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Posted August 9, 2001
E-mail Addresses
Is there any way you can offer letter writers the opportunity of having their e-mail address hyperlinked at the bottom signature area of their letters so that we can contact them if we choose? This could be a great networking tool....
~ Kev Hall
The "Backtalk" editor replies:
Good Idea. We will do so if a letter-writer requests it.
Unconditional Surrender
Justin Raimondo's column of August 8, 2001 ["Hiroshima Mon Amour"] was excellent, but should also have mentioned the fact that Roosevelt's insistence upon unconditional surrender from Germany almost certainly lengthened the war in Europe by at least two years. This insane policy, combined with the genocidal ravings of the likes of Theodore Kaufman (author of a book entitled Germany Must Perish!), played very well into the National Socialist propaganda machine and probably convinced many intelligent Germans who might otherwise have rebelled against the National Socialist regime that they had little alternative but to stay out the course.
The
entire point is moot, of course, as we all know from the rantings of
neocons such as the Kristols that two additional years of carnage and
the loss of untold number of lives matter little when measured against
the importance of America's eternal pursuit of "national greatness."
~ Fred Godinez
Germany, Japan, Iraq
[Regarding Justin Raimondo's column, "Hiroshima Mon Amour":]
I find a flaw in your extremely anti-American and pro-fascist argument. The Japanese butchered millions of Chinese (as well as other races) during World War II. If the Japanese had won WW2 and invaded the United States, no doubt Millions of Americans would have met the same fate. The Japanese culture of that era held extremely racist beliefs, such as their belief that all other races were subhuman – including other Asian races such as Koreans and Chinese. I doubt Japanese rule would be characterized by Americans sipping green tea and enjoying soft Japanese music.
I agree that it is possible that victory over Japan could have been achieved without the use of the atomic bomb, but probably at the expense of just as many Japanese civilians – for most of 1945 the US had over 1000 B-29's (very large bombers) that were bombing every major city in Japan – and not to mention American soldiers that would have perished during an invasion.
The truth is that war is never clean. There is no such thing as a surgical strike. In war, civilians die – even though they do not deserve death. When nations like Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, Modern Day Iraq and others challenge other powers in the world, they reap the consequences – disaster.
So while I agree that a lot of Americans' feelings on this issue are based on their desperation to justify the slaying of well over 200,000 people 46 years ago, I must contend that Japan overall brought destruction upon herself. Americans are not perfect, but we are not barbarians. Next to the likes of Imperial Japan, we appear to be saints.
~ W. Griese
The Bomb
[Regarding Justin Raimondo's column, "Hiroshima Mon Amour":]
Where is the evidence that Japan was willing to surrender? Yes, the bomb is a terrible thing, but, would you yourself have been willing to physically assault Japan as a US Marine or Soldier?
You say we could have demonstrated the bomb to Japan and the world. Can you guarantee that the demonstration would have convinced the Japanese to surrender? What if the bomb failed to detonate during the demonstration? We also had a very limited amount of Uranium available for bomb making due to the difficulty of extraction and ore processing in the early years of atomic research.
The best way to avoid war is to maintain a strong military that will deter aggression in the first place. Oh, by the way, all nations of any consequence have been imperialistic throughout the course of history. Yes, that also includes the cultures of native America.
Where is your criticism of the barbarous treatment of the Chinese? Ask the South Koreans if they feel sorry for Japan.
War will continue as long as man fails to communicate. I am afraid, that as a species, we really can do no better.
Next time get your facts right. The tone of your article is one of emotion and bitterness.
~ J. Webb
P.S. I thoroughly enjoyed the year I spent in Japan and found the average Japanese person to be quite hospitable and friendly. There are many things I respect about their culture. I met a gentleman who saw the atomic blast at Hiroshima. He said he understood the decision to use "the Bomb."