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irateplatypus · 11-10-2003, 10:56 PM

i think this is worth some discussion.

there is a huge amount of disparity between the casualties inflicted, but there are some key differences between the 2 situations.

1. Japan and the United States had been at war for several years. 9/11 was comparatively a surprise attack.

2. Japan was the aggressor and instigator of that particular conflict. The U.S. had previously done little to curb Al Quaeda activities in a military sense.

3. The alternative to ending the war with Japan would have most likely been an invasion. If so, the women and children were prepared to fight with bamboo spears and kitchen knives. The death toll on both sides would have been countless. there is no comparison to the 9/11 situation.

4. The U.S. had endured years of all-out war on 2 fronts. ending the conflict and loss of American life must have been doubly important in that atmosphere. its hard to judge our leaders at the time, when boys have been dying by the hundreds of thousands... year after year.

add on top of this the ability for the world to witness the events of 9/11 live on TV, and you've got a recipe for a strong and emotional reaction.

and yes, i believe there is an element of history being written by the victors. but, japan was exactly drawing worldwide sympathy in the aftermath of WWII.

11-10-2003, 10:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	i think this is worth some discussion. there is a huge amount of disparity between the casualties inflicted, but there are some key differences between the 2 situations. 1. Japan and the United States had been at war for several years. 9/11 was comparatively a surprise attack. 2. Japan was the aggressor and instigator of that particular conflict. The U.S. had previously done little to curb Al Quaeda activities in a military sense. 3. The alternative to ending the war with Japan would have most likely been an invasion. If so, the women and children were prepared to fight with bamboo spears and kitchen knives. The death toll on both sides would have been countless. there is no comparison to the 9/11 situation. 4. The U.S. had endured years of all-out war on 2 fronts. ending the conflict and loss of American life must have been doubly important in that atmosphere. its hard to judge our leaders at the time, when boys have been dying by the hundreds of thousands... year after year. add on top of this the ability for the world to witness the events of 9/11 live on TV, and you've got a recipe for a strong and emotional reaction. and yes, i believe there is an element of history being written by the victors. but, japan was exactly drawing worldwide sympathy in the aftermath of WWII. __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill Last edited by irateplatypus; 11-10-2003 at 11:02 PM..