The American Spectator

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 8.19.11 @ 9:11PM

The Bataan Death March survivors won't be amongst us forever. No, they certainly won't be, but the Japanese reminding us every August of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima will be amongst us forever!! The Japanese Empire during that period of time were complete "Animals", and it pisses me off every year, when they get on their high horse about how we ended the War against them, even though most of the current Japanese who love to remind us of Nagasaki and Hiroshima wouldn't be alive today if we had invaded Japan back then instead (we probably would've killed their Grandparents in the process, therefore they wouldn't be protesting anything today). The Bataan Death March should never be forgotten about, nor should any of the atrocious crimes that the Japanese Empire, and therefore its People perpetrated during WW-II. Rest in Peace Albert Brown!!

Where's to buy Watches?| 8.19.11 @ 11:39PM

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Jack in Wi.| 8.20.11 @ 1:35AM

I used to have a surviver of the Bataan Death march working for me. I wonder if he is still alive? He would be pretty old.

jrp61356| 8.20.11 @ 10:50AM

Lullaby: Spot on! I have studied WWII for about forty years, and am well aware of the atrocities committed by the Japanese against Americans, British, Australians, Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, etc, etc. I have long found it interesting that the Japanese used racism to fuel their crusade against Westerners, yet they were brutally racist when it came to their dealings with other Far East Asians.

Your point about how the atomic bombings are used as rallying points against nuclear weapons, yet the consistent atrocities committed by the Japanese are hardly given a blip of coverage, is well taken. I personally have never had a problem with the decision to use nuclear weapons against the Japanese. Most high-ranking military officials at the time estimated that an Allied invasion of Japan would have resulted in 1 million casualties, because of the fanaticism of the Japanese military and civilian population. Thus, use of nukes actually lowered the casualty count.

Now, there are some revisionist historians who like to say that the Japanese could have been bombed and/or starved into submission without having to resort to the use of nukes. How is that any more humanitarian than using nuclear weapons?

Jack in Wi.| 8.20.11 @ 7:12PM

The truth is that the Japanese were beaten and were asking for terms. They wanted only to keep the Emperor. They did it though the Swiss and They asked the Russians who refused. They had been planning to invade Manchuria in a few days. The Swiss told the Americans who refused to let the Emperor keep his throne. Then we dropped the atom bomb and killed hundreds of thousands of people. We used the Catholic cathedral in Nagaski as the target point. Nagaski was the center of Catholicism in Japan. This was a diliberate war crime that could have been avoided. By the way my aunt who just celebrated her 89th birthday was on Tinian when the bombs were sent out from there. She was an army nurse. Who retired as a full col. in the army nursing corps reserves after 34 years. In the end we let the Japanese keep the Emperor anyhow.

Occam's Tool| 8.21.11 @ 1:08AM

That's not what my father-in-law, who was in OSS field operations, says.

Dai Alanye| 8.21.11 @ 2:58PM

Jack doesn't know his history.

The Japanese refused to surrender even after the nukes had been dropped, contacting the Russkies in the hope of avoiding occupation. The Russian refusal to intervene took away all hope, but even then the military and government couldn't bring themselves to accept the inevitable.

It took direct action by the Emperor, urged by his chamberlain. Never before heard on Japanese radio, he made an address in the barely-comprehensible Court dialect, and it was only this that brought about the surrender.

Richard Baker| 8.20.11 @ 10:37PM

Regardless of what the politicians wanted, the Imperial Army didn't want to surrender and were prepared to kill anyone who disagreed. I would also remind one and all of the preparations found by the Occupation Forces for total war against the Americans by the entire population. While regrettable that it came to that, the atomic bomb ultimately stopped the killing of between an estimated 500,000 to 1 million Americans and tens of millions of Japanese. MacArthur allowed the Emperor to live as a symbol.

Jack in Wi.| 8.20.11 @ 11:29PM

That is all a pile of Propaganda. Admiral Hurley, General MacArthur, General Eisenhower,and many others, all knew it wasn't necessary. It was just a justification for this monstrous crime. The Japanese were begging for a surrender, with minimal terms. the whole problem goes back to the demand for unconditional surrender which was issued by FDR, Churhcill and Stalin in 1943. That was Hitler's best weapon against the the Allies. It undercut the whole German oposition to Hitler. The German people thought they had no other option then to fight to the bitter end. Millions of people died because of this. It was against all principles of humane warfare.

Occam's Tool| 8.21.11 @ 1:11AM

Admiral HALSEY had questionable stratregic judgment. It is interesting to note that the Japanese did NOT surrender after Tokyo or Hiroshima. They, like the German, like the Islamists (will), needed to be beaten into submission.

Beating the Soviet Union without a world wide conflagration was a good use of 50 years.

Occam's Tool| 8.21.11 @ 1:13AM

Yeah, and the time the Germans were given a "conditional" surrender (the Armistice), they started World War II. They have not started WWIII, and are unlikely to. FDR was absolutely correct on unconditional surrender. The Germans deserved EVERYTHING they got, just as the Islamists will.

Dai Alanye| 8.21.11 @ 3:06PM

Unconditional surrender might have been an error--that is, the use of the specific term--but the occupation of Germany and Japan were necessary for long-term peace. We did make a mistake regarding Germany, it's true. We could have worked with the German opposition, and thereby have taken down Hitler much sooner, with less destruction and loss of life all around.

But for that matter the French could have opposed Hitler's occupation of the Rhineland years before, or Britain could have said no to the takeover of the Sudetenland. Either stand would have probably forced Hitler from office.

This should be a lesson for dealing with the Islamists--strength wins respect while weakness breeds contempt.

Tiddly| 8.20.11 @ 11:10PM

My father was in the U.S. Army in the Philippines when the bombs were dropped. He and his unit had done their practice landings and were all set to invade the Japanese mainland, and they were convinced that many of them would not survive it. Even Japanese civilians, women and children, had been trained to fight to the death. I may not have been here to write this without the bombs.

And anyone who has read anything about Japanese atrocities during the war can hardly help feeling that they brought it on themselves. Japanese soldeirs were brutal, sadistic, remorseless, and yes, just plain evil in their dealings with their foes. See Bataan for just the most famous example. It was far from unique. In fact it was typical.

Jack in Wi.| 8.20.11 @ 11:40PM

Nobody is defending the crimes of the Axis powers. I am talking about crimes the Allies committed. They had Hitler's partner in starting the war Stalin, as their bosum buddy. They gave him Poland and all of Eastern Europe, where he killed millions of people. They took part in the insane Morgenthou Plan. That was the genocidal plan to decrease the German population by 30 million people using starvation and desease. Thankfully only 3 million died before a brave general, Lucius Clay, stood up and put a stop to it. Then there was Operation Keelhaul in which millions of Eastern people were forced back from British and American controlled areas into the hands of the KGB. There are mnany other crimes commited by the allies. All America got out of WW2 was a 5o year cold war and our present overextended empire.

Tiddly| 8.21.11 @ 12:57AM

What a fool. You're obviously a product of the government schools.

Occam's Tool| 8.21.11 @ 1:07AM

Jack is a Ron Paul and Hamas supporter. 'Nuff said.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 1:12AM

Ron Paul knows history too, unlike you zoombie zionists.

Occam's Tool| 8.21.11 @ 1:17AM

Jack, you are an ignoramus with a worthless degree. I have friends who are history PhD Candidates and Catholics and graduates of Harvard Law who would say you are a fool.

You are just a Nazi punk, and Paul is going to get hios worthless ass kicked in the elections. I have offered you a bet that I will stop posting if he wins ANY caucus or primary in exchange for you to stop posting if he loses them all, and you have not taken me up on it. Truman was right in recognizing Israel, and right in nuking Japan. His domestic policy was less correct, and he was wrong in supposing a peace dividend.

Paul is a Hamas supporter, as are you. Kish Mir Tuchus, pal.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 2:06AM

Hamas and Hizballah were built up by the Mossaad as a religious counterwieght To the secular PLO and FATAH. How did that work out for you?

I think you should google the Morgenthou Plan. Wikipedia does a pretty good job of it. It tells the story of how a holocaust was planned for 30 million Germans by your soul brother. It was leaked and Nazi's got a hold of it and used it to terrify the population to resist to the end. It cost many needless deaths. Everytime you chaps touch something it seems to end bad.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 2:22AM

Ron Paul will get the nomination because the people are on his side and everyone knows it. That is why they are trying to shut him down. It won't work. Why do think Perry is raving like a loon about the Federal Reserve and the Constitution? They are all trying to sound like Paul. It won't work. Why take a bad imitation when you can get the real thing? These wars , foreign aid and the Fed are as popular as cancer and it is only going to get worse.

I go to lunch with an old Jewish friend most weeks. We have done it for many years. He has a degree in history as well, and is very well read. He, like most Jews, usually votes Democrat. I have been talking up Ron to him for years. He finally saw him in that debate a week ago and thought he was terrific. He especialy like that part where he was against attacking Iran. Most Jews that I know are sane and were against the Iraq war and a unprovoked attack on Iran.

Clint| 8.21.11 @ 11:42AM

You're A Fanatic Israel Firster Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Traitor Bastard,Tool Job.

You Assholes Have A Real Bad Habit Of Using Our American Warriors As Cannon Fodder For Your Agenda.

How Many IDF Israeli Troops Were KIA & WIA In The War On Terror, In Afghanistan & Iraq ?

You're Up Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Traitor Bastard, Tool Job.

Dai Alanye| 8.21.11 @ 3:17PM

Scratch a Ron Paul support and find a Jew-hater. Not always, perhaps, but far too often. Ron Paul himself was an associate of Lew Rockwell.

The US is a big strong nation, and we can afford a few bigots here and there, but when bigotry overcomes good judgment--that is, when Jew-hating brings about a tolerance of terrorism--it does the nation harm.

The problem with Wisconsin Jack and other Paulists is either they don't know history, or else distort it to "prove" their points. If Israel is allowed to be destroyed it won't cause the Islamists to like us any better. On the contrary, they'll be infused with greater anti-American fanaticism.

Clint| 8.21.11 @ 3:39PM

There it is.

Another Israel Firster attempts To Play The Anti-Semite Card.

Dr.Ron Paul,
“Israel is our close friend. While President Obama’s demand that Israel
make hard concessions in her border conflicts may very well be in her
long-term interest, only Israel can make that determination on her own,
without pressure from the United States or coercion by the United
Nations.

“Unlike this President, I do not believe it is our place to dictate how
Israel runs her affairs. There can only be peace in the region if those
sides work out their differences among one another. We should respect
Israel’s sovereignty and not try to dictate her policy from Washington."

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Rise Up In Rebellion.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 4:59PM

Israel has 400 atomic weaapons and has a grossly immoral policy to destroy the whole Middle East and most of Europe. It is called the Samson Option. Google it if you don't believe me. also google Martin Van Creweld the Israeli military historian. He is the Israeli mouthpiece who has issued the veiled threats involved in this plan.

The USA is my country. Israel is yours. By polling the vast majority of americans want out of foreign aid and foreign wars. I agree with them. Israel has a huge military and all those nukes. Let it defend themsevels and you can go back and join the IDF, if you aren't already a member.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 7:40PM

Lew Rockwell is devoted to the economic philosphy of Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard, both Jews. He has many Jewish associates at his webbsite. For example the late Burton Blumert and Professor Walter Block. You sir are a liar. If you love Israel so much move there. Israel has cost the USA enough blood and treasure. Let it do it's own fighting and pay for it's own defense.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 1:09AM

I want to correct myself. It was Admiral Leahy who was against the Atomic attack. MacArthur, Eisehower, Herbert Hoover, Leo Szilard and most of the scientists who develpoped the bomb were against using it. Eisenhower has stated that Japan was defeated and he told the Secretary of War Stimson that it would be aterrible mistke to use it. Douglas MacArthur was against using it. He knew Jaapan was defeated and would surrender with minimal terms. Herbert Hoover, a friend of Truman, went to him after Germany surrended and told him the Japanese would surrender. if allowed to keep the Emperor. To the nitwit above go and google it. I am a conservative with a history degree. I do not make things up. As far as Truman is concerned he was nothing but a worthless liberal, and a mass murderer. The same can be said of Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. World war 2 had no good guys, at the tops of goverments.

Occam's Tool| 8.21.11 @ 1:18AM

Churchill was a good guy, even more so than FDR. Sorry. I'm more realistic than you, Jack. Of course, so is my dog.

Dai Alanye| 8.21.11 @ 3:31PM

Leo Szilard, Enrico Fermi, Robert Oppenheimer and all too many other of the nuke developers were communists or USSR sympathizers. They were eager to use the atom bomb against Hitler, but once German had surrendered it was to Stalin's advantage for the US to either bleed itself white in a conventional invasion of Japan (400,000 casualties predicted for the first island alone) or for Japan to be left unoccupied and unsettled, ripe for a Communist takeover.

If Jack isn't aware of that his history degree is worthless. I recommend reading Special Tasks, the memoir of Pavel Sudoplatov, who lays it out quite clearly, but there are many other sources.

Jack in Wi.| 8.21.11 @ 5:06PM

Most of the scientists who deloped the atomic bomb had both Communist and Jewish backgrounds. The fact that they opposed using it is their eternal credit. I suppose Eisenhower, MacArthur, Hoover, and Admiral Leahy were Communists too? Go google this stuff if you don't believe me. Try People who opposed dropping the atom bomb.

Infantryman| 8.21.11 @ 10:16AM

Roosevelt was a duplicitous, shallow, ill informed mediocre man. He was, however, an expert at winning elections, and most everything he did, foreign or domestic, was towards that end. He and Churchill ( a master at whipping up the war toxin ) forgot that wars should not be fought to kill willy-nilly as many of the combatants and non-combatants as you can so you can force them to surrender unconditionally. The war aims of the United States and Britain should have been the settlement of the global balance of power, which ment the elemination of the war parties in Germany and Japan, but not the complete destruction of their armed forces since Japan and Germany would help contain the Soviet Union, whose aims should have been plain to all. Churchill finally realized the error of his ways but Roosevelt till the day he died thought he could charm "Uncle Joe" Stalin. The world paid the price.

Clint| 8.21.11 @ 11:50AM

Dad was on his way to The Pacific Theater, after leading his men in combat operations from Normandy,through France, into Germany & to The Czechoslovakia Link Up with The Russkies.

He was given a command assignment to lead combat troops in The Invasion of Japan.