Veterans should be respected because they gave their life for our freedom.

The common definition of murder is "The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another." Google search: "Define: murder" The only vague aspect of that statement is the Unlawful part. And for the sake of the argument I'm ignoring that aspect of the definition. Law is a vast and easily manipulable factor. Who's law? Gods law? Roman Law? Common Law? Law of the jungle? Because it can't be defined sharply I'll clarify that when I say; Murder i mean "The premeditated killing of one human being by another." I'd like to use Richard Angelo (a convicted serial killer) as an example. He had a background of doing good things for people as a former Eagle Scout and volunteer fireman. He also had a 'out-of-control' desire to be recognized as a hero. This; drive to be good; drove him to do some callus acts. To murder people. The premeditated killing of his victims. Do we say; Richard Angelo... the fireman? No; we say Richard Angelo the murderer. His actions might not have been in cold blood but they certainly fit the definition. To be a soldier; is voluntary. Even under the guise of conscription. So soldiers, (regardless of intention) deliberately travel to a location, armed in preparation for Violent acts, and will (if 'prevoked') kill another human being. The premeditated killing of one human being by another. Remembering that these men are PAID to do it... it's their job. Further showing that it's by choice. You said that "[my statement is a] very biased perception of what they do compared to what their true actions are" Imagine if you will, someone committing suicide by stepping in front of a train. The man did not take action to kill himself; it was the trains movement and the train's action that cause his death. All the man did was walked from one place to another; an act on itself is harmless. But do we blame the train? No. We blame the man because he willfully put himself in a harmful situation. I blame the soldier because he willfully puts himself in a situation where he will be 'forced' to kill someone. (invading a country, armed) The mans 'True' actions were to walk onto the tracks. The soldiers 'True' actions are travel to another country and follow orders. Both cause death; but somehow one is honourable? Saying that soldiers are killing in self defense is as silly as saying that if someone breaks into your home to harm your family and they kill you while you're trying to stop them... they killed you in self defense and are not guilty of murder. See what I mean? Absurd. You mentioned how they make a sacrifice for something. The topic of argument is that we respect them for sacrificing their lives for our freedom. I don't care much for opinion; I'm arguing the facts. And yes; it's a pretty terrible job being a soldier... but so is working in a mine; but we don't extend the same respect to miners. A point to remember here is that over the last 100 years freedom has been taken away. In 1912 there was no passports, no oppressive border controls, no forced licensing, no income tax, no substance controls, a fraction of the percentage of people in prison, no fiat currency, lower homicides per capita... Compared to now. There have been at least 4 major wars during this time and over this period freedom has not been gained; or even maintained. It has declined. During each major war; freedoms were taken away under the guise of helping the war effort. Once the war was over they weren't given back. There's a direct Causation between these soldiers actions and the removal of freedom. If you want an example; look at the introduction of Income Tax in Australia, or the patriot act. Did they give their lives for freedom? No. They died to enslave us. This is a purely a causative conclusion, and I can't allow my emotional state to interfere. I hope this clarifies my two points: Topic: "Veterans should be respected because they gave their life for our freedom." 1: I can't respect someone who murders. Soldiers Murder. Murder is violence. There is no honour in violence... Respect is a product of honour. I do not respect them for their actions. 2: Wars destroy freedom. I was making a point to illustrate how I measure freedom. They did not sacrifice for our freedom.