As a "freedom fighter", you don't just fight for a good cause, but you follow some rules, such as don't deliberately kill civilians, don't execute P.O.W., don't rape, and similar things.
that's not always true.
the only difference is in who is describing them.
Agreed.
Remember that Osama Bin Laden was described as a 'freedom fighter' at one time when he was part of the Afghani moujahadeen, on account of him killing and blowing up Soviets. Never mind that "freedom" in the way we define it, was the furthest thing on his mind.
To me, the phrase(s) is merely a tool to try to frame the imagery. "Freedom fighter" to me invokes imagery of the revolutionary war and democracy which I beleive is the intended reaction.
Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else. --Will Rogers
"I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees." - George W. Bush
I don't think anybody could have predicted that these people would .. try to use an airplane as a missile, a hijacked airplane as a missile. - Condoleeza Rice
Barbara Bush: It's Good Enough for the Poor
To comfort the powerless and make the powerful uncomfortable.
