Asking this question is like opening a can of worms. Excuse me, but I don’t find the two A-bombs the lesser of “two evils”. The best thing would have been a surrender of Japan rightly after the Potsdam conference. It was well known Japan was near its end. The US and Great-Britain already won the war of the pacific, the war in Europe was over, it was a matter of time before Japan would surrender. Without the A-bomb Japan would probably be defeated two weeks later. On the 8th August, Stalin would have invaded Manchuria, cutting off Japan from mainland China (and the necessairy resources). The Russians could easily take out the remaining Japanese forces. I still think the A-bomb was indirectly aimed at the Soviet-Union, to scare off Stalin rather than Japan. Why didn’t Truman wait untill after 8th of August. If the Russian option didn’t work he could still use his A-bombs. But why didn’t he wait? The Russian invasion plans were already 3 years old back then, and though Stalin first wanted to end the war in Europe, he also wanted to get Japan on its knees. Questions which remain.

The only positive about these two bombs is that the world was warned to what horrors nuclear weapons can lead. I’m sure if they weren’t put into use back then, they might have been used during the Cuba Crisis or the Yum Kippur War … the whole M.A.D.-scenario and its consequences.

Personally I don’t feel regret too, because it happened 3 generations ago, and because as a historian I can’t get emotional for every bloody moment in history. However, this is no time for Victory-signs and flag-waving but for sceptic thoughts about how we can avoid this in the future.

Well guess that had to do with the suez-crisis. Relationship between the US and the UK back then weren’t really that good because Eisenhower humiliated the British and the French in the UN.

Yeah agree with Frank. It’s most certainly not politically motivated. There’s still an enormous respect for the British soldiers who died on the battle fields of France and Belgium.

Nice to bring up this thread again. It’s good to see, eventhough he died way too young, he was able to make something fun of his life. It may not be comforting at this particular moment, but for the relatives eventually it’ll help knowing his life was most certainly a succes.

Anyway, my final answer would be the same as two years ago. However, I would not like to know when I’m going.

Ofcourse you are right Kevin. I didn’t really knew him outside the forum. But if that is the way he would like to be remembered than I take back my words.

I find this thread to be honest a bit weird. I don’t really feel comfortable reading all this. I know he should be remembered, but I think it’s a bit too early to start threads like this.

I guess this is part of the internet too. Though I find the idea of a condoleances-letter to the family with the members name on it heartwarming, a thread with “funniest” I find way too early at this time. Probably part of our virtual world, but I don’t find it appropriate to start an “archive” for Steve right now, first give the relatives some time to mourn.

Really nice creatures. Would love to own one in the future.

Be my guest!!!! 😮 We’ve got plenty of them. Cats are just like ovaries with hair on :diablo: It’s like they multiply every hour.

Very touching to see that eventhough the internet itself is quite cold, there are always people with emotions behind their computers. I guess it’s the first time a frequent user leaves us this way. Very tragic, but thoughts are with his family.