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Originally Posted by WingsToDiscovery
Unfortunately there's constantly conflict between using a nation's name as a representation of it's people, who may have completely different views than the government that rules it. That's why even when fighting a war with a nation, civilians are regarded as "innocents." However, it is still common to use a collective term like "Iraqis" even when only discussing insurgents. The people of 9/11 didn't necessarily deserve to die, but the government behind them provoked it.
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You missed my point. Either viewpoint is misplaced on a remembrance day marking the atrocities of war/terrorism.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WingsToDiscovery
Oddly enough, this is a point I find interesting. In comparison to 9/11, who defines the 9/11 attack as justification for war and who regards it as a day for mourning, or even both? There are people out there who would contend the first point. Would the Japanese war machine consider this distinction if they had the means to continue to fight after the bombings?
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What has the justification for war got to do with anything?
911 is remembered in the US as a day of tragedy. However there are people who think that America had it coming it for its bad foreign policy in the middle east.
The comparison was meant to be contrasted against how many Americans tend to think Japan had it coming for not surrendering unconditionally earlier.
I will just like to add that Americans tend to think that the decision to use atom bombs was the decision to end the war or continue it. The version of history that I am familiar with has Japan offering to surrender before the dropping of the bombs, but with some conditions.
Therefore, the reality for me seems to be that the decision to drop the bombs was not the decision to end the war. Rather the decision to end it on terms in negotiation with Japan or unconditionally (the latter being the outcome).
When you see it the way I see it then there is no doubt that the Americans committed an atrocity as the dropping of the bombs was used to gain leverage over an already defeated enemy.