On 24 Dec 2003 12:36:01 -0800, wrote:

Greg Hennessy wrote in message . ..
On 23 Dec 2003 11:30:54 -0800, wrote:

With humblest respect for your past service to our country, I must
admit that the question you pose illustrates the main problem behind
why the Bomb was used: Because no one knew a "better" way. This
represents a militarily trained, "any-means-necessary" bias.

No, this represents "You havent a f*cking clue what you are talking about"
attempt at a cop out.

Simply re-asserting the bias does not advance your argument.

Nor is ignoring the truth. You still haven't mentioned how you
woudl destroy point targets in a city, when all the technology to do
so wasn't available until the 1960's (laser targeted bombs) and in a
strategic sense until the 1990's. (GPS assisted high altitutude
bombing).
You have not refuted the overwhelming evidence that a ground
invasion of Japan, or a continued blockade, would have led to more
deaths-- a fact made abundantly clear by the invasion of Berlin, which
killed more civilians and soldiers than the two Abombs combined.
you have not explained how Japanese civilians, many of whom were at
least tacitly in favor of Japans expansion (so long as it didn't turn
sour), were worth more than the roughly 10,000 Chinese dying every day
from warfare or war related causes.
As for the "by any means necessary" you are incorrect. The United
States did not deprive Axis POWS of food. We did not resort to
torture to gain information. We did provide relief for civilians in
conquered areas. We did not engage in mass punishments of government
officials, and they had access ot legal council, and in one case, an
appeal to the U.S. supreme court.
All you have done is engage in fantasy thinking. Well, here's
mine:
The U.S. obviously failed to consider all the alternatives. WE
could have easily placed orbital mind control lasers in orbit, thus
forcing the Japanese to surrender and take up Bonsai tree growing.
This callous disregard for them obviously shows that the U.S. enjoyed
the stench of burning flesh, as can be seen by the sudden export of
"Scratch and sniff" Abomb toys.