Lone wolf or terrorist?

Massacres as in Vegas always test the intentions of the hot take merchants who appear at every crime scene to say if something is or isn’t “terrorism.“ Those who insist that the “lone white male shooter” is not a terrorist should be asked: Is there a meaningful difference between a murderer who kills for an imaginary caliphate and one who kills for his own bloodlust? And those who pop up always to remind us that yes, white men can be terrorists, should be asked: Is there a reason to extend the “terror” designation that isn’t purely out of spite?

After shootings and stabbings and bombings, we rehearse this strange ritual of debating the semantics of “terrorism.” But terrorism isn’t just semantic; it’s a purely political construct. It adds nothing to our understanding of crime except to muddle our thinking, to exaggerate our threats, and to pitch everything in terms of existential conflict. In that way, the word functions like how “communist” used to. Its primary effect is to give jobs to a whole industry of quack experts on “radicalization,” and to turn mosques and schools and social media into a network of informants. And if it’s not the mosque, then it’s the church or the therapist or the gun retailer; before too long, court records and financial statements, too. I think that deep down, both liberals and conservatives share a secret wish to live in a police state.

I think people these days are spending way to much time obsessing over labels, that really don't matter.

a reply to: Jefferton

I agree with you 100%. But it’s human nature. I don’t think this is something that will ever change.

a reply to: Jefferton

My same thoughts.

No doubt the Vegas incident produced major terror. Many are still experiencing it. Many people will grieve for a long time to come.

Hard for me to not consider such acts terrorism, but call it what you want. Same outcome, same reality.

a reply to: DarkPalSFO

I'm going with a recruited, supported, trained, terrorist.

a reply to: DarkPalSFO

I'm not aware of anyone saying white men are not capable of being terrorists. Prior to the rise of radical Islam, the majority of terrorists were Irish or Italian. During the 70's in the US there were many, many terrorist groups that committed bombings, bank robberies, etc. that were white and black men and women. Many of the communist/socialist fronts in Latin America were considered terrorists, the FARC for example. The word terrorism is to classify an act, not a race nor ethnicity. I'm not sure anyone really has a problem with this idea.

The question is, why is the person a terrorist. The large majority of terrorism in the West done by people born in the West, IMHO, are more to do with mental health issues than with Radical Islam.

a reply to: carewemust

There is actually no proof off that until now.

a reply to: DarkPalSFO

at the end of the day both want as many people killed as possible before they themselves get killed or kill themselves.

So if these lone wolfs keep doing ISIS job for them, they won't need to do it and are probably celebrating

Canada had terrorists during Trudeau seniors run, and put the whole country in lockdown when the terrorists were seperatist in Quebec, and they had car bombs to I think.

And seeing as how you Americans have been busy, there was an attack in Edmonton. Some guy hit a cop with a van, got out stabbed him and ran over for four pedestrian s before he got arrested, and yelled out Isis or something.

If I said I worshipped Isis, and to be politically correct do I mean the Islamic State, or the Egyptian God Isis?

It my dumbass retarded belief, after I am a product of working system.

Terrorist is a buzz word, blood thirsty A hole is just as accurate.

Until they find an agenda to link his motivation to, this is someone who snapped.

I have yet to hear a motive. I am betting it's linked to some psychotropic drug and political motivation...

It's not like we'll ever REALLY know anything beyond what they want us to anyway.

Australian Antifa has claimed Paddock as their own creation.

Source

Who was Marilou, Paddock's girlfriend?

She is an Australian citizen who was born in the Philippines, according to the Australian newspaper.

During her American divorce, Marilou Danley listed a downtown Reno unit at the Montage luxury condominium as her address. At the time, Stephen Paddock owned the unit.

So urce

Connect the dots

I posted on this before.

This could still be a terrorist incident, it depends on the motivations, if this is some guy who just lost his job and had a breakdown or just really doesn't like country music then its criminal mass murder.

If this is some right wing nut job who has done it to make a political point, or a Islamic terrorist who believes that a attack such as this would further the political aims of radical islam then under the Patriot Act its terrorism.

It all depends on the motivation really.