Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Japan is the only country in the world which was on the receiving end of nuclear bombs, which were intentionally dropped on human beings by other humans. Having spent my formative years through adulthood in Japan, I understand the horrific nature of these bombs. I addressed the topic in May and June of 2016. The respective titles are: “Will we ever learn BEFORE it’s too late?” and “A former native’s perspective on President Obama’s speech in Hiroshima, Japan.”
Understanding its destructive power, enough to wipe out everything on earth, I abhor nuclear weapons. If I lived in a utopian world, I would want everyone to disarm immediately and learn to co-exist harmoniously ever after. If everyone on earth had the similar experience as those who had suffered from the Atomic bombs and were committed to never again make the mistakes of the past, agreeing to abolish the nuclear weapons among nations would be a piece of cake.
The reality of human existence, however, is such that few people today know or fully understand what really had happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Otherwise, how would you explain the reality of some rogue nations that are intent on developing nuclear weapons? Many of these countries are known for their human-rights violations against their own people. In short, unlike in the West, they simply do not value human life.
Based on my life experiences, bullying can happen on a personal, national, and/or international scale – if you let it. On the international scene, gentle diplomacy and appeasement work only when the other party has a similar value system as your own. When dealing with nations that are led by those who think nothing of causing blatant human rights violations – such as Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China – the only language they (the bullying nations) understand is military might.
Nearly four years ago, on July 14, 2015, under the Obama administration, an Iran nuclear deal was reached among seven nations including the U.S.A. According to the Wall Street Journal, there are five major components to this deal. The two major weaknesses of the deal are (a) the inspection clause, which leaves a gaping hole, enabling Iran to cheat, and (b) the sanctions relief. At that time, with the mounting national debt already heading toward $20 trillion, most American taxpayers were incredulous that this deal was to involve a sanctions relief involving a payment of $160 billion, enabling Iran to eventually develop a nuclear arsenal. Iran is the very country whose leaders incite its people to chant, “Death to America. Death to Israel.” Iran is known to fund terrorist activities worldwide. The deal, which was made under the guise of containing Iran’s nuclear-weapons development, made no sense at all. This was a classic case of what NOT to do with bullying nations. Our former President Obama completely underestimated the American public, whom he was elected to serve. America did not elect him to appease a bullying nation, led by a theocratic dictator who openly hates America.
Now, let’s recap the recent events:
- On April 30, 2018, Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, held a press conference and made a presentation entitled, “Iran Lied.” It was prepared based on Israeli intelligence.
- On May 8, 2018, President Trump announced that the U.S.A. ended the nuclear deal with Iran.
1945 vs. 2018
Until very recently, there was also a serious nuclear threat coming from North Korea. As of this writing, a summit meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2018 between President Trump of the U.S.A. and Kim Jong-un of North Korea. The world is anxiously waiting for the outcome of their meeting in Singapore.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Japan’s pre-surrender intension was to expand its territory throughout Asia by use of force and brutal means. Most, if not all, Asian countries can attest to this fact. Japan and the Islamic world have very little in common. Yet, this historical case study involving Japan is not unlike today’s Iran and other Islamic countries. This shows that human nature, when allowed to behave in an unrestrained manner, will cause great harm to humanity.
The purpose of this blog is not to rehash the arguments for or against the decision by President Truman to drop the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th 1945 respectively. Nor is it to revisit whether Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on a Sunday morning could have been prevented. Most of us living today were not even born then. We have no choice but to accept history for what it is and figure out a way to co-exist peacefully.
Given the historical background in 1945, I am convinced that the use of the atomic bombs (the original shock-and-awe tactic) was a necessary evil to help stop far greater casualties on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. America’s intention was to help stop the war as quickly as possible, immediately followed by providing support to help rebuild Japan’s economy – so that she could, once again, become a trading partner of the U.S.A. In stark contrast to victors of other wars throughout history, America’s intention was never to colonize Japan or any other country that it had defeated.
Some closing thoughts
- Today’s nuclear bombs are much more powerful than those used by the U.S.A. on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, enough to destroy not just a nation but the entire earth.
- Today’s Iran is led by theocratic leaders whose goal is to convert all peoples to Islam and kill those who refuse.
- In stark contrast to the Founding Fathers of the U.S.A., the current Iranian regime is not at all interested in democracy or human rights. Rather, their goal is to spread sharia law.
- Staying the course with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is to keep the rest of the world on a suicidal path.
- It is time the rest of the world put a stop to the bullying nation’s nuclear ambitions.
Now you know why I care about the Iran nuclear deal.
