Actions that are “authorized” can be worse than the unauthorized actions they are meant to replace, because the authorization prevents the normal accountability mechanisms from engaging.

Sand Creek was condemned because it lacked authorization.

The Washita was not condemned, even though it killed a peace chief who had been seeking protection three days before the attack, precisely because it had authorization.

The moral logic that protects authorized action from accountability is the same logic that has produced some of the worst atrocities in modern history.

Authorization is not moral validation.

The Washita was wrong regardless of whether Sheridan had authorized it.