Guide to differences between Terrorists and the U.S. Government

by Daniel Solnit

09 October 2001

TERRORISTS:
Supposed leader is the spoiled son of a powerful politician, from extremely wealthy oil family
US GOVERNMENT:
Supposed leader is the spoiled son of a powerful politician, from extremely wealthy oil family

TERRORISTS:
Leader has declared a holy war ('Jihad') against his 'enemies'; believes any nation not with him is against him; believes god is on his side, and that any means are justified.
US GOVERNMENT:
Leader has declared a holy war ('Crusade') against his 'enemies'; believes any nation not with him is against him; believes god is on his side, and that any means are justified.

TERRORISTS:
Supported by extreme fundamentalist religious leaders who preach hatred, intolerance, subjugation of women, and persecution of non-believers
US GOVERNMENT:
Supported by extreme fundamentalist religious leaders who preach hatred, intolerance, subjugation of women, and persecution of non-believers

TERRORISTS:
Leadership was not elected by a majority of the people in a free and fair democratic election
US GOVERNMENT:
Leadership was not elected by a majority of the people in a free and fair democratic election

TERRORISTS:
Kills thousands of innocent civilians, some of them children, in cold blooded bombings
US GOVERNMENT:
Kills (tens of) thousands of innocent civilians, some of them children, in cold blooded bombings

TERRORISTS:
Operates through clandestine organization (al Qaeda) with agents in many countries; uses bombing, assassination, other terrorist tactics
US GOVERNMENT:
Operates through clandestine organization (CIA) with agents in many countries; uses bombing, assassination, other terrorist tactics

TERRORISTS:
Using war as pretext to clamp down on dissent and undermine civil liberties
US GOVERNMENT:
Using war as pretext to clamp down on dissent and undermine civil liberties

TERRORISTS:
Weapon of choice: a three-dollar box cutter
US GOVERNMENT:
Weapon of choice: a billion-dollar B1 bomber