07 May 6 responses
Respond to the following discussions from classmates (X6) with approximately 125 words or more each. Include a reference to each response. Be thoughtful and insightful and it must demonstrate critical thinking and analysis.
1.There is a major hurdle to overcome in the issue regarding the definition and criteria needed in order to claim that an act is in fact “domestic terrorism”. As stated in the module notes we are in no short supply for definitions for the term terrorism, “there are at least 109 different definitions of terrorism”. These additional definitions from varying sources may prove useful to some but to others the vast majority of definitions on serve to cloud the overall use and definition of the term. The FBI does have an incredibly solid definition of the term that serves to outline the area affected, violation triggers and the intended outcome of the threats and or violence. However, the great definition is not a silver bullet for the clarity needed to point out just what is and is not domestic terrorism. The viewpoint of an American citizen threatening or using violence “to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion” may, in fact, be an American citizen who has become radicalized by a foreign ideological source (Bjelopera, J.P. 2013, p.8). The American terrorist may be a small terror cell that belongs to the larger foreign terror group based outside the country, therefore clouding the definition and claim of domestic terrorism. To counter the ambiguity and difficulty surrounding just what is and is not domestic terrorism, I believe a standardized definition for DOD, federal and lower such as state and tribal should adhere to, as well as the media. With a clear and concise definition that is the exact same for all agencies big and small the definition could act like checkboxes to clarify if it was domestic terrorism. Other terms such as “extremist, radical, fundamentalist” and more should not be used interchangeably with “terrorist” after the triggers have been met for the specification.
2.This is the definition that I has been tossed around regarding terrorism: DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE Is the deliberate use of violence against a person or persons while employing guerrilla warfare tactics in an effort to achieve political, ideological, or religious goals. Terrorist acts: desire to pursue their revenge on society for religious, political, or ideological reasons. Acts of terror: desire to pursue their revenge on society for more personal reasons
3. The FBI’s difficulty in differentiating between acts of domestic terrorism and traditional crime stem from the ambiguity of the intent of the responsible party, and the FBI’s past missteps in infiltrating and combating political ideologues its leadership felt were dangerous to the American people, through COINTELPRO, or their responses to incidents such as the Ruby Ridge standoff, and the Brand Davidian siege in the early 1990’s. Richards remarks, “the essence of terrorism lies in the intent or purpose behind the act of violence rather than in the act itself” (Richards, 2014, pp. 221). However, since the identifying features are constantly changing and evolving, this will always be the most difficult task for investigators. This in itself seems to be the source of most of the ambiguity in the definition the FBI follows. As a law enforcement organization, following 18 USC 2331 (5) in investigating domestic terrorism makes sense, since enforcement of the laws of the United States is their primary mandate, however adopting a view, such as that of the Department of Defense Directive 2000.12 would allow investigators the leeway to investigate groups or individuals without having to resort to unseemly tactics like COINTELPRO, while dealing with resurgences in more aggressive tactics from far right wing groups and American adherents to international based ideologies like that of ISIS.
4. Radical phenomenon to me is a new groundbreaking change that will change the shape of the future. This change is also done in a method that is controversial. Prior to the 1960s, there were terrorist acts but they were very rare and the act may not have actually been a terrorist act by definition. It could have simply been a disgruntled worker or something along those lines. When the 1960s came around, tension with the government spawned numerous different resistance movements such as separatist black religious cults like the black Muslims or Black Nationalist in the black panthers. By the end of the year the Students of Democratic Society and the Weather underground made a name for themselves.
Fast forward to 2011, The Southern Poverty Law Center recorded that hate groups reached 1000 and antigovernment groups rose to 800 (Module 1: Module Notes Two: A Brief History of Domestic Terrorism). Numbers like this gain the attention of law enforcement. In this same year with the attacks of 9/11, even though it was not a domestic attacker, reports surfaced that the New Black Panther Party supported one of the hijackers of the flight. When a domestic terrorist side with an international terrorist group, they may as well be considered an enemy of the United States the same way the international terrorist is.
5. From an historical perspective, why is domestic terrorism now considered a radical phenomenon? It’s radical because people who commit terrorist activities are extreme in their beliefs that lead to the activities. Terrorism has always been about imposing fear on the general population with the hope that the fear of the people will sway government policy in favor of the terrorist’s demands. Hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Black Panther Party are two of the groups who are radicalized in their beliefs to the extent of committing violent acts to invoke fear.
How has it changed since the 1960s? In the 1960s there were not many groups labeled as terrorist groups. I think when terrorism became more clearly defined, the labels also changed. Since one of the criteria to define terrorism is an intention to coerce and intimidate the government, many activist groups could be labeled as terrorist groups now because many of them want to change government policy.
6. The historical evolution of domestic terrorism began with the KKK as they attempted to use violence and terror to in-steal fear and oppress blacks. These tactics were accomplished with lynchings, beatings flat out murder. As time went on black radical groups began to emerge such as the black panthers, black Muslims and the death angles. They used violence against blacks, whites, police officers and anyone who would go against their ideas. As time went on radical groups such as Students for a Democratic Society emerged to protest the Vietnam war.
Domestic terrorism is considered to be a radical phenomenon because people are using terrorist acts to express social and political views. Since the 1960’s domestic terrorism has changed from one of a mob mentality to one of lone wolves and phantom cells. Domestic terrorist have realized that if they are not organized in large groups that they will be harder to track. To day groups like Green Peace and the Sierra Club who were once violent extremist groups in america who attack large cooperations who harm the environment.
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