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In reply to the discussion: Some facts on dropping the two bombs [View all]AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)38. In fairness...
"Japan was ready to capitulate and was arguing for a conditional surrender to retain their emperor. Obviously, they unconditionally surrendered, but still got to keep their emperor. There was no need to use the bombs."
Nobody in the US command knew that for certain. Some suspected. Some may have even believed it to be true, but until the deal was done, that was not certain. Recall that the ship that delivered the bombs to the forward operating point didn't survive the war. Japan was still inflicting casualties. And insofar as honest negotiations, at least some members of the US government were likely biased to believe offers of surrender/negotiations, precisely because of the manner in which the war started. (Pearl Harbor)
Nobody in the US command knew that for certain. Some suspected. Some may have even believed it to be true, but until the deal was done, that was not certain. Recall that the ship that delivered the bombs to the forward operating point didn't survive the war. Japan was still inflicting casualties. And insofar as honest negotiations, at least some members of the US government were likely biased to believe offers of surrender/negotiations, precisely because of the manner in which the war started. (Pearl Harbor)
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It was the first time in history the vast majority of Japanese people had ever heard his voice.
AtheistCrusader
Aug 2013
#32
The people of Hiroshima were busy ripping down their own homes, digging bunkers
AtheistCrusader
Aug 2013
#48
I'd sign the Szilárd petition then nail it to the totem pole you squat on everyday here.
miyazaki
Aug 2013
#41
Nadine, they were negotiating peace with us before we dropped the bomb on them.
Th1onein
Aug 2013
#60
Incidentally, we risked lives and the success of the mission to warn civilians out of the cities.
AtheistCrusader
Aug 2013
#54
If the US hadn't used them first, somebody would have wanted to use them later.
reformist2
Aug 2013
#55
#4: an airburst at 10,000 ft is pretty much the opposite of "targeting". n/t
DisgustipatedinCA
Aug 2013
#70
You're right about the altitude, but from 1950 or from 10,000, precision is not the main benefit
DisgustipatedinCA
Aug 2013
#75
THE DECISION TO USE THE ATOMIC BOMB - For those looking for more than the status quo opinion
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
Aug 2013
#73