I don't agree with that at all. Coerced, sure. The people who genuinely believed they were doing the right thing is likely very few. I suspect most let themselves believe they were doing the right thing despite knowing deep inside things were not right. If these people are supposedly guided by moral principles, they would plainly see there is injustice for those who elect not to take it. This is simply a cop out. They were either afraid, coerced, or simply abandoned all personal responsibility and rationalized their decision with a number of flowery excuses conveniently provided by the mainstream and others who compromised on their principles.
Not sure yet. We'll have to wait and see. The common folk share the same circumstances and information, while Trump is privy to special knowledge, so you can't equate the two. We won't know until it all plays out.
As an aside, the gist of the OP's argument is that we shouldn't blame people, essentially saying we should lower the bar. I take the opposite stance in that the standard for doing right and good should be set high. First, by removing blame, it cheapens the sacrifices made by those who held the line. Second, the recognition of moral actions should be earned and not handed out so cheaply. We no longer take personal responsibility nor do we hold each other accountable. It's so much easier to keep up social pleasantries. This is partly to blame for why we are here now, and going back to it for the sake of expediency, creating "harmony," etc., will only lead to your great grandchildren fighting the same demons again.
I don't agree with that at all. Coerced, sure. The people who genuinely believed they were doing the right thing is likely very few. I suspect most let themselves believe they were doing the right thing despite knowing deep inside things were not right. If these people are supposedly guided by moral principles, they would plainly see there is injustice for those who elect not to take it. This is simply a cop out. They were either afraid, coerced, or simply abandoned all personal responsibility and rationalized their decision with a number of flowery excuses conveniently provided by the mainstream and others who compromised on their principles.
Does this include Trump?
Not sure yet. We'll have to wait and see. The common folk share the same circumstances and information, while Trump is privy to special knowledge, so you can't equate the two. We won't know until it all plays out.
As an aside, the gist of the OP's argument is that we shouldn't blame people, essentially saying we should lower the bar. I take the opposite stance in that the standard for doing right and good should be set high. First, by removing blame, it cheapens the sacrifices made by those who held the line. Second, the recognition of moral actions should be earned and not handed out so cheaply. We no longer take personal responsibility nor do we hold each other accountable. It's so much easier to keep up social pleasantries. This is partly to blame for why we are here now, and going back to it for the sake of expediency, creating "harmony," etc., will only lead to your great grandchildren fighting the same demons again.