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Why are the letter bombs not an act of terrorism?

dogwonder

19:43 / 08.02.07

I find it interesting that the recent spate of letter bombs sent to various motoring agencies has not been labeled 'terrorism'.

Although given wide coverage, the T word was not mentioned in any report I saw. Sure the bombs were small, yet in a time when even the thought of perpetrating and act of terrorism is a crime, then surely sending bombs (and causing injury) in the post should be labeled terrorism? Is this a purely perceptual problem whereby the assumed perpetrator is an urban white male (contrary to any proof otherwise) and the target is the small state, rather than big government?

Thorn Davis

10:21 / 09.02.07

I'm not sure at what point something becomes an act of terror rather than attempted murder but I don't think this,

Is this a purely perceptual problem whereby the assumed perpetrator is an urban white male (contrary to any proof otherwise) and the target is the small state, rather than big government?

is this case. Most obvious example that springs to mind is those nailbombs a few years back targeting the gay community, which were assumed to be the work of Combat 18 or the White Wolves and were referred to as terrorist acts.

JOY NO WRY

10:32 / 09.02.07

Well, the Scotsman's title was

'Terrorism In The UK', but I take your point. Nobody seems to be avoiding mentioning that its anti-terrorism police that have launched their big investigation into this, though.

Could it be that this hasn't been labeled terrorism because, what with these bombs being so very lame, nobody is particularly terrified?

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

12:20 / 09.02.07

Could it be that this hasn't been labeled terrorism because, what with these bombs being so very lame, nobody is particularly terrified?

21/7 is classed as terrorism, and that was about as lame as it gets. So, was it the connection to previous terrorist acts and existing groups that got that to qualify? Or, as you say, the actual "terror" caused?

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