So NOW what word should I use to describe a terrorist?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...TICS/807230375

Hoekstra fights ban on terms that describe terrorists
Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News

The Bush administration advises officials to avoid the use of certain words when describing terrorism, saying the terms are inappropriate and counter-productive. But four members of the Michigan congressional delegation want to ban federal funds for initiatives that prohibit the use of the words, like "jihadist" and "Islamist."

Muslims have long considered the words slurs. The American and British governments now say the words unintentionally honor terrorists while marginalizing moderate Muslims, who believe that Islam provides no rationale for extremism, let alone terrorism.

Regardless, U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Holland, offered an amendment last week to the 2009 Intelligence Authorization Act that would ban financing for any restriction on such words. Reps. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, and Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, also voted for the amendment.

"None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this act may be used to prohibit or discourage the use of the words or phrases 'jihadist,' 'jihad,' 'Islamo-fascism,' 'caliphate,' 'Islamist' or 'Islamic terrorist' by or within the intelligence community or the Federal Government," the amendment reads. It was approved by a 249-180 vote in the House. The Senate is working on its own authorization bill, and no such amendment has been offered, to date.

"I am sympathetic to the argument that if used inappropriately, the words can be counterproductive, but I find that the people who are criticizing this are very short on alternatives," Hoekstra said. "So how do they want us to describe al-Qaida and what they are involved with?"

Muslim leaders said that even the Bush administration, which they blame for critical errors in the war on terrorism, now realizes the terms are ill-advised.

"We believe that Rep. Hoekstra's misguided decision reinforces the positions of extremists and may unintentionally legitimize al-Qaida and other anti-American forces," said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations-Michigan. "CAIR supports using terminology such as 'criminals,' 'murderers' or 'terrorists' that helps isolate extremists and remove the false cloak of religiosity they use to justify their barbaric actions."

Muslims and government officials say jihad often in everyday life, against immorality and evil. Jihad is a spiritual pursuit to which they are called, Muslims say, and those who embrace jihad bring themselves closer to God. The fact that terrorists like Osama bin Laden and others brandish the word to rationalize murder demonstrates how far they exist beyond the bounds of Islam.

A memo issued to state department employees this year cautioned against the usage. The Department of Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism Center followed with similar advisories.

Spokesmen for McCotter and Knollenberg said while they are aware Muslims find the words objectionable, they believe intelligence officials must be free to describe events as they see them.

The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Arab American Institute, the Muslim Public Affairs Council and CAIR have all urged officials to adopt a broader view of Islam, to more effectively counter the extremists.

[flere-imsaho]

Now there's some useless legislation.

[Cringer]

I heard the new term for terrorist is fanboy. Pick you own add-on to that one....

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Now there's some useless legislation.

What's even worse, is I'd almost rather have them waste their time on that drivel. Keeps them from cooking up far, far worse stuff.