Monday, May 13, 2013

How is this not terrorism?

Terrorism: The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

America Blog asks the question. My answer is simple. Read the dictionary

No terrorism please, we’re gunmen. A bizarre story out of New Orleans, where two or three gunmen opened fire on a Mother’s Day parade, injuring 19 people, including two children.

Sure sounds awfully familiar, almost like a redux of the Boston Marathon bombing. But you’d be wrong.

You see, when two guys use bombs to hurt people en masse at a marathon, it’s instantly “terrorism.” But when two to three people use guns to hurt people en masse at a parade, it’s simply “the relentless drumbeat of street violence.”

What’s the difference?

Intent is the difference. There was no political motive is the New Orleans shooting, at least none that I've heard. This article provides some background.