# Most blatant rewriting of history by US government? (1/6)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-rewriting-of-history-by-us-government-1-6/1026430>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Tags:** trump\
**Created:** [January 7, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-rewriting-of-history-by-us-government-1-6/1026430 "2026-01-07T13:33:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-rewriting-of-history-by-us-government-1-6/1026430/21 "2026-01-11T03:57:38Z")

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I’m not saying there weren’t crimes a-plenty. What I’m saying is that many of the people involved didn’t have a lot of other options- they were drafted into the Wehrmacht, and essentially forced into a lot of this.

What were their options exactly? Resist, and get shot, or imprisoned in terrible conditions for a long time? Or go along? I’m hesitant to decry a German soldier who didn’t choose the former in 1943.

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**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-rewriting-of-history-by-us-government-1-6/1026430/22 "2026-01-11T04:09:27Z")

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> [@bump](#):
>
> What were their options exactly? Resist, and get shot, or imprisoned in terrible conditions for a long time? Or go along?

We, WE decided post war that “I was following orders” is not a defense to the accusation of committing war crimes.

This _should_ the clearly understood choice;  
Refuse the order and get shot, or imprisoned in terrible conditions for a long time.  
_or_  
Pray your side wins so you don’t get shot, or imprisoned in terrible conditions for a long time for committing a fucking war crime.

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**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-rewriting-of-history-by-us-government-1-6/1026430/23 "2026-01-11T17:17:00Z")

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Sure, but there’s a huge difference between some nameless enlisted man drafted into the German Army, vs. the men actually making the decisions.

We didn’t and don’t imprison the people who have little options in what they’re compelled to do, unless they’re the ones instigating it.

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