That's true, up to a point. But supposing you were to discover, in someone's basement in Tokyo, clear documentary evidence that Japan intended to surrender on August 10, 1945. Or suppose for a moment that you came into the possession of a long-lost memo from Harry Truman to himself, explaining his true rationale for dropping the bomb. These are opinions, yes, but they're subject to being reinforced or discredited by facts.

 

Truman did say, "If it explodes, as I think it will, I'll certainly have a hammer on those boys." He was rather clearly referring to the Soviets. They did learn of this comment, and that is how they interpreted it.

If Truman thought the atomic bomb intimidated the Russians into being docile, he was mistaken. When the bombs went off, Stalin accelerated Russian plans to develop their own bomb, and consolidated Soviet power over Eastern Europe.

 

Then when and if that hypothetical evidence was proven to be valid, I would have to reevaluate my opinion.

All opinions are subject to change if the facts are determined to be different than originally believed, even yours.

 

Why are you so damned certain that your opinion is the only correct one? IMO, Stalin didn't need the US to explode a bomb, they were damn near there themselves.

 

Quite so. My point is, once again, all opinions aren't equal. They're only equal in the absence of hard evidence.

In the late 1800s, a lot of people considered George Armstrong Custer to be a national hero. Now, there is fairly broad consensus that he was an arrogant, power-hungry egomaniac. The reason it's so difficult to resolve disagreements such as the one about the atomic bomb is that the people who have the most to lose in such conflicts take great pains to conceal the truth. The same can be said of the Kennedy assassination and the events of 9/11.

 

I guess I did miss that. I thought you were pretty supportive of the war on terror.

Funny I watched Ronald Reagan throw this nation to the corporate wolves. Although he was the most shining example of "conservatism" as it is preached and practiced in this nation being a lie.

But I'll have to agree that since Reagan the rich have managed to skim off another 10% of the resources so now 1% controls about 95% of the wealth,

Now are you speaking from some top secret information here TJ? Because all I've seen is that General McChrystal requested 40,000 troops. President Obama has authorized up to 33,000 troops and the rest are coming out of NATO so I really don't see where President Obama has denied anything.

You know TJ I'm not buying any of this. Hell I don't even believe that you believe this. President Obama didn't really have much choice and at least we can see the light in the end of the tunnel.

I've actually come to see that as the ultimate compliment. I've never seen a president I thought was doing better under worse circumstances and I think deep down inside that just scares the bejeezus out of the Conservatives/Republicans.

 

I like Celtic folk music. Indeed, I am listening to some right now. I dislike country and western music, even though it evolved from blue grass music, which in turn evolved from Celtic music. Anyway, if I say Celtic music is better than country and western music, that is a matter of taste. If I say that everyone should have health coverage regardless of income, that is similar to a matter of taste. It is a fact about me, rather than a truth about the universe.

However, if I say that countries with universal health care get better results with less money, that is a reality perception in which facts that can be documented matter.

Those who are poorly informed often have strong opinions, but those who are well informed have opinions that merit more consideration and respect. How well informed one is can easily be measured by a test of general knowledge.

 

Since 1980 most economic growth has gone to the richest 10% of the country. The rich have made much more money while paying lower taxes. With the presidency of Barack Obama they are afraid that the party is over, and that they begin to pay the high tax rates they did from the New Deal to the Reagan administration.

The hatred non rich Republicans have for President Obama is more difficult to understand. It seems to be based on a fear of the unknown, and a nostalgia for white skin privilege.

 

Your argument is one that puzzles me. If we agree that any opinion is subject to change when new evidence is discovered, why do you think that yours are any more sound?

Even hard evidence is virtually useless when discussing the why's of someones action or inaction. There is no way to get inside the head of some who is alive, yet alone someone who is long gone. Outside of you or another bringing to the table a letter from HST stating, "I am going to nuke the Japanese just because I want to, not because we need to", the whole argument is no thicker than air.

 

Top Secret? Stumbler, have you been hiding under a fucking rock? Try reading this, and there are plenty more http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/ge...00_more_troops_to_make_afghanistan_low_risk_/

As for the light at the end of the tunnel? That is a freight train and it is going to run over your ass, you better run now!

 

TJ you're right I'm finding this all over the internet. And they all say the same thing: "It was widely reported that ........." But I've also seen the 40,000 even more widely reported so I'm not quite sure what we've got here.

But do you really think it takes 80,000 troops? I think we out number the Taliban 20-1 as it is now.

 

What the fuck?!?!?! He is your Commander in Chief, you may not like him, but you still have to obey his orders.

Suck it up and drive on Soldier.

That is, if you are actually in the military, and you are not considering your time in JROTC as being in the military.

 

When Bush was President the military was trying to win the "hearts and mind of the people" in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Just because the news does not report it does not mean it is not happening.

 

kicks you in the groin! persuasion DL? social democrats will never rule the day! whatever i can throw tomatoes at you ass well Distant Lover, please look up that order from the President and do a search on all of those documents. please why do you accuse me of doing exactly what you do? tell me please i need to know. Observation? that hatred of Americans comment was like WOW. what is up with Gibbs? what a shame he is the Presidents spokesman. :excited:

 

How did that work out?

 

Kimiko, I am not interested in going back to school with you, I would just ditch like I always did. your post above made me laugh because it sounds like you are trying to say........never mind. Kimiko, calling you out on the pedophile thread is all I need to know about us and why we always fight. Ridiculing anyone is never done on purpose from me..trying to be a sharp as I can when pointing out the extreme differences in our beliefs, values and quite possibly manners is easy especially which inherently it comes from the heart.

 

Oh my God I was really trying to ignore this one but when I read this:

I just couldn't let that pass without laughing and rolling around on the floor and wondering who on the forum that's been here more than a week would ever believe that.

 

at least you laugh kinda lame Stumbler.....you can do better than that. Believe what? telling you that your political, socio economical, military opinions are scary. tenguy said claim your righteousness, i do.

 

Now, now Deidre few forum members have spit more venom, hate, insults and name calling than you have. Are you going to try and deny that?

 

really?... peace i will deny your claims Stumbler and everything your about, your whole existence is like clashing with mine, it has since day 1 along with a few others...who cares, i don't. is this a popularity contest? speak your mind! i do and if you are an adult why are you saying this on an adult forum. :rose: