It doesnt cancel out but they can still be compared. Arguably its much worse when an entire state is carrying out terrorist style attacks. When a state loses its ability to separate terrorists from innocents, then that state weakens its own legitimacy and gives rise to even more terrorists.
When people face terror despite being peaceful, then they have no reason to stay peaceful.
While I agree with your point that term terrorist is overused, but calling them rebel isn’t any better, we can’t be picking better words that suggest killing random civilians is justified because it’s a rebellion.
Rebels? Rebels target military targets, correct word for people who target random civilians is terrorist.
Yeah but that then makes India a terrorist state for targeting random civilians without due process…
One negative doesn’t cancel the other one, even if India is terrorist state, doesn’t mean attackers that shoot tourists are not terrorist.
It doesnt cancel out but they can still be compared. Arguably its much worse when an entire state is carrying out terrorist style attacks. When a state loses its ability to separate terrorists from innocents, then that state weakens its own legitimacy and gives rise to even more terrorists.
When people face terror despite being peaceful, then they have no reason to stay peaceful.
Like the other guy said, but also after 25 years of the war on terror the word “terrorist” is loaded beyond recognition.
While I agree with your point that term terrorist is overused, but calling them rebel isn’t any better, we can’t be picking better words that suggest killing random civilians is justified because it’s a rebellion.
In that case basically all groups currently engaged in armed conflict are terrorists and we still need words to distinguish between them.
Not necessarily. Rebels go against the regime in power. Like it or not, attacking civilians is an effective method of waging war.