Terrorism is a crime the same as any other. Call it mass murder if you like. Or violent sedition. Or ideological bullying. But they don't sound as sensational.
Riding rough-shod over the rule of law because you've allowed the media and the government to suck you in is dangerous.
Make no mistake, they both know full well that 'terrorism' is a loaded term.
The government exploits this to introduce laws that people would ordinarily express concern over. But opposing these laws is to be seen as being 'weak on terrorism' - something that the government milks politically.
The media knows that 'terrorism' sells papers. We're used to dealing with every kind of lunatic, murderer, thug and evil-doer, but 'terrorist' suggests something different and alien and more frightening. And it sells.
And the terrorists love it too. A climate of panic where we're tearing up our statute book and democratic freedoms to nullify their power over us... well, they can't buy that kind of terror.
The truly cack-handed way of dealing with perceived 'terrorism' is to consider their mindset different. A Jihadist should be treated the same as the London nailbomber, 'queer-bashers', far-right Combat 18 extremists or any other violent, murderous criminal.