Jack Bauer vs. The Operative

I was going to put up a post asking this question. What, if any, is the difference between Jack Bauer and The Operative. Both of them believe utterly in what they are doing. Both of them are willing to commit murder in the furtherance of their goals. Both of them are willing to die in the service of their governments.

Then I watched tonight's block of episodes. The Operative wouldn't have given himself up to save his girlfriend's son. The Operative wouldn't have even have had a girlfriend. A girlfriend would be a distraction. Jack Bauer isn't trying to "build a world without sin", he is just trying to save lives. Jack wouldn't murder children, or anyone else, to cover up a government crime.

But, on the other hand, The Operative isn't a sociopath. When he saw the secret that he had been sent to protect and realized its implications he switched sides. This is something I'm going to have to chew on for a spell.