quotations about terrorism
The terrible thing about terrorism is that ultimately it destroys those who practise it. Slowly but surely, as they try to extinguish life in others, the light within them dies.
TERRY WAITE
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London Guardian, February 20, 1992
There is an international disease which feeds on the notion that if you have a cause to defend, you can use any means to further your cause, since the end justifies the means. As an international community, we must oppose this notion, whether it be in Canada, in the United States, or anywhere else. No cause justifies violence as long as the system provides for change by peaceful means.
RICHARD NIXON
speech, October 1970
This book recommends a watchful attitude to the view that terrorism constitutes a permanent threat and as such is a pressing problem of societies today. Such caution is appropriate, first of all, because of the conceptual problem anyone is facing when speaking, debating and reasoning about terrorism. Without doubt, 'terrorism' is one of the most ambiguous and blurry terms in the public debate, and it is often far from clear what the term actually refers to. Consequently, when terrorism is being presented as a threat and a pressing problem, we should inquire into what exactly this threat is about. Directly linked to this question is the problem of the more or less systematic exploitation of the terrorist threat by politicians.
ANNE SCHWENKENBECHER
Terrorism: A Philosophical Enquiry
Following a terrorist attack, governments are under enormous pressure to identify the guilty party and offer a swift response. But how can officials punish wrongdoers and deter others from engaging in terrorist attacks when they never know for sure who the culprit is?
GARY LAFREE
"6 reasons why stopping terrorism is so challenging", Philippine Starr, June 5, 2017
I've been interested in terrorism since 9/11. I was president of the American Psychological Association right after 9/11 and got involved with New York City firefighters who were at the scene, and then got involved in trying to understand who becomes a terrorist. What are these people like? Are they mindless fanatics? In fact, clearly they're not. That's what we say whenever there's something we don't understand--we say it's mindless, senseless. I'm trying to understand what's in the minds and hearts of terrorists, and how do you combat it other than just finding a terrorist and destroying them?
PHILIP ZIMBARDO
interview, American Scientist, April 2007
The most powerful military in the world cannot invade, kill or capture a network or destroy every loose weapon on the planet. The best response to this network of terror is to build a network of our own -- a network of like-minded countries and organizations that pools resources, information, ideas, and power. Taking on the radical fundamentalists alone isn't necessary, it isn't smart, and it won't succeed.
JOE BIDEN
speech, August 7, 2006
In an interconnected world, the defeat of international terrorism -- and most importantly, the prevention of these terrorist organizations from obtaining weapons of mass destruction -- will require the cooperation of many nations. We must always reserve the right to strike unilaterally at terrorists wherever they may exist. But we should know that our success in doing so is enhanced by engaging our allies so that we receive the crucial diplomatic, military, intelligence, and financial support that can lighten our load and add legitimacy to our actions. This means talking to our friends and, at times, even our enemies.
BARACK OBAMA
speech, November 20, 2006