Eyes of the Beholder

There is not much to say about the horrific events in Norway, beyond this general observation. If a white, Christian nationalist carries out such atrocities, then he is, inevitably and always, a "lone nut," an outlier, emblematic of nothing but his own individual lunacy. But if a Muslim -- or any person of color or non-white ethnicity -- does anything similar (or indeed, far less serious in scope), why then, that perpetrator is emblematic of an entire race or religion or ethnic group: a group which must then be laid under collective suspicion, and collective harassment, by the "security" forces (and the chattering classes) of the West.
~ from Fade to White: The Tender Treatment of Christian Terror by Chris Floyd ~

I have made the point before that the definition of terrorism is in the eyes of the beholder. Generally speaking, in today's modern world, terrorism is an act committed by a nation, group or society that your nation does not like. Acts of a similar or worse nature that you or your allies commit is, by definition, NOT terrorism.

Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, scalpings occurred by whites and Indians alike. When whites slaughtered women and children in Indian villages, it was divine retribution and done in the name of national security. When Indians slaughtered women and children in white settlements, it was proof that Indians were an inferior and savage people -- who needed to be exterminated like rats.

More recently, when a group of Islamic zealots flew airplanes into buildings resulting in the deaths of thousands, it was a clear indication of terrorist attacks. Yet, when the US and NATO drop bombs in residential neighborhoods of Tripoli causing widespread destruction and fatalities, it's nothing more than a "humanitarian" effort.

The standard and accepted definition of 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.

Via this definition, war itself is a form of terrorism. While nations wrap themselves in the flag and their version of law, the use of violence -- with the possible exception of direct self-defense -- always is meant to terrorize the other side with the idea of intimidating or forcing them to acquiesce to something that typically is NOT in the best interests of their citizens.

If Osama bin Laden was a terrorist, then so too is Anders Brehing Breivik (if the allegations against him are true).