People take part in a lantern parade in prayer for peace around

the illuminated Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, on the eve of

the 66th anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing, Aug. 5

The Nation, Pakistan

Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Humanity's 'Cruelest Acts'

"Since then, the Washington war machine has continued to commit similar crimes in Vietnam, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. The atomic attacks are a blot on the name of humanity. But the time may soon come when the United States will have to stand in the dock to account for its barbarity."

EDITORIAL

August 7, 2011

Pakistan - The Nation - Original Article (English)

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Jon Roos made history last year, becoming the first representative of the United States to attend ceremonies surrounding the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, August 6. Tomorrow, U.S. Charge d'Affaires James Zumwalt will be the first U.S. envoy to attend memorial ceremonies in Nagasaki. BBC NEWS VIDEO: Hiroshima atomic bombing is remembered amid debate over nuclear power, Aug. 5, 00:01:32.

History has no parallel to the barbarity that todays greatest exponent of human rights committed against ordinary, innocent people of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. At the tail end of World War II, America obliterated their city with the first ever atomic bomb attack. Unrepentant over the deaths of no less than 160,000 people in Hiroshima, only three days later, the U.S. bombed another Japanese city - Nagasaki. That resulted in the deaths of another 80,000. Nagasaki was attacked by default, since the original target of Kyushu couldn't be reached by the B-29 bomber carrying the deadly device on account of bad weather.

The tragedy of those who died in the flash of Little Boy and Fat Man - the names given to the two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - was more than matched by the agonizing living deaths suffered by large numbers of people from the two ill-fated towns. In many cases, with bodies riddled by blisters and sores, their painful lives came to an end only decades later. In these blighted places and their environs, such suffering remains, as the genetic impact of the cancer-causing radiation continue to plague the generations that followed the attacks. This constitutes a standing indictment of the brutal perpetrator of this, greatest crime against humanity.

The voices of critics have been somewhat smothered due to America's overweening military might and overarching economic strength, backed by its global diplomacy and propaganda. But since its suicidal wars post-9/1, these have been in rapid decline. Up to now, the U.S. has managed to escape trial at the International Court for crimes against humanity it perpetrated against the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - humanity's cruelest ever acts.

Since then, the Washington war machine has continued to commit similar crimes in Vietnam, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. The list of charges is a long one. No one familiar with the horrendous dimensions of such crimes can condone them. They are a blot on the name of humanity. But the time may soon come when the United States will have to stand in the dock to account for its barbarity.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

These crimes appear even greater when seen in light of the motives behind them. It is an established fact that Japan was retreating and couldn't escape defeat. At best, it might have resisted a little longer. But President Harry Truman overruled the saner members of his team because he didn't want to risk seeing the Russians, who had entered the war against Japan, from forcing a Japanese surrender and assuming a dominant role in the region.

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

Chibanippo Shimbun, Japan: For Japan, Faded Nuclear Fears Return with a Vengeance

Asahi Shimbun, Japan: Hiroshima Bomb Survivors to Obama: 'Come Stand Here'

Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan: U.S. Ambassador, U.N. Chief at Hiroshima Ceremony

Japan Times, Japan: Obama Runs Risk By Sending Ambassador to Hiroshima

Japan Times, Japan: Hiroshima Mayor Urges End of U.S. Nuclear Umbrella

Global Times, China: America and China Taken in By South Korean Media

[Editor's Note: It should be pointed out that when the atomic bombs were dropped, it was by no means clear that Japan was prepared to surrender. By most expert estimates, an invasion of Japan would have cost up to a million U.S. lives and two million Japanese lives.]

That such motives should have been the cause of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki tragedy lays bare the hypocrisy of the greatest democracy and human rights champion in the world. Imagine, the U.S. has the temerity of calling states like Pakistan irresponsible and not worthy of possessing the nuclear trust. If ever a country acted irresponsibly, it was the United States of America.

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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US Aug. 8, 1:55pm]