderbuss' acts of terrorism; target the means of repression, not those who are not guilty other than by association. For example, in WW2 France, it was an act against the occupiers to blow up an ammunition or troop train, but not to plant a bomb in a cafe frequented by members of the Wehrmacht when the bomb could kill or maim passers by. The actions of guerillas in Iraq are of this nature; would you be a 'guerilla' or accept occupation?
"Terrorism' has many connotations, sorry, meanings. When no avenue is open for legitimate expression of dissent then the society that enforces suppression is illegal and any action to counter the repression cannot be called illegal. I recognize that certain circumstances call for means illegal in that society and if 'terrorism' is the only way, then it is a natural outcome. What I condemn are 'blunderbuss' acts of terrorism; target the means of repression, not those who are not guilty other than by association. For example, in WW2 France, it was an act against the occupiers to blow up an ammunition or troop train, but not to plant a bomb in a cafe frequented by members of the Wehrmacht when the bomb could kill or maim passers by. The actions of guerillas in Iraq are of this nature; would you be a 'guerilla' or accept occupation?
BillR