“They only followed orders” is the most fucking stupid way to defend the oppressor, yet it works, because people have no balls to stand for themselves in such situations.
A few dozen people were executed for German war crimes. These people were not “just following orders”, regardless of what they said. They were creating orders.
Thousands and thousands of people directly responsible for nazi slaughter were safely smuggled out of Germany by the CIA, given new names, and resettled in America, Canada, South America, South Africa, and more.
These people were also creating orders, and yet they were freed from any consequences, including even the economic ones that followed in postwar Germany. They went on to fertilize many of the fascist, racist movements we see taking over today.
Millions more lower level people who only directly murdered others by pulling a trigger, were let off the hook completely. Many got to keep their positions of violent state enforcement. These were the only people “just following orders” and they all escaped prosecution.
“They only followed orders” is the most fucking stupid way to defend the oppressor, yet it works, because people have no balls to stand for themselves in such situations.
In fairness it’s hard to stand your ground when surrounded by murderous fascists.
Where I live, fash put people in cages for decades just for having zines.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/prairieland-texas-ice-protests-zines
Notably, it didn’t work.
Adolf Eichmann is the guy who made that claim famous, and he was hung almost immediately after his trial.
Notably it worked really well
A few dozen people were executed for German war crimes. These people were not “just following orders”, regardless of what they said. They were creating orders.
Thousands and thousands of people directly responsible for nazi slaughter were safely smuggled out of Germany by the CIA, given new names, and resettled in America, Canada, South America, South Africa, and more.
These people were also creating orders, and yet they were freed from any consequences, including even the economic ones that followed in postwar Germany. They went on to fertilize many of the fascist, racist movements we see taking over today.
Millions more lower level people who only directly murdered others by pulling a trigger, were let off the hook completely. Many got to keep their positions of violent state enforcement. These were the only people “just following orders” and they all escaped prosecution.
I’m sure you’re balls would be all over the place