why does the usa hate fidel

[Mike Cl]

Again though... all I really ask is that America admit they made the wrong choice. We have never apologized for the war crimes we committed in Japan (and other countries)... how many of the "evil" countries have beaten us at that? How many of the "evil" countries continue to say that their war crimes were justified... find reason after reason while it made sense.

Again... I don't want some time machine to change what happened... I want Americans to be honest about what happened like most other countries do. We learn from our mistakes from acknowledging them and not from denying their was any alternative and that we were right to make it.

If you have followed what I have written about US foreign policy in the past, you would realize that I do not rubber stamp our policy in the least.  We have, as a country, done evil in my eyes.  And way too often.  But in this case it seems to me you are using the 'time machine' thinking here, in that you are looking at Truman's choice with today's eyes.  I think he really was in a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation.  He chose to come down on the Japanese with an untried weapon of such power that it was not really conceivable to him at the time just how powerful and world changing it was.  He did know how the Japanese military and civilians acted in war and how, even near surrender was still very dangerous.  In the world of sports, it is an axiom that went you have your opponent down, go for the kill.  I have seen many times when that was not followed and the nearly defeated opponent got up off the matt and found new life and won or almost won the game.  I think Truman felt he was faced with this situation--how to defeat the Japanese so they knew they were defeated.  And he did.  I don't see the Japanese nation as helpless as you do at that point in time.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If the Japanese aren't hapless victims then the US isn't so evil, and we can't have that, now can we?

[Shiranu]

But in this case it seems to me you are using the 'time machine' thinking here, in that you are looking at Truman's choice with today's eyes.

The morals I look at these situations with are about 2300 years older than Truman... so I don't think that is really applicable.

If the Japanese aren't hapless victims then the US isn't so evil, and we can't have that, now can we?

That hypocritical hole just keeps digging itself deeper and deeper...

[Mike Cl]

The morals I look at these situations with are about 2300 years older than Truman... so I don't think that is really applicable.

That hypocritical hole just keeps digging itself deeper and deeper...

I simply disagree with your point of view.

[Shiranu]

I'm alright with that.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb

[Mike Cl]

The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb

Good site--I'd missed that one.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Good site--I'd missed that one.

Just filled with quotes of glee as the monsters planned to incinerate the poor Japanese. Quite a jolly read, all in all.

[Shiranu]

Just filled with quotes of glee as the monsters planned to incinerate the poor Japanese. Quite a jolly read, all in all.

I guess you just have to result to intentional hypocrisy now to just say you were doing it all along...

[Baruch]

The British-US discussion of this matter is informative. Got it somewhere in that maze of bookcases behind me.

Britain was concerned about Japan, because China, because Hong Kong.  And at one time Japan and Britain were allies ... the Japanese were fools to abandon that.

[Baruch]

So let me get this straight... committing various war crimes against them and encouraging it =/= who cares? But saying we shouldn't be the one's doing the killing = who cares?

Man dat logic doe.

Obama the First does war crimes, right now.  It hasn't changed, according to time, geography or leadership.  War is a crime.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Britain was concerned about Japan, because China, because Hong Kong.  And at one time Japan and Britain were allies ... the Japanese were fools to abandon that.

Antony Best, Britain, Japan, and Pearl Harbor. Good read.

[Baruch]

Again though... all I really ask is that America admit they made the wrong choice. We have never apologized for the war crimes we committed in Japan (and other countries)... how many of the "evil" countries have beaten us at that? How many of the "evil" countries continue to say that their war crimes were justified... find reason after reason while it made sense.

Again... I don't want some time machine to change what happened... I want Americans to be honest about what happened like most other countries do. We learn from our mistakes from acknowledging them and not from denying their was any alternative and that we were right to make it.

We made the wrong choice, revolting from King George ... we are traitorous and heretical criminals.  You are not Han Solo, America isn't the Galactic Empire, and the President isn't Emperor Palpatine ... though I do think Dick Cheney is Darth Vader ;-)

[Baruch]

The morals I look at these situations with are about 2300 years older than Truman... so I don't think that is really applicable.

That hypocritical hole just keeps digging itself deeper and deeper...

Yes, an atheist who has a Christ complex then?  Ironic, yes?  If you want to be pure, go join a monastery (W or E).  I mean that seriously and in a friendly way.  Maybe that is the path you need to take.  It was an alternative path I chose not to take, because I don't believe in pacifism.  You don't need to spend your life moralizing how everyone but you is an asshole.  And by all means, never get involved in politics, or your monk's robe will get pizza stains.

[Shiranu]

Yes, an atheist who has a Christ complex then?  Ironic, yes?  If you want to be pure, go join a monastery (W or E).  I mean that seriously and in a friendly way.  Maybe that is the path you need to take.  It was an alternative path I chose not to take, because I don't believe in pacifism.  You don't need to spend your life moralizing how everyone but you is an asshole.  And by all means, never get involved in politics, or your monk's robe will get pizza stains.

I've considered taking up the monastic life, but I gotta get outta school first. Maybe one or two more heart breaks as well.