Re: Pros and cons of using the A-Bomb

In article <eveg0a$k5o$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
an410@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Jim Garner) wrote:

I know this is not a new topic in this group. But I'm bringing it up
again beecause . . . well, you'll see:

Actually, I don't see. There was nothing new in the various points of
view you put forward (including the gently misleading "Japan [...] was
clearly beaten" canard).

Maybe instead of hashing the old arguments over yet again, it might be
time to do some reading. One place to start would be Richard Frank's
"Downfall", which gives some insight into just how "beaten" Japan
considered itself, and considerably broadens the discussion about who
was slated to die -- and in what numbers -- as the war continued. It
wasn't just American and Japanese soldiers.

You might follow that up with the chapter addressing the moral issues
around using the atomic bomb in Michael Bess's "Choices Under Fire",
which looks at the main viable options for ending the war, their cost
and their fit with what westerners generally consider as legal conduct
of war.

That'd save a lot of stale arguing, and probably give a more nuanced
view of the situation as well.

--
Joel.

.