[scottschulthess]

Honestly, who besides programmers even know the difference between software engineers and programmers?

I personally don't really think there is a difference. They are essentially the same thing. I'm both and I don't really see a case where I'd call myself one and not the other.

So who is making the distinction? Us (engineers) or other people?

If you really want to make the assertion that non-engineers are making the distinction between programmers and software engineers, who do you think told them what the difference was?