VITACURA, CHILE – Fame is a fickle mistress: who wants to be remembered as a terrorist?
I suppose that we all hope to be remembered after we leave this mortal coil, no? It doesn’t have to be a huge memory: I’m not talking about a state funeral or a brand of peanut butter or anything. Just an acknowledgement that we were here for a bit: lived, loved, laughed and meant something to someone. Hopefully several someones.
But what if you are a bad dude?
There are, of course, lots of those, ranging from arch criminals to dictators to terrorists. And since nothing gets more attention than bad news (if it bleeds it leads) you can bet the mortgage that these people are indeed part of recalled history.
Some terrorists are so ‘famous‘ (infamous?) that they lend their name to new groups. Like in this example.
On this day in 2011
Chilean police in Vitacura deactivated a bomb outside a bank, thus thwarting a terrorist attack. Pamphlets found nearby were in the name of Núcleo Antagónico Nueva Guerrilla Urbana (Spanish for Antagonist Nucleus of New Urban Guerrillas – what a stupid name!).
Solidarity with anarchist and subversive prisoners around the world! For the extension of the revolt! Long live the permanent insurrection! Long live anarchy!
Anarchists’ slogan
This particular foiled attack was claimed in the name of Mauricio Morales, an anarchist who was killed two years’ earlier when a bomb he was carrying in his backpack exploded. And for that he deserves to be commemorated? I don’t think so!
Read More Today in Terrorism
May 31, 1906: Spanish anarchist bombs royal wedding
On May 31, 1906 a Spanish anarchist threw a bomb hoping to hit King Alfonso XIII, killing 24 and wounding more than 100.
May 30, 2009: Anti-government group bombs TV station in Ecuador
On May 30, 2009 two pamphlet-bombs exploded outside an Ecuadorian TV station and ministry: no victims or significant damage ensued.
May 29, 2016: ISIS uses chlorine gas in terrorist attack
On May 29, 2016 35 civilians were wounded in an ISIS attack using rockets containing chlorine gas in Iraq’s Nineveh Province.
