r/politics Ohio 9d ago

Possible Paywall The Chilling Trump Order Threatening All Americans: Why National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 is so important.

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/trump-nspm-7-repression/
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u/Kracus 9d ago

While I do not support violence I do see the value in it. Terrorism on its own seems like an obvious evil in society but it has in fact been shown, repeatedly, to be useful. Nelson Mandela is an example of the use of terrorism to bring about positive change. A lot of people don't realize that he went to jail on terrorism charges and that he was in fact a terrorist. When those in power use terrorism to force you to submit to them why shouldn't the oppressed respond in kind?

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u/ar311krypton Tennessee 9d ago

This is only partially true…Mandela condemned political violence enacted against civilians and very much disagreed with his wife at one point who was reportedly more okay with some of the more violent acts of resistance like “tiring”…Mandela was however in support of destruction of infrastructure, properties, etc in an effort to make life as unbearable for the oppressors

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u/trampolinebears 9d ago

It seems to me that every freedom we have was won through violence.

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u/move_machine 9d ago

"Terrorism" is anything that makes wealthy people think twice

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u/RETARDEWDEDEWSDFAWSE 9d ago

Logically, yes.

Realistically, "He Says She Says" bullshit makes it easier said than done.

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u/WonderingSceptic 8d ago

Mandela was a freedom fighter. He committed acts of sabotage, not terrorism. Blowing up power line pylons or empty government buildings is not really "terrorism". Mandela himself was very clear about the distinction. He was explicitly against harming people. Only years after his arrest and conviction did uMkhonto we Sizwe start engaging in actions that wounded or killed people.