The recent attack on a predominantly African-American church by a murderous racist has provoked a passionate debate about who is – and is not – a "terrorist." According to FBI director James Comey, the perpetrator of the Charleston massacre – in which nine people were killed – doesn't qualify:

"Terrorism is act of violence done or threatens to in order to try to influence a public body or citizenry, so it's more of a political act and again based on what I know so more I don't see it as a political act."

Many are baffled by this, and point to what appears to be a curious double standard: after all, if a Muslim commits violence the media and the authorities are unanimous in their verdict that it was a "terrorist" act, and should be treated as such. And this is not just a matter of terminology: it is legally significant, since the post-9/11 era has given us a whole body of "terrorism"-related law that mandates severe punishment for crimes so designated. A piece in Newsweek avers: