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Sunday, October 5th, 2008 12:10 am
  • 08:02 Morning. Most everyone is asleep/hungover - one roommate and myself are up. Waking them now. #
  • 09:26 About to see who we're paired against for Round Four. #
  • 11:07 Another eloquent loss, my PM. Did should-Truman-have-should-Truman-have-nuked-Japan opp-choice, they chose yea. Next: watch Swat-Jeopardy. #
  • 11:22 After an Adolf Hitler question: "I think that's the first time that got applause!" #
  • 14:26 5th rnd Gov: "Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell". We tried & failed. -- After was the 'banquet'; they showed a humor tape of interviews, incl. ... #
  • 14:37 The break - which teams make the quarterfinal. No MD teams. #
  • 15:54 Watched one debate in quarterfinals. Wasn't bad - if skill displayed was typical, can see why we missed the break. Waiting to see what next. #
  • 16:53 Escape! (But got kicked out of big van, so am stuck in back of car for 2-1/2 hour ride home.) Experienced debators disappointed. #
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Sunday, October 5th, 2008 10:07 pm (UTC)
In my personal opinion, the Japanese people have Truman and the atomic bomb to thank for their existence post-WW2. The other two options were invasion or blockade. Either one would have, in my opinion, led to near-genocide of the Japanese population.

I took a class on this back in college.

Hallan
Monday, October 6th, 2008 12:45 am (UTC)
Erm. Unfortunately, we didn't take a class on this back in college...
Monday, October 6th, 2008 02:30 am (UTC)
I am -certain- I owe my personal existence to the atom bomb... My grandfather was a Marine, and was slated to be part of the invasion force.

Hallan
Monday, October 6th, 2008 03:59 am (UTC)
Ouch, taking the stance against hitting Japan with nukes at the end of WWII would be pretty tough off-the-cuff. I doubt I could say anything very convincing without being able to check some references.

The bombs could have been dropped on less civilian populations; otherwise, IIRC the only other convincing argument against them that I've heard made the case that the Japanese had lost much-needed support for the war and were on the verge of ending hostilities anyway as support for it at home began to wane.
Monday, October 6th, 2008 10:43 am (UTC)
We were Gov - it wasn't off the cuff for us. But we were underprepared.