There is a madness and hysteria that grips people sometimes. It turns normally pleasant ordinary people into crazed torturers capable of doing the most terrible things.
The Cambodian people were some of the most friendly I have met.
The people carrying out these tortures and killings were brutal, callous devils.
Pol Pot did not start out as a crazed evil psychopath. He was an idealistic freedom fighter.
It all has shades of ISIS, Taliban, AlQaeda, Boko Haraam and the rest.
What happened in this camp was beyond words. Pol Pot was responsible for the torture and death of one and a half million people in the Killing Fields. There were 150 killing camps like Prison 21.
Pol Pot – a callous man, paranoid and ruthless. A psychotic despot and mass murderer.
I met Chum Mey – survivor of the camp and he signed his book for me.
What goes on in the mind of a torturer? how can they live with what they do? How can they justify it?
Reblogged this on Mind of a Future Femgineer and commented:
I like to believe that humanity is inherently altruistic by nature. That said, I also know that we as a species are capable of terrible, horrible things.
Meant to comment not reblog-aplologies?
Hi Melanie – thanks for your comments and reblogging. I agree with you. I too have always found the bulk of people pleasant, friendly and helpful. Then I’m brought up with a jolt – the cruelty we are capable of indulging in, the intolerance, hatred, violence and thoughtlessness is beyond belief.
At present people are flocking in to support ISIS. They are actually attracted in by the thought of beheading people, burning them alive in metal cages and crucifying people. You ask yourself how can that be?
The Cambodian people and culture is friendly and happy. Yet it was ordinary Cambodians who carried out the most atrocious things.
I think we need to keep reminding ourselves so that we can go forward, put the violence behind us and build a world that cares.
*!
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Cheers – Opher
Reblogged this on Opher's World and commented:
An example of the cruelty of human beings.
This cruelty is truly horrifying.
It was a gruesome camp John. It really brought home the depravity and barbarism that human beings can sink to.