HOW CAN WE FIGHT TERRORISM? PT 2.

In Part 1, we looked at the Difference Between TERRORISTS, and the Traditional Military.  The Major Differences being the GOALS, COMBAT MISSION STRATEGY AND TACTICS, AND THE COMMAND AUTHORITY THAT DIRECTS ITS ACTIONS.

Now, if we look back through History, the Use of Fear and Terror to Intimidate the Civil Populations of Opponents and Enemies is Prevalent in Many, if not all, Wars and Conflicts.  

From the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia we have examples of the Roman Legions, Huns, Mongols as well as Christian and Moslem Military Forces, Among Many Others, engaging in Wars of Annihilation.  In Other Words, Surrender or Submit, or Face Massacre and Elimination.

In Modern Warfare, some Military Strategists Argued that Inflicting and Causing Grievous Harm to Civilian Populations, would lead to a Collapse of the Sitting Government, because the Non- Military Citizenry would Refuse to support a Continuation of The Conflict, to the Point of Removing those In Power.

However, History has shown that such Thinking has had Little Affect in Causing a General Uprising by the Resident Population, which would Lead to an Overthrow of the Individuals and Groups Controlling the Central Government.  It is still the Elimination, Suppression or Capitulation of the Opposing Military that leads to Victory.

What can we take from this Lesson?  Something that Many of Those Using the Strategy and Tactics of Terror Forget;  That Instilling Fear and Apprehension in a Population may cause a Temporary Change in the Daily Lives of Those Under Such Threats, but to Think it will Result in the Populace Turning Their Lives over to the Control of a Rival Power is an Unrealistic Fantasy Doomed to Failure.

That Leads to a Second Important Point; When we look at History, and analyze the different conflicts that Terror and Fear were used by Countries, Conquerors, and Armies, Against Population and Economic Centers, SUCH ACTIONS WERE DONE TO SUPPORT EXISTING MILITARY POLICY. TERROR, BY ITSELF, WAS NEVER THE PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE ULTIMATE VICTORY.

GUN CONTROL, AND THE 2ND AMENDMENT.

Trying to cut through all the Hyperbole about the 2nd Amendment, and how Free or Restrictive Gun Ownership and/or Possession should be, is a daunting task. However, let's give it a try.

FIRST-  Here is the Actual Wording of the 2nd Amendment; "A WELL REGULATED MILITIA, BEING NECESSARY TO THE SECURITY OF A FREE STATE, THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS, SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED."

Before anything else of value can be done, the initial step must be to: DEFINE WORDS AND TERMS.

So, with that in mind, here are a few definitions that must be considered vital to understanding the meaning contained in the 2nd Amendment;

MILITIA-  Is the Military Arm of each Individual State, to be called upon by the Governor to protect the Peace and Security within its Proscribed Boarders.  Today, it is now called the NATIONAL GUARD.  It can also be Nationalized, which means it falls under the Authority of the President, to serve the needs of the Entire Country.

REGULATED-  In Martial Terms;  An Organized Group operating under a strict set of Rules and Guidelines: 

-  That are Derived from, and Subordinate to a Civilian Authority or Government. 

-  With a Well- Defined Mission Statement.

-  That Outlines the Duties and Expectations Governing Proper and Improper Behavior, and set Punishments for Violations.

-  That Establishes a Formal Command Structure, with set standards for Leadership roles, and provides for the Arming and Training of the rank and file.

STATE-  Could actually refer to either an individual state, or the U.S. as a whole,

depending on the circumstances or mission.

RIGHT-  A Protection an Individual has against possible Retribution by the Government, for engaging or participating in certain activities. 

PEOPLE-  CITIZEN(S).

ARMS-  Any Physical Object that would be easily recognized as a Tool of War, 

or is acknowledged to be part of an established Military Arsenal.  Usually, refers to any type of Firearm.  In modern terms, WEAPONS would be a more appropriate term for general usage. 

KEEP-  To Store, Control or Maintain a Weapon under the control of a certain group or individual. 

BEAR-  To have Immediate Open Physical Possession of a Weapon, which is Legally Recognized.

SEE PART TWO.

HOW CAN WE FIGHT TERRORISM? PT 1.

Exactly what is TERRORISM?

-  What are the Goals behind it, and what are the Motivations?

-  Do the Methods Used by Terrorists Work, in Achieving the Desired Goals?

-  Are the Tactics of Terrorists Self- Defeating, always Doomed to Failure, or are They Practical, and Often lead to Success?

-  Should Terrorist Tactics be Answered in Kind?

The First Question that must be Addressed is simply, what is TERRORISM? 

First, Terrorism is not an Ideology, it is a Means to an End. There are no Specific Set of Rules or Written Doctrine that Encompasses all Terrorist Groups and Individuals, and no Identifiable Code of Law or Morality that is Universal in Nature.

To Clarify, I will Define TERRORISM as : THE USE OF VIOLENCE, OR THREAT OF SUCH, TO ADVANCE THE DOCTRINE, IDEOLOGY, RULES, OR GOALS OF A GIVEN AND IDENTIFIABLE GROUP THAT IS NOT GENERALLY REGARDED AS A LEGITIMATE POLITICAL ENTITY, OR THE RECOGNIZED LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR A RESIDENT POPULATION OR GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

HOWEVER, THE TARGETS OF SUCH VIOLENCE ARE NOT TRADITIONAL, SUCH AS MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL OFFICES. CIVILIAN POPULATION CENTERS, BUSINESS AND CONSUMER DISTRICTS, AND PLACES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP BECOME THE PREFERRED AREAS TO CREATE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION.  THE DESIRE IS TO ESTABLISH A DISRUPTION IN NORMAL ACTIVITIES, AND A GENERAL SENSE OF PANIC AMONG THOSE WHO FREQUENT, OR LIVE IN THESE AREAS.

THE PURPOSE-  CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE THAT WILL CAUSE THE CIVILIAN/MERCHANT POPULATION TO  BECOME SO TRAUMATIZED AND FRIGHTENED, THAT IT FORCES THE POLITICAL/GOVERNMENTAL POWERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING AND PROTECTING THESE AREAS, TO GRANT CONCESSIONS, ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS, OR AGREE TO THE STATED GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. 

The Terrorist(s) are not Interested in the Traditional Types of Warfare and Combat.

WHY?  Because They Usually Lack the Numbers and Quality of Combatants and Armaments to Engage in Set Piece Battles.  So to Attack Military and Civilian Strong Points that are Well Protected would be Useless.  The Terrorists would be going up against Forces Designed and Trained to Meet, Engage, and Defeat Opposing Forces Conducting Normal Combat Operations. 

Is Terrorism a New Phenomena, or can we Find Examples in other Parts of Human History?  Is it an External Threat Alone, or is there an Internal Danger Just as Dangerous and Potentially Destructive.

LOOK FOR PART 2.

We're on a roll. MARK HERRING.

David, Because of your support over the years, I get to come to work every single day and fight for justice, equality, and opportunity for ALL Virginians. As...Attorney General I’m fighting back against Trump’s awful and illegal moves to attack immigrants, take away your healthcare, and sell-off our environment to oil and gas companies. We’re also fighting for commonsense gun safety legislation, protecting consumers and veterans from scams, and combating the rise in white supremacist violence. Check out just some of the headlines from the last few weeks: Herring challenging Trump Administration immigration rule, ex-AG Cuccinelli  [8/15/19] Virginia's Attorney General fights for gun safety at US Supreme Court  [8/13/19] Disabled vets to receive student loan relief requested by Attorney General Herring  [8/22/19] Virginia attorney general sues Trump over immigration rule  [8/15/19] Attorney General scores a win for the troops  [8/18/19] Virginia joins coalition suing Trump administration over Clean Power Plan replacement  [8/13/19] Ahead of gun meeting, Virginia AG says militias could be illegal [8/16/19] Attorney General: Against the law for militia members to assume role of police [8/16/19]   AG: Company shut down after claiming to be military charity  [8/15/19] Virginia's Attorney General sues former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli  [8/15/19] Virginia attorney general: No one deserves to live in fear of discrimination  [8/12/19] Like I said, we’re on a roll! And we’re not going to let up. Thanks as always for your support, Mark