Frownland

I'm of the belief that Hiroshima was unwarranted. The whole saving more lives than it cost reeks of bull**** to me.

__________________

Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

The Batlord

I think in reality it's about not wanting to sacrifice so many, many American lives. You gotta think of it in context of the times. After four years of friends and family coming back in body bags by the thousands I'd probably be willing to drop the bomb rather than risk them coming back in the millions. Especially after hearing about things like the Bataan Death March and Nanjing.

__________________

Frownland

It could have been avoided if the US wasn't vying for an unconditional surrender. I understand the intent, but I think it could have been carried out in a more humane way.

__________________

Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Stonedtone

I have to agree. The massive deaths that occurred were way more than any Japan assault on the US could have done. I have to say, I think in the long run, it was best for the world that it happened. It's only happened once and the world saw the horror of it. That will always play a role in perceptions that a nuke war is winnable

Frownland

I don't know about that. It did have a hand in inciting the Cold War. Without the Cold War the military industrial complex probably (assumption) would not be as prevalent in the US, not to mention the series of internal conflicts that the Cold War brought about (Vietnam, Korea, etc.)

__________________

Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Wpnfire

Hmm, well I believe it was the right choice. The Japanese rarely surendered, if ever. I think the U.S. would have had to take every single Japanese base with overwhelming force before the Japanese even considered surrendering.

__________________

Last.FM

My RYM Ratings

My Glitchwave Beta Profile

Frownland

Allegedly, the Japanese was willing to surrender by the terms of the Potsdam Declaration with conditions, but the allies were bent on an unconditional surrender. I think the media also incorrectly portrayed the Japanese as being in "the dark ages" as you put it. Take into consideration the overwhelming dissent for the Japanese that many Americans held at the time and it's pretty plausible that they'd eat up any negative facts about them.

__________________

Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Necromancer

The United States and Japan have been the first and second largest economies since the early 70's, but this year, there was a change with China taking over the position occupied so long by Japan. With that said, the modern Japan of today only uses military forces for self defense purposes only. Maybe if we had invaded instead of dropping the bomb while wasting countless American and allied lives in the process, Japan might rank as the number one largest economy in the world today. Isn't all out World War hell when you're on the losing side.

The Batlord

Obviously there were American self-interest and vengeance reasons for this, but still, they had just invaded about half of Asia and were pretty douchey about it too. I might have wanted them crushed into dust at the time too.

__________________