[ExI] Terrorist? Who can tell?

[Lee Corbin]

Below, BillK exhibits an MI5 report on terrorist "types".

Not a single word---not one!---is mentioned concerning
*the* most salient characteristic of the so-called terrorists
who have been convicted of crimes related to mass public
bombings and other terrorist activity in the UK.

Not a single word about this salient characteristic that
any six-year-old would instantly be able to identify and
would instantly attempt to articulate (provided that
someone has not already gotten to him or her and
has already inflicted today's common Orwellian removal
of certain phrases and words from his or her vocabulary).

Since most people here are surely entirely baffled
by what I'm getting at, I'm going to supply a broad
hint, which upon careful examination will reveal the
key to the puzzle I've posed:  *Visualize* the pictures
of the individuals who have been caught and see if
you can find a common denominator!

Lee

> MI5 report challenges views on terrorism in Britain
> 
> <http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/20/uksecurity.terrorism1>
> 
> Quotes:
> MI5 has concluded that there is no easy way to identify those who
> become involved in terrorism in Britain
> 
> They are mostly British nationals, not illegal immigrants and, far
> from being Islamist fundamentalists, most are religious novices.
> 
> Far from being religious zealots, a large number of those involved in
> terrorism do not practise their faith regularly. Many lack religious
> literacy and could actually be regarded as religious novices. Very few
> have been brought up in strongly religious households, and there is a
> higher than average proportion of converts. Some are involved in
> drug-taking, drinking alcohol and visiting prostitutes. MI5 says there
> is evidence that a well-established religious identity actually
> protects against violent radicalisation.
> 
> Far from being lone individuals with no ties, the majority of those
> over 30 have steady relationships, and most have children. MI5 says
> this challenges the idea that terrorists are young men driven by
> sexual frustration and lured to "martyrdom" by the promise of
> beautiful virgins waiting for them in paradise. It is wrong to assume
> that someone with a wife and children is less likely to commit acts of
> terrorism.
> 
> Those involved in British terrorism are not unintelligent or gullible,
> and nor are they more likely to be well-educated; their educational
> achievement ranges from total lack of qualifications to degree-level
> education. However, they are almost all employed in low-grade jobs.
> 
> The security service believes the terrorist groups operating in
> Britain today are different in many important respects both from
> Islamist extremist activity in other parts of the world and from
> historical terrorist movements such as the IRA or the Red Army
> Faction.