- 19 Jun 2013 15:19
#14257273
The only duty American officials had during WWII was ensuring complete and total victory over Japan. If it was determined that a negotiated surrender would achieve the objectives of the American people, while minimizing American casualties, then that would have been the way to go - as it was, the Japanese Empire was unwilling to realize the enormity of its complete and utter defeat. The American government took the only morally correct course of action in persuading Japan to surrender unconditionally at the cost of no American lives.
The nuclear bomb was justified, and more than that, it was the best course of action. In an industrial society, there are no innocents - the Japanese citizens, like the American citizens, went to work, building bullets, tanks, planes, rifles, and other goods. They were integral components of the war effort. Civilians ceased to exist sometime in the 17th century - what we have now are combatants and noncombatants.
If we choose to not target noncombatants, because we have determined that doing that is in our interests, then great. But there is nothing evil about assuring the survival and prosperity of your people, whatever that may take.
This applies to any party - not just the United States. I can hate Osama bin Laden for attacking my country, and harming my people, but I understand the logic of his actions and accept that terrorism is just another method by which wars are fought, in this day and age. Terrorism is a product of the Information Age, where eradicating the will to act is more important and more practical than eradicating the ability to do so.