I've already been in a situation where I could choose between serious jail time and refusing orders I did not agree with so I'm pretty sure which side I would come down on.

So, with all respect mr. Anonymous Coward you haven't a clue what you're talking about.

Principles come at a price, that's for sure.

I can see why you have a problem with this worldview.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8469353

Unless refusing orders would mean somebody else jails you, no you haven't been in that situation. The deal is that you follow orders and maybe get jailed/executed after losing a war, or you disobey orders and definitely get jailed/executed right away.

Having principles isn't free.

Quite a few German soldiers did refuse orders and indeed some of them got executed or jailed. Those are the real heros.

And as I said before yes, that is exactly the situation I've been in. So I don't give a rats ass what your excuse is but I know where I stand on this.

You don't get to escape from your responsibilities.