Because Im out always trying to see the positive in people, I prefer to think about the ways that members of the American government and military have intentionally targetted for recruitment desperate, sometimes destitute populations, like poor rural whites and poor urban people of color.
Often times, these people who get recruited into the military have been failed by the education system, so their reasoning faculties might possibly be underdeveloped at the time they signed their life over to fight foreign wars.
After recruitment, these people who may not see the world as clearly as others in their age group are indoctrinated by boot camp and other forms of legalized hazing which, in a sense, brainwashes them into following orders.
And, after all the fighting they did and all of the physical and psychological trauma they may have sustained, the government leaves huge numbers of veterans to die, homeless, on the streets from drug addiction(s) and/or mental illness.
In short, while I believe murder is completely below what we as humans should strive for, I also try to proceed with compassion & empathy when thinking about people who are likely damaged by the system and denied their right to heal properly.
Thanks for making me think.