The reasoning is very similar: just following orders.
Soldier A is ordered: Move the prisoners to the shower area.
Soldier B is ordered: Turn on the shower.
Soldier C is ordered: Remove the bodies in the shower and throw them in the pit.
Which of those soldiers has been given an unlawful order? The argument in Lakin’s case is that as long as the overall picture is accomplished through small steps - none of which is, in and of itself, criminal - all a person CAN do is obey orders.
We wonder our whole lives long how those people were able to swallow this. Well, now we have our teachable moment. Those people in GErmany were not monsters. They were honorable people trying to do the right thing. And they thought obeying their orders was the right thing. If they had challenged the lawfulness of the orders - even here in the US right now - they would have been charged with crimes for not doing as they were told.
I apologize for saying I felt like spitting on the US military. I am deeply bothered by what has happened to violate Lakin’s due process and Sixth Amendment rights, and in expressing the depth of my anger I chose words that were offensive. I would never spit on anyone, least of all anyone who has served honorably in the US military.
Sheesh, there you go again. Our soldiers are NOT NAZIS!!! But you are a freaking idiot!!
Is that how you apologize, butterdezillion-- by comparing our military to Nazi executioners? Some apology.
Let me show you what is acceptible:
“I acted stupidly. I let my emotions get the best of me. Our military is comprised of honorable men and women who bear no responsibility for the crimes of the POTUS. I deeply regret my statement regarding spitting on the military and do hereby apologize to all FReeper vets, especially those from the Vietnam era who were actually spit upon.
Humbly and Sincerely,
butterdezillion”