The difference is simple and it's the same as the difference between the average Joe and a Police Officer. Cops and the Military are given the lawful right to use force in the execution of their duties by a soverign gov't. Joe Schmo on the street and a non-state actor like Hezbollah do not have that authority from a lawful entity. If you're robbing a convienience store and as you run out I'm walking in, I realize what's going on and crack you with good right and knock you unconcious. As a Cop, I've performed my lawful duty and provided I struck you in a manner consistent with my departments use of force policy, I cannot be prosecuted. Sued maybe, but prosecuted no. In the same scenario if I'm Joe Citizen instead of a Cop, I've just committed assault and can be charged under the state's legal code, prosecuted, and put in prison. That's the difference.
What you're convieniently leaving out is that those civilians don't 'turn them in' not out of fear, but because they support Hezbollah and Hezbollah's goals of exterminating Israel. Same thing in many Gang communities, ie the whole "Stop Snitching" movement.
Your coofftopicnd of both the verbage and the situation is lacking. The US lists Iran, NK, and Syria as State Sponsors of Terrorism. Do you see the difference?
The Taliban was never the recognized gov't of Afghanistan. They didn't have a lawful right to give. However, you're right: Al Qaida is not a terrorist entity. They are an umbrella organization of non-state actors waging a war against the US, Israel, and what they consider Apostate regimes in Muslim countries. Not my words, theirs.
Shag their gorgeous women, smoke shisha (sp?) with them, and generally relax. Too bad they dont drink, or I would of sudgested going to the pub with them.
You're missing the point and demonstrating a woeful lack of understanding of terrorism in the modern world. Nit-picking does not change the fact that Hezbollah is a non-state actor with no lawful authority. It's like if you formed your own Army. Just because the town you live in likes you and your army doesn't give you the right to execute military operations.
The United States, the worlds first terrorist group.
After all, we performed military executions against Britian without the lawful right...
Founding Fathers- Worlds most successful terrorists
Hezbollah is not a non-state actor, as it has been pointed out they are a part of the Lebanese Government and has extremely high support from the Lebanese people....
'Panty-waisted'? Never heard that one before! Did you make it up?
What to do in the face of an abstract concept is never easy at the best of times.
Since I'm just one of those mere Europeans, (who you despise so much) then how could I possibly have the answer when it so obviously eluding our mental and cultural superiors in the US-of-A?
nice.. i like how you attack someone for using lame rhetorical made up language and then use exactly the same kind of language in the same post!
ahh homicide bombers.
although i agree both of you are wrong to parse language in this way. please use the proper terms when participating in a discussion like this. using made up language to paint your side of the argument as legitimate or righteous is lame at best and at worst makes you look like you are not clever enough to argue your point.
It's funny how even someone as un-anti-American as me can start wanting to go out and burn a US flag after reading a few of DCombatives anti-European rants. That's the effect he has.
I need to go and talk to a normal American for a bit until the feeling passes.
Maybe the low rates of adult literacy explains all the Wild West diplomacy and cowboy rhetoric. Infact maybe it's not even rhetoric, just an inability to communicate in a more sophisticated manner
Anyway this panty waisted European liberal will let all you butch cowboys carry on watching your Brokeback Mountain DVDs