Booth's Escape Route

[MaddieM]

(02-07-2013 09:49 AM)Rob Wick Wrote:  So let's say, for the sake of discussion, that I accept that Powell was a soldier acting under orders. To what direction does that "information" take us? What does it imply that is somehow different from simply being a cold-blooded killer? If it doesn't lead to some other conclusion, isn't it just a pointless academic exercise?

Best
Rob

The above statement could used in many scenarios. As has been pointed out, it's a matter of perspectives. When Lincoln issued the order for the hanging of 38 Sioux for daring to rebel against the theft of their lands, was that not cold blooded murder? Looks like it to me. But then again, many white settlers had been murdered by those Sioux, so perhaps it was fully justified? Certainly John Pope thought so...as he wanted 300 odd of them hanged. Lincoln had blood on his hands...whichever way you look at this, as did many of those who gave the orders and made the decisions...on both sides.

I think the key issue here is there are those who gave the orders and those who followed them. History nearly always seems to focus on the end product of a crime, rather than what instigated it, led up to it and/or fuelled it.

I think in Powell's case, as with anyone involved with the war, it's not just black and white...there are many shades of grey.