Quote:
Originally Posted by bolidismo  In hindsight, it is obvious that this was a terrible decision in light of the fact that it targeted civilians ...but from a strategic stance, it was most effective. |
So, by this analogy 9/11 WTC attack can also be described as
"a terrible decision in light of the fact that it targeted civilians ...but from a strategic stance, it was most effective." 
And many similar attack as well ... they all are justified due being strategically effective. Terrorism usually is.
Quote:
|
Also, I will say again that the Japanese were also working on a nuclear bomb -- and they most certainly would have used it -- so lets not get all high and mighty and moralistic ...the world was at war and despite all the talk of "war crimes", in the real world, during a war, morality is generally the first thing to break down.
|
Yes, so were the Germans. But both Germans & Japanese were years away from really developing a working nuclear bomb. Even Americans needed a lot of year to develop it -despite having all the know-how, technology & material (eg. enriched uranium / plutonium).
Also mind in August 1945 the war was de facto over - Europe was secured, Japan was also military weak already. So, not using the N-bombs the war in the Pacific can prolong for a few months or so. But in the end Japan would surrender anyway.
****
I've been always against this US tactics of preemptive strikes. It has been used too many times (incl. Iraq) for no justifiable reason. I'm afraid similar can happen to Iran.
Quote:
|
We should be very careful not to re-interpret history to fit with current political contexts and agendas ...that is something that both the Left and Right do a lot these days.
|
It's a known fact that the history is written by the winners.
So, the fact presentation & interpretation is usually biased.
We're now 50 years away ... I think it's time to re-evaluate some "facts", and be more critical of some things that should never happen (eg. war crimes).
Eg. Italian state (& people) are still in denial regarding their Mussolini fascism era. Many crimes against humanity was done in that time (many social groups were systematically oppressed).
But Italians do not admit that, nor they they children learn about this in schools. While eg. Germans have no problem to admit the terrible mistake they've done by Nazism & Hitler.
Same thing is happening in our country - the communist regime killed thousands POW & regime opponents jast after WWII ended. And that was done by the silent approval of the western allies. And today our country is still in denial a horrible war crime happened many years ago. And the people who want to reveal that are usually labeled as "successors of collaborators" - since most POW & regime opponents were labeled as "collaborators" so the killing was "justified".
And similr thing is happening in Russia - they still haven't broken with the past. And same thing is happening in the Balkans (ex-Yugoslavia).
****
Back to nuke-bombing.
IMO - just like Holocaust - nuke bombing is another thing that should not happen again. Never, ever! It was a bad decision.
Justifying such tactics - although happened in 1945 - is a very dangerous matter. Because with doing so you in a way legitimize using such tactics today or in the future.
Btw, why USA government does not recognize the Hague Tribunal of War Crimes (established by UN)? While on the other hand the same USA government puts pressure on specific countries to fully cooperate with the same tribunal US are not recognizing.
I tell you why: because of American military doctrine which includes (unilateral) preemptive strikes / attacks / invasions. And such acts are recognized by UN Geneva convention as war crimes.
Double standards.
PS: I have nothing against US, or Americans per se. I just can't believe sometimes US government & some people there completely lack self-criticism. Not that other countries around the world are any better. But ... As a "world cop" USA should be a moral authority as well. Without any double standards. But I guess that's just an illusion. World have been f..ed up since the beginning, yet from time-to-time were can enjoy the "enlightening" eras. So, some generations are very lucky - being born in the right time, while the others - born in the wrong time - are doomed.
I'm very grateful to be a member of "the lucky generation". But I'm still young ... so ...