Is Anonymous a terrorist group

[demoman_chaos]

If you want to see the perfect example of a terrorist group, look at the US government. Who commited the single biggest act of terrorism in history? The US when we nuked Hiroshima.

This whole obsession with the word "terrorism" needs to stop. Parents can be considered terrorists, they threaten their kids to get them to behave ("take out the trash or you are grounded" is like "give me $100 million or I kill these innocent children," though not as extreme they are both threats made to get someone to do what you want them to). A war on terrorism is pointless. The enemy is an idea, something you cannot defeat. It is an endless war, one we shouldn't waste time fighting.

 

[thylasos]

No.

As far as I'm aware, terrorists use threats and violence, thereby instilling terror in the general population of the governments they oppose, and diminishing the support for said government or their policies.

Truth and non-violent support for a certain cause aren't traditionally used by terrorists... the whole terrorist phenomenon tends to rest on a difference of opinion and people in balaclavas, not eating cereal in their pants.

 

[macfluffers]

Until they use fear tactics, I'll refrain from calling them terrorists. At the moment, they're more like extreme activists. Close, but until they actual do something permanently damaging with the intent of striking fear into people, I don't think they should be considered terrorists.

 

[Johnytwobone]

OMG! this is such a trololol topic, but NO anonymous isnt a terrorist group, its not really a group at all, some muslim extremists decide they should shoot people and blow themselves up ,so does that mean all muslims would kill everyone if given the chance? no not really that wouldnt be politically correct if you said that )= ANON FTW! TROLOLOL THE SCIENTOLOGISTS! I CAN HAZ NO INTERNET CENSORING AND ALL TEH LOLZ WHEN SCIENTZ GO QQ!

 

[zfactor]

Erm... I thought Anonymous was 4chan...

 

[Harrowdown]

They're not. For one thing, you can't really call them a group, as the only definite thing connecting all anons is their anonymity and their internet access. There's no structure or shared objective. On top of that, their actions aren't typically intended to inspire fear, or even to further a cause. Sometimes they're doling out justice or fighting cults, etcetera, but they mostly act 'for the lulz', as they say.

 

[Blind Sight]

What is terrorism? If terrorism is simply the act of threatening with violence, using violence or illegal methods to achieve your goals while attracting government attention, then congratulations, the entire American government was founded by terrorists. Define what terrorism is, and then get back to me about Anonymous.

The only difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist is perspective.

 

[Phoenixlight]

Not really but uploading porn to upset children on youtube isn't very nice.

 

[kalenmiyan]

ITT: We don't know what "Anonymous" means.

 

[Kakashi on crack]

Anonymous is out for the lols, they protect what they think is right, and generally mess around.

Do they do illegal crap? yeah, should I care? Not really for the most part its either for a good cause or for the funnies.

 

[OverlordSteve]

Anonymous is less of a group and more of a label. More "football players," than "the Green Bay Packers."

 

[superbatranger]

Yes, the things they did count as web terrorism.

But can they fit under the normal definition of a terrorist group? Like FARC, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and others who incite the emotion of terror in people through acts of violence.

 

[Mr.Numbers]

Well, they do do acts of terror, a lot of them being trying to ask 12 year old girls to strip for them on camera and then making their life miserable when they don't. It's full of pedophiles, remember, especially with the whole Pedobear thing (Subtle, much XD ) and the whole thing Vs Scientology could be called terrorism. So short answer no, long answer sometimes and a few of them are very sick people.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Yes, the things they did count as web terrorism.

But can they fit under the normal definition of a terrorist group? Like FARC, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and others who incite the emotion of terror in people through acts of violence.

only time will tell POST 11111

 

[BlastedTheWorm]

Nope. They're not even a "group", it's just a label used for internet users, more often than not the various "chans".

They've done some pretty horrific stuff, but they've done some good stuff too.

 

[GLo Jones]

Erm... I thought Anonymous was 4chan...

It's not, 4chan is simply an image board site that allows people to post anonymously. Because of this, and the fact 4chan is by far the chan which receives most traffic, it's a common area where most of Anon's 'projects' are conceived.

Also, I think everyone here needs a good read. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymous_(group)]

 

[thirion1850]

Yes. They are. They are hackers on steroids. Get it right!