.........But, Dylan Roof and Robert Dear were terrorists. The definition of a terrorist is much broader than just someone or organizations which have political motivations. In fact, the various departments in our federal & state governments all have their own definitions of a terrorist ... the FBI's, Department of Defense, of State, etc. What about the KKK, or Irish Republican Army, or the Tamil Tigers? Don't you consider those terrorist groups?
.........Unfortunately, when WE think of terrorism, we think of foreign predators ... the international type. Terrorists, in general, usually target what is defined as "
soft targets", or people who are easy to *******/frighten, and not capable of resisting or fighting back. They have very little desire to confront a well equipped, well trained army or fighting unit.
........Here's the definition of a terrorist by the Dept. of Defense ...
The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.”
.......Here's a link to a very good overview of what terrorism really is. Hope you will take a second to glance at it.
http://www.terrorism-research.com/