L.H., I agree wholeheartedly. It's a buzz word that attempts to make people afraid.
One is likely to be in a car accident or to be struck by lightning than be at the hands of a terrorist. The fear factor has made the government a little crazy such as taking off shoes at the airport or risking x rays in the body scans.

It used to be "communism" and it still is "socialism" replaced by "terrorism".
Most Americans who collect social security and are inducted into the arm services are "socialists" because these institutions are a form of "socialism".

Actually, although he decried it, FDR's policies were "socialistic". Being born rich, FDR vacillated during the Depression by shutting down the WPA in the arts, which
gave us the "Mercury Theater", Orson Welles as well as many great talents.

BTW, the correct Bush pronunciation is "Terrist" as the nuclear industry is referred to as "nucular".