58 years ago today
Links August 6th, 2003 |August 6th marks the 58th anniversary of the A-bomb being dropped on Hiroshima….
[…] Arguably the bombing was the most significant event of the 20th Century, and one of the most controversial decisions ever made by a world leader. In a matter of moments, Japan and America were inexorably linked by one of the greatest horrors of history, which neither side really wanted to look in the face. […] As early as 1940, Japan was working on its own nuclear bomb, but after the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the country officially expressed its revulsion at nuclear arms and vowed never to acquire them. Times change. Debate has arisen in Japan as to whether or not they should seek to develop a nuclear weapons program in light of recent developments in North Korea. […] Ironically (and very likely coincidentally), top U.S. officials met secretly this week in Omaha to discuss expanding America’s nuclear arsenal.
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p>— Plastic: Those Who Forget The Blast Are Doomed To Repeat It
(via Jeremy)
[See also: Korea ready to go nuclear? | North Korea | More rumblings from Korea | Bomb your hometown | Another lie ]
One Response to “58 years ago today”
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Pythoner
jan
spunkycomics
Michael Hanscom
Ryan Waddell
August 7th, 2003 at 6:18 am
As bad as it sounds I believe at the time dropping the bomb was a good idea. The Japanese had made it clear in the pacific islands that they would fight to the last man standing, the Japanese people at home were sworn to give their life for the Emperor. Surrender simply was not an option.
Many people believe the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war, it did not. The people of Japan under the leadership of the Emperor were prepared to continue the fight.
When Washington realized the Japan was still not willing to surrender they put together a mission to send 8,000 B-52’s to over-fly the imperial palace. The dropped no bombs they didn’t even drop leaflets. Nothing, they simply flew over the palace.
But the intent was clear “One bomb one city” we have 8,000 planes flying over your country. We didn’t have 8,000 bombs but they didn’t know that and the sight of all those American planes flying over the palace was such a show of force the Emperor realized he simply had no choice.
WW II is a dark chapter in the history of many countries including the USA it would have been nice if we had been able to learn from it, but it appears we have not. Mr Bush ! Are you listening?