Blowback From The A-Bombs
Swans, CA by Philip Greenspan
(Swans - August 1, 2005) August 6th will mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, the first atomic bombing of a wartime enemy. Those alive at that time will never forget their initial reaction upon learning of the awesome effects of that abominable weapon. I, a GI expecting transfer to the Far East for participation in the invasion of Japan, was ecstatic. Every GI, in fact everyone whom I knew, was overjoyed. It was obvious. World War II would soon be history. Many lives would be saved. Much suffering would be avoided. “Hooray, hooray, hooray for the bomb and for Harry Truman for using it!”
As time wore on horrifying accounts slipped through the censorship net and the unanimous approval and euphoria kept diminishing as more and more prominent individuals condemned the bombing. Defenders of the decision acknowledged that the A-bomb was indeed an abominable weapon that caused inordinate numbers of innocent people untold suffering, but insisted that its use saved lives and was directed against the country whose unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor started a war.
Individuals who scrupulously examined the evidence that has accumulated over the years are convinced that the bombings were unnecessary. I believe the few items that follow are sufficient to raise doubts about its “necessity” in persons with open minds. [more]