[Secret Agent Man]

The bombings were necessary, not horrific.

I mean tokyo was bombed conventionally prior and more than 100000 people died that way.

We dropped 2 (small, now) nukes and they still were not going to surrender.

There are a lot of Americans living today thanks to not having to invade and get a surrender that way. Same with the Japanese.

[EvilCapitalist]

I may be one of them. My Grandfather was a Marine serving in the Pacific with the 6th Marine Division, and almost certainly would have been with the invasion force.

[combat_boots]

I cannot imagine taking Japan.

[DesertRhino]

Any discussion of the morality of the bombs should immediately be met with listing the activities of Kempietai, the horrendous abuse of prisoners, Unit 731 that made Mengele look like a legitimate scientist, the rape of Nanking that even shocked the nazis present in town, the Kamakaze, the cannibals of Chichi Jima, etc.

The Japs were flat ass evil. It took two A-bombs to shock them enough that they became nice Japanese people again.

Not a thing wrong with it and Mecca and Medina need the same treatment.

[Mark17]

I think it was a horrible thing, to nuc Japan. But, what was the alternative? My mom had 3 brothers, who were Marines, waiting off shore. I don’t know, what their opinions were. I just know they were glad they survived into the 1980s.
Here is another issue. I believe the Germans and Japanese, were both working on nuclear weapons. I think there is no doubt, the Germans and Japanese certainly would have used them, if they had them first.