Hey Fans
This question is one of opinion. After just watching a documentary on the end of World War Two, i've been thinking about its last point.
After the Nurembourg Trials, the Hague held trials against several British and American commanders accused of war crimes.
Most of the criminals were men who had liberated the Death Camps and having seen the horrors of industrial extermination, snapped, and executed the Waffen-SS guards on the spot.
My question is:
Was it right, in your opinion, that the officers were shot for killing their German Captives. Was this the right thing to do to prove our Libertarian credentials?
NB
I've asked this in the History part, but itll be interesting to see what the Politics forum believes
2006-07-21 08:37:07 · 6 answers · asked by thomas p 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
With out rules and guidelines we can not have civilization. Yes it was right to execute them. Rules must be followed.
2006-07-21 08:43:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I can only wonder how the Americans and the British felt when they liberated the camps, however I think it was wrong to execute the Waffen-SS on the spot. I do not think the Americans and the British should have been shot, maybe a dishonorable discharge or something like that. The Waffin-SS should have been made to stand trial and think about what they have done, I think that is a worse punishment then being shot on the spot.
2006-07-21 15:44:35 · answer #2 · answered by oconnorct1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless one is in the same position as they were, you can't honestly answer it. I think many people would have had the same reaction. The reason they were there was to liberate the innocent people. The Jews weren't real people in the eyes of the German soldiers and were treated like animals. However, the real animals were the German SS and others like them. I would have no problem putting a bullet in their heads, even if I knew that I could be facing a firing squad.
2006-07-21 15:53:33 · answer #3 · answered by Vinny78 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what it has to do with Libertarian principles, but "universality," the idea that the law applies equally for everyone, is an elementary moral principle.
If you believe that killing someone who doesn't pose a threat to you (in this case, a prisoner of war) is wrong, it's wrong for everyone. If it's allowed, it's allowed for everyone. Pretending that you or your friends are somehow outside the rules is not OK, because then everyone is outside the rules.
Personally, I am completely ignorant of the details of this case. But it should be pretty easy for someone who knows the details to apply the principle of universality and come to a conclusion.
2006-07-21 16:49:15 · answer #4 · answered by Alan L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could argue right and wrong all day long but I think it was certainly understandable to kill the SS guards I would hope that most people in their position would be as angry to do the same. I would. I would not have executed them.
2006-07-21 15:42:03 · answer #5 · answered by somebody else 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From a political stance I would say it was not "right". From a moral stance the same.
Can I blame them?????
I can only imagine the horrors and would not give it too much of a second thought.
I guess it has to deal most with your views on capitol punishment.
2006-07-21 15:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by mymadsky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋