Cuts the Word Peace - Essay Example

?Terrorism: Cuts the Word ‘Peace’ Introduction Terrorism has been broadly defined and passed from generations to generations. It has gained another bundle of definitions. In fact, it is now used by many with different purposes--not to mention the terrorist objectives. This essay gives various definitions about terrorism and traces back its origin. Further, it seeks to explain different types and forms of terrorism and its effects to the society, environment, and government. Terrorism bears itself the words destruction and violence. To some, it means death and hell. Probably, all over the world, this word has gone every corner of the society. Indeed, terrorism can be found anywhere, as long as there is life. Different walks of life especially the children, probably if asked, as to what they understand about it would answer, “terrorism is what the ‘Justice League’ (super hero characters) combating against.” Or, other school children might say, “Oh! It’s something I play with in the computer; don’t you play counter strike and plants versus zombies?” The dangerous influence brought about by terrorism has entered even into the young little hearts. It seems like everyone knows it, even a five year old child. Since the beginning of the recorded history, terrorism has been evolving with its meaning and image. As technology grows, there are many kinds of terrorism emerging in like a root of plant that enormously increases in length. Perhaps, it would continue to grow more until it reaches the depth of limits. The term terrorism comes from the root word ‘terror,’ which means overmastering fear (“Terror”). But if somebody would ask who created fear? A ten year old child might answer, “it’s the devil, what they always want to do is to plant fear in the hearts of men,” It makes sense, right? Terrorism was coined in the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror between 1793 up to 1794 (Garrison 12). It was during this time that government-sponsored terrorism was born. It was in lieu with the goal to eliminate opposition and consolidate power. Moreover, terrorism in the contemporary history became a tool or a means to achieve something. As early as 66-72 A.D., many Roman soldiers were killed by the terrorists because of resistance to Roman occupation (Garrison 12). Thus, terrorism was used to resist occupation. All countries upon the face of the earth have witnessed and even some had participated in the act of terrorism like invasion and war. The September 11, 2001 attack in the US World Trade Center is one work of terrorism. The terrorists behind this terrible thing intimidated the government and the society. Political leaders, analysts, and even the students of Political Science discipline know that this is a game played by a single or group of persons aiming to overturn the government and destroy its very foundation--the common people. Hence, here terrorism is defined as “the destroyer.” A boy playing counter-strike enjoys the thrill that the game creates. He might say, “This is good, I like the feeling of becoming a terrorist.” In addition, terrorism brings ‘horror’ in the minds of the ones who are fond of playing unusual games. It is like “putting the horror in the minds of the audience, and not necessarily on the screen” (Garrison 12). In addition, fear, horror, and terror are somewhat synonymous to the term terrorism. In an author’s point of view, where they usually define terrorism with concise examples, illustrations and provide the reader’s with a scene ‘like horror’. They used to claim that this term is a political act. Some described this word “as both tactic and strategy, a crime and a holy duty; a justified reaction to oppression and an inexcusable abomination” (“What Is Terrorism”). In addition, the FBI used to view the term as the unlawful use of force to further political or social objectives through violence. However, nowadays, terrorism has been into many forms--either small or great. In fact, it has reached the surface of cyberspace. The games the children play and other Internet programs have been penetrated by some forms of terrorism. Although it is quite not a big issue to some, actually it does matter. It greatly influences the young minds, and exposes them to unreasonable violence and making the children young terrorists. A young girl asked her daddy, “Dad, why did the monsters [terrorists] kill my friend’s father?” “They did it because of their personal interest,” her daddy replied. Every attack is with a purpose or a goal. Some people might say that the purpose behind terrorist attack is to get the attention of the local populace and ask for demands to the government. They are like zombies at the lawn. They attack and get what they want. Hence, terrorism is also defined as an attack to the society for demands. Terrorism does not only exist in the minds of many people, but happens around; and it takes several forms: Eco-terrorism, nuclear terrorism, and Narco-terrorism (Zalman n. pag.). As mentioned earlier, cyberspace was not spared by the influence of terrorism. Cyber-terrorism is a form of terrorism that seeks the aid of information technology to attack civilians and draws attention of society to a cause. The hackers are like terrorists that hack and disabled networks. So, whenever a child says, “Oh, the terrorist wins!” it is the work of the culprit. Hence, terrorism means a tool to orchestrate attack. The environment is not spared with threats of terrorism and violence. Eco-terrorism has something to do with the violence in the environment. The environmental extremists inflict damage in the economy through sabotaging property and leave the environment ruined. Nuclear Terrorism is very common among all nations. It involves the use of nuclear materials in different ways to affect attack. Nuclear terrorists do the attacking of nuclear facilities, and building nuclear weapons. Wherever these terrorist go, they are equipped with bombs--if these explode, would erase the earth. Terrorism has a widespread negative and deadly influence. In fact, drugs are used for terrorist activity. Narco-terrorism was coined and gained several meanings in 1983. It has something to do with drug trade. It is defined as the use of violence by drug traffickers to influence government or prevent government efforts from preventing it. It also refers to the means or ways where the terrorists get their financial needs. They sell drugs to drug users especially to those “big time bosses.” Also, they manufacture more drugs and export them to other countries. The terrorists might say, “Oh! This is good, were getting enough funds. We should not stop selling drugs.” The word terrorism is indeed powerful and hazardous as it tries to ruin humankind. It is getting worse than ever. It does not only work during days, but transforms like a creep in the night. Seems like it will not stop from spreading violence, instead it only grows bigger like a worm terrorism crawls slowly until it reaches to the leaves of the plants, and eat the chlorophyll inside. Conclusion The meaning of terrorism varies according to the situation, event or point of view of different groups of people (e.g. government, computer game fanatics, students, political leaders and analysts, children and parents). It did, does, and will influence the lives of humans on earth. It is somehow difficult to eradicate because it has already deeply rooted in the soul of many--especially terrorists. They, in the name of violence, disaster and political, economic, and social ends, ready to destroy other communities and nations. Terrorism is used as a tool, means, and source of income for many groups of terrorists. Finally, it never ceases to cut the word “peace.” Works Cited Garrison, Arthur H. “Understanding Sept. 11.” Supercourse. Supercourse, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. "Terror." Dictionary.com Unabridged. n.d. Web. 27 April 2011. . “What Is Terrorism?” Terrorism Research.com. Terrorism Research, n.d. Web. 27 April 2011. . Zalman, Amy. “Terrorism Issues.” About.com. About, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. . Read More