As a child, I was incredibly naïve as is the case for all children. I knew that we had finally stopped the “Japs”, the term US propaganda had assigned the enemy to dehumanize them. Comic books characterized them, political cartoons did the same and Germans had received the same treatment. As is the case with most societies, dehumanizing the ‘enemy’ is one of the first methods to influence thought and achieve unity of purpose. A well known quote from that era follows:
"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." -- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials When I saw photos and news reels of the blast, it was easy to see that it was a ‘big deal’. General emotions about it were wonder, fascination, awe, pride and fear… most of which were gained by my environment. However, the main influence in my life was learning how to ‘duck and cover’. In grade school, we had these drills quite often and I fantasized the blinding flash of light that would melt the eye ball and the deathly wall of heat and wind that would follow and most likely instant death. To seriously contemplate death on a regular basis for one in grade school has a profound effect upon the psyche and the fear of general and total annihilation followed me for decades. Even now, that possibility brings back the same realization. Often I wonder how it is for the children in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere where life and limb are constantly an issue. For a few years I was interested in studying atomic power and even built a 500 piece model of one as an early teen. As I matured and realized the effect of the waste product as well as the danger of such a facility, I lost my fascination. You didn’t ask, but the same fear arose for most of us during the entire ‘cold war’ and during Cuban missile crisis in particular… and for good reason. The world was but a few minutes from that reality according to historic records. Overall, this sort of weapon, one that can destroy most or all life on the planet is one example of how humans are not very bright regardless of the physics involved. Of course my criteria here is survival of humanity. Otherwise, no problem! (irony) Again, politically, the fear of death is quite often used. It was used for Viet Nam, Iraq and elsewhere. Even today it is used for the financial ‘crisis’. IF one can overcome this fear in fact and not just intellectually, it is much harder to be led around by the nose. Thank you for asking. Few do and most likely will be doomed to repeating history. On Oct 6, 6:24 am, "Jason (Memphis)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Ornamentalmind, > > So what were your thoughts when those bombs were dropped as a child? > Elation, wonder, fear...all of the above and more. Our society must > have had a hatred toward the enemy,which included Japan. > > Jason > > On Oct 5, 11:38 pm, ornamentalmind <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > "...No hydrogen bombs have been dropped in anger." - Taylor > > > Thank you! That was my point. Atomic bombs, yes, two, hydrogen bombs > > no. I should know since I was alive when they were dropped too! :-) > > > On Oct 5, 8:55 pm, Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > <<"Little Boy" was the atomic explosion that wipe out 80,000 people > > > and > > > "Fat Man" wiped out 140,000. 220,000 people...not too bad for just > > > two bomb drops. >> > > > > Those were not hydrogen explosions. No hydrogen bombs have been > > > dropped in anger.- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
