**TL;DR - We have all heard the phrase “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. It may be a cliché but it rings true** I think most people can understand why the subject of terrorism is a very subjective matter. This does not mean that acts of terror are justified however, just from different, often extreme perspectives, some may view terror as a necessity for change. There are many international and domestic laws on terrorism and “where the line is drawn” however these laws are often bent to adjust to different circumstances. An example would be the guerrilla warfare in Vietnam during the 1960s. Some argue that U.S. involvement was terrorism as it was not only not necessary, but a deliberate attack on civilians. The use of napalm and other search and destroy tactics were used on civilians! This is where for me terrorism is not justified. There are many extreme groups who argue that some acts of terror are necessary to change society however, it often unifies the country attacked and solidifies values rather than having the opposite effect. There is no way the amount of civilian destruction as a result of terrorism can be justified. Another quite frustrating thing about the subjectivity of this is that some use the term terrorist trivially or as a term for protesters or rioters. If protestors are referred to as terrorists or participating in terrorism then in this case they could be justified! Making a statement though a protest or riot that promotes change is, of course, justified. This only creates more problems in how the subject is too subjective for objective statements (like it is sometimes justified) to be made about it!

Terrorism is never justified. So many people that are innocent are killed and misplaced. Of course we need to fight and defend the rights of ordinary people. But blatant terrorism is not acceptable.

The word "terrorism" itself has purely negative connotation. That being said, sometimes we misapply the word "terrorism". And the word is often used to be dismissive of a "terrorist". Sometimes, people organize and rebel, and sometimes that involves guerrilla warfare, which is already kind of... "terroristy" looking.... (wtf? Yeah that's a word now. deal wit it) As an American (or really, as a person), I don't want to oversimplify even our enemy's position. ISIS had a point in that America is often poisonous to this planet. Unfortunately, ISIS's methods mean they need to be eradicated with extreme prejudice. But we should at least try to UNDERSTAND the position of the people who hate us. Think about where they were raised. Who was around them. The options they had. You think you would fare differently if born into their situation? I mean... I guess I'd like to THINK so... but that's easy for me to say while sitting in this air conditioned room in this Barbie world we call America.