2G20 - 5: Nuclear war

[Fei Ayanami]

Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. Also, it’s 2G20, which seems an appropriate time to consider worst case scenarios.

From what I gather, there is still a lot of debate over whether that bombing was justified in order to prevent a dragged-out invasion of Japan that would itself have cost countless lives. In my opinion the clear answer is no, it absolutely was not justified, but I’d be curious to hear from anyone who even sort of disagrees.

Even in the hypothetical where I believe Hiroshima’s bombing was justified, I don’t know how I’m supposed to justify the second attack on Nagasaki three days later.

I suppose the only positive for me at this point is we’ve now reached 75 years of co-existence with nuclear weapon stockpiles and we’re still here. Miraculously, Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only targets of nuclear attack. But I am truly afraid that won’t be sustained for the remainder of my natural life.

Discuss.

[WaWard]

My take was that many lives would’ve been lost either way. However this one primarily targeted civilians, so it was a terrorist operation.

[Lord Golbez]

No. It's bullshit for bullshitters like Collin. For one thing, there's a huge difference between fighting armies and targeting the civilian populace of entire cities. So a strict numbers game is BS regardless of accuracy. Secondly, assholes like Collin want to maintain that the nuclear bombs were necessary, while if you press them on why the second one was necessary he'll say even that didn't win the war, it was the Russian invasion. Well, if it was Russia, then you didn't need the damn bombs did you? Just say anything to justify your country is the name of the game. Then the assholes will switch gears and mention the fire bombing of Dresden. Because apparently at some point I said Dresden was justifiable? Oh wait! I never did. Fuck assholes who defend biking cities.

[Fei Ayanami]

I actually really like biking cities and I’d appreciate it if you’d leave them out of this. Otherwise I agree with you.

[Lord Golbez]

I'm certain I wrote nuking. Maybe auto correct prefers biking.

[Fei Ayanami]

I, too, prefer biking to nuking.

Also who the hell justifies nuking by comparing it to the crime against humanity that was the Dresden firebombing

[Lord Golbez]

The MOOs and Collins of the world.

[Damien]

Not in the frame of mind to think of a meaningful answer, but I visited the Peace Park in Hiroshima the other year and the story is pretty powerful.

[Vibing_V]

The use of nuclear weapons definitely seemed like one of those "because we can" not "because we should" scenarios. Thankfully it hasn't been an ongoing thing.

[WaWard]

It's pronounced nucular

[Mitsurugi CP]

Using nuclear weapons is an example of targeting civilians and city centers taken to the extreme. I would put attacks like the bombing of Dresden in the same category, but the use of nuclear weapons is worse because of the absolute lack of precision and the debilitating and to-date irremediable long-term consequences of radiation exposure.

I know it's only a matter of time before the next nuclear weapon is used, but given the way the world has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and war crimes committed by various countries and organizations over the past 40-plus years, I am somewhat less than convinced by the concept of mutually assured destruction unless two nuclear states attack each other. If a nuclear state attacks a non-nuclear state, I imagine the rest of the world will grumble and give the most shocked and remonstrative of harumphs polite society has ever heard, but ultimately do nothing of substance to retaliate against the offending nation.

[Lord Golbez]

Sadly, you're probably right though it may depend on which country uses one and which country is their target.

[Fei Ayanami]

Oh by the way we can talk about impending nuclear war here too. Any bets on when that will happen? Think we’ll see out a full century from Nagasaki without another nuclear attack?

[Lord Golbez]

No. Because Trump.

[Fei Ayanami]

But Trump will be easily defested i mn two mknrhhsshahnshahh

[Fei Ayanami]

Was looking for something else but this one seems digworthy

[Fei Ayanami]

Using nuclear weapons is an example of targeting civilians and city centers taken to the extreme. I would put attacks like the bombing of Dresden in the same category, but the use of nuclear weapons is worse because of the absolute lack of precision and the debilitating and to-date irremediable long-term consequences of radiation exposure.

I know it's only a matter of time before the next nuclear weapon is used, but given the way the world has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and war crimes committed by various countries and organizations over the past 40-plus years, I am somewhat less than convinced by the concept of mutually assured destruction unless two nuclear states attack each other. If a nuclear state attacks a non-nuclear state, I imagine the rest of the world will grumble and give the most shocked and remonstrative of harumphs polite society has ever heard, but ultimately do nothing of substance to retaliate against the offending nation.

This take seems like THE ONE TO WATCH

[WaWard]

It's pronounced nucular

.

[Fei Ayanami]

Avuncular

[WaWard]

first their was nu metal.... now their's nu clear....

[Damien]

[Fei Ayanami]

Hey it’s Barry

[Damien]

In 2G2

[Fei Ayanami]

Putin’s early years

[WaWard]

Before cancel couture….