Murderous Terror Higgins O’Brien Spring 2012
Feb 23, 2016
Murderous Terror
Higgins O’BrienSpring 2012
The FBI defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objective”.
Hate homicide and acts of terror are closely related, with the line between them not always clear
Often random and symbolic
International Terrorism The al Qaeda attack on the World Trade Center
towers resulted in some 3,000 deaths, with victims from 78 different nations
Following the attacks of Sept. 11th, the United States initiated Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and expanded federal powers under the Patriot Act
80% of Americans expressed willingness to forfeit certain freedoms for the sake of security
Currently U.S. forces are still in the region, and a modified version of the Patriot Act remains in force
Homegrown Terrorism 2/3 of all terrorist attacks in the United
States are perpetrated by citizens inside the country
Offenders have a grudge against the government, a group of people, or all of humankind
Feel frustrated and powerless to change society Have utopian beliefs about the world Socially isolated, and willing to kill
The Unabomber Derrick Shareef Timothy Mcveigh
Prison as a Terrorist Recruiting Center and American Muslims As of 2010, there are more than 300 terrorists in
U.S. federal prisons Some are concerned about a growing terrorist
inmate population, and the prevalence of Islam in prisons
Inmates can receive training/guidance from others* However it is a mistake to assume American
Muslims will side with radical religious fringe groups* In contrast to Europe, many Muslims have
integrated with high salary jobs and higher education in the U.S
Left Wing vs. Right Wing Terrorists In the 1960's-1980's most domestic
terrorism came from political extremists on the left
Marxist-communists Socialists Puerto Rican Nationalists
These individuals tended to be young, well educated, upper-middle class, and from urban areas
Many were African and Latino Americans, and about 1/3 were women
Left Wing vs. Right Wing Terrorists Continued Since the mid-1980's most cases of domestic
terrorism have been for right wing extremist causes White Supremacy Against a communist controlled government
These individuals tend to be middle aged white males, lacking a college degree, and likely to be unemployed
Against minority rights Survivalists who withdraw from conventional
society “Christian Identity”, a theological basis that
believes white Christians are superior to others
Left Wing vs. Right Wing Terrorists Continued Reasons for why the extremist right was
invigorated in recent years Federal Gun Control Legislation ATF agents accidently kill a white supremacists'
pregnant wife and young son (Randy Weaver) FBI siege on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco,
TX Militia's feel threatened by government,
and there tends to be overlap between these groups and hate groups
Single Issue Terrorism Do not have a broad ideological position,
but are against a particular “evil” they see in society
Environmental Pollution Animal Abuse Genetic Engineering Abortion Company Policies
Often cause millions of dollars in property damage, but have also been responsible for murder
The Impact of Murderous Terror Terror attacks are complex, it is difficult
to address all of the problems involved Offenders are motivated for a variety of
issues The fighting between Palestine and Israel
is evidence that certain groups do not want peace
The 9/11 attacks have had a profound impact on the United States
Emotionally Financially Culturally Determining Future Policy