Originally posted by: x-Sundas-x
Hypocrisy Galore! Anders Behring Breivik 'Gunman' or 'Terrorist'?
We all are familiar with the incident that took place few days ago in Oslo, Norway..Guy named Anders Behring Breivik, Killed 90 at Youth Camp in Oslo.. This Guys is happened to be involved in bomb blast in Oslo, killing 7 in it.
There is a similar topic started here. http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1738221
Originally posted by: x-Sundas-x
Now the question is, even after the guy admitted the deplorable act and is now trying to justify his act by saying "It was necessary".
Every criminal either justifies their act or or pleads not guilty. Its called their defense against the prosecution.
Originally posted by: x-Sundas-x
It is still believed that trail could take as long as a year. Why the delay?
It is called full and fair trial and due process of law. It is the hallmark of democratic nation. Muslim, Jew, Christian, Atheist whatever does not matter, and no matter what Brevik's religion he would have been treated per Norwegian laws.
It In the United States even the 09/11 conspirators are getting a full trial and per US law they are also getting the right to representation which means that if they don't have their own lawyers representing them, the state will provide them a state lawyer at US tax payer expense. Did you know many pro-bono lawyers in the states risked a lot of rage and disapproval by volunteering to represent conspirators and suspected conspirators in order to uphold US law and legal rights of criminals?
Do you know how long Timothy McVeigh's trial took? Do you know how long it took to even execute him? Do you know Jared Loughner's trial can take years?
In India despite strong national outrage and constant criticism, the Indian government still hold Kasab in high security prison and is giving him full trial.
Please don't make assumptions of unfairness or hypocrisy. You have to try and understand where nations come from, what their legal structure is and what their democracy stands for. You have to appreciate the ability of democracies to show tolerance and restraint by extending human rights and legal rights to the most heinous and undeserving criminals. In non democracies good people have their rights violated for petty reasons.
Originally posted by: x-Sundas-x
Height of Hypocrisy is that, Had the person who killed 90+ people in Norway been a Muslim, the world media would have declared him a "terrorist" and linked him to Pakistan. But he is just an 'Assailant ', 'Attacker' (Reuters), 'Gunman' (BBC, CNN & Al Jazeera). It appears that the word 'terrorist' is a name reserved for Muslims.
If I am correct Al Jazeera is a Muslim owned independent Arabic news broadcaster known for some strong criticism of American policy. Are we to believe that even Al Jazeera is biased against Muslims and reserves 'terrorist' for only Muslims.
The people behind Columbine and Virginia Tech also had their 'reasons'. They too took guns and took lives for what they believed to be a 'cause'. Are those culprits terrorists too?
I think you are mistaken. There is no bias against Muslims and the name terrorist is not reserved for Muslims only. When Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire in similar fashion the United States did not pronounce him terrorist. They also called him a 'gunman' and released statements that he had psychiatric issues.
You are misunderstanding the meaning of terrorism and are mixing up 'isolated incidents' with 'terrorism'.
Every so often some lunatic for whatever cause picks up weapons and ruthlessly takes lives. We had that happen in USA this year too where nine year old Christina Taylor Green lost her life. The Norway incident is unfortunately a very extreme case where it was a rampage and massacre and went out of hand before it was contained. Most of the time it is a isolated incident where one or more people go out of control. These are gunmen, assailants, snipers, mad men, but not terrorists.
There are plenty of hate groups across the world as well. There are Neo Nazi groups who hate colored people. There are black supremacists who hate white people. There are Hindu fundamentalists, Christian fundamentalists and fundamentalists in every religion. There are politically motivated fundamentalists. There are people who hate gays, hate Muslims, hate immigrants, hate Hispanics, hate blacks, hate Asians. They are constantly spewing hatred and vile talk. BUT they are not labeled 'Terrorist organizations'. Because what they practice 'free speech' another privilege of democracy. They do not call for their followers to be violent, or use tactics to spread fear and terror and cause chaos. They only exercise their democratic right of freedom to 'hate speech' and push for 'hate legislation'.
And sometimes countries take a stance even if they are not terrorist organizations. For example even though the Westboro Baptist Church is not violent, several countries have banned Fred Phelps and other members of his congregation from entering their nation. They are white Christians, not Muslim terrorists - but they are banned while Muslims are not. So not everyone is biased.
Terrorism occurs when a particular group chooses to use the spread of fear, violence and chaos as their primary tactic and incites their followers to do the same. Many countries recognize the Irish Republican Army and the LTTE as terrorists (they are not Muslims) because of how they violently fight for their cause.
Timothy McVeigh was considered a home grown terrorist because of the way he and his other associates 'organized' and planned to use 'terrorist tactics' for pushing his agenda and message.
Yes the definitions of terrorism are grey and not well defined, but not every gunman is a 'terrorist'.
Personally, to me Brevik is a terrorist of the worst kind. Terrorism is terrorism and he is no less. Many Norwegians and people across the world share the same view that he is a terrorist. However, I understand why media or state departments are hesitant to hand out the label right away.
Originally posted by: x-Sundas-x
Right after the incident, it was observed that #BlameTheMuslims was trending on twitter.. Some one started it blaming Muslims for Anders Behring Breivik's killing . But later it turned into an opinion of many people who said "Muslim Shouldn't b blamed for everything". Many had to say it was 'Discrimination' , 'It shouldn't be trending' etc . But the question remain the same.. why blaming Muslims?
I'll admit, when I first heard the news I made the same assumption. I even kind of rambled at home that good Muslims will never get a break in this world because there are all these idiotic Muslim groups in the world who will do these gross and violent things in the name of Islam. I'm pretty sure there were Muslims out there also who probably went in their heads 'Oh no! Not again, when will these jihadis stop and let us good Muslims live in peace'.
When I found out that the Brevik was a fundamentalist Christian, I was ashamed. I had let myself down. Like any other idiotic American I too had made a hasty judgment and decided something without proof on just a mental stereotype. It was a wake up call to get facts right before jumping to conclusions.
In my defense what am I to do, in the past decade the news has been filled with hateful stuff said or done by Islamic extremists. It is hard to find the positives or finding many other Muslims as outraged as we are when it happens. It breaks my heart that when a heinous criminal like Osama Bin Laden is dead that some of the so called moderate and peaceful groups question his burial rather than applaud the death of a monster. But it is no excuse, I was judgmental and jumped to conclusions and that will weigh on my conscience.
I'm sure some made their statements in spite and hatred against Muslims. But there are plenty of people like me who just made a mistake in their thinking. It is up to Muslims to decide how they perceive people like me: Are we hateful, cold and judgmental people or are we just human who tend to make mistakes now and then no matter how good our intentions are.
Originally posted by: x-Sundas-x
The US Dept of State calls it an 'Act of Violence', Not an 'Act of Terrorism'.
This leaves me and many other out their in suspicion that we are not being treated equally human.. Why is that if Muslims are involved, they are declared as TERRORIST without a hesitation where as this guy isn't..
I wonder why the hypocrisy..?!
Or is it just prejudice against Muslims?
I won't deny there is prejudice against Muslims. The way Tea partiers protest at Muslim events, that Peter King had his 'hearings' showcase this bias steeped in society. But not everyone is bad or prejudiced, some people make bad judgments or let fear take over common sense. In the end we are all human, we all feel pain. Muslims die to in acts of terror, right along side Hindus, Christians and atheists and all - and when you look at a mangled dead body you probably couldn't tell the difference. We are all equally victims of terror.
In difficult times people have a choice, to be weak and play victim or the blame game, or to be strong and stand with others for what is right and condemn what is wrong irrespective of how the world views you. Irrespective of prejudices and biases, respect can be earned and given. All it takes is someone to take the step in the right direction.
Originally posted by: x-Sundas-x
May be, not labeling him as terrorist is a part of plan to make people believe that he did all this for a purpose? creating a soft corner for him so he could be given a safe passage?
Please share your views.
Do you honestly think that a country will really do that to their citizens? Do you honestly feel that people are so cold hearted that they would choose the safety of a heinous killer over justice for innocents who died? You think a nation is willing to accept that innocent blood was shed for the purpose of a cold blooded murderer? You think any nation can have it on their conscience to create soft corners or safe passages for cold blooded murderers? Have you even sympathized that a very peaceful, quiet, liberal and open Nordic country Norway was so thoroughly unprepared to handle something of this magnitude? Their's is a country that is so peaceful and has so little crime that their maximum sentence was only 21 years? Have you paused to think about the victims and their families, what they would possibly want at this time - do you think the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of people who died are thinking the killer was not a Muslim so the law should be easy on him?
Such tragedies are heartbreaking, but the conspiracy theories that follow tragedies are equally heartbreaking and appalling.
Book Talk
