by Stephen A. Wait ~ 16th of October, 2023
It seems there is a critical step in the development of a terrorist organization that is overlooked. For terrorism to exist, those who employ it must first embrace the evil of cowardice. Its insidious nature is clear; it saturates the psyche fully, offering the essential neural pathway from righteous indignation to radicalization. As terrorism necessitates injurious intent be perpetrated on a vulnerable populous, cowardice provides the justification and absolution required for such an act. It is a special evil, one that allows for the targeted murder of non-combatants like the elderly, women and children, even infants. Without cowardice, these targets of opportunity are precluded, forfeiting any perverted perception of achievement for the terrorist. Thus, cowardice is a vital attribute of terrorism; it provides rationality for unconscionable acts.
The use of human shields is perhaps the most conspicuous example of cowardice. While hiding behind the innocent has never ingratiated its perpetrators to humanity, it remains the ubiquitous tactic of the terrorist community. Yet another instance arrives in the predictable attempt at drawing moral equivalency with unintended collateral damage. This narrative seeks to evade responsibility and shift blame away from their senseless provocations. Finally, when those of terrorism are called upon to own their atrocities, the last ounce of cowardice is wrung out in denial.
It has often been said that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. Yet I know of no freedom ever born of cowardice.
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