CNN Senior Editor For Arab Affairs Equates Terrorism With Freedom Fighting

• June 15, 2006

Just another one of those objective journalists we trust to bring us the news out of the middle-east:

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS REPORTER: WordCentral.com defines terrorism as the use of a violent or destructive act to achieve a goal. Why is it so difficult for the international community to agree on a definition for terrorism?
OCTAVIA NASR, CNN SENIOR EDITOR FOR ARAB AFFAIRS: Well, I think for one, terrorism for one person is a freedom fight for another. And you know, the Arab world always talks about this, as they say the so-called terrorism, because they believe that – in Iraq, for example, many people are struggling against occupation, so in many ways they support that struggle against occupation but then they draw a line between those who are struggling. They want a free Iraq, they want the occupiers out and those who are pushing the envelope and crossing the line by terrorizing people. And when we say terrorizing people, in a sense, it’s going after the innocent civilians, the unsuspecting civilians, taking hostages, beheading them. Committing acts that are totally unacceptable, even by the standards of a freedom fight. So, you know, if you think about it, “terrorism” is a subjective term depending on which side you are on.

It is worth mentioning that in order to be a freedom fighter one must actually be fighting for freedom.
The people we’re fighting in Iraq are not fighting for freedom. They’re fighting to topple the freely-elected government now established in Iraq and replace it with some form of totalitarian regime based on extremist Islamic teachings.
Video here.

Tags: Media

http://Array carrick

Octavia NAR:

So, you know, if you think about it, “terrorism” is a subjective term depending on which side you are on.

I keep wondering where the ambiguity is. The word “Terrorism” clearly implies the use of terror to achieve an end. Otherwise it would be called “violentforceism” or in Iraq, perhaps “bloodba’athism”

When somebody’s cutting somebody’s friggin’ head off to invoke terror, how could any reasonable person see that but as an act of terror.

This idea that words are entirely subjective, is an entirely stupid viewpoint. There may be grey areas, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t clear cut examples. Like when terrorists blew up a school bus full of children in Israel.

Finally, a freedom fighter would imply (normally) a person who is fighting for personal or political freedom. Being as the US isn’t even in a state of occupation of Iraq (and would love nothing more than to leave the bloody mess to the Iraqis), how can fighting a non-existent occupier be considered “freedom fighting”?
Dave

It is worth mentioning that in order to be a freedom fighter one must actually be fighting for freedom.

Yes. And in certain situations the definition of “freedom” is elusive–Algeria’s struggle for independence from France strikes me as an excellent example of this. (Watch Pontecorvo’s film for a deeper exploration of this.)

The situation in Iraq is, of course, not complicated at all. The American-led occupation is clearly fighting for representative democracy, while the straggling Iraqis are fighting for tyranny. When you write:

The people we’re fighting in Iraq are not fighting for freedom. They’re fighting to topple the freely-elected government now established in Iraq and replace it with some form of totalitarian regime based on extremist Islamic teachings.

I can almost guarantee that this Octavia Nasr agrees with you–at the very least, we (more specifically, you) certainly lack proof that he doesn’t, that he actually believes the terrorists in Iraq are “freedom fighters.”
http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

Thanks for pointing out the specific problems with my post and correcting them,

I don’t think Rob’s your mother or your 3rd grade teacher.
http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

No, he’s just a blogger,

JUST a blogger.

This (word edited out by good taste) must be banned.
Dave

No, he’s just a blogger, which apparently gives him carte blanche to make wild accusations without providing any evidence while still acquiring eager defenders of his tripe such as yourself. It’s pretty cool, actually.
Bat One

With her obvious talent for inspired moral equivalence, there’s little doubt that Ms. Nasr will be promoted to senior managing editor and vice president of operations in no time at all.
http://www.kenmccracken.blogspot.com/ Ken McCracken

Yeah Dave, and you are just a commenter at a blog.

Which puts you on an even lower rung, according to your own logic.
Dave

Welcome back, captain Obfuscation.

Thanks for pointing out the specific problems with my post and correcting them, as I clearly did with yours.
Dave

Finally, a freedom fighter would imply (normally) a person who is fighting for personal or political freedom. Being as the US isn’t even in a state of occupation of Iraq (and would love nothing more than to leave the bloody mess to the Iraqis), how can fighting a non-existent occupier be considered “freedom fighting”?

It can’t. Not surprisingly, s/he never said it was. Rob merely implied it, because, (and I’m just guessing here), he believes she hates America and is sympathetic to the terrorists.
http://www.kenmccracken.blogspot.com/ Ken McCracken

oops!
http://www.kenmccracken.blogspot.com/ Ken McCracken

He’s right you know.

Remember all those discos and pizzerias George Washington blew up?
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

Welcome back, captain Obfuscation.

By the way, “he” is a “she,” smart guy.

SayAnythingBlog.com

CNN Senior Editor For Arab Affairs Equates Terrorism With Freedom Fighting

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