British Accuse David Miranda, Glenn Greenwald's Partner, Of 'Terrorism'

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87. That most certainly is NOT terrorism.

Stealing secret documents may constitute any number of crimes, but it is NOT terrorism. Neither is vandalism or destruction of property. Neither is assassination. Terrorism is only and explicitly violence directed at civilians with the intent of generating fear, for a political purpose. No violence was directed at civilians, nor is there any assertion that Miranda intended to aid, abet, or participate in acts of violence against civilians.

Note that I do not assert that Miranda committed no crime. Nor do I claim that the documents he had in his possession could not be used to facilitate terrorism. But the above quote does not make that link. It states that merely having documents "with the intention to influence governments to create change" (and that isn't a direct quote, but it's very close) is terrorism. By that standard any illegal act of protest is terrorism, from sit-ins to graffiti. That such a connection could be openly made by public officials without question is ominous.