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Terrorism vaguely defined Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=679&ncid=742&e=14&u=/usatoday/20031119/cm_usatoday/11958438 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=679&ncid=742&e=14&u=/usatoday/20031119/cm_usatoday/11958438 Op/Ed - USATODAY.com Terrorism vaguely defined Wed Nov 19, 7:14 AM ET Add Op/Ed - USATODAY.com to My Yahoo! For most Americans who are used to linking terrorism with al-Qaeda, the conviction Monday of Washington, D.C.-area sniper John Muhammad on murder charges may seem completely unrelated. An evil guy went on a brutal murder spree and got his just desserts. End of story. Except that one of four counts against Muhammad was the first ever brought under Virginia's post-9/11 anti-terrorism law. Prosecutors reasoned that Muhammad's 23-day rampage last fall, which left 10 people dead, fit the law's intent: Muhammad terrorized an entire region with the larger aim of extorting $10 million. The guilty verdict and likely appeal now can help shape a broader consensus on what constitutes terrorism. While the world has been waging a war on "terror," agreement on what it means has been elusive. The FBI (news - web sites) and State Department interpret the word differently, as do several countries. Yet even a clear definition of terrorism can't answer the public's most haunting question about such impersonal and brutal acts: Why? After 9/11, shaken Americans asked, "Why do they hate us?" Unsatisfactory answers ranged from jealousy of the U.S. way of life to anger at U.S. support of Israel and policies in the Middle East. Prosecutors and Muhammad's lawyers are struggling with a similar question now that the case has proceeded to its penalty phase. The answers they provide will help the jury decide whether Muhammad is sentenced to death or life in prison with no parole. And they could give the public a glimpse of what motivated the violence. So far, attorneys are providing thin gruel. Defense lawyers insist the Gulf War (news - web sites) veteran was a devoted father and hardworking mechanic. Prosecutors say he wanted wider revenge after his wife won custody of their children. At a separate trial of Muhammad's accused teenage accomplice, Lee Malvo, defense lawyers are painting Muhammad as a controlling authority figure. Muhammad has been no help. He proclaimed his innocence in a rambling initial defense. Then he showed little emotion, even as the month-long trial recreated shootings of 16 victims, including a 13-year-old boy and a 72-year old Haitian immigrant. Muhammad's terrorist conviction helps define what he is. But if the new law was designed to comfort a confused public, it falls short. The statute's inaugural trial still leaves people wondering about the psychological triggers that cause terrorists to commit their barbarous acts.

conspiracy pinning-malvo 24 muhammad reuters [jpg] Alabama crime Atf probe gun sale Camp ground zero Charged lousiana { November 1 2002 } Charges dismissed in virginia sniper killing { October 2 2004 } Crazy desert storm { November 8 2002 } Escape attempt Ex gi and teen Grounds for reversing terrorism rule Gunfire near tacoma Insisted not involved { October 22 2003 } John allen [jpg] Jury recommends death for muhammad { November 24 2003 } Liked to mingle Link in alabama Mother tried 4son { October 25 2002 } Muhammad defends self { October 21 2003 } Muhammad pleads not guilt { October 15 2003 } No sniper evidence Rifle from tacoma Rifle matches Same national guard unit moose { October 28 2002 } Sentenced to death despite no evidence { March 10 2004 } Sniper farrakhan member Sniper framed for 911 conspiracy knowledge he says { April 29 2006 } Sniper gets terrorist trial { November 9 2002 } Sniper md gives va { November 8 2002 } Tacoma shop 340 guns Terrorism vaguely defined Tied more deaths Train fort lewis Two arrested Two in custody { October 24 2002 } Two men arrested Files Listed: 35

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