2007/10/30 Paris
La Terreur
Robespierre
Francois Furstenberg writes in Monday’s Herald Tribune:
‘Though it has been a topic of much attention in recent years, the origin of the term "terrorist" has gone largely unnoticed by politicians and pundits alike. The word was an invention of the French Revolution, and it referred not to those who hated freedom, nor to non-state actors, nor of course to "Islamofascism."
A terroriste was, in its original meaning, a Jacobin leader who ruled France during la Terreur.’
Voila, a refreshing comment.
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13 comments 
Terror
These days, the most pervasive form of terror is the talk about terror.Refreshing indeed.
Demonising the enemy has reached a new level of perfection nowadays, see for example (http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colItems.asp?ID=SEC20030412092931)
I am afraid we ain't seen nothing yet.
Demonising the enemy has reached a new level of perfection nowadays, see for example (http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colItems.asp?ID=SEC20030412092931)
I am afraid we ain't seen nothing yet.
Oscar W
Very much so, have you read this column by Paul Krugman?http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/29/opinion/edkrug.php
Is this idea more refreshing then lets say the fact that the swastika is derived from Sanskrit svasti, meaning well-being?
Oscar/Arnon,
I find it quite funny (and sad at the same time) that the most strongly opinionated people in regard to this issue often times come from areas where terrorism is nothing more then a ‘great’ subject for intellectual discussions.
Oscar/Arnon,
I find it quite funny (and sad at the same time) that the most strongly opinionated people in regard to this issue often times come from areas where terrorism is nothing more then a ‘great’ subject for intellectual discussions.
Perhaps it al starts at the point of fear mixed up with nothing else but ignorance. If you want to reach the fear , than the way goes through the knowledge . The greatest mastership starts at the education of the folk, which can be easely transformed to terreur (too easly!) . How can you let the folk know what the terreur really is , where does it come from? without looking like a protagonist, cause they are mostly the ones who get hunted down.
Arnon
Thanks for the link to the article. It's remarkable how hard it is for some people to keep a sense of proportion.We musn't forget that terrorists are people too.
Ilanit
Terrorism is an overrated danger, Ilanit. Please read the complete article, before you get once more into your hysteric act of the Trojan Horse. Thanks for your cooperation.Mr. Grunberg, please find a lovely lady who is ready willing and able to teach you to write your blogs in REAL English. En schrijf anders in uw moers taal, want dart steenkolen Engels is niet te pruimen! Over 'terreur' gesproken...
Arnon
Your absolute certainty about this issue puzzles me.
Oscar
I assume your strong sense of perspective was never put on the test, or did you find yourself in a situation you felt afraid for your life?
Your absolute certainty about this issue puzzles me.
Oscar
I assume your strong sense of perspective was never put on the test, or did you find yourself in a situation you felt afraid for your life?
Yvonne
Once again:I take your suggestion to take a course in colloquial English as an invitation to visit you in the near future. Am I wrong or are you offering courses in colloquial English and are you looking for some extra students in order to make ends meet?
By the way my mother’s first language is German, my father’s first language was German as well. Do you speak German? And I apologize for asking but do you speak Greek?
Dear Yvonne
You describe "dart steenkolen Engels" as "terreur".Are you a masochist? Do you enjoy looking up terror?
It seems to me that this so called 'terror' wasn't imposed on you.
Your expression 'niet te pruimen' on the other hand... in my book, it certainly qualifies as terror.
Yvonne
Is it of the essence that one should be taught a language by a lovely lady?Is it possible to learn a language by a hideous lady or an (un)attractive gentleman?
If so: Does it only apply for the English language or to every language?
What are your thoughts about gibberish? Do you consider it a REAL language?
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