What makes a terrorist???

• Usually, a law abiding citizen does not wake up one morning to find themselves a terrorist. It is an evolutionary process. Terrorists usually start down that road through a frustration over some change they feel is important, a change that is not occurring or is occurring too slowly.
  
• There may be a significant event, religious conversion, violent death of friends or family that may push an individual to use terrorism as a means of change. Some become involved at a very young age and their views are shaped by the terrorist group.
  
• They are often obsessed with this cause(s) and it consumes them. They see their cause as righteous even to the point of a crusade.
  
• At this level, anything they need to do to further their cause is justified. This is how you will get violent peace protests and pro-life advocates willing to kill.
  
• Terrorist do not see their actions as criminal. They see themselves as heroes, martyrs, political prisoners, etc. They may see themselves as soldiers waging war even though by any international convention they aren’t.

There is a common misconception that all terrorists are “suicidal” (i.e. 9/11 or suicide bombers in Iraq). However, the majority of terrorist attacks are not suicidal and the individuals involved are “attack” oriented and have an escape plan.