Khmer Rouge finally goes on trial as Duch hearing begins

dong20

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"In a wood-panelled courtroom under the joint flags of the UN and Cambodia today, justice in this tortured country took a historic leap forward.

After three decades of impunity the Khmer Rouge was finally put on trial."

Khmer Rouge finally goes on trial as Duch hearing begins - Times Online

It wasn't an ideal start though, in part because there have been worries about corruption and Political 'meddling' within the ECCC in respect of exactly who and how many should stand trial.

Of course it's a shame the architect of the tragedy had the lucky escape of death ... at least 'Comrade Duch' hasn't managed to evade what I hope will be swift and throrough due process.

Even during what was [barely] 'peacetime' when I first visited Tuol Sleng, it reeked of malevolence. Amid the rubble, and the detritus - walking round the site on my own, I shuddered when I imagined what had transpired there.

I hope this tribunal brings at least a measure of closure for those that deserve more, although I doubt for anyone who survived those days as a victim - any punishment would fit his crimes.
 

Freddie53

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How many people died in the name of greater social good?

Is atheistic, liberal socialism as murderous as theistic, conservative fascism?
It is a toss up. Both are extremely extreme versions of what might could have worked. It is in the middle where sanity and reason are found regardless if you tend to believe in less government or more government to solve social ills. In the scenerios you provided, the government becomes a complete totalitarian and very regimented government with all freedoms done away with.

Both solutions: more federal government - less state government
and less federal government - more state government

Will work in moderation. If we look at American History since 1950, the great times were when we have divided government. One party controlled the Presidency and the other party controlled the Congress. That was true under Eisenhower, Reagen, and Clinton (last six years). The other times one or the other party had complete control and the nation was going to hell in a handbasket most of those times one party was controlling it all.

Apparently though the Khmer Rouge won the title of the most ruthless per capita or per square mile of land of the 20th century. The devastation to all the land and communities was the most complete of a nation in that century.
 

JamieBoy

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And all the western governments who supported this heinous regime - because they opposed the communists of Northern Vietnam.

How far does blame reach?
 

midlifebear

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Spiker067 dude:

Just wagering a guess, but I'm betting more people have been killed "in the name of [put your god's name here]" than the bugaboo you wish to stir up as "atheistic, liberal socialism" -- if such an animal truly exists. The self-avowed liberals I know in the USA as well as the brave unpopular Socialists I've met are definitely not atheists. As for popular Socialist icons, Spain's current Prime Minister (the USA insists he's Spain's President) Sr. Zapatero is a very devout Catholic. That's not to say he marches and jumps every time the Vatican yells that we all should return to the dark ages, but he is a man of faith, nonetheless.

And please don't forget that the former President Bush was quick to adopt, embrace and promote a "economic socialist" parachute for the private investment banks and big insurers such as AIG using taxpayer's money before he was freed to find his way back to Texas. He, too, I believe claims to be some sort of a christian.

Now, go wash up. It's time for dinner.

LOVEYOUMEANIT! The avuncular Midlifebear :smile:
 

faceking

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And please don't forget that the former President Bush was quick to adopt, embrace and promote a "economic socialist" parachute for the private investment banks and big insurers such as AIG using taxpayer's money before he was freed to find his way back to Texas. He, too, I believe claims to be some sort of a christian. /quote]


:crackhead: you have no clue what you are talking about. really you don't. for awhile you made sense, now I think you are going thru Bush-withdrawl.
 

midlifebear

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During the Pol Pot Regime the excuse used by most 'Mericuns and our government was: Do not get involved. The 'Mericuhn public is tired of war in South East Asia.

There was also the worry that interference would create a direct conflict with Maoist China.

It's incredible we didn't do anything to help prevent the senseless slaughter of between 1.7 and 2 million Cambodians, beginning with all Cambodians who had an education or perceived to be educated simply because they wore glasses -- a symbol that a person could read. A truly horrific and sad time in human culture.
 
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dong20

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It's incredible we didn't do anything to help prevent the senseless slaughter of between 1.7 and 2 million Cambodians,

But not unsurprising ...?

This is not offered as a defence, but the US was in a situation of it's own making in the 70s and 80s, forced into allegiences that even it may have otherwise baulked at. It sought to distance itself from open support of the DK although it was difficult with China being so ... enthusastic.

It wasn't just the US of course, but the US and China took the lead. Hell, Reagan's administration even denied the truth of a CIA report (created under Carter) that confirmed the death toll.

After years of procrastination, by all parties,the ramifications of the decisions made in 2002/3 culminating in 57/228 are being felt today in this very tribunal, as I alluded to above.
 

kalipygian

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During the Pol Pot Regime the excuse used by most 'Mericuns and our government was: Do not get involved. The 'Mericuhn public is tired of war in South East Asia.

There was also the worry that interference would create a direct conflict with Maoist China.

It's incredible we didn't do anything to help prevent the senseless slaughter of between 1.7 and 2 million Cambodians, beginning with all Cambodians who had an education or perceived to be educated simply because they wore glasses -- a symbol that a person could read. A truly horrific and sad time in human culture.

I thought at the time that this country's condemnation of the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia was a bit hypocritical, they should have been thanked for ending Pol Pot's regime.
 

Drifterwood

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The Khmer Rouge were not socialists, they were an extreme form of communism that murdered a complete section of their society. Pro rata to the population of the US, the figure would have been 75 million.