[user104658]

Originally Posted by ChristmasNeeve

I don't think it's wrong to call someone who blows up other people or beheads people on film - rats or whatever, I think that's pretty justified

See the problem for me, is that there's often such a gulf between what is justified / what is tempting... and what is actually helpful. Yes it is justified to call people who are committing atrocities against innocent people "monsters" or "[insert unflattering animal name]", and it's tempting to call them a lot worse... but it isn't helpful... it just gives them that little bit more of a boost in rhetoric to further create more such people. "See? They think you are this, they think you are that, they think they are better than you"... etc.

Dramatic name-calling is an emotional response. Which is obviously completely understandable - when these things happen people get angry, or scared, or usually both and those responses are to be expected in those situations but... really, the logical answer is simple. They are damaged human beings. Nothing more, nothing less.