59 points

One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, and vice versa.

Terrorism is violence in order to spread fear. The poor CEOs are shitting themselves right now.

Problem is, generally it’s defined as violence against civilians. I’m not sure billionaires fit that category.

permalink
report
reply
5 points
*

Well not really. Terrorism is violence + politics. The only issue here is that Republicans (all major corporate leaders) have "politicized every single issue ever, especially human rights. Therefore this is terrorism.

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Well, yeah, there are political or ideological aims, which are believed to be achievable through fear. The violence itself is not meant to achieve much directly, but it spreads fear in the population that works towards some goal or another.

Violence + politics is just war.

permalink
report
parent
reply
39 points

Terrorism is absolutely a socially constructed idea. The current idea of the charge is based on the moral concept that violence in pursuit of religious or political goals is unacceptable. (You don’t have to accept that but we absolutely teach it in American school so most people just reflexively believe it)

Terrorism as it’s original idea was violence against civilians to terrify them into acting in a certain way. Like the KKK burning a cross in someone’s yard to warn them or a lynching where the entire town attends and takes pictures.

That said a single assassination where the shooter disappears afterwards, leaves no calling cards, makes no announcement, no demands, doesn’t really fit the profile of actual terrorism. They’re charging terrorism because it fits the letter of the law and it’s automatically discrediting to many Americans. Not because it’s actually Terrorism.

permalink
report
reply
10 points
*

Calling him a terrorist is supposed to make people afraid to support him otherwise they might be stripped of their rights and tortured in gitmo.

It’s like a terrorism reverse uno card. Use the charge of terrorism to cause terror and prevent people from organizing against the greedy, insatiable monsters that run this country by greasing each other’s hands.

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

I don’t think most people are afraid that protesting will get them labeled as terrorists. This isn’t a state that’s used terrorism charges against protestors like Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Oklahoma, or New York.

Goddamnitalltohell. I’m going to go live in a cave.

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

leaves no calling cards

I think the engravings on the bullets were intended as a message. It seemed like he expected to be caught with his “manifesto” as well. Not saying that’s sufficient to call it terrorism, but it does show a bit of intent beyond anger/revenge.

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

The bullets could also easily just be passion though. Calling cards are usually unmistakable. Like their name sake where actual cards are left on victims. A terroristic manifesto generally also has a warning, something meant to inspire fear or obedience. Osama Bin Laden for example had one demand, that western governments leave the middle east.

You could be right though, he could just be a terrorist with a bad PR sense.

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Can you explain to me the term “socially constructed “, and why it is so relevant here? Isn’t all of law, and the rules we live by, socially constructed?

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

To an extent yes they are. Things like speeding, where and who you can have sex with, are really good examples of social constructs. Things like murder are things we intrinsically understand as wrong, even without laws. It’s instinctual.

The fact that it is a social construct is important because society can decide to change it. It’s not actually part of our core programming the way murder is. Look at the number of people saying this is self defense. That’s society discussing how the terrorism label is used because survival is also a core human instinct. This is why it’s really hard to hold your breath until you pass out or purposely attempt to breathe water.

In classical ethics and philosophy this conflict falls under the Harm Principal. At what point does the CEO’s conduct pose an existential danger to those around them? Thus permitting the act of murder as a method of survival.

Throwing the social construct of Terrorism in there confuses that core question because it reminds us that we’ve all been taught that using violence to achieve your goals is wrong, unless society says it’s right. (Like declaring war)

So now we face a bunch of questions. Is this actually terrorism? Or is this a moment of society approving the use of violence?

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

The idea that murder is some kind of part of our human instinct needs a reference. Institutionalised murder has been a part of human civilisation throughout history. Think war, holocaust, death penalty, cannibalism, gladiator games, witch trials, ritual sacrifice etc etc.

As humans our defining feature is our cultural variety. Almost all rules one could think of have at some point been tried by a civilisation. Core programming only affects the very basics of requiring sustenance and reproduction.

permalink
report
parent
reply
-2 points

Excellently explained, the OP screenshots are the insane babblings of a mad woman

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

I think you read my comment wrong. I agree with her.

permalink
report
parent
reply
-3 points

Oh okay, that’s unfortunate. At least you made a good point at the end.

permalink
report
parent
reply
23 points

You know who had a family and killed less people than the CEO?

Bin Laden.

permalink
report
reply
2 points
*

We should feel worse for Bin Laden. His family was huge, and he was a way nicer guy.

permalink
report
parent
reply
16 points

“Terrorism” actually means someone is doing a crime to make a group of people afraid to do something. You know, instill terror.

permalink
report
reply
47 points
*

I hear a lot of Americans are afraid to call an ambulance cus it might ruin them financially

permalink
report
parent
reply
11 points

That makes this man a counterterrorist.

Rush B.

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

Which of her examples doesn’t fit your definition?

permalink
report
parent
reply
13 points

America where people do only one thing and one thing only, bitch and moan online. We will never learn from the French, will we?

permalink
report
reply
11 points
*

Guillotine: tired, boring, Fr*nch

Woodchipper: new, exciting, 'Murican

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

Historically we’ve leaned more towards a noose, or a gun.

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

Snoozers

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

What would you have us learn from the French? Did you stop your history lesson at the guillotines? Maybe you should read about what happened next…

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Yeah, Napoleon, King, Napoleon, King, Napoleon, Parliament. They got there eventually.

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

Do you think elites destroying people’s lives will revise their policies of oppression?

That’s how these things work. They extract until society collapases and then we have a reshuffle and new batch comes in with some sort of new social contract.

These parasites are looking to double down here.

More dead CEOs are needed for them to get the message it seems.

Boardrooms, not class rooms.

permalink
report
parent
reply

Lefty Memes

!leftymemes@lemmy.dbzer0.com

Create post

An international (English speaking) socialist Lemmy community free of the “ML” influence of instances like lemmy.ml and lemmygrad. This is a place for undogmatic shitposting and memes from a progressive, anti-capitalist and truly anti-imperialist perspective, regardless of specific ideology.

Serious posts, news, and discussion go in c/Socialism.

If you are new to socialism, you can ask questions and find resources over on c/Socialism101.

Please don’t forget to help keep this community clean by reporting rule violations, updooting good contributions and downdooting those of low-quality!

Rules

Version without spoilers

0. Only post socialist memes

That refers to funny image macros and means that generally videos and screenshots are not allowed. Exceptions include explicitly humorous and short videos, as well as (social media) screenshots depicting a funny situation, joke, or joke picture relating to socialist movements, theory, societal issues, or political opponents. Examples would be the classic case of humorous Tumblr or Twitter posts/threads. (and no, agitprop text does not count as a meme)


1. Socialist Unity in the form of mutual respect and good faith interactions is enforced here

Try to keep an open mind, other schools of thought may offer points of view and analyses you haven’t considered yet. Also: This is not a place for the Idealism vs. Materialism or rather Anarchism vs. Marxism debate(s), for that please visit c/AnarchismVsMarxism.


2. Anti-Imperialism means recognizing capitalist states like Russia and China as such

That means condemning (their) imperialism, even if it is of the “anti-USA” flavor.


3. No liberalism, (right-wing) revisionism or reactionaries.

That includes so called: Social Democracy, Democratic Socialism, Dengism, Market Socialism, Patriotic Socialism, National Bolshevism, Anarcho-Capitalism etc. . Anti-Socialist people and content have no place here, as well as the variety of “Marxist”-“Leninists” seen on lemmygrad and more specifically GenZedong (actual ML’s are welcome as long as they agree to the rules and don’t just copy paste/larp about stuff from a hundred years ago).


4. No Bigotry.

The only dangerous minority is the rich.


5. Don't demonize previous and current socialist experiments or (leading) individuals.

We must constructively learn from their mistakes, while acknowledging their achievements and recognizing when they have strayed away from socialist principles.

(if you are reading the rules to apply for modding this community, mention “Mantic Minotaur” when answering question 2)


6. Don't idolize/glorify previous and current socialist experiments or (leading) individuals.

Notable achievements in all spheres of society were made by various socialist/people’s/democratic republics around the world. Mistakes, however, were made as well: bureaucratic castes of parasitic elites - as well as reactionary cults of personality - were established, many things were mismanaged and prejudice and bigotry sometimes replaced internationalism and progressiveness.



  1. Absolutely no posts or comments meant to relativize(/apologize for), advocate, promote or defend:
  • Racism
  • Sexism
  • Queerphobia
  • Ableism
  • Classism
  • Rape or assault
  • Genocide/ethnic cleansing or (mass) deportations
  • Fascism
  • (National) chauvinism
  • Orientalism
  • Colonialism or Imperialism (and their neo- counterparts)
  • Zionism
  • Religious fundamentalism of any kind

Community stats

  • 4.2K

    Monthly active users

  • 581

    Posts

  • 16K

    Comments