Atomic Bomb effects still linger

[The Northerner]

Run time: 04:13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaYhCg4s7Pg   Posted on YouTube: August 09, 2011 By YouTube Member: RTAmerica Views on YouTube: 1316   Posted on DU: August 10, 2011 By DU Member: The Northerner Views on DU: 1241

 
It has been 66 years since the US dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in the midst of World War II. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the first and only cities that have been attacked in this horrific way. Many believe the effects of these weapons of mass destruction still loom. Have we learned anything from this historic moment? Jacob Hornberger, president of The Future of Freedom Foundation, explains what we have learned.

[ZombieHorde]

1. Recommended. Thanks for posting this.

Too many people support the targeting of civilians.

[Confusious]

2. Crap

Truman changed the conditions at Potsdam so the emperor could stay on the throne.

The Japanese rejected the conditions.

After the bomb, they accepted the conditions.

[ZombieHorde]

3. Japan was seeking peace before they were nuked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_of_Japan

[Confusious]

5. Yes they were

But none of them "official" because the military would never surrender. The only reason they did is after two atomic bombs dropped on them the emperor intervened, the only person the military would listen to.

Oh, and part of those "terms" that the Japanese wanted, and were seeking before, were not giving up any territory, not laying down arms, and no occupation.

The "no occupation" and "no laying down arms" clauses were still on the table after the bombs.

So the peace overtures were really a joke.

[chervilant]

4. Sadly,

the vast majority of this nation's citizenry has been fed a steady pablum of patriotic propaganda, all the way through high school. Sadder yet, many among us cling tenaciously to this perverted patriotism.

Thus, each time the subject arises of dropping those nuclear bombs on Japan, defenders of the Benevolent and Awesome Grand America get their wee panties in a wad.

I would encourage such individuals to read Walter LaFeber's 'The American Age,' and ponder why virtually every other person on the planet thinks US citizens are clueless, arrogant, GREEDY wankers.

Then, perhaps these poor souls might consider how many other industrialized nations have universal health care, how many other nations provide five weeks or more paid vacation, how many other nations have lengthy PAID maternity leaves, and how many OTHER nations fully subsidize college or trade school educations (Michael Moore's "Capitalism, A Love Story" is a great tragicomedy documentary on this).

You think there's not a connection (addressing the poor wee souls now...)?! Our citizens are among the most poorly educated, ego-inflated, easily manipulated, propaganda snarfing, hate-mongering and fear-mongering souls on this planet!

Look how handily we've been trained to regurgitate militaristic propaganda: Japan "deserved what they got!" Or, how about, "Japan and Germany kinda f***ed up," as though this justifies using nuclear weapons on two heavily populated cities, and killing civilians, some of whom likely did NOT support their government's attack on the US.

As our species witnesses the inception of our own extinction event (hint: if you're in doubt about this, look at how rapidly climate change is f**ing up our planet's agrarian resources), I pity those among us who persist in thumping their chests when confronted with the embarrassing reality of our 'great' nation's relentless swagger as the Big Bully in the World's Sandbox. Is it REALLY something about which we can be proud?!

[Confusious]

6. Umm, the bombing was 66 years ago

That same generation elected FDR. social security. great society. You're equating today's Americans with yesteryear's Americans.

I don't know if you noticed, but Germany and Japan killed hundreds of millions of people.

So we should have only target those people that supported the governments, or not targeted civilians at all, like those who worked in war industries? Completely legal under the Geneva conventions.

OOOO, how about someone who didn't support the government, but worked in the the war industry? What about them?

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chervilant]

8. hmm...

That same generation elected FDR. created the social security system, and are known historically as the 'great society.' You're equating today's Americans with yesteryear's Americans.

I don't know if you noticed, but Germany and Japan killed hundreds of millions of people. (you might want to avoid hyperbole--it doesn't strengthen your argument...)

So we should have only targeted those people who supported the governments? Perhaps we should not have targeted civilians at all, like those who worked in war industries? Completely legal under the Geneva conventions. (Sentence fragments are inadvisable...)

OOOO, how about someone who didn't support the government, but worked in the the war industry? What about them?

And, thanks for making my point, repeatedly.

[Confusious]

9. You got all that from one post

Arrogant indeed.

Oh, sorry. 58 million to 76 million deaths. But you know, what's a few millions deaths. hyperbole?

maybe you cam give me more English criticisms in lieu of facts.