>> ^honkeytonk73:

The general Japanese civilian population at the time was poor, starving and consisted mostly old men, women, and children. All males of 'fighting age' or capacity were either dead, or in the military. The citizenry's weapons of choice that were available to them were... brooms, shovels, and sticks. This doesn't overshadow the threat the emperor, the empire and his military machine posed. However, this doesn't negate the fact that the country was already defeated by the time the A-bombs were dropped.

It doesn't matter if the civilian population was already defeated, because the Japanese military did not give a shit about the lives or the suffering of civilians, either at home, or abroad. The ferocity of the resistance experienced in the pacific theater, the failed coup to stop emperor from surrendering, holdouts well into 1970s, and the Japanese refusal to accept the Postdam declaration even after the first bomb was dropped highlights the determination of the Imperial Army. The will of the Imperial Army had to be broken.

A direct invasion of the Japanese mainland would have resulted in civilian casualties orders of magnitudes greater than from bombing alone, judging from the Battle of Okinawa. Conventional bombing of Japan produced far more damage and casualties than the two atomic bombs combined, yet had no effect on influencing the Japanese to surrender. The use of atomic weapons was absolutely justified and was not just an international show of force.

The responsibility for the deaths of those killed by the bombings, as well as all civilians in the pacific theater rests squarely on the shoulders of Hirohito and the Japanese military, many of whom, unlike their Nazi counterparts, went unpunished for their crimes.

The general Japanese civilian population at the time was poor, starving and consisted mostly old men, women, and children. All males of 'fighting age' or capacity were either dead, or in the military. The citizenry's weapons of choice that were available to them were... brooms, shovels, and sticks. This doesn't overshadow the threat the emperor, the empire and his military machine posed. However, this doesn't negate the fact that the country was already defeated by the time the A-bombs were dropped. The majority killed by the A-bombs were civilians. Old men. Women. Children. The city of Nagasaki was a historical 'symbolic' international trade port for Japan for hundreds of years. Nagasaki even had a 'foreign quarter' reserved 'gaijin'. At the time the A-bomb was dropped, there was a POW camp in the city. Populated with both American and Australian POWs. Most were killed by the A-bomb. Nagasaki and Hiroshima were symbolic targets. Not only was it to signal a thorough and resounding crush of a defeated foe, it was a symbol to the world stating "don't tread on me".

I am not making a pro/anti A-bomb point here. I am just expressing known historical fact. War in all it's forms is horrible. It is not a game. People die. Innocent people die. It isn't a video game. No one should ever rush to war. Nor should anyone run an empire based on an ideology of military domination such as was seen by both German and Japan.

The US should learn from history and remember it's past. Hubris is what is the greatest threat to US power now. Not 'terrorism'.. yet most are still too blind to realize this.

mute it, play weapon of choice in the background.

In reply to this comment by dotdude:
Dead video replaced with an embed from the EMI Channel on Dailymotion.

In reply to this comment by ant:
*dead but it needs a new embed video code since Google Video changed it.

Dead video replaced with an embed from the EMI Channel on Dailymotion.

In reply to this comment by ant:
*dead but it needs a new embed video code since Google Video changed it.

>> ^Shepppard:

Awesome, seems to take from this video somewhat, making it more awesome.


Or http://videosift.com/video/Fatboy-Slim-Weapons-of-Choice-Directed-by-Spike-Jonze-and-Starring-Christopher-Walken but currently dead.

>> ^Sagemind:

"Weapon of Choice?!"


The forearm cock of doom!

"Weapon of Choice?!"

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

Of course - weapon of choice for nerds who make cool stuff.

In reply to this comment by kronosposeidon:
You just had to go there, didn't ya?

In reply to this comment by dag:
Nice Macbook on the desk.

A little too flashy for my tastes, save perhaps for special occasions. I can imagine this would only look good with a three-piece suit A double Windsor knot is my weapon of choice for most occasions. The way you tie your tie is important though. It's something you can do to improve your appearance by just knowing something rather than having to buy something. Your standard knot is lopsided and scrunched and suggests you're just doing the bare minimum.

When you look good, you feel good. At times when confidence is vital, looking your best is very important.

Thank you for the promote.

In reply to this comment by rasch187:
*promote

This is my new weapon of choice for the Zombie Apocalypse.

Top 5

Amazing Footage of Iraqi Sandstorm

Einstein the Parrot

ADD Cure

Fatboy Slim Weapons of Choice (Directed by Spike Jonze and Starring Christopher Walken)

Landslide

Nunchuks - crazed hyperactive ADD guy's weapon of choice.

Thank you for the promote.

In reply to this comment by dystopianfuturetoday:
*promote