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ELFs are as much 'terrorists' as torrent users 'pirates'

posted 12 years ago by JustMammal
29 replies | jump to latest

While I don't condone destroying property or copyright infringement, I hate when such gross misnomers (and/or bad metaphors) like "terrorists" & "pirates" are used to describe non-violent offenders.

By their nature "terrorists" & "pirates" are violent, but what is violent about a guy caring for environment so much that he takes financially costly but physically harmless actions (even subsequently working in the "Center for prevention of domestic violence"), or for that matter a kid illegally downloading a copyrighted flick (perhaps about Gandhi)?

Why don't we call executives committing corporate fraud "financial rapists"? Or politicians accepting bribes "civil murderers"? I guess because that would be too embarrassing to the rich and powerful. Wouldn't it?

[–] mayfield2199-891-780653 8 years ago

They use violence to instill fear within the general public with the intent to bring social, political, and environmental change. You're only taking physical harm into account when you should be taking the physiological toll ALF/ELF into the equation.

[–] alx9 (72) 4 years ago

This argument must be from the book, "Arguments for Dummies".

So a secret religious group burns down your parents house, fireballs their cars and then leaves you a note, "Feel our wrath, change your ways!" But since your parents weren't killed, it's not terrorism, it's just friendly persuasion.