October 28, 2007

WHILE HE FINDS THIS IRONIC...:

Bush's dangerous liaisons (Francois Furstenberg, October 28, 2007, IHT)

Though it has been a topic of much attention in recent years, the origin of the term "terrorist" has gone largely unnoticed by politicians and pundits alike. The word was an invention of the French Revolution, and it referred not to those who hated freedom, nor to non-state actors, nor of course to "Islamofascism."

A terroriste was, in its original meaning, a Jacobin leader who ruled France during la Terreur.


...it's entirely unexceptionable to note that Islamicism is just the final iteration of the rationalisms we've been fighting throughout the Long War.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 28, 2007 10:41 AM
Comments

Um, those Jacobins weren't nice people, and they used 'la Terreur' to get at anyone who crossed them - political rivals, old enemies, probably the ex-girlfriend or two.

Someone ought to let M. Furstenberg know that.

Posted by: Mikey [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 28, 2007 6:26 PM

He apparently thinks they were their rhetoric.

Posted by: oj at October 28, 2007 7:22 PM

The Jacobins had worthy and noble ideals [in their own minds] as do the jihadists of today [in their own minds]. The Jacobins were destructive butchers [in reality] as are the jihadists of today [in reality]. A perfect connection between the two.

Posted by: Dave W at October 28, 2007 8:33 PM
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