But how good are we really??

[Thumpalumpacus]

I've fallen short of my moral standards often enough to be very cautious of claiming goodness on my own behalf. I'm content to do the best I can and let others judge me on that basis.

I have at times fallen so short of my moral standards that it might appear that I have none.  Maybe I didn't.  I would hope that rather than be judged by those shortcomings, that I might instead be recognized for seeing my own failings and making an earnest effort to correct them.

I  believe contrition is worth something.

Sure. I wasn't saying I don't think about my own actions and seek to improve the congruence between my actions and my ideals. I just think that as much as I try to be objective about myself, it's very difficult, and so me telling anyone I'm a good person is likely self-serving.

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I think that we do a disservice, to our compatriots, in never discussing it.

I'll discuss it, sure. I doubt that the depth of my feelings about it approaches the depth of your feelings, by dint of the fact that I was a couple of steps removed from the suffering I helped inflict. For that reason, I doubt any discussion I could offer would be helpful to you guys who were front and center.

When I do get into those conversations, I listen more than I talk. I suspect that's a good thing, too.

Right or wrong we did this for them.

Often enough, gratitude is in short supply.