As we bitch about what the NSA or FBI should or should not do; realize they simply follow orders.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Last edited Sun Sep 22, 2013, 03:32 PM - Edit history (1)

Let's review how the United States Government treats those who simply follow orders, like unthinking NSA and FBI zombies.

First, let me take readers on a little sojourn back to a small village called My Lai.

The My Lai Massacre was a Vietnam War mass murder of between 347 and 504 unarmed civilians in South Vietnam on March 16, 1968. It was committed by soldiers of the U.S. Army from Company C of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade of the 23rd Infantry Division: Victims included women, children and infants. Some of the women were gang-raped and their bodies mutilated. While 26 U.S. soldiers were initially charged with criminal offenses, only Second Lieutenant William Calley Jr., a platoon leader in C Company, was convicted. Found guilty of killing 22 villagers, he was originally given a life sentence, but only served three and a half years under house arrest. Obviously, Calley was simply following orders. Why didn't some General stand trial? When I was in the military, the Lt. Calley concept was called SHIT ROLLS DOWN HILL

Here is another wonderful historic account of people working for the federal government that decided to "just follow orders."

At several of the locations listed at this website Navy Sailors were ordered to stand at attention to watch pretty mushroom clouds spread across the sky, so scientists could determine how radiation affected human bodies from various ranges. If it is not true, why does this organization listed at the link exist?

See If You Qualify for $75,000
If you or a family member have had internal cancer or leukemia within the last fifty years (even if family member is deceased) or if you get cancer and were physically present at either the Nevada test site / Mercury Nevada, Trinity test site / Los Alamos New Mexico. South Pacific / Marshall Islands Bikini Atoll Enewetak Atoll Johnston Atoll or Christmas Island. Pacific test site or South Atlantic test site. During one of the following atmospheric nuclear tests or within a 6 month period after said test. Trinity 1945 Operation Crossroads 1946 Operation Sandstone 1948 Operation Ranger 1951 Operation Greenhouse 1951 Operation Buster-Jangle 1951 Operation Tumbler-Snapper 1952 Operation Ivy 1952 Operation Upshot-Knothole 1953 Operation Castle 1954 Operation Teapot 1955 Operation Wigwam 1955 Operation Redwing 1956 Operation Plumbob 1957 Operation Hardtack 1 1958 Operation Argus 1958 Operation Hardtack 2 1958 Operation Dominic 1 1962 Operation Dominic 2 1962 Operation Plowshare 1962 or were present during the underground testing on Amchitka Island, Alaska prior to January 7, 1974 you may qualify for $75,000 tax free. http://www.atomicveteran.info/

Air teams that deployed Agent Orange were also "simply following orders."

Agent Orange controversy
In 2011, a retired Air Force officer Major Wesley T. Carter filed a complaint with the Air Force Inspector General alleging that the Air Force knew that UC-123Ks used for spraying Agent Orange in Vietnam remained contaminated and that the Air Force had failed to properly inform flight crews of the risks. In his complaint, Major Carter contends that the Air Force has known since 1994 that the aircraft were contaminated with the defoliant; he cites the fact that when a former C-123 was being prepared for a static display that workers had to use HAZMAT suits and respirators. Additionally, it is asserted that when the aircraft was tested by the Air Force, it contained high levels of the known carcinogen polychlorinated dibenzodioxin, studies since confirmed by the Oregon Health Sciences University and Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

The aircraft which were flown from 1972–1982, were assigned to the Air Force Reserve after their service in Vietnam, and used for normal cargo and evacuation missions. Air crews accumulated hundreds of flight hours aboard several contaminated aircraft that were often flown with the windows open due to the smell and eye irritation. Memos surfaced showing that Air Force JAG officers recommended keeping the toxicity information "within official channels." Further, Carter located Air Force reports of dioxin-contaminated aircraft sold abroad, and of one used at the Robins AFB, Georgia Museum of Aviation with public access to the contaminated surfaces of the aircraft. In 2010, due to concerns about dioxin contamination, the Air Force took the unusual step of shredding all the remaining surplus C-123K/UC-123K aircraft and melting the scraps into ingots for disposal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_C-123_Provider

All the aircraft that deployed Agent Orange in Vietnam were propeller driven; and lacked pressurized cabins, which means the aircrew that deployed Agent Orange were constantly exposed to the carcinogen. According to a veteran I met at the V.A. Hospital who was dying from a rare cancer, the defoliant caused plants to grow themselves to death in days, turn grey and melt. According to his account, Agent Orange also screwed up the paint on U.S. Military aircraft, which is extremely tough. He claimed another aircrew member on board the C-123 asked, "If Agent Orange has such severe effects on plants and aircraft paint is it safe for us to breathe?" An officer replied, "Go ahead and deploy the chemical, airman. Your government wouldn't deliberately expose you to unnecessary danger."[Isn't Defense Advanced Project Agency a wonderful thing?]

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. Following orders down't absolve them of blame.

Even if they are harmed by those orders.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. "Harmed by those orders" (LOL) Have you ever heard of DARPA?

Form the OP can you see how Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA doesn't mind doing FAR more than harming people following misguided orders? This is a pretty decent topic that might get the attention of some online operatives who are too big for their britches. How about a few recommendations to keep this idea in their bosses faces?[If this OP gets buried, see what my WHISPEERS volunteers put in the ears of senators and congress people in D.C. and the Pentagon]

[Jeffersons Ghost]

3. Thanks for the 4 recommendations! One more pute it on the greatest page

[idwiyo]

4. k&r

[Nanjing to Seoul]

5. Ah. .. the Nurhemberg defense. "Not my fault. I was just following orders."

Didn't work for the Nazis. . .won't work now.

Guard: "You know I'm just doing my job. You have to appreciate that, Luke."
Cool Hand Luke: "Doing your job still doesn't make it right, boss."

[Jeffersons Ghost]

10. I like this quote from Cool Hand Luke better...

"WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE!"

[Jeffersons Ghost]

11. How much time are we allowed at Democratic Underground to edit a post?

I meant to put that last quote in context; but I think time expired to edit the post. Anyway, when Cool Hand Luke mocked the warden, while standing in a window, a guard shot him dead. Don't you hate it when a star gets shot [at you] when the movie ends?

[dipsydoodle]

12. At least the same day.

The subject came up in the old Meta forum. The assumption is that it won't be a malicious complete rewrite with change of subject.

[Demeter]

6. The REAL Question is: WHO gave those orders?

If we ever find out the answer, we can fix our government.

I am afraid, however, that's it's already been fixed by anti-democratic elements, at home and abroad.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

14. That's an easy question:

Dick Cheney, the Bush organized crime syndicate and their Arab crime bosses in the Middle East.

[Downwinder]

7. Are they following orders or have they gone rogue?

Who is giving orders to lie to Congress and the Courts?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

13. Those orders come straight from the REAL bosses of politicians in Washington DC...

They live in the Mid-East and attack Israel.

[Buns_of_Fire]

8. I think Starship Commander Alexander only takes orders from the Federation.

Or The Force, it's hard to tell what fantasy world he's in today. (Classified/National Security, you know.)

[Jeffersons Ghost]

9. Isn't his first name Darth?

General Darth V. Alexander?

[Uncle Joe]

15. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Jeffersons Ghost.