Terrorism, Anyone?

A while ago, back in this (quite) old post, I approached the question of what exactly is terrorism - all the while drawing on the inherent double standard in applying the label (you know, like, war crimes and all).

With the recent, tragic Fort Hood shooting, many (of the usual) suspects fearmongerers have been decrying this senseless act as terrorism - especially since such an insane act was perpetrated by a (gasp!) Muslim.

In the meantime, I hear none of those (false patriot) folks crying "terrorism" regarding this little bit of news:

White Powder Sent To 5th, 6th Foreign U.N. Office (So Far)

After three foreign offices received envelopes containing a suspicious substance on Monday night, three more received similar envelopes yesterday. First, the German Mission to the U.N. reported receiving an envelope, and later in the day, the British and Russian Missions also received envelopes. The NYPD expects more letters to be found in the coming days and Mayor Bloomberg said of the incidents, "Anybody that thinks that it's a joke is making a very bad mistake. If we apprehend you you're going to face criminal charges."

The German and British Missions are located near the U.N. building in Midtown, while the Russian Mission is on the Upper East Side. The NY Times reports, "a note inside the envelope at the German Mission read 'Al Qaeda F.B.I. in America.' It was similar to notes found in envelopes received on Monday at the Uzbek and Austrian Missions, the police said." (The other mission to receive an envelope on Monday was the French Mission.) Also, "Initial tests of the powder found in the envelopes delivered on Tuesday did not show the presence of anthrax spores or any other hazardous substance." And the NYPD says the envelopes delivered on Monday contained flour.

According to the Post, four of the letters were postmarked from Dallas, Texas—"albeit with different return addresses in that city -- and they are believed to have been mailed from the same post office last Friday, sources said.

Never mind that the powder turned out to be flour - this was done purposely so as to scare people into thinking that they're being sent anthrax, or something to that effect.

And that is the essence of terrorism.

Still, I won't hold my breath waiting for the usual right wingnuts braying, ranting and raging against such acts.

Why?

Because only islamofascist/Muslims/Islamists do terrorism - dontcha know?

But good, pure-blooded, white folks? Nah. They're just being patriotic, ya know?

Right.

Indeedy.

(sigh)