Some people are allergic to the T-word. After a lone gunman stormed Parliament Hill last fall, killing a soldier at the National War Memorial, they said it was not possible to conclude that this was terrorism. More likely, the guy just had mental problems. \u201cI think that we\u2019re not in the presence of a terrorist act in the sense that we would understand it,\u201d\u009d said NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair. \u201cI don\u2019t think we have enough evidence to use that word.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
In the Vancouver Sun, Ian Mulgrew argued that Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was no terrorist. He was a victim. \u201cThe vast amount of tax money devoted to his petty crimes would have been far better spent providing him with appropriate psychiatric and social care,\u201d\u009d he wrote. As for the two people who plotted to bomb the B.C. Legislature, \u201cThey, too, seem more sad sack than Satanic.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Now we know better. Mr. Zehaf-Bibeau\u2019s self-made martyrdom video, released by the RCMP last week, is chillingly clear about his motives. \u201cThis is in retaliation for Afghanistan and because Harper wants to send his troops to Iraq,\u201d\u009d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll not cease until you guys decide to be a peaceful country \u201d\u00a6 and stop occupying and killing the righteous of us who are trying to bring back religious law in our countries.\u201d\u009d (In a very Canadian touch, he signs off by saying \u201cThank you.\u201d\u009d)<\/p>\n