Apology for code breaker

[Last Roman]

LONDON, England (CNN) -- An online petition demanding a formal apology from the British government for its treatment of World War II code-breaker Alan Turing is gaining momentum.
A World War II Enigma decoding machine at the British code-breaking center at Bletchley Park

Turing was subjected to chemical castration in 1952 after being found guilty of the charge of gross indecency for having a homosexual relationship, an illegal act at the time. He committed suicide two years later.

More than 17,000 people have added their signatures to the petition since it opened three weeks ago, urging the government to "recognize the tragic consequences of prejudice that ended this man's life and career."

The petition was created by computer scientist John Graham-Cumming, who said he grew "mad" at the country's memory of a man he says should be considered one of its national heroes.

"I'm looking for an apology from the British government because that's where I think the wrong was done. But Turing is clearly someone of international stature," Graham-Cumming said.

Turing was best known for inventing the Bombe, a code-breaking machine that deciphered messages encoded by German Enigma machines during World War II.

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first off, chemical castration? jesus.

So, do you think that the British gov't should apologize or is it a case of what happened happened, now leave it alone?

[Tiberios]

first off, chemical castration? jesus.

Damn

So, do you think that the British gov't should apologize or is it a case of what happened happened, now leave it alone?

Yes, considering the treatment they gave him just because we was gay. I'd say apologies are in order. Big time.

[Adar]

Apologizing is just silly when the apology comes from people who never actually participated in the actions or have ever expressed support of them.

Condeming the actions could however be appropriate to show that the British government will not accept this kind of treatment of homosexuals.

[Erik]

I think an apology is long due.

I would sign the petition myself if I were a British citizen.

Apologizing is just silly when the apology comes from people who never actually participated in the actions or have ever expressed support of them.

You have to distinguish between personal responsibility and political responsibility.
Ministers aren't personally responsible for their predecessors, but they are politically responsible.

Technically, the government currently in place is the same government that was in place during WWII, only the people forking for it have changed.
So this government, as an entity, is still to blame.

ps: Alan Turing was a lot more than a code breaker, his work is the foundation for modern computing and he defined what an algorithm is.
He's probably the most influential scientist of the 20th century.

[B5C]

first off, chemical castration? jesus.

That was the norm back then. If a state believed in Eugenics a form of punishment was castration.

[Mithie]

Considering Alan Turing's almost mythical status in the computer science field and his contributions to ending the war, I think this man deserves every honor the nation could offer him, alas, posthumously.

[Pickle_mole]

whats done is done, we should move since this is of such little importance.

[happyho]

This is long overdue in my opinion and will lessen some of the injustice he suffered in life if it happens.

whats done is done, we should move since this is of such little importance.

Fortunately what is of little importance here is your minority opinion on this subject.

[OneArmedScissor]

whats done is done, we should move since this is of such little importance.

Eugenics is not important

-Pickle_mole

[Barry Goldwater]

About time. This guy deserves an apology.

And damn, chemical castration just for being gay...that sucks. (I am fully aware I just made an epic understatement, I'm just at a loss for words )

[Garrigan]

So, do you think that the British gov't should apologize or is it a case of what happened happened, now leave it alone?

Blair issued an official apology for Britain's involvement in the slave trade, and this is much more recent. So yes, I would definately say the Govt should apologise.

whats done is done, we should move since this is of such little importance.

The guy could still be alive if he hadnt been driven to suicide. Its also highly likely he has several living relatives alive. Its not some dusty punishment from 100s of years ago, it was less than 60 years ago.

Plus there's the fact of the service the guy had done for the country.

[Каие]

ing finally. The only thing worse for a hero than anonymity in death, is condemnation in death.

[Gromovnik]

How is it possible to apologise to a dead man? But of course, his treatment was awful and they should apologise to his family and honour his memory.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

He's dead, so I doubt he cares.

[Mithie]

He's dead, so I doubt he cares.

His family probably would.

His countrymen too.

And since you're posting this message on a machine which most likely wouldn't exist without Turing's efforts - you, too, should bloody well care.

[Father Jack]

I dont think its so much an apology he needs (he is dead and it was once the law of the land) but rather the man needs to be recognised for his outstading contribution to science, especially in regards to computer science of which he was a pioneer of. At the moment most people have never heard of him yet he did so much for the allies cause in WW2. An apology may not be the best way to do it but it may be the only way to lift this national hero out of obscurity and into the place of recognition that this man deserves. Nothing is worse than anonimity in death, particularly when one has done so much for mankind. I have signed the petition.

[Syron]

They need a better statue.

Having been past the statue many a time, personally I think it's very appropriate.

Indeed, a huge number of people have sat down next to him to have their picture taken.

It's a real shame that it's only in Manchester that he has any real memorials.

I get the feeling here that some of those who dont see an apology/pardon as necessary is because the man was gay.

I'm gay, I don't see an apology/pardon necessary for pretty much the same reasons as Ó Cathasaigh. It's crass and achieves nothing, the same for pretty much all apologies for the misdeeds of ancestors.

What should be done however is to ensure he is remembered for the huge affect he has had on both science and society. That is worth more than a thousand apologies.

[Last Roman]

What should be done however is to ensure he is remembered for the huge affect he has had on both science and society. That is worth more than a thousand apologies.

That I can agree with.

[OneArmedScissor]

Germany has had no problems apologizing for the holocaust, yet some are insinuating and saying that Britain shouldn't apologize for this.

[Rt. Hon. Gentleman]

They should apologise to anyone chemically castrated, not just Turing...