Drummer Hoff was a children's book, I read as a kid, colorful pictures,
Describes a group of soldiers, going about the firing of a cannon,
"General Border gave the order,
Major Scott brought the shot,
Captain Bammer brought the rammer,
Sergeant Chowder brought the powder,
Corporal Farrel brought the barrel,
Private Parriage brought the carriage,
But Drummer Hoff fired it off. "
- by Barbara and Ed Emberley.
Idea of collective responsibility, I suppose, of personal responsibility, of distanced responsibility.
Hitler gave orders, always claimed he would take responsibility,
But is responsibility something we can give away, mitigate, take?
I dislike the word a bit,
I prefer Actions taken, Actions that might be if one was/is different, Expected Action,
. . .
Though 'Expected Action becomes a problem for me, due to my nihilism,
Expected by what value? By what perception? Law?
I've heard it said, though I forget the source or truth,
That Himmler fainted or vomited, during some execution or sight,
And later changed the method of execution, that it was more 'humane,
But humane for who?
With how often the gas failed to work, or people in great fear terror nakedness were shoved in,
. . .
Humane for the executioner?
Bah, turning away from one's own actions is what,
Though one can argue for one being killed less painfully,
Is it so easy to argue for one turning away from their own action,
In 'such an action,
Easier to kill far away, with a pen, a button, a bomb, a gun,
Than close up a knife or hands, some say,
Though others might say one is 'aware of a greater responsibility had, when thousands, millions are effected,
But 'are people aware? Seeing?
Ah, I'm rambling, unable to formulate, organize my thoughts.
. . .
Though I suppose one could argue 'different responsibilities prioritized,
Thinking as he did, that said actions were necessary,
That they ought be preformed in such a way that the executioners lasted longer than shorter,
Or his desire for the people that he valued, the executioners, health be cared for.
Still I don't care for it,
Responsibility to those who ought not have been victims, should have been a higher priority.
. . .
'Necessary to what end, and why 'only said method?
. . .
Still, who am I to talk?
. . .
Oh right, I'm Lemming,
Ought I feel more guilt at the border question?
3RU7AL's comments I recall somewhere, about life and death for some people seeking asylum, 'does bother me.
. . . Though I think I still see it as necessary. . .
Or
Uragirimono's comments, as I recall, on other ways that people could be helping, saving others. . .
Ah, but who am I to talk. . . : (