tanglangman:

The argument I used was purely for argument's sake. I was not trying to disparage America in any way, just trying to prove my point. mercilessfighter was portraying Shaolin heroes as criminals simply because they were hunted by the government of the time.

My point in the American example was not to paint Americans as criminals, but to point out that if someone fights for a just cause and is hunted by the government because of it, it doesn't necessarily make them a criminal.

Take for example, Rob Roy and William Wallace. Both were hunted by the government of the time, yet neither is considered a criminal, but heroes.

I could argue that to kill another human is a crime, so every soldier to ever kill is also a criminal, but that would be unfair. There are circumstances surrounding every action that change the way you view the act.

And yes, I know Australia was founded as a penal colony :).