[dTal]

"The Libyans!"

Back To The Future is my favorite example of the pre-90s perception of terrorists - gullible, ambitious beyond their means, a comical mix of bloodthirsty and inept, and only really dangerous if you stand still right in front of one with your hands in the air.

I think public perception started to shift well before 9/11, with 1995 being a critical turning point with the one-two punch of Oklahoma City and the capture of the Unabomber.