When does one mans terrorist become another mans freedom fighter?...

The attack on the British soldier in London tonight brought to mind, when is there a line drawn between terrorist and freedom fighter? British and American forces have already invaded illegally Iraq and Afghanistan with a view to subduing the local population and carving territories up between themselves and for big business. Could the attack on the soldier tonight be seen as an expression of fight back against imperialism and invading forces? Michael Collins was viewed by the British as a terrorist but to us he is a hero
http://inserbia.info/news/2013/05/uk...ne-operations/

Michael Collins is both a patriot and a villain; how he is seen depends upon one's personal perspective. For an objective observer, however, one must certainly suspect that Collins would be viewed more as a patriot. After all, his use of violence was not unmatched by the British soldiers; if anything, he was outdone by their cruelty. The argument that the British possessed the right to enact authority upon the residents of Ireland crumbles in the face of the reality that the people there spoke a different language, possessed a different culture, clung to different myths and legends, and, most importantly, did not want them the British there.

   

Where is the line drawn on terrorism and freedom fighters?

How do the IRA fit into the set up?