I'd not call him a coward, either. But then I don't generally apply that word to CiC's acting in leadership capacities.
I don't think it was the easy way out, though. Necessary. It might, objectively, be justifiable to have invaded, and maybe spread the cost of lives across both countries... I don't think that would necessarily have been better for Japan, certainly not for the US, and I doubt any democratic (or indeed caring) leader is entirely objective when faced with the choice of killing the enemy alone or having his own troops killed too...
PLus, of course, if it hadn't been used, how long before someone else did? The technology was there, science was ready and it would not have taken long. Arguably it was better that the USSR did know that the US was prepared to - did - use atomic weapons, in anger... |
