The Rintrah Perspective

Comments have been made about Hezbollah and Israel, and political positions have been resigned because of this. Here is my take on terrorist organizations and politics.

All governments exist to exert power. This power is used to defend itself or to promote itself. This power is used to control its people or ensure a level of freedom. At the root this power is coercion. There are times when dialogue is used to try to meet certain needs but, as any promoter of the power of war will attest, appeasement did not work with Hitler. This was because Hitler was not willing to give up his ability to utilize his power and the power of the German nation.

Terrorist organizations exist for a reason as well. For the same reason – power. They use the power of terror and sometimes use dialogue. It would be impossible to negotiate a cease-fire of any kind without dialogue.

As such both groups utilize something called politics in their discourses – even if the message is painted on a missile or a bomb.

Because this is true both groups – governments and terrorist groups – are political entities. Terrorist groups are not recognized as political entities because other recognized entities have not recognized them. The only way to become a “legitimate” group other so-called “legitimate” groups must “legitimatize” them.

Some nations, such as Canada and the US, have lists of illegitimate groups. As such it is impossible to consider the ideals and values of these illegitimates as being of any worth. This means that we cannot hear them out or consider their point of view.

The reason for keeping such terrorist groups on a list which perpetuates their illegitimacy is because they use fear and terror as their main sources of coercion. The interesting thing is that governments, such as the US and the old USSR, did the same thing. They tried to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies to ensure a level of peace.

While this did work, to a degree, it is, nonetheless, fear and terror. Likewise with any negotiations. Either a country agrees or there will be reprecussions in the form of economic embargos, decreased aid, or war and any other unimaginative action. It is the power of coercion.

This power is used by any group wishing to make any sort of political statement or gain. It is this power which either legitimatizes or de-legitimatizes all groups.

If the Canadian and American governments are legitimate then Hezbollah is as well. If Hezbollah is a terrorist organization then the ruling parties in Canada, the US and, yes, even Israel are in the same league.

Cheerleaders for war and coercion of any kind are cheerleaders for death and destruction. This death includes the death of the enemies, civilians and their own soldiers and fighters; their sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles as well as those on the opposing side.

I say we legitimize the whole lot and see what that changes. Likely nothing, but it would be more difficult to kill a group of people that are deemed to have some value.