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  I totally support the seeking out of and the trials of war criminals. I also, however, am mindful of how ordinary people respond to extraordinary events. There is that old experiment that crops up from time to time in which Ordinary Folk are asked to administer a short electric shock to someone out of their sight but within hearing - of course, there is no shock, but the person administering it does not know that and only hears the increasing sounds of discomfort and then pain as they are urged to administer ever larger shocks. It is not surprising when you are as old as me that many many people continue to administer shcoks even when the sounds indicate real and prolonged pain, if asked to do so by a "man in a white coat" who seems to be in charge.
  
  We never know how we would have reacted in circumstances, no matter how ethical we think we are or how much integrity we think we have. There are no excuses, but as with our soldiers who appear to commit acts that are unacceptable during times of War, extraordinary circumstances can lead to unusual and extraordinary behaviour. A friend of mine years ago had survived concentration camps. She had been forced to choose which of her children was allowed to live. Living with that was indescribable. Good people have done bad things, and vice versa. I find it hard to stand in judgement.

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