When is a war crime not a war crime?

[Lace Neil Singer]

When it's committed by the winning side, of course!

Please note; this isn't my opinion, just that I have seen this attitude in quite a lot of people as regards war crimes committed by the Allies in WW2, as well as by the US army in Iraq. They will loudly proclaim to the world that the war crimes committed by the Nazis are terrible, ignoring the fact that the Allies also did similar things. It seems to be the given that victors do not commit war crimes, only justifiable violence against the enemy.

Examples:

The bombing of Dresden (http://timewitnesses.org/english/~lothar.html)

The firebombing of Tokyo (http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0310-08.htm)

Hiroshima and Nagasaki (http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwarii/a/hiroshima.htm)

Also, at the moment there are allegations directed towards US soldiers for torture of Iraqis.

[AdminAssistant]

And that's not counting how we treated Japanese-Americans...our very own citizens. That, in and of itself, was a war crime.

[Flyndaran]

It's like how terrorism is only that when committed by the weaker side.

[Greenday]

It's like how terrorism is only that when committed by the weaker side.

Example where it's the opposite?

[Flyndaran]

Example where it's the opposite?

Then they call them by the more generic name of war crimes.

[Nyoibo]

Example where it's the opposite?

"Pre-emptive strikes" at non military targets.

[Greenday]

"Pre-emptive strikes" at non military targets.

Doesn't really happen as often these days as it did a few decades ago.

Just remember, history is written by the winners.

[Lace Neil Singer]

The Russians also committed several war crimes, including the massacre of German POWs.

I believe there's an ongoing trial right now of US soldiers; interestingly, I saw it labled as a war crime in the paper today. Guess that's progress, of a kind.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Indicted-US-Soldiers-Trial-Begins-32106.shtml

[lordlundar]

Just remember, history is written by the winners.

And that is pretty much it right there.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Dammit, you are forcing my hand right now to post this.

Kryten: I beg you to reconsider, Sir. Human history is resplendent with examples of such sacrifice. Remember Captain Oates: "I'm going out for a walk. I may be some time."
Rimmer: Yes, but the thing is, about Captain Oates; the thing you have to remember about Captain Oates; Captain Oates... Captain Oates was a prat. If that'd been me, I'd've stayed in the tent, whacked Scott over the head with a frozen husky, and then eaten him.
Lister: You would too, wouldn't you?
Rimmer: History, Lister, is written by the winners. How do we know that Oates went out for this legendary walk? From the only surviving document: Scott's diary. And he's hardly likely to have written down, "February the First, bludgeoned Oates to death while he slept, then scoffed him along with the last packet of instant mash." How's that going to look when he gets rescued, eh? No, much better to say, "Oates made the supreme sacrifice," while you're dabbing up his gravy with the last piece of crusty bread.

And I so wanted this to be a serious topic! ^^;;

[Slytovhand]

Thanks Lace - good times! :D

"Treason doth not succeed"
"Why not?"
"For, if it doth succeed, it is not called treason". (dunno who said it, but I recall it from a philosophy lecture)

[jackfaire]

"For, if it doth succeed, it is not called treason". (dunno who said it, but I recall it from a philosophy lecture)


Meh one man's treason is another man's American Revolution :D

[EricKei]

Amen to those ^_^

Remember, a person who upholds his ideals, sticks to his guns, and does everything in his power -- even violence -- to help his nation is only a patriot, hero, or revolutionary if his side wins. If they don't, he's a foul, dirty rebel/traitor who tried to upset the proper order of things.

Sooooo many things are easily redefined depending upon ones' perspective and the flow of history.

[joe hx]

"History is written by those who hang heroes."

[Talon]

Damnit I can't believe I'm making light of a serious topic, but...

"War not determine who is right. War determines who is left."

- The great philosopher Confuse-us :D

[jackfaire]

Damnit I can't believe I'm making light of a serious topic, but...


Better than making it dark then we wouldn't be able to see at all