I'd say they do that inherently.  If a greater action is unjustifiable wouldn't any part of it be the same?  Basically if you reprimand the Abu-Ghraib people they have a legitimate answer in "well, isn't this whole thing basically the same?"  If you grant the leadership an empathetic character they would be thus disinclined to object.  If you grant them the flawed humanity that is most likely they simply don't give a fuck.