[sheltonmac]

I still don't understand why you think I'm distorting the law. Including the rest of the section I quoted actually makes the definition of domestic terrorism even more fuzzy:

"appear to be intended"

Note that it doesn't call for a clear intention of anything.

[mrsmith]

Thee has to be some evidence that it was done to coerce the policy or conduct of the government. That's why anything that endangers life ( as in your excerpt) is not domestic terrorism.

Take this guy- he doesn't meet the Patriot Act definition of a domestic terrorist.
If you interfere with the operator of an airplane with callous disregard of endangering the passengers that's a crime under the Patriot Act- but it's not domestic terrorism.

But it's domestic terrorism if you have sent a note to the airline saying that you'll endanger the operation of the plane if the government doesn't close down the IRS- or done something else to show intent to firghten the people into doing what you want.

[NMC EXP]

"appear to be intended"

Note that it doesn't call for a clear intention of anything.

I reckon it means "terrorism" is in the eye of the beholder.