Quote:
Originally Posted by GoNative
It isn't singling out Japan. We have been talking about the two countries that singlehandedly killed more people in one war than in any previous conflict in human history. If you're trying to turn this into some sort of racist debate you're way off base.
Your comment above about scales though I think does come into it. There's very few nations on this planet that haven't killed off the indigenous peoples of the countries they now live in. There are very few nations though that have expanded beyond their own countries to invade other soverign nations and kill 10's of millions of people. Of course past civilisations have done similar expansions like the Romans, Greeks, Mongols, etc. But none of these countries today pose a serious military threat do they? With WWII we are still talking about a conflict that's not just relagated to the history books. Many are still alive who partook in it or were greatly affected by it. It'll be sometime yet I think before people would be comfortable with the idea of Japan or Germany building up their military to be capable of seriously posing an offensive threat.
|
As an emotional appeal you might have some traction. I mean I suppose you are right about the fact that people are still alive that experienced the war.
However as a logical argument you have no traction.
Colonialism inflicted possibly as much death and destruction as WW2 did.
Furthermore... if WW3 occurs and the death toll is surpassed.. does that let Japan and Germany off the hook if they aren't involved? I mean all of a sudden they AREN'T the people that "killed more people in one war than in any previous conflict in human history."
That is why I think scale is irrelevant.
What is relevant is the state that both countries are in
NOW.
That is all I'm arguing. And I don't see the problem with comprehending that point.