Published March 4, 2004, in issue #0309 of the Hook

Please allow me to clarify the definition of "terrorism" for Lonnie Murray. [February 26 letter: "ELF never killed anyone"]

Terrorism is "the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons." (Source: dictionary.com)

In other words, terrorism is not, as Murray put it, simply a threat toward human life. The actions of the ELF at Hollymead Center were clearly terrorist acts. No, they didn't kill anyone, but their actions affected the lives of the workers at the Town Center, who are trying to make a living and support their families.

How would you like to work in an environment where you had to constantly worry about some crazy activist coming into your office and setting your computer on fire? They might not be Al-Quaeda, but ELF is a terrorist organization, like it or not, and if its members are caught committing terrorist acts, they should be punished accordingly.

Kyle Hall
Charlottesville

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