[rolux]

Are you aware of the fact that those who carried out the most unspeakable crimes against humanity -- including those that Godwin's law forbids me to mention here -- could still be construed to have been "following orders", and that in fact, this was often the central argument in their defense?

[Manishearth]

Please reread my comment and the one it's replying to.

I'm not justifying their actions. I did call it illegal and morally reprehensible.

I'm saying that after the dust settles they will probably excuse their actions with 'following orders', exactly like the folks at Nuremberg did as the GP mentions. I do not think this is a reason to condone their actions, much like we do not condone the actions of the folks at the Nuremberg Trials. This is just a prediction of how this will be portrayed when the dust settles (and we should probably be wary of this and resist it being painted over with 'following orders')