The Horror...
AP - HIROSHIMA, Japan - With water and flowers for the dead, Hiroshima is remembering how a flash in the early morning sky 60 years ago turned life to death for more than 140,000 people and forever changed the face of war. To mark the 60th anniversary Saturday of the world's first atomic bomb attack, tens of thousands were expected at Peace Memorial Park, the spiritual epicenter of the global anti-nuclear movement for one day each year.
Of course, it's easy to second-guess what happened 60 years ago, but besides the fact that there are no "do overs" in real life...what was done, although killing hundreds of thousands, saved millions.
Recently some heretofore unreleased intelligence has come to light regarding the state of affairs back then. Apparently Truman was sworn to secrecy regarding the actual situation "on the ground":
"Newly opened archives of radio intercepts of messages between Tokyo and its diplomats abroad, which President Truman was sworn never to talk about, ever, reveal that the Japanese generals and their emperor did not consider themselves defeated..."
(to read the source of the excerpt in its entirety, click here)
More excellent commentary here:
60 Years Later Considering Hiroshima
(by Victor Davis Hanson>
Although it happened a dozen years before I was born, the world will never forget what happened during those fateful 3 days...nor should it.
Hopefully it will never happen again, but there are many who would gladly unleash such a horrific force again, all in the name of a religion of peace...
posted by camojack | 19:29
16 Comments:
For sure, Truman made the right decision, and if he were alive today...Harry S. Truman would NOT be a Democrat! There wasn't a whiny, back-pedalling bone in his body, unlike the lib-dems of today.
And btw, this "religion of peace" nonsense makes me want to throw up. Either the average, everyday "Mohammeds" can stand up and denounce their radical bretheren, or be counted as being on the side of the Islamofascists. Tony Blair "gets it", as per his brilliant speech yesterday. Our "leaders" need to "get it" here, too.
'da Bunny:
I remember seeing "Give 'em Hell, Harry" many years ago in the movie theatre. Interesting l'il one man show from '75, starring James Whitmore. Real "rabble rouser" of a flick...
Of course I agree with you regarding the "religion of peace" business; if it were true, the Koran wouldn't preach smiting infidels, etc. Nothing peaceful about smiting, y'know?
Kajun:
Was I giving too much credit to Truman? If so, how? I only said he made the decision to use the bomb(s).
Also, I mentioned a movie about him, but all I said about that was that it was interesting. Remember the ancient Chinese curse?
If what I read is correct, the Imperial War Staff continued to tell the Emperor that they weren't defeated, even after 140,000 people had been incinerated in that blinding instant. He went and took a look, and the world changed in that moment.
"Bock's Car" missed their drop, and the second device detonated in a valley that shielded Nagasaki. The death toll was still staggering, but nowhere near the million troops estimated to become casualties in a conventional invasion, had Hirohito not seen the light (no pun intended).
Alfred Hitchcock and George Stevens both shot film at the drop sites, days after the fact.
The distinguished gentleman from Colorado is catching heat for his suggestion that when one of these things goes off here, we should reply in kind to a "holy city" in the Mideast. For all our saber-rattling, we and the the Soviets had too much sense to use something as horrible as thermonuclear devices. The Islamofacists have no such scruples. It's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when".
Closing the border might forestall this holocaust, but then, we all like our lettuce for cheap, eh?
I'm sure someone has used this analogy before, but we've let the genie out of the bottle so to speak, and it won't go back in. Let's just hope the genie doesn't grant our enemies even one wish.
The trotting Possum:
The problem with replying in kind is that we aren't at war with a specific country...although Saudi Arabia has been a big supporter of this so-called holy war.
Kajun:
Perhaps Truman was given more credit than he deserves, perhaps not. The decision he made in this instance seems to have been the correct one, however.
Hawkeye®:
We can only hope, yes...
kajun, I agree that Truman is given too much credit in many areas. I like the fact that he made the decision to drop the bombs, and never looked back. Thanks to the release of the top-secret cables from the Venona Project, we now KNOW that pro-Soviet Communist spies were high-ranking officials in FDR's and Truman's administrations. Alger Hiss, anyone?
As in an earlier post, two Grandpa's in the Pacific, one got a purple, thanks to a Nip mortar. They always concurred (on one thing!) The bomb saved millions.
Possum's right not "if, but when"
I as President(good luck, Libby)would target Holy sites and capitals. An errant child needs to be reighned in. The muslim community needs to step up or face the destruction these cowardly fools offer...
Libby Gone™:
Regarding the targeting of holy sites and capitals, the problem (as I've already said) is that we aren't at war with a specific country, but rather with people who have been deluded into thinking that their cause is a holy one.
So go after the Parents (Holy sites and Capitals).
If my chitlins screw up, best come talk to me. If I allow them or encourage them to screw up,BEAT MY ASS!
I was never afraid of police or teachers or the" principle" or anyone. I KNEW if I screwed up Mom or Dad would tear up my young ass.
I didn't screw up.
Honestly, this is only an analogy.
Please don't think I want you to come over and beat my ass. I'm married, get enough of that.(snicker snicker tee hee don't tell Mrs. Gone!)
When you get a moment,and the other Scrappers, I need some insite on how to set up links, etc.
THANKS FOR ALL!
Libby Gone™:
I think your analogy is too simplistic...I only wish it were that easy.
Camo,
Yea you are probably right. Either way I hope we don't have to experience this. I really would not want to have to make that awful decision.
Libby Gone™:
Unfortunately, as was mentioned previously, it's probably more when than if; Iran has resumed their uranium processing, allegedly for a nuclear powerplant. Hopefully they have a revolution there soon, or we'll have to do something about it...
I agree a revolution would save us alot of trouble. From what I hear the younger Iranians like American culture and goods. Much like the young Ruskies did and that helped bring down the CCCP. Where's a good Shah when you need him?
Libby Gone™:
The revolution will come someday, in a lot of countries that have been suffering under the oppressive boot heel of tyranny...all because of da 'Net.
People the world over are learning that things are not as they've been told.
Hopefully, it'll happen sooner, rather than later...
<< Home