A Jew On the Fence of Justice
62A Killer?
Is this Justice?
The photograph featured is a picture of an accused mass murderer. It is also the photograph of a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. It is the photograph of a former Nazi guard. Who has been accused of killing over 30,000 Jews. The potential offspring lost 1,000,000. But some say, "It is never too late.", to prosecute men like Demjanjuk. However, I tend to disagree. Mr. Demjanjuk is clearly past his prime. He is an elderly, sick man on his death bed. Why detain him now? It is way too late to inflict any despair on him. He was already given a second chance at life. If anything was to be done, it should have happened long before now. Besides his freedom, what does Mr. John Demjanjuk have that's worth fighting for. He is dying. It is a shame that he was given the freedom to acquire the precious memories, that time only allows. Nothing would be lost to him or his family, at least not now. There is no justice in that. The man can not even remember names anymore. He is lucky to remember his own. What justice is there now in stamping out the accused implications? There is no justice here for all those involved. In the righteous name of justice I imposed the question to you, "What good comes from bringing an old man like this to trial?" How can anyone expect a man such as he to suffer in the wake of the overwhelming loss that was inflicted upon God's people so long ago? How could anyone expect this to be the outcome, when Mr. John Demjanjuk was given time to live his life free? He was given unmeasurable amount liberty. He was a naturalize citizen of the United States. What should have been checked on gone over was not. Moreover, who is at fault here? Mr. Demjanjuk or the immigration agent who didn't do their job? You'll see, nothing of his will be lost. Let us say for justice's sake that they do imprison him. What is possibly expect? Is it acceptable to believe that he will be gassed, if he happens to make it that long? Is it possible that he will be put into a deep, dark dungeon? What? This is what I suspect will happen, I believe that he will receive the best medical care possible. He will be guaranteed three square meals a day. Now how is that justice for killing 30,000 Jews. Would it not have been better if justice was served at the more appropriate time? This man if convicted will be allowed visitors, letters and pictures from his love ones, not yet gone. I just do not see how justice can be served here.
The Crime
- Accused Nazi guard faces deportation to Germany | csmonitor.com
On Monday, a US judge ruled John Demjanjuk is healthy enough to face trial in Germany. Hes accused of complicity in the deaths of 30,000 Jews and gypsies.
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You know, I hate what happened to the Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals and all who were exterminated. It's so wrong and they have to be punished. But, here's the thing. This man was only a guard. I don't think he personaly killed 30 000. He would have been one of many who worked there when 30 000 were killed. For those guards, it was their job. He would have been so swept up in the hysteria of the time, he wouldn't think straight. As all those young Americans were swept up in the hysteria during the Vietnam War and commited the terrible atrocities they did there. Hollywood movies give you one perspective. What the Americans did in Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea and Laos was just as bad, yet none of them were ever brought to trial. Whole towns and cities were eliminated. It's all a matter of perspective.
Now, please don't get me wrong, that nazi guard should be punished. But I have to ask myself, if you managed to escape and go to America, one of the countries very involved in helping Israel hunt down the Nazis, wouldn't you live every day of your life in fear that you'll be recognised by someone? Wouldn't you have nightmares and be tormented? Putting these guys in prison is a joke. Letting them live in society with fear is a far better punishment, either than or just kill them. Don't incarerate them. What's the point. Well, that's my view anyhow.
C. C., anyway I look at it justice will never be served. I don't even think they should be messing with this. Shame really.
Thanks for stopping by. I know you've been a beaver here lately. I appreciate your time.
Hey, Cindyvine I hear what you're saying. After all he was only taking orders. I think this trial is a waste of resources and time. Thanks for dropping by!
RK, He only stood guard and do you not think the blood of thousands has happened him for many years? Do you believe every Nazi wanted to be a Nazi? Do you think possibly those who ran, were murdered or there families murdered because they went against Hitler? We do not know this man, maybe he was a very young naive boy when it happened and had no idea. Many of Hitler's worker bees were lied to, remember that? Not all people that were murdered were Jews in Germany. He wanted the entire country to be blonde and blue-eyed but yet he had dark hair and his mother was a jew. Did hitler make any sense? He was sick and twisted, and the man here did not take all of those lives. We should here is side , before we pass any judgement as he wanted away from the horror and that is why he came here. We should forgive those who have done harm as we only go by what history writes. You are brave enough to write about and thanks for letting us express our opinions. Here is an idea , you should make it a series. Research Hitler, the people who died and let us come to the conclusion before the trial is over. :)
AEVANS- I do agree. That is why this Jew is sitting on the other side of the fence. Bringing this man to trial, offer all this time has past, serves no justice. Thanks AEvans for commenting on this hub.
Thanks for making it a great hub!!!:)
Aw shucks. Thanks AEvans! I appreciate your feedback.
Thanks so much RK - I agree that bringing this man to "justice" so long after the events is not really justice anymore, its just revenge and serves no positive purpose. You are a brave man to be a "Jew on the other side" and I appreciate your honesty and bravery.
Thanks for sharing your deep thoughts
Love and peace
Tony
As others have said, he was 'only' a guard and would probably hae been killed if he hadn't followed orders. The shame that he must be feeling now he has been exposed will be a punishment of sorts. The knowledge that his family know what he was a prt of will also be hard for him. He should answer for his actions - but how and to what extent?
It's about the choices we make and the principles we hold on. I know it is always easier than done but eventually we are all answerable to one.
This is a very sensitive topic RK, one that tends to scratch at the surface of a wound that will never heal. But your honesty and courage to discuss it is worth the bitter memories.
RK, you have some very insightful comments here by understanding hubbers. I can't blame you for being n the fence on this one. Ill repeat what I said as CC, I think he is guilty, according to eye witness accounts. But many eyewitnesses to crime here have been proved wrong. So it is a delicate situation. I feel for all who are involved some way in this whole matter, especially his family. the beaver once again. haha
2C's, C. C. or just one C, You know- you're alright by me. I enjoy our interaction. Have a great day!
Hey Tony! Thanks for dropping by. It's time, you know. It's time to move past the wounds. Justice would've been having a trial, YEARS ago, before he had a chance to live life. Now, it's inhumane. It's wrong. He's 85. It serves no purpose but revenge. It doesn't take bravery to bring this out, it takes common sense.
Iphigenia, I do completely agree. He was a guard. But still they have enough said evidence to bring him to trial. Well that's all good and well, but this is madness. He's 85. I think it is safe to say, for whatever his convictions could have been or should have been [if any at all], this one got a free ride. Bringing him out in the open, is punishment enough.
Interesting perspective. I would have to say I agree. This guy, if he is who they think he is, will in all likelihood expire sometime soon. If there is a higher power, he'll have to answer to whatever that is for his alleged crimes. There's not a lot that anyone in the here and now can do to "settle the score" with mr. demjanjuk. Oh well, no one ever said life is fair or even makes sense half the time. Sometimes it seems like the bad guys get off scot free.
Hi CrisA!
I know with the sense to my Grandmother, that that wound is closer to being a scar. Does it hurt her, yeah, but this........? As she said, "What justice is this?!"
She's mad that they are bringing the up now, after all this time. I have to say, "I agree."
Hi Artfuldodger!
The score should have been settled long ago. But now? Nah. This trial makes us appear as evil as the Nazi's were. It serves only selfish purposes and justice isn't about being selfish. This man needs to beable to die in peace.
It seems as though most everyone is in agreement here and I offer no opposing view. I believe that the only reason they are going after him is that soon everyone of that era will have died and there will be no one left to punish for those horrific crimes. Thus, as a lowly guard, he is a scapegoat for all the rest who SHOULD have been found and punished.
Peggy, you are right! He is being pawned off to the masses still out for vengence.
I am torn between persecuting this man and forgiving him. My family was wiped out during the Nazi occupation. Yet, what role did this man play and why?
Is this action against the man, or against Germany? That question will always be an open one. Yes, he served his country. Like those Americans who tortured prisoners at Guantanamo and in Iraq, under their country's orders.
Is a witch hunt still on for Hitler's megalomania, of course. Perhaps we people who survived all that think that we should kill him again, through any token that remains.
But there's also the fact that some miss-guided persons on this planet want to make the war crimes in those years a fiction. I am afraid of those people. If this one man is the focus of what happened in those years, and brings those years to life, then, well, I have very mixed feelings.
Thanks for a painful and provocative Hub.
Sally's Trove, thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for your honesty. Please know I don't want to hurt anyone. If I have- from the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry. Thank you so very much for commenting.
RK, I hope your concern would not be about hurting anyone, but about presenting the facts, which you did. Once the facts are out there on the table, let the readers deal them or shuffle them.
Demjanjuk is one of the few surviving persons from that regime. His story needs to be told and heard. And then those of us who are left, meaning all 7 billion people on the earth, need to hear the words and learn the lesson.
You did good work with this Hub.
THanks Sally. I felt I needed to write it.
C. C. Riter 3 years ago
This a a terrible thing. Evidently they have plent of evidence now of his crimes. He just was one of the ones who got away with a little help from friends. His day will come, but you said it pretty well. It would be pretty hard to have forgivenes of a man like him, if in truth he is guilty. I do think he is.