It's interesting that you bring this up; Sol and I got into a discussion this past weekend over whether or not the term "terrorist" was an accurate descriptor for the five pilots. I'm not certain myself, but so many authors use it, even in post-9-11 America. That's not why I question the use of the word, but I wonder if the definition really matches the actions of the Fab Five in the series.
Let's go to the dictionary! [I'm not being a smartass, really, I'm just now looking it up since I'm thinking about it at the moment.]
n. One that engages in acts or an act of terrorism.
Okay, not helpful.
terrorism - n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.
Okay, some of that fits -- I'd question the 'against people or property' part. The problem that Sol and I ran into, discussing the term, was whether or not a terrorist was defined as one who terrorized civillians specifically, which the pilots never did. Even though Wufei attacked a training center, it was still a *military* training center, and as I recall in most cases it was fairly specific that the pilots were absolutely not allowed to harm civillians. I could be remembering wrong, but that would be the root of my questioning of the term. I've never used it personally, but I haven't done any major in-canon pieces (yet). Anyway, just a thought, maybe you and/or someone else could expound further on the subject.
Duo and Wufei, though, both have that vibe of having been pushed, and really wanting to push back. How they go about it is very different, but I see that in both.
Ooo, excellent point! *wheels churning in brain* Yes, there is that sort of... *fire* to what they do, as opposed to the other three acting more out of ideals and a sense of duty.
Damn, I love conversations like this. Suitably thought-provoking and distracting at the same time. *wanders off to possibly finish that damn chapter...*
no subject
Date: 6 Aug 2004 10:00 pm (UTC)Let's go to the dictionary! [I'm not being a smartass, really, I'm just now looking it up since I'm thinking about it at the moment.]
n. One that engages in acts or an act of terrorism.
Okay, not helpful.
terrorism - n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.
Okay, some of that fits -- I'd question the 'against people or property' part. The problem that Sol and I ran into, discussing the term, was whether or not a terrorist was defined as one who terrorized civillians specifically, which the pilots never did. Even though Wufei attacked a training center, it was still a *military* training center, and as I recall in most cases it was fairly specific that the pilots were absolutely not allowed to harm civillians. I could be remembering wrong, but that would be the root of my questioning of the term. I've never used it personally, but I haven't done any major in-canon pieces (yet). Anyway, just a thought, maybe you and/or someone else could expound further on the subject.
Duo and Wufei, though, both have that vibe of having been pushed, and really wanting to push back. How they go about it is very different, but I see that in both.
Ooo, excellent point! *wheels churning in brain* Yes, there is that sort of... *fire* to what they do, as opposed to the other three acting more out of ideals and a sense of duty.
Damn, I love conversations like this. Suitably thought-provoking and distracting at the same time. *wanders off to possibly finish that damn chapter...*