Wednesday, July 27, 2011

By Definition

Terrorist: –noun
1. a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism.
2. a person who terrorizes or frightens others.
3. (formerly) a member of a political group in Russia aiming at the demoralization of the government by terror.
This is what the friendly folks at Dictionary.com would like us to know about terrorists. They mention Russia by name, but not Norway. Until this past weekend, I don't think I would have either. The fjords, yes. The terrorists, no.
Anders Behring Breivik fixed that last Friday. He got himself into the record books and everything. He shot dozens of people and killed another seven with a bomb. Just like that. It was the worst day of violence since World War Two. Not bad for a country that was previously known as the birthplace of Henrik Ibsen.
Actually, very bad. Terrible, in fact. Horrible. This guy felt that his attacks were "atrocious, but necessary" to defeat liberal immigration policies and the spread of Islam. Yes, you read that right. He wants to stop the spread of Islam. He's a fanatical anti-Islamist. He aligns himself with the Knights of Templar. You might remember them from your history class. The ones who fought in the Crusades. Only back then they weren't killing kids at a youth camp. That's what this pinhead did. Aiming at the demoralization of the government by terror. At least he got that part right. I'm demoralized.

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