General Discussion

former9thward

(33,424 posts)

64. Don't bring in MacArthur.

Tue Aug 6, 2013, 12:33 PM

Aug 2013

He was opposed to the bomb. As was Eisenhower. It was Truman making a political decision not a military one.

"MacArthur's views about the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were starkly different from what the general public supposed....When I asked General MacArthur about the decision to drop the bomb, I was surprised to learn he had not even been consulted. What, I asked, would his advice have been? He replied that he saw no military justification for the dropping of the bomb. The war might have ended weeks earlier, he said, if the United States had agreed, as it later did anyway, to the retention of the institution of the emperor." As we've already seen, both Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Truman's chief of staff, Admiral William Leahy, had voiced protest about using the bomb over Japanese cities.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-mitchell/countdown-to-hiroshima-fo_b_3707531.html

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Hiroshima - quit lying to yourselves [View all] Phillyindy Aug 2013 OP

My dad was a Marine slated to be in the first wave of the invasion force. tumtum Aug 2013 #1

I forgot... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #5

Yes, my dad's life was worth more than a nation that was trying it's best tumtum Aug 2013 #14

There are no warlike people... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #23

Every one of those so called civilians were being trained to resist the invasion tumtum Aug 2013 #45

Whatever it takes for you to justify the nuclear incineration of a million people, I guess Scootaloo Aug 2013 #353

By your standard the Nazis in 1945 were defending their homeland. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #368

We're not talking about invading a country or changing a regime. Scootaloo Aug 2013 #438

If we had not removed their gov't, we would have fought them again in 20 years. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #453

They were being trained to kill invading soldiers... That just doesn't sound as blood-thirsty and Ed Suspicious Aug 2013 #356

Those civilians fully supported the war effort and willingly sent their sons off to kill innocents hack89 Aug 2013 #81

Women and children are innocent bystanders, civilized people do not kill women and children Dragonfli Aug 2013 #150

Isn't it time to let someone else wear the hair shirt? nt hack89 Aug 2013 #163

Isn't it time to admit that the lives of children are worth less to you than a side order of fries? Dragonfli Aug 2013 #166

I don't believe that. nt hack89 Aug 2013 #174

You certainly appear to. /nt Dragonfli Aug 2013 #181

Calling people psychopath and sociopaths is against the TOS davidpdx Aug 2013 #352

really? Unlike our people, who didn't support our troops? NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #239

The Japanese were within their rights to attack the American mainland hack89 Aug 2013 #268

Were they within their rights to bomb Pearl Harbor? Bake Aug 2013 #289

No - that was unprovoked aggression hack89 Aug 2013 #293

Actually, it wasn't unprovoked aggression. ET Awful Aug 2013 #376

And the sanctions were in response to Japanese aggression in China hack89 Aug 2013 #381

Sure, but my analogy still stands. . . ET Awful Aug 2013 #382

So did and do we Politicalboi Aug 2013 #455

Any other way would have led to more civilian deaths hack89 Aug 2013 #459

Do you say the same about Obamas war crimes? rl6214 Aug 2013 #221

You have no idea the militarism and regimentation conditioned upon the Japanese citizens under Nanjing to Seoul Aug 2013 #371

So, women and children were fair game. Got it. NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #442

Nanjing. Unit 731. The Japanese people supported these. Nanjing to Seoul Aug 2013 #450

so I guess you won't bother to read my response after you grossly misinterpret my post NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #461

Your attitude that the A-bomb was wrong because it killed women and children. . .that's where Nanjing to Seoul Aug 2013 #463

I understand your POV NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #470

sometimes when taking the high road your legs get cut off at the feet Nanjing to Seoul Aug 2013 #471

I think Jesus said that in one of the parables: "Stop genocide by killing twice as many of them" NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #477

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2013 #464

I get your point but if we hadnt goaded the japanese into war we wouldnt have needed to bomb them boomer55 Aug 2013 #98

"Goaded them into war"? Spider Jerusalem Aug 2013 #130

It is much more complicated than that. There are lots of reasons to think FDR wanted the Japanese NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #241

Unless the Allied powers turned back the Axis One_Life_To_Give Aug 2013 #329

Pull out your Crystal Ball then and tell us what FDR was thinking Nanjing to Seoul Aug 2013 #457

I like your tagline and I think it should be used in this case. boomer55 Aug 2013 #290

It's not really much more complicated than that. Spider Jerusalem Aug 2013 #334

imagine if we had guys like these running the show during WWII... dionysus Aug 2013 #318

Hiroshima was a mistake, but DonCoquixote Aug 2013 #212

The Third Reich had been defeated months before the bombs dropped. Ken Burch Aug 2013 #299

they still killed 22 Million Chinese DonCoquixote Aug 2013 #362

The Japanese war machine did do that. Ken Burch Aug 2013 #437

Try this book. oneshooter Aug 2013 #466

I understand, better to kill thousands of women and children civilians than risk your soldier dad. Dragonfli Aug 2013 #142

Hey, you're free to think whatever you want of me. tumtum Aug 2013 #154

Post removed Post removed Aug 2013 #161

As I said, you're free to think whatever you want of me, tumtum Aug 2013 #167

My dad was also a Marine preparing for the invasion of Japan. Casualty estimates were high. Dollface Aug 2013 #238

"Stimson estimated that conquering Japan would cost ... five to ten million Japanese fatalities." Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2013 #417

This type of over the top rhetoric COLGATE4 Aug 2013 #190

Rejected. Your uh dad needs a better lawyer. "Is mother proud of little boy today?" n/t Catherina Aug 2013 #194

Both my father and mother are gone, but thanks for the insult. tumtum Aug 2013 #200

My Dad is 91 and a veteran of Normandy and... meaculpa2011 Aug 2013 #372

It's not a matter of one life.... cab67 Aug 2013 #211

That assumes we had to invade to end the war. Sirveri Aug 2013 #360

I'm not entirely sure that's true. cab67 Aug 2013 #365

The Japanese still had lots to defend the home islands with. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #377

Correct, the blockade was the alternative. Sirveri Aug 2013 #433

Starvation would have killed millions. N/T GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #452

So starving hundreds of thousands to death was the moral alternative to the atomic bombs? hack89 Aug 2013 #460

I don't know, because we didn't go that route. Sirveri Aug 2013 #465

As a small side note: oneshooter Aug 2013 #448

As a small side note: oneshooter Aug 2013 #449

No, but it wasn't quite that simple MJ66 Aug 2013 #217

"Murica" rl6214 Aug 2013 #219

Why would it have been better to kill more of them conventionally? n/t Gore1FL Aug 2013 #375

You don't know what you're talking about. Grins Aug 2013 #412

Same here liberal N proud Aug 2013 #35

That is still not justification for what was done Marrah_G Aug 2013 #94

Your appeal falls on deaf ears, the lives of thousands of women and children mean less Dragonfli Aug 2013 #178

The morality of any war is decided by the victors. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #205

History is what it is. Once we knew the bomb worked this "invasion force" became a bluff... hunter Aug 2013 #101

Thousands of troops weren't sent steaming toward Japan for a "bluff". Waiting For Everyman Aug 2013 #262

The entire military apparatus was not appraised of the situation. hunter Aug 2013 #297

"only then would U.S. troops take the Japanese mainland" Waiting For Everyman Aug 2013 #315

Nevertheless, Japan did surrender. hunter Aug 2013 #324

I'm sorry that isn't even plausible. Waiting For Everyman Aug 2013 #326

Operation Downfall is not a myth and yes Virginia it would have cost may more lives davidpdx Aug 2013 #348

See this post... I agree with it. hunter Aug 2013 #357

I do realize the scale and intensity of the Manhattan project davidpdx Aug 2013 #400

False movie drama... hunter Aug 2013 #439

It was immense at the time because we had spent 5 years building it up davidpdx Aug 2013 #440

Yes, we had plans to invade Japan in a horrible battle. hunter Aug 2013 #443

I've got to agree Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #105

Well put davidpdx Aug 2013 #469

Not true. My mom was there. tblue Aug 2013 #110

Sounds more like an irrational emotional response than a cogent argument whatchamacallit Aug 2013 #122

Irrational to you, tumtum Aug 2013 #125

The Japanese were already discussing terms of surrender jberryhill Aug 2013 #131

You are badly misinformed. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #195

Nope. jeff47 Aug 2013 #305

Yup, same as my husband's father. They were warned THREE times, for fuck's sake. whathehell Aug 2013 #145

Very true BobbyBoring Aug 2013 #209

Uh, dude? You need to read your own quote more closely. Th1onein Aug 2013 #214

You're right, my dad was being sent to be in the first stage invasion too. Waiting For Everyman Aug 2013 #218

I know my grandpa worked on one of the planes that dropped it PatrynXX Aug 2013 #244

I'm sure there's quite a few of us here who wouldn't be were it not for those bombs independentpiney Aug 2013 #301

Did you actually read the quote? Specifically sentence #2? WinkyDink Aug 2013 #339

They weren't ready to surrender until the 2nd bomb was exploded, tumtum Aug 2013 #341

EXACTLY!!! SkyDaddy7 Aug 2013 #366

Another one here beemer27 Aug 2013 #367

The A-Bombs were a message to the Soviets. rdharma Aug 2013 #476

And...we're off! Brickbat Aug 2013 #2

In more ways than one. Dr. Strange Aug 2013 #3

Vegas odds, anybody? nt MrScorpio Aug 2013 #25

Wow, 2nd response now 4th from the last of over 350 Thor_MN Aug 2013 #369

my grandfather would have been on the ships for the invasion, after they geek tragedy Aug 2013 #4

I don't have to justify anything leftynyc Aug 2013 #6

Then this post wasn't for you. Phillyindy Aug 2013 #8

Than by all means post leftynyc Aug 2013 #13

If you don't cry over Hiroshima... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #18

Because "you" say so? leftynyc Aug 2013 #42

+1000. tumtum Aug 2013 #51

+1 000 000 000 kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #82

"I'll save my tears for those who didn't attack us and those families decimated by the Axis powers". whathehell Aug 2013 #153

Agreed. closeupready Aug 2013 #185

Another + 100,000. COLGATE4 Aug 2013 #196

You want to feel self righteous by having a guilt trip over it, go ahead. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #203

I think you meant to answer someone else leftynyc Aug 2013 #208

OOPS. Sorry. In long threads like this I sometimes respond to the wrong one. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #235

No Man is an Island Th1onein Aug 2013 #226

Is this satire? LordGlenconner Aug 2013 #71

Go look it up. Didn't you take history in school? Th1onein Aug 2013 #309

Irrational Revisionism... we dropped the bomb. Get over it. DontTreadOnMe Aug 2013 #398

As long as you won't justify the killing of my 14 relatives at pearl harbor. William769 Aug 2013 #7

Wait... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #11

Japan aligned themselves with Hitler leftynyc Aug 2013 #17

You're justifying Pearl Harbor? I call troll. nt geek tragedy Aug 2013 #24

I can justify... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #26

"preventative military strike" = troll nt geek tragedy Aug 2013 #30

Lol, I thought I = American policy. Phillyindy Aug 2013 #39

Was the incineration of Tokyo smaller, or just not a 'terrorist act'? cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #47

And Dresden. truebluegreen Aug 2013 #128

So your idea of justifying nuclear annihilation of cities... JackRiddler Aug 2013 #364

The largest single terrorist act in human history? tumtum Aug 2013 #61

Here's what I believe... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #74

NO. tumtum Aug 2013 #78

Which fact is wrong? Bombing the hell out of Japan was meant to terrorize them. Dawgs Aug 2013 #164

How about the rape of Nanking? Over 300,000 murdered by the Japanese, tumtum Aug 2013 #175

No. Terrorism and extermination are not the same thing. n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #258

Did... Lancero Aug 2013 #302

Still no. The extermination of the Jews was meant to exterminate them, not scare them. Dawgs Aug 2013 #338

The climate Lancero Aug 2013 #342

wrong spot. nt Javaman Aug 2013 #385

You're grasp of history of that time is just appalling Javaman Aug 2013 #386

The only thing that's appalling is your ability to read and comprehend. n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #395

Oh what a clever retort. Javaman Aug 2013 #397

Wasn't being clever, just honest and factual. Dawgs Aug 2013 #434

Gassing the hell out of innocent people. nt William769 Aug 2013 #343

Can't be terrorized when you're already dead. n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #379

Holy cow! Javaman Aug 2013 #388

No, if we wanted terror we'd have just kept with the firebombings jeff47 Aug 2013 #346

So you are really referring to the fire bombing of Tokyo 9 March 1945 hack89 Aug 2013 #96

I guess you never learned about Temujin. hobbit709 Aug 2013 #97

Hah. Spider Jerusalem Aug 2013 #144

I love how you guys Phillyindy Aug 2013 #149

"greatest terrorist act in history"... Spider Jerusalem Aug 2013 #156

I said single greatest... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #159

Plus, those weren't "terrorist" acts. They weren't meant to scare anyone. n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #168

You really believe that the use of atomic weapons wasn't meant to scare anyone? ET Awful Aug 2013 #378

You need to learn to read. My argument is that using atomic bombs WAS meant to terrorize. Dawgs Aug 2013 #380

You need to keep your snark in check. ET Awful Aug 2013 #383

You're right. It's my fault. n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #384

No? Spider Jerusalem Aug 2013 #170

You're quite free to leave, nobody's forcing you to post here. tumtum Aug 2013 #160

Well that does explain it. Phillyindy Aug 2013 #165

Yep. Seems to ultimately be the argument by many on this topic. n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #169

As opposed to yours and his arguments? tumtum Aug 2013 #180

Correct. I'm against killing anyone that's innocent. You, apparantely, are okay with it. n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #259

For me it does, and that's all that matters, tumtum Aug 2013 #171

I respect your feelings... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #182

Really? We are, we don't nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #191

Really? tumtum Aug 2013 #207

Wrong Again 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #222

It seems like you can't see the difference between soldier and innocent civilian. Dawgs Aug 2013 #261

If you have civilians ready to kill you, then no, tumtum Aug 2013 #275

Finally. Why didn't you say that a long time ago. 'During wartime, killing civilians is fine.' Dawgs Aug 2013 #279

Why should it have to have been said? tumtum Aug 2013 #282

Stopping further atrocities is not terrorizing rl6214 Aug 2013 #317

You are sort of correct. Jenoch Aug 2013 #224

It was a mass killing of mostly civilians. godai Aug 2013 #403

I love this revisionist history nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #70

+1 AngryOldDem Aug 2013 #124

It wasn't even the deadliest attack in WWII, much less history. nt hack89 Aug 2013 #85

LOL, "preventative" strike. Get your terms straight. Then we'll talk. nt DevonRex Aug 2013 #257

here's a shovel, keep digging... dionysus Aug 2013 #320

+ fucking 1 Dr. Strange Aug 2013 #12

A. Fucking. Men. William769. You rock. closeupready Aug 2013 #188

Could have been different 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #9

Wahahahahaha! They'd been talking surrender for MONTHS! Th1onein Aug 2013 #248

Read the original Post from Phillyindie 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #260

Crickets 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #272

You forgot the "I'm kidding" smilie cliffordu Aug 2013 #10

Please enlightened me... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #15

I don't think you are ready to hear this but estimates are that as many as 1 million U.S. HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #29

Japanese were talking surrender Phillyindy Aug 2013 #41

There were no official or formal peace negotiations going on, I'm sorry HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #54

because talking about something is the SAME THING as doing it, right? GalaxyHunter Aug 2013 #59

And while "talking surrender" they were MASSIVELY FORTIFYING Kyushu. For nothing??? Waiting For Everyman Aug 2013 #298

Don't bring in MacArthur. former9thward Aug 2013 #64

MacArthur was supreme Allied commander of Pacific forces. Without the decision to use HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #77

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #227

Truman was president both times. N/T GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #240

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #247

Right it was all political. former9thward Aug 2013 #312

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #328

Ike's comments were extremely political jeff47 Aug 2013 #345

No his comments were in 1945. former9thward Aug 2013 #347

Sorry, no. jeff47 Aug 2013 #393

And there were hundreds of people alive then who would know the truth. former9thward Aug 2013 #394

Because as I said above jeff47 Aug 2013 #396

The Japanese were getting ready to surrender. former9thward Aug 2013 #401

Japanese Emperor Hirohito disagrees with your revisionism. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #411

Yeah i guess Eisenhower, MacArthur were idiots. former9thward Aug 2013 #413

Hirohito was the one who did the surrendering. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #418

Except he did not surrender. former9thward Aug 2013 #424

Hirohito DID do the surrendering GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #427

Nice try at re-writing history. former9thward Aug 2013 #432

The Soviets were no threat to Japan. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #451

Silly ProfessorGAC Aug 2013 #55

I didn't realize... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #80

Hiroshima bombing yeoman6987 Aug 2013 #202

The Japanese alliance with the Nazis was sufficient for that, and it ENDED the war. kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #93

No it did not end the war. former9thward Aug 2013 #314

Total war is so far removed from current human memory... SidDithers Aug 2013 #16

Funny you don't mention that the first two cities to be firebombed were William769 Aug 2013 #28

We bombed Coventry and London? zipplewrath Aug 2013 #58

Are you serious? William769 Aug 2013 #69

Are you? zipplewrath Aug 2013 #79

Because the two are related. William769 Aug 2013 #83

Ha zipplewrath Aug 2013 #99

I was trying to think of British cities too... SidDithers Aug 2013 #179

war is hell, Rape of Nanking: 1937-1938 300,000 Deaths Baclava Aug 2013 #19

Uh huh, and America's response was... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #27

What do you suppose started the US-Japan war? cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #44

The economic sanctions that led to Pearl Harbor. nt hack89 Aug 2013 #86

i've scheduled it for tomorrow's 'two minutes guilt' markiv Aug 2013 #20

I hold you personally responsible for the Battle of Gettysburg. Orrex Aug 2013 #37

and i'm holding YOU responsible for any debauchery that may or may markiv Aug 2013 #40

I was young. I needed the money. Orrex Aug 2013 #49

lol nt markiv Aug 2013 #65

Oh, is it one of the DU Street Cred Development Days again? Dreamer Tatum Aug 2013 #21

So I guess Iraqi... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #34

Fail. Pathetic. nt Dreamer Tatum Aug 2013 #38

Can't see your hypocrisy, can you. Phillyindy Aug 2013 #62

Hypocrisy? tumtum Aug 2013 #76

I'm rubber, you're glue Wednesdays Aug 2013 #118

Why are you attacking this guy? Dawgs Aug 2013 #284

Thanks to the Israelis leftynyc Aug 2013 #48

Iraq yeoman6987 Aug 2013 #215

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #267

Iraq yeoman6987 Aug 2013 #344

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #391

The "highjackers" were Arab and Saddam had nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. Mnemosyne Aug 2013 #349

Victors get to try the losers for war crimes. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #230

Himmler committed suicide when his disguise was discovered. ryan_cats Aug 2013 #414

OK. Thanks. Substitute some other high Nazi that was hanged. N/T GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #419

Not enough unfortunately. ryan_cats Aug 2013 #475

Of all the various cruelties of Imperial Japan, its enslavement of Korean women HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #66

You can look at ghosts in the rear view mirror all you want. cherokeeprogressive Aug 2013 #22

I only wish it could have been done sooner. The Link Aug 2013 #31

Like, in 1861? Wednesdays Aug 2013 #120

A wide factual understanding of the history of strategic bombing and cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #32

really? NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #232

A successful 60+ year Godzilla franchise is all the justification I need Orrex Aug 2013 #33

Although the Godzilla film with Matthew Broderick... Dr. Strange Aug 2013 #50

That film does not exist. Orrex Aug 2013 #53

That was a crime. I ended up rooting for Godzilla, a comet, anything to kill those wretched actors! freshwest Aug 2013 #333

You must watch pacific rim nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #75

Won't get to see it on the big screen, alas Orrex Aug 2013 #103

We did...for some odd reason it was a hit in Japan nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #106

Good film? My grandsons are itching to see it, hopefully at the local drivein! Mnemosyne Aug 2013 #351

That is perfect for a drive in nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #355

Thanks nadin. They are 12 & 13, perfect for that age group then, but sounds very loud going by the Mnemosyne Aug 2013 #358

It is a tad loud nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #359

I watch the genre with the two oldest grandsons. Their reactions and comments are hysterical. Mnemosyne Aug 2013 #472

Get them the seven samurai by Kurosawa nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #473

We recently watched The Sorcerer and the White Snake, awesome film! I will hunt down Kurosawa's Mnemosyne Aug 2013 #474

You're right. War, especially war against civilians, is always immoral. Tierra_y_Libertad Aug 2013 #36

Splittin' Hairs zipplewrath Aug 2013 #63

Splitting hairs???? Phillyindy Aug 2013 #68

So what were all the innocent Chinese and other Asians the Japanese butchered, tortured to death, an kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #100

No.... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #111

No idea what you're trying to leftynyc Aug 2013 #206

In total war, there are no civilians. Everyone is a target. N/T GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #255

OMG. What the fuck is "total war"? n/t Dawgs Aug 2013 #264

World War Two was such a war. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #283

You sure you're in the right place? War is war. I don't give shit how big or how nice. Dawgs Aug 2013 #287

"Total war" means... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #288

And it's simply not possible to make war without civilian casualties. Orsino Aug 2013 #158

What war has never involved civilians ? lumpy Aug 2013 #304

Some truth ... Koios Aug 2013 #43

And it was the only option? Phillyindy Aug 2013 #88

No; merely the best option ... Koios Aug 2013 #119

'drop a nuke on one of Japan's many uninhabited islands as a warning' markiv Aug 2013 #46

They considered that nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #89

Very true ... plus ... Koios Aug 2013 #134

Very true nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #137

What the heck prompted this thread anyway? Skidmore Aug 2013 #52

Check your calendar Orrex Aug 2013 #56

This message was self-deleted by its author Junkdrawer Aug 2013 #114

The bombung of Hiroshima was all about sending a message to the world, we are the World's number one JRLeft Aug 2013 #57

The Japanese were NOT talking about surrender. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #60

My father was in the Pacific during all that time and as I asked, he explained. freshwest Aug 2013 #147

Thank you, I had forgotten that interview. tumtum Aug 2013 #197

Yes they were, target New York nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #249

Factually incorrect post. The Japanese were NOTtalking surrender. TeamPooka Aug 2013 #67

Simple question then...what IS justified? brooklynite Aug 2013 #72

That is it, isn't it? I asked upthread what the OP would have had Truman HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #102

Apparently people are OK with killing innocent civilians. RedCappedBandit Aug 2013 #73

Those weren't innocent civilians. tumtum Aug 2013 #87

If they were willing to have their population annihilated, why didn't they? RedCappedBandit Aug 2013 #95

Right on. RebelOne Aug 2013 #126

Do you know how silly that sounds? Of course they would defend themselves against an invading liberal_at_heart Aug 2013 #152

Yes they were. godai Aug 2013 #405

No, they weren't. tumtum Aug 2013 #409

If you're so convinced, why the anger? godai Aug 2013 #415

I'm not angry, tumtum Aug 2013 #420

You sound angry. godai Aug 2013 #422

Not angry, disgusted. tumtum Aug 2013 #423

So, are you just as disgusted at the Germans? godai Aug 2013 #426

So you admit that the Japanese murdered/killed/slaughtered millions of civilians? tumtum Aug 2013 #428

We were not in a 'fight for our lives and survival' on August 6, 1945. Japan had lost the war. n/t godai Aug 2013 #429

I'm talking about the totality of WWII. tumtum Aug 2013 #430

This message was self-deleted by its author godai Aug 2013 #431

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2013 #425

Innocent civilians have been killed for as long as war has existed. We didn't start the trend. kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #108

Interesting. RedCappedBandit Aug 2013 #115

Innocent? 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #132

So you're guilty of Bush's war crimes? RedCappedBandit Aug 2013 #140

Boy that was Predictable 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #143

So because we failed to stop Bush, the victims of his crimes RedCappedBandit Aug 2013 #155

That's EXACTLY what they are saying. Dawgs Aug 2013 #157

They already think that 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #176

The Japanese were certainly OK with it nt treestar Aug 2013 #201

I just wish that we had been in a position to nuke Berlin a few years earlier. Nye Bevan Aug 2013 #84

How's that comfy armchair? Sotf Aug 2013 #90

Geez, read a few of these threads Hydra Aug 2013 #91

Welcome to the club of "Blame America First, Last and Always". MicaelS Aug 2013 #92

True Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #116

One of the many from people who were there. 4Q2u2 Aug 2013 #104

So what is your point? You just cherry pick one event and think yourself a genius? Rex Aug 2013 #107

One could argue that the dropping of the bomb saved a million Japanese lives Vinnie From Indy Aug 2013 #109

If you discount the testimony of Smedley Butler then all is justifiable think Aug 2013 #112

Os, so it was the United States fault Japan invaded China MicaelS Aug 2013 #123

This is a quote from one of the most decorated Marines of our times think Aug 2013 #127

Yes uncalled for and I think said poster doesn't know what Rex Aug 2013 #146

US historical involvement in war is complex and mostly unknown think Aug 2013 #173

I agree, we never went in-depth into war when I was teaching Rex Aug 2013 #184

More on US Japanese relations pre WW2 think Aug 2013 #151

War Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #113

Everybody sing: "We've done it before and we will do it again" Junkdrawer Aug 2013 #117

+1,000 malaise Aug 2013 #121

Pure and ignorant ... Koios Aug 2013 #129

Whatever malaise Aug 2013 #135

Terrorism ... it was ... Koios Aug 2013 #138

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2013 #133

Horrible thing to be sure. Justifisble? A debatable point. Thankful someone made geckosfeet Aug 2013 #136

Yes; justifiable ... Koios Aug 2013 #141

It was terrorism. Plain and simple. There is no justification for deliberetaly bombing civilians. liberal_at_heart Aug 2013 #139

I have never lied to myself about Hiroshima, LWolf Aug 2013 #148

yup nt La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2013 #162

We do not have the right to judge certain historical events perdita9 Aug 2013 #172

Wow. did I miss a meeting or something? eggplant Aug 2013 #177

No. Richardo Aug 2013 #213

I can't decide who is trolling whom. eggplant Aug 2013 #322

Happens every year at the anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. n/t godai Aug 2013 #407

I've been a member for ages, but this is the first time I've seen this level of crazy about this. eggplant Aug 2013 #410

To the people on the ground, which was worse hobbit709 Aug 2013 #183

Truman had to consider JaneFordA Aug 2013 #186

My grandfather survived the bataan death march iandhr Aug 2013 #187

Wouldn't that be like taking out a gun but not shooting to kill? treestar Aug 2013 #189

You have the use of guns confused. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #273

Agreed Mr Dixon Aug 2013 #192

C'mon Libs adicortez Aug 2013 #193

Scary that most here... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #198

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #199

Www.humanevents.com. Enjoy. Phillyindy Aug 2013 #204

Uh - no leftynyc Aug 2013 #220

I recommended that site... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #228

While I'm thoroughly disgusted by you leftynyc Aug 2013 #256

Please... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #266

For Heaven's sake leftynyc Aug 2013 #271

Lol, for someone with no guilt... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #274

Do you really think this is new? leftynyc Aug 2013 #281

Yep...American historians are... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #286

But, Iraq was different. Dawgs Aug 2013 #291

That you can compare the two leftynyc Aug 2013 #295

The only thing I compared... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #300

Yawn leftynyc Aug 2013 #316

One hardly needs... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #319

60 years later leftynyc Aug 2013 #321

In 50 years it will still be part of the record treestar Aug 2013 #332

We were dragged kicking and screaming into WWI and WWII treestar Aug 2013 #331

Far more died sabbat hunter Aug 2013 #210

IIRC, didn't the US firebombs kill lots more people? MynameisBlarney Aug 2013 #216

yes, the firebombing of Tokyo killed a lot more people NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #229

"There was mostly evil intent in all those bombings including the atomic bombings..." EX500rider Aug 2013 #306

I know it was war, and a nasty one at that. But those bombings were malicious and cruel beyond NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #444

"But those bombings were malicious and cruel beyond normal rules of war." EX500rider Aug 2013 #462

They had warning shawn703 Aug 2013 #223

What the leaflets we dropped on them said: EX500rider Aug 2013 #308

Comments here are truly... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #225

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #231

I think we've found something treestar Aug 2013 #251

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #278

Lol, apes with iphones Phillyindy Aug 2013 #292

No, it says far more about you. Zoeisright Aug 2013 #336

Lol, ok "Zoe is right". Haha Phillyindy Aug 2013 #337

Nobody here's thrilled to have dropped the bombs NuclearDem Aug 2013 #233

Thank you. MynameisBlarney Aug 2013 #246

No it is not. RedSpartan Aug 2013 #234

I will place my masters in history nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #236

This message was self-deleted by its author ieoeja Aug 2013 #237

I prefer "aPes with iPhones." Orrex Aug 2013 #254

No one APPLAUDS them, and your use of that word excuses you from any serious conversation. Dreamer Tatum Aug 2013 #250

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2013 #296

When you're trying to troll, you need to be careful jeff47 Aug 2013 #310

I'll never forget learning about LittleGirl Aug 2013 #242

Mina no tame no inori AsahinaKimi Aug 2013 #243

Thank you. That is a beautiful sentiment. think Aug 2013 #269

You are welcome AsahinaKimi Aug 2013 #270

Very lovely. Sometimes the innocence of children think Aug 2013 #294

I was going to ignore this post initially because it seemed kind of obvious NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #245

It's been a real... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #252

I know what you mean... there are good people here but NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #445

Side bar about your picture... GalaxyHunter Aug 2013 #253

It was more about peace and not making war NoMoreWarNow Aug 2013 #446

So you'd choose the option that would kill 10-50M instead? jeff47 Aug 2013 #311

Thanks for posting this, Phillyindy. darkangel218 Aug 2013 #263

You may not be aware of a few things wercal Aug 2013 #265

What are your thoughts on the firebombing of Tokyo? Socal31 Aug 2013 #276

Take an enema, it will help with the backlog of your sanctimonious crap. branford Aug 2013 #277

from a wider perspective (wider even than the facts that the USSR took Manchuria in 11 DAYS MisterP Aug 2013 #280

Quarterback all you want Japan was a war culture... Historic NY Aug 2013 #285

Thank you for taking a stand for morality jimlup Aug 2013 #303

Convenient and far too simple. branford Aug 2013 #307

You are just attacking me. jimlup Aug 2013 #313

If you believe the decision to drop the bombs was simple, branford Aug 2013 #327

What the hell difference does it make if it's 1 bomb killing 100,000 people... Richardo Aug 2013 #330

Is war immoral under all circumstances? nt nyquil_man Aug 2013 #335

It's easy to... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #323

I'm not. That's the point. branford Aug 2013 #325

I don't disagree with your point, but it does demonstrate a level of naivet� that Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #340

By starting a new thread to play armchair historian you are kidding yourself davidpdx Aug 2013 #350

My only complaint all along is that they chose non military targets Warpy Aug 2013 #354

It's inarguable that innocent people died. It's also inarguable that absolutely guilty people died. Gravitycollapse Aug 2013 #361

So incinerating hundreds of thousands of innocent women, children and babies in Tokyo was ok? DCBob Aug 2013 #363

Nanking. . .quit lying to yourselves. Nanjing to Seoul Aug 2013 #370

Gotta' love these 21st Century Quarterbacks - lynne Aug 2013 #373

I'm of two minds about this DemocratSinceBirth Aug 2013 #374

Thanks for the post. Funny how this debate has suffered the OJ trial phenomenon... rwsanders Aug 2013 #387

American politicians are elected to protect and save American lives. branford Aug 2013 #390

I don't see that in the constituion and that is in direct contradiction to the principals set forth rwsanders Aug 2013 #435

I believe the atomic bombing were both horrific as well as necessary and correct. branford Aug 2013 #436

I believe more in Kirk's answer to the Kobayashi Maru, always another option, but in context rwsanders Aug 2013 #441

In the 1980s I got to know a pilot who was Japanese POW in WW II Botany Aug 2013 #389

I'm **speculating** here ... not trying to justify nor to discern motive: Martin Eden Aug 2013 #392

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2013 #399

Funny How Mr.CT Aug 2013 #402

Oh boy, WW2 talk... iamthebandfanman Aug 2013 #404

it was a terrorist act, plain and simple stupidicus Aug 2013 #406

Speaking of apologies... lumberjack_jeff Aug 2013 #408

Hiroshima Peace Museum godai Aug 2013 #416

We should thank Japan... ryan_cats Aug 2013 #421

war is never justified quaker bill Aug 2013 #447

Imagine how many lives would have been saved if... yawnmaster Aug 2013 #454

rec. SammyWinstonJack Aug 2013 #456

Baloney duffyduff Aug 2013 #458

It's well-established that the Japanese were ready to surrender... Jeff In Milwaukee Aug 2013 #468

Read this book. oneshooter Aug 2013 #467