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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims ignorance of mass killings despite oversight.
In plain terms
I did not know about the gassing even though I was in charge.
What can you take from it?
Denial of knowledge can occur despite clear oversight.

Where it applies

  • legal defense
  • historical testimony
  • corporate cover-up

Putting it to work

  • verify claims
  • assess awareness
  • document oversight

Questions to consider

  • Can leaders truly be unaware of their organizations' actions?
  • How is accountability assigned?

Another view

Claiming ignorance may be an evasion of proven responsibility.

More from Ernst Kaltenbrunner

  1. Kaltenbrunner, the grand inquisitor, took up the bloody mantle of Heydrich to stifle opposition and terrorize compliance, and buttressed the power of National …

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  2. Hitler remained in his closely-guarded suite. It was long after midnight when he left the Imperial Hotel in the company of Heinrich Himmler to make the long-aw…

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  3. Who would Hitler say deceived him about conditions in concentration camps if not Kaltenbrunner, even as he would deceive us?

    Permalink to quote #72

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