Everyone knows that it’s not nukes that kill people, it’s the violent video games that glorify violence that kill people. So, that being the case, let’s not regulate and try to cut down on the numbers of nukes, but let’s instead regulate and cut down on the number of video games….(You can replace the word nukes with assault weapons and get the same sentiment)
The only decision that’s ‘wrong’ is to keep belaboring a question that’s been moot for decades.
The valid questions ceased to be tactical ones once proliferation forced the issue center stage into the environmental arena. Those are questions which concern both the immediate present and our collective destiny.
I think the Trefoil glee on Truman is a little exaggerated, Brian. I think that history’s consensus is that Truman was regretful and troubled by the Nagasaki decision. In support, he slapped McArthur down forcefully when Big Mc wanted to go nuke. Can you support this depiction?
Just by reading these comments, we can see the evolution of thought between 1945 & today about the use of atomic weapons. I believe it was the correct decision THEN; it is madness to contemplate using them NOW. The context, like world events, is not the same. One cannot project 2019 values into a 1945 World War setting, and vice versa.
My last four years in the military was connected to the START/INF mission. We did escort inspection missions in Former Warsaw Pact nations.
To see this mission cast aside sickens me. At best it is an act of ultimate ignorance. At worst it is deliberate treason.
This mission was a POWERFUL tool. When backed up by a president and a State Department that understood the purpose of diplomacy the START/INF treaty protected our nation and the world.
Unfortunately in the wrong hands a tool loses its effectiveness. A surgeon can use a scalpel to restore life and ease suffering. In my hands (and Donald Trumps wee, tiny, little hands) a scalpel is only good for butchery.
Trump continues to destroy programs that took decades to build. Where once our democracy had strong foundations we are in danger of being washed away.
@ Brian Carroll – At what point did it become acceptable for the president to be able to withdraw from a treaty that had been ratified by the United States Senate? How was this even Constitutionally possible? When did we go so wrong?
The US has been aware of multiple violations by the Russians for the better part of a decade. The Obama administration publicly accused Russia of violations 5 years ago, and we know they have been occurring for much longer.
Our actions last week are little more than a public acknowledgement of the failure that has been common knowledge for years. We have no mechanism to enforce compliance on Russia and we would be fools to continue acting as if the treaty was in force and enforceable.
Andy, I’m going to break my rule, and I know that I’ll regret it, but I’m going to reply to you.
We play the game. We follow rules. We are strong, we are powerful, we are mighty. We can afford to play the long game. When we have leaders with the intellectual capacity to understand.
Trump lacks that characteristic.
When we walk away from the game we don’t have a seat at the table.
Yes, I am fully aware of the Russians failure to comply. I spent YEARS working this mission, and other related missions. I know exactly what they are. They’ve been playing the game 1000 years before we were a nation. They are experts. And Trump is a buffoon.
We just walked away from a powerful diplomatic tool, and you waste my time with the superficial explanation given by the fractured, tainted Trump State Department.
Japan was ready to surrender? Do you know anything about a cabal of officers who were about to kidnap the Emperor because they were intent to fight on? ALL Japanese civilians were being trained to defend the home islands. Kamikaze pilots were taking a terrible toll of US Navy sailors. Estimated casualties for the coming invasion were estimated at one million US soldiers, many of whom were arriving in the Pacific after beating the Germans in Europe.I spoke (years ago) to a Marine vet, who was stationed on an island, dreading the coming call. When they were told about Hiroshima, they were understandably jubilant! Would YOU like to tell the soldiers, sailors and airmen in the Pacific that you felt the Bomb was too cruel to the Japanese, and that the invasion will proceed?. . . . . . . . Also, do you think that the Japanese military, or Hitler, or Stalin would have any hesitation about dropping the Bomb on us? They all had Atomic programs working!I am not glad the Bomb had to be used. The United States did not inaugurate the European and Pacific wars. We were drawn into them. And what we found after U.S. forces liberated camps and countries…..?!
WilliamWilliam almost 5 years ago
OUT, INF, WTF, SOL.
Masterskrain Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Current Occupant: “We’ve got Nuclear Weapons, why can’t we use them?”
God help us all…Cheapskate0 almost 5 years ago
Add that to the trade war AND the currency manipulation, now China is accepting NO U.S. agriculture.
There was a time when trade wars led to actual guns-and-bombs wars.
Each day of Trump leaves me more and more depressed.
Radish the wordsmith almost 5 years ago
Everyday it becomes more obvious that we are a failing species.
mourdac Premium Member almost 5 years ago
After McArthur screwed up in the Korean War and drew in the Communist Chinese, he wanted to nuke them. Thankfully he was fired instead.
Znox11 almost 5 years ago
Everyone knows that it’s not nukes that kill people, it’s the violent video games that glorify violence that kill people. So, that being the case, let’s not regulate and try to cut down on the numbers of nukes, but let’s instead regulate and cut down on the number of video games….(You can replace the word nukes with assault weapons and get the same sentiment)
GaryCooper almost 5 years ago
Japan was already trying to surrender when Truman ordered the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Truman wantedto impress the Russians.
Andrew Sleeth almost 5 years ago
The only decision that’s ‘wrong’ is to keep belaboring a question that’s been moot for decades.
The valid questions ceased to be tactical ones once proliferation forced the issue center stage into the environmental arena. Those are questions which concern both the immediate present and our collective destiny.
Fenshaw almost 5 years ago
I think the Trefoil glee on Truman is a little exaggerated, Brian. I think that history’s consensus is that Truman was regretful and troubled by the Nagasaki decision. In support, he slapped McArthur down forcefully when Big Mc wanted to go nuke. Can you support this depiction?
braindead Premium Member almost 5 years ago
We also withdrew from the nuclear treaty with Iran.
Because The Greatest Negotiator in Human History.
braindead Premium Member almost 5 years ago
And the worst thing is that Truman didn’t even send Thoughts and Prayers.
richsolano almost 5 years ago
Just by reading these comments, we can see the evolution of thought between 1945 & today about the use of atomic weapons. I believe it was the correct decision THEN; it is madness to contemplate using them NOW. The context, like world events, is not the same. One cannot project 2019 values into a 1945 World War setting, and vice versa.
A# 466 almost 5 years ago
8/6/45: The day the world started to burn.
Durak Premium Member almost 5 years ago
My last four years in the military was connected to the START/INF mission. We did escort inspection missions in Former Warsaw Pact nations.
To see this mission cast aside sickens me. At best it is an act of ultimate ignorance. At worst it is deliberate treason.
This mission was a POWERFUL tool. When backed up by a president and a State Department that understood the purpose of diplomacy the START/INF treaty protected our nation and the world.
Unfortunately in the wrong hands a tool loses its effectiveness. A surgeon can use a scalpel to restore life and ease suffering. In my hands (and Donald Trumps wee, tiny, little hands) a scalpel is only good for butchery.
Trump continues to destroy programs that took decades to build. Where once our democracy had strong foundations we are in danger of being washed away.
@ Brian Carroll – At what point did it become acceptable for the president to be able to withdraw from a treaty that had been ratified by the United States Senate? How was this even Constitutionally possible? When did we go so wrong?
Andylit Premium Member almost 5 years ago
The US has been aware of multiple violations by the Russians for the better part of a decade. The Obama administration publicly accused Russia of violations 5 years ago, and we know they have been occurring for much longer.
Our actions last week are little more than a public acknowledgement of the failure that has been common knowledge for years. We have no mechanism to enforce compliance on Russia and we would be fools to continue acting as if the treaty was in force and enforceable.
Durak Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Andy, I’m going to break my rule, and I know that I’ll regret it, but I’m going to reply to you.
We play the game. We follow rules. We are strong, we are powerful, we are mighty. We can afford to play the long game. When we have leaders with the intellectual capacity to understand.
Trump lacks that characteristic.
When we walk away from the game we don’t have a seat at the table.
Yes, I am fully aware of the Russians failure to comply. I spent YEARS working this mission, and other related missions. I know exactly what they are. They’ve been playing the game 1000 years before we were a nation. They are experts. And Trump is a buffoon.
We just walked away from a powerful diplomatic tool, and you waste my time with the superficial explanation given by the fractured, tainted Trump State Department.
moosemin almost 5 years ago
Japan was ready to surrender? Do you know anything about a cabal of officers who were about to kidnap the Emperor because they were intent to fight on? ALL Japanese civilians were being trained to defend the home islands. Kamikaze pilots were taking a terrible toll of US Navy sailors. Estimated casualties for the coming invasion were estimated at one million US soldiers, many of whom were arriving in the Pacific after beating the Germans in Europe.I spoke (years ago) to a Marine vet, who was stationed on an island, dreading the coming call. When they were told about Hiroshima, they were understandably jubilant! Would YOU like to tell the soldiers, sailors and airmen in the Pacific that you felt the Bomb was too cruel to the Japanese, and that the invasion will proceed?. . . . . . . . Also, do you think that the Japanese military, or Hitler, or Stalin would have any hesitation about dropping the Bomb on us? They all had Atomic programs working!I am not glad the Bomb had to be used. The United States did not inaugurate the European and Pacific wars. We were drawn into them. And what we found after U.S. forces liberated camps and countries…..?!