It is entirely true that the nurnberg defense (i just followed orders)fell on def ears. But it should not be lightly disregarded. While it is true the individual is responsible for his her own actions it requires A LOT of gut to go up against the majority oppinion of your own nation. You can expect alienation, ridicule, prosecution and in extreme cases certain death.
Point in case: http://www.criticalconcern.com/Benderman/ and many others who had to balls to call bluff on the middle eastern wars.
We have like all other animals an instinct for self preservation that also works in the social sphere. We may believe we are elevated above our instincts such as this, but here is a fact:
And when you live in an emotionally charged environment you can expect your instincts to be in overdrive.
Put yourself in the old mans shoes. There you are, Germany is as high on national socialism as US aspire to be today. Rampant nationalism and a sudden burst of conformity, a tidal wave of propaganda targeting children. The whole ball of fascist wax as it repeats itself through the ages. Then dissenters either leave are publicly ridiculed and scorned for speaking the truth and later they are quietly dealt with. Those that are still very against it all but have no means to leave/are allready enrolled. Start to shut up and do as they are told. Noble dead is dead all the same.
There you are, officer at the camp you were placed in by forces outside of your influence. Your government seems to have convinced the majority of people (not true should be said, just like North Koreans are not KJI fans to the extend his government and press makes it appear) that what you are doing is not only justified and rightious. It is destiny itself. At what point do you decide to tell your mates in the camp that you have had a sudden change of heart and that you in fact think you are all being assholes and that you intend to go home? Would you dare to have spoken the words in Russian or Italian which would have rewarded you the same?.
Political decisionmakers and to level executives and lobbyists are the ones to carry the full blame IMO- And the media who are always at the heart of propaganda should -yet again, be ashamed of itself for being a notorious 10c whore that help fertilize the ground for ill seeds. as usual.
I would help him. I am under no illusion that my own government are any more pure and rightious than the nazi one. It simply doesnt have as much means or size and we are a small tribe that are easily angered. But politicians are the same everywhere. Read the history of Babylon, Rome, Europe and you can only come to the conclusion that in politics. Nothing ever changes. But you can rest asure that some dope that are only partly to blame (often simply by being a dope at the wrong place at the wrong time) will take most of the fall when the heat is on.
Whoever has most power is right (also, rightious). Was true then, is true now, will be true when english is a dead language.
