Are most terrorists, Muslim? According to official FBI numbers: Not even close.

[TareX]

CNN had previously published an article entitled "Study: Threat of Muslim-American terrorism in U.S. exaggerated"; according to a study released by Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “the terrorist threat posed by radicalized Muslim-Americans has been exaggerated.”

Yet, Americans continue to live in mortal fear of radical Islam, a fear propagated and inflamed by right wing Islamophobes. If one follows the cable news networks, it seems as if all terrorists are Muslims. It has even become axiomatic in some circles to chant: “Not all Muslims are terrorists, but nearly all terrorists are Muslims.” Muslims and their “leftist dhimmi allies” respond feebly, mentioning Waco as the one counter example, unwittingly affirming the belief that “nearly all terrorists are Muslims.”

But perception is not reality. The data simply does not support such a hasty conclusion...

On the FBI’s official website, there exists a chronological list of all terrorist attacks committed on U.S. soil from the year 1980 all the way to 2005. That list can be accessed here (scroll down all the way to the bottom).

Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Soil by Group, From 1980 to 2005, According to FBI Database

According to this data, there were more Jewish acts of terrorism within the United States than Islamic (7% vs 6%). These radical Jews committed acts of terrorism in the name of their religion. These were not terrorists who happened to be Jews; rather, they were extremist Jews who committed acts of terrorism based on their religious passions, just like Al-Qaeda and company.

Yet notice the disparity in media coverage between the two. It would indeed be very interesting to construct a corresponding pie chart that depicted the level of media coverage of each group. The reason that Muslim apologists and their “leftist dhimmi allies” cannot recall another non-Islamic act of terrorism other than Waco is due to the fact that the media gives menial (if any) coverage to such events. If a terrorist attack does not fit the “Islam is the perennial and existential threat of our times” narrative, it is simply not paid much attention to, which in a circuitous manner reinforces and “proves” the preconceived narrative. It is to such an extent that the average American cannot remember any Jewish or Latino terrorist; why should he when he has never even heard of the Jewish Defense League or the Ejercito Popular Boricua Macheteros? Surely what he does not know does not exist!

The Islamophobes claim that Islam is intrinsically a terrorist religion. The proof? Well, just about every terrorist attack is Islamic, they retort.

Unfortunately for them, that’s not quite true. More like six percent. Using their defunct logic, these right wingers ought now to conclude that nearly all acts of terrorism are committed by Latinos (or Jews). Let them dare say it…they couldn’t; it would be political and social suicide to say such a thing. Most Americans would shut down such talk as bigoted; yet, similar statements continue to be said of Islam, without any repercussions.

The Islamophobes live in a fantasy world where everyone is supposedly too “politically correct” to criticize Islam and Muslims. Yet, the reality is the exact opposite: you can get away with saying anything against the crescent. Can you imagine the reaction if I said that Latinos should be profiled because after all they are the ones who commit the most terrorism in the country? (For the record: I don’t believe in such profiling, because I am–unlike the right wing nutters–a believer in American ideals.)

The moral of the story is that Americans ought to calm down when it comes to Islamic terrorism. Right wingers always live in mortal fear–or rather, they try to make you feel that way. In fact, Pamela Geller (the queen of internet Islamophobia) literally said her mission was to “scare the bejeezus outta ya.”

Don’t be fooled, and don’t be a wuss. You don’t live in constant fear of radicalized Latinos (unless you’re Lou Dobbs), even though they commit seven times more acts of terrorism than Muslims in America. Why then are you wetting yourself over Islamic radicals? In the words of Cenk Uygur: you’re at a ten when you need to be at a four. Nobody is saying that Islamic terrorism is not a matter of concern, but it’s grossly exaggerated.

Official source:
http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/terrorism-2002-2005/terror02_05

 

[Sinsear]

Islam and its followers are the enemy now. Get used to it.

 

[Lanyap]

Yet, Americans continue to live in mortal fear of radical Islam, a fear propagated and inflamed by right wing Islamophobes.

9/11 made a lasting impression.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

From what Wikipedia and its sources tell me, this Jewish Defence League has only killed 7 since 1968. They're kind of shitty terrorists and need to learn a thing or two about how to kill a lot of people.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I am not seeing the vast right-wing violence that is so talked about here. Maybe right wingers only recently became violent due to Sarah Palin and her atmosphere of hate? Guess conservative radio does not cause violent right-wing attacks, as it was alive and well during those years.

 

[TareX]

From what Wikipedia and its sources tell me, this Jewish Defence League has only killed 7 since 1968. They're kind of shitty terrorists and need to learn a thing or two about how to kill a lot of people.

Hmmm..... Wikipedia, versus the FBI's official log.....

 

[alkemyst]

I'd give a big number one to the spanish, black and white gangs in our country.

 

[DesiPower]

I don't remember any of the other groups killing or trying to kill a lot of people chosen at random just for the lulz. FBIs definition of terrorism is a fail. Motive and politics are clearly visible all over the article,

btw, try to look for a similar pie chart for hate crimes in the city of new york.

 

[911paramedic]

"Terrorist threat" is a pretty broad term used by law enforcement.

 

[PokerGuy]

A good example of how you can use stats to support any bullcrap argument you want. If you look at that list it includes a bunch of stuff the FBI defines as "terrorist acts" that the rest of us in the real world don't, like robberies, vandalism etc. 9/11? Terrorism. Black Panther yelling racist slurs at a white guy? Not terrorism. If you look at acts that normal people would consider terrorism you see a whole different picture.

 

[Genx87]

I am not seeing the vast right-wing violence that is so talked about here. Maybe right wingers only recently became violent due to Sarah Palin and her atmosphere of hate? Guess conservative radio does not cause violent right-wing attacks, as it was alive and well during those years.

I do find it hilarious left wing groups make up 24% of the attacks. Another lefty talking point blown out of the water.

 

[PokerGuy]

I do find it hilarious left wing groups make up 24% of the attacks. Another lefty talking point blown out of the water.

Very true, but do you really put some idiot lefties eco nut breaking in and releasing 5 squirrels from a lab on the same level is some jihadist blowing up a plane?

 

[Scotteq]

"Extreme Left Wing Groups" = 24%


Really?



I'd be interested in knowing the what data this chart uses. i.e. What constitutes a 'Terrorist Act' in the context of this study? To pick on an "Extreme Left Wing Group": I should think that PETA throwing paint on a woman leaving a Fur store is clearly a statement from the Left. Hardly a terrorist act.... Or do we draw the line including PETA interfering with Fishing, Hunting, Herding, and Animal Control operations? Truly these are acts that occur all the time. But hardly something most people would consider a "Terrorist Act". Does this count anarchists picketing/rioting at a G7 meeting?

Also - Is it a simple count of "how many"? What about the level? To pick on PETA (...I won't fib: I really do dislike them) is cutting the fence at a ranch and letting the cows out a "Terrorist Act"?

Based on demographics, I do strongly suspect it includes Gang/Drug related acts. Which is also not something most Americans consider as Terrorism in the same vein as Wahhabi suicide bombers.

What is the criteria here?

 

[Genx87]

Very true, but do you really put some idiot lefties eco nut breaking in and releasing 5 squirrels from a lab on the same level is some jihadist blowing up a plane?

Most left winged eco groups tend to burn down buildings, put spikes in tree's to injure loggers, or damage other private property for their cause. Releasing 5 squirrels wouldnt fall under a terrorist act I am sure, even by this loosely defined FBI study.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Hmmm..... Wikipedia, versus the FBI's official log.....

I'm not contradicting the FBI. I'm saying that's it's doesn't matter how frequent your terrorist plots are, it's how you use them.

 

[TareX]

FBIs definition of terrorism is a fail.

Now that's a new one. Alright, in laymen's terms:

Terrorism = An attack against citizens of a country in order to induce terror and influence a political decision.

 

[Scotteq]

I'm not contradicting the FBI. I'm saying that's it's doesn't matter how frequent your terrorist plots are, it's how you use them.

Reading through the report: The Left Wing incidents are overwhelmingly perpetrated by The Environmental Liberation Front... Earth Liberation Front... And there's actually a group called "Revenge Of The Trees", which I had never heard of but think is really, really amusing. Arson and destruction of property for these guys. I do not see any incidents on the report where anyone was hurt or killed by any of these guys.

 

[Scotteq]

Now that's a new one.

Actually, the real joke is equating semi~random acts of property destruction with killing thousands in bombings and hikacking/suicides.

 

[PokerGuy]

Now that's a new one. Alright, in laymen's terms:

Terrorism = An attack against citizens of a country in order to induce terror and influence a political decision.

That's not the definition that's used to compile the stats you presented in the OP. If you do go by that definition, it blows up (see what I did there?) your argument in the OP that only a small percentage of acts of terrorism are committed by islamo-jihadi-crazies.

Thread backfire.

 

[skyofavalon]

Are most terrorists, Muslim? I dont know. What I do know is that most (if not all) Muslims are terrorists.

 

[routan]

That's not the definition that's used to compile the stats you presented in the OP. If you do go by that definition, it blows up (see what I did there?) your argument in the OP that only a small percentage of acts of terrorism are committed by islamo-jihadi-crazies.

Thread backfire.

Uh, the primary definition in the report is as:
“the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives”

which is almost the same as
"Terrorism = An attack against citizens of a country in order to induce terror and influence a political decision."

Unless you want the same words in both definitions, the message conveyed is obviously the same.

 

[TareX]

That's not the definition that's used to compile the stats you presented in the OP. If you do go by that definition, it blows up (see what I did there?) your argument in the OP that only a small percentage of acts of terrorism are committed by islamo-jihadi-crazies.

Thread backfire.

^^^^see above.

 

[Freshgeardude]

OP needs to change the title.

these are terrorist attacks in the US, regardless of definition.


not the world. id like to see that pie chart for the world's terrorists in the past 10 years.

 

[routan]

OP needs to change the title.

these are terrorist attacks in the US, regardless of definition.


not the world. id like to see that pie chart for the world's terrorists in the past 10 years.

lol. Lets see going by FBIs definition
The Gujurat massacre.
Fallujah
Guantanamo
Abu Garib
Gaza strip into a prison strip
Palestine.
Bosnia
Chechnya invasion.

There were all non-Muslim initiated terrorist acts. Shall I continue?

 

[rudder]

How does this look when we base the data on body counts? the ELF (earth liberation front) are a bunch of domestic terrorists... but I am not even sure they have a body count.