CALDONIA

Yeah, Mageth,

I concede your point about the indifference from the military/adminisration in regard to concern as to the effects of launching a nuclear weapon on a civilian population. Pretty ugly.

But my argument is that in the context of the times it would be astonishing that such a weapon would not be used given all the years of war and suffering and propaganda that the population had endured.

Therefore, the question is not really "Why Did We Drop the Bomb?" but rather, "What would have convinced us not to drop the Bomb?"

Funny, years later men who were assigned to "clean" off the nukes navy vessels off the atolls dies of all kinds of cancer. I don't think that was forseen either.

Jolimont

How would you like a nuclear bomb dropped on your town?

Mageth

But my argument is that in the context of the times it would be astonishing that such a weapon would not be used given all the years of war and suffering and propaganda that the population had endured.

I think that's a valid consideration. One thing many sometimes forget in this argument is that we have the advantage (or disadvantage) of a hindsight view of the decision through the fog of 45 years of Cold War, nuclear proliferation, and the effects of the decision both on the civilian population of Japan and on the world in general. Truman did not have that hindsight to work with, and was therefore basically flying by the seat of his pants.

Mageth

How would you like a nuclear bomb dropped on your town?

This is but an emotional appeal. Who here has said they like nuclear bombs and what they do to people or towns???

Bumble Bee Tuna

What magical properties does the word "war" have that allows killing innocents to be justified?

Jolimont

Emotions are a big part of the human condition. I see no reason to discard that aspect of our being off hand. There are things we shouldn't do because they are horrifying on an emotional level.

Mageth

Well, that may or may not be true, but it's hardly a valid argument when discussing an event that took place some 58 years ago.

Nowhere357

IMO this was the largest act of terrorism (deliberate attack against civilians for political gain) in the history of the world.

Terrorism is unethical.

That said, I do not claim that we "shouldn't" have dropped the bombs. Hindsight is too easy; second-guessing is a fool's game; and sometimes we have to choose the lesser of evils.

Jolimont

I'm not asking about 58 years ago. I'm asking you how you'd like to have a nuclear bomb fall on your head today.

fatherphil

unfortunately the surrender of japan was not forthcoming without it.