Re: Using words too lightly @John H Woods
Try looking it up in a dictionary. It is sometimes qualified with "especially for political..." but that is not to say exclusively. If a mugger or rapist is known to be operating in a certain neighbourhood doesn't that instill an amount of terror in the local residents. The word is not being used lightly it is being used correctly but you're blinkered by what you think a terrorist should be or look like.