Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site mnetor.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utcsri!utcs!mnetor!fred
From: fred@mnetor.UUCP
Newsgroups: can.general
Subject: Re: Re: war criminals
Message-ID: <431@mnetor.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 18-Apr-85 10:39:19 EST
Article-I.D.: mnetor.431
Posted: Thu Apr 18 10:39:19 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Apr-85 11:42:04 EST
References: <2185@utcsstat.UUCP> <428@utai.UUCP>
Organization: Computer X (CANADA) Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lines: 45

> I have to disagree with Anthony for two reasons:
> 
> 1. Biblical justice permits the state to punish murderers.
> 
> 2. Although war criminals have had 40 years to contemplate the consequences
>    of their crimes, it is still the case that reunions of Nazi officers
>    have recently been held.  This strongly suggests that there has not
>    been a change of heart on their part.
> 
> Brian Nixon.

	OK People, this is not a clear cut problem. First, let me
address Brian's two points above.
	1. The state punishes murderers, provided that the murders
were not committed on behalf of the state! ALSO,
	   The state would do so even if biblical justice did not
permit it!
	2. The simple fact that these officers hold reunions does
not mean that they are still supporting Nazi beliefs. Maybe they 
are, I don't know. We cannot, however, condemn them for getting
together, or even for whatever beliefs they may or may not have.
The only justification for punishing someone is by proving, 
beyond any reasonable doubt that they have done something illegal.

	Now, about the business of a statute of limitations on war
crimes; True, these were crimes of great magnitude! We must do
all we can to insure that nothing like the murder of millions of
people ever happens again. It would be a deterent to anyone thinking
of committing such a crime to know that society will never let
them rest afterwards. It is a deterent to know that saying,
"I was only following orders." is not an excuse. We are all
ultimately responsible for our own actions, even though in 
military service! 
	OK, OK, I've convinced myself. We must still search for war
criminals. What we must guard against is doing it for revenge.
Perhaps the greatest punishment that could be exacted on these
criminals is publicity. We find them, and expose them. It may no
longer serve any purpose to imprison them. Have they not made
their own prison? But to say, "Yes, we know who you are, and you
know what we think of you." This might be a very appropriate
punishment, in a way it is more severe that a sentance of death.

Cheers, (the future is brighter.)  Fred Williams