Write a 4-6 page paper on one of the topics listed below. Your paper should take the form of a standard English paper: introduction with a thesis, supporting body paragraphs, and conclusion. You should consult 2-3 legitimate sources and include a Works Cited page in MLA format. (I do not want you to cite some crank’s youtube video or trolls on a comments page.)
Choose ONE:
Education and Terrorism:
Is it morally acceptable to financially support a madrassa that teaches an extremist version of Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Western ideology but does not support or engage in any terrorist acts? Why or why not?
Self Defense Against Terrorism:
Was Israel morally justified in bombing Palestinian schools where Hamas weapons were being stored? Is the right to self-defense absolute?
Terrorism as a War Tactic:
Was the firebombing of Dresden, Germany near the end of WWII an act of terrorism? Was it morally acceptable? Why or why not?
Economic Oppression and Terrorism:
Is it ever morally acceptable to use lethal force (ex. pressure cooker bomb) against a civilian who is oppressing you p?W??ically and economically but is not threatening your life? Why or why not?
Freedom of Speech and Terrorism:
Go to youtube.com and search the hip-hop metal band “Rage Against the Machine” and at least one of their songs: “Killing in the Name of,” “Guerilla Radio,” “No Shelter,” and/or “Bulls on Parade.” All of these songs/videos seem to advocate politically motivated violence. Is this morally irresponsible? Should their videos by taken down from youtube? Is it morally permissible to advocate terrorism in music but not aid or abet specific terrorist groups? Why or why not? Where do we draw the line between free speech and inciting terrorism? Keep in mind that this issue is different from the debate over whether violent video games motivate gun violence. Whereas those games don’t really have a deliberate message, Rage Against the Machine is definitely trying to get a message across.
Page Length: 4-6 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font