Thinking about the sheer number of civilians and military that died that day anybody with a heart would feel their heart sink to their feet. On the other hand - ...
Quoted from (e:Joshua)
I was going to ignore this but I just couldn't. Joshua, I have honestly lost all respect for you. I have tried to put aside political differences we have had in order to try and see past the party lines into the man you are. However, today I remained both stunned and puzzled at you total lack of compassion. On a day when people are remembering the intense suffering of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, you are going to justify the reasons why incinerating an entire city with an nuclear bomb was an appropriate response? You sound like Osama bin Laden justifying that it was necessary to kill all of the civilians in the world trade center.
I would rather give up my freedom or just die than be responsible or even justify the death of all of those innocent people. It is never reasonable to kill hundreds of thousands of people at once. It is never reasonable to kill civilians.
What makes me even more upset is that I am sure you only offer that sentiment today as a way of getting attention for yourself as you know it would inflame people. This may be an incorrect assumption on my part but honestly, but I cannot imagine why, on such a day of remembrance, that anyone would pull out the same tiresome rationale for mass death that we have already heard since 9th grade global studies It makes me sick, almost as sick as the fact that the pilot for the Enola Gay, was at a 1997 book signing in Vegas for his book about it. I think he should have been tried for crimes against humanity.
Account of the bombing and aftermath by a catholic priest
Beneath the wreckage of the houses along the way, many have been trapped and they scream to be rescued from the oncoming flames. They must be left to their fate. The way to the place in the city to which one desires to flee is no longer open and one must make for Asano Park. Fukai does not want to go further and remains behind. He has not been heard from since. In the park, we take refuge on the bank of the river. A very violent whirlwind now begins to uproot large trees, and lifts them high into the air. As it reaches the water, a waterspout forms which is approximately 100 meters high. The violence of the storm luckily passes us by. Some distance away, however, where numerous refugees have taken shelter, many are blown into the river. Almost all who are in the vicinity have been injured and have lost relatives who have been pinned under the wreckage or who have been lost sight of during the flight. There is no help for the wounded and some die. No one pays any attention to a dead man lying nearby.Quoted from: Hiroshima -- August 6th, 1945 | The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki | Historical Documents | atomicarchive.com
Account of the bombing from the pilot's perspective
"Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have starved and beaten and executed American prisoners of war, against those who have abandoned all pretense of obeying international laws of warfare. We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans."
("Public Papers of the Presidents: Harry S Truman, 1945", pg. 212).
Do you think Truman was refering to this charred little girl?
As for why I insisted you reread what I wrote, I said "on the other hand" and not "but" - which implies a weighing of the two points I noted followed by an evaluation...NOT justification aka. the death of civilians and the 4 points I listed. No justification. I was crystal clear that I didn't think the ends justified the means. You put words in my mouth and/or interpreted what I said incorrectly. You are being unfair and dishonest with me and I expect an apology... although I fear pride will dictate that I won't get the apology.
I have no idea where you could be going with this, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that there is some greater reasoning behind it.
You are being silly.... read my next post.