“...despite their claims “we were just following orders”
From http://english.turkcebilgi.com/Nuremberg+Defense
“The Nuremberg Defense is a legal defense that essentially states that the defendant was “only following orders” (”Befehl ist Befehl”) and is therefore not responsible for his crimes. The defense was most famously employed during the Nuremberg Trials, after which it is named.
Before the end of World War II, the Allies suspected such a defense might be employed, and issued the London Charter of the International Military Tribunal, which specifically stated that this was not a valid defense against charges of war crimes.
Thus, under the Nuremberg Principles, “defense of superior orders” is not a defense for war crimes, although it might influence a sentencing authority to lessen the penalty.
“The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior does not relieve him from responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible to him.”
The United States military adjusted the Uniform Code of Military Justice after World War II. They included a rule nullifying this defense, essentially stating that American military personnel are allowed to refuse unlawful orders. This defense is still used often, however, reasoning that an unlawful order presents a dilemma from which there is no legal escape. One who refuses an unlawful order will still probably be jailed (and in some countries probably killed), and one who accepts one will probably be jailed.”
Dear Park Service Rangers (PSGestapo),
If you use the Defense, don’t be surprised if you’re compared with those who created it - or if that’s who you become.
Unlike the military, you won’t be jailed or killed if you refuse an unjust order, at worst, you’ll just lose your job. Do you guys (and girls) have ANY integrity left, at all?
Your cushy job is about to become a living hell - we've always been especially nice to Park Servivce personnel - that is gonna' end.