WHAT WERE THE DECIDEING ISSUES

[williamlayton]

and based on monday morning quarterbacking--were they legitmate.
We know that in late WWII a plan was drafted and put into motion to invade Japan.
We know that this plan was averted due to the release of two Atomic bombs.
The question has been argued--forever---even buy conservatives--that this was an unwise decision based on a number of factors--not the least of which was the unknow results of the aftermath.
I know that Truman knew nothing---NOTHING---of the bomb---hell, he didn't know where the mens room was in the White House.
The old story is told of him being advised of the existance of the bomb and being asked if it should be dropped----he replied (in typical Truman terms) Bomb? What bomb--Hell yea, drop the SOB.
What is your opinion?
Blessings

[williamlayton]

Truman was a political pick. I don't think Roosevelt had a two term VP.(Maybe John Nance Gardner--but i amto lazy to check).
The bomb may have been the first black project. Very seldom was Truman invited to the WH--it was a one man show,
It is to Trumans credit and Missouri background that he had the backbone to sit in the oval office as well as he did.
Awsome man to do that.
I do believe that he cowed folks with his presence--them thinking he was weak.
The militrary had proven their worth--prognosticating their efforts. Was onlt suspose th take 72 hours to conquer Iwo.
I think most all knew the military was up to their old bag of tricks. There were actually Generals and Admirals who wanted to fight every island on the way to Japan. Was not much better in Europe. Patto would have ended the war before Christmas and left the Russians licking their wounds---another general who wanted to inflict pain rather than win. Patton wanted to see the countrside before any body screwed it up.
I think that the body count would have exceeded 1,000,000 and that the war would have lasted another year----might have actually turned into another Viet Nam.
Blessings

[briarpatch]

Truman was well aware of the bomb. During a meeting with Churchill and stalin he told stalin about it and was confused why stalin didn't act surprised.
It is speculated that stalin already had the plans and was working on the bomb himself, which he debuted in 1947. Without a lot of US government help he would not have been able to do so much with so little.
I believe one reason Patton was ran over at the end of the war, was due to the fact he wanted to bomb russia and pushed hard for it.
 

[williamlayton]

The records  show that during his first week in office, after the funeral, he was briefed on the A bomb, which was then not tested.
Stalin was gathering spy info at the time of the Yalta conference--and knew full well that the bomb existed.
Blessings