McElvaine on McVeigh Trial, Hiroshima

* Re “When the Enemy Is ‘Them,’ Watch Out,” by Robert McElvaine, Commentary, May 14: The dynamics and decisions made during a declared war are summarized by “they deserved it, they started it”? This is the most simplistic comparison of events one can imagine.

Perhaps McElvaine should read about the meetings at Potsdam which in part outline the agony and debate over the use of the atomic bomb on Japan. It also addressed the interaction with the Soviets and our concern about their intentions after the war with Japan.

Right or wrong, the decision to use the bomb was based on far more complex thoughts than McElvaine indicates. To write this article is one thing, but to publish same is beyond belief.

JOHN F. CLARK

Cardiff

* McElvaine implies that to some extent the motivation for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was revenge for Pearl Harbor. What a distortion of historical reality!

Like many Americans born after the war’s end, my children and I may owe our very existence to the timely end of the war in the Pacific. My father is a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific at the end of the war. It is very likely that he and thousands of other servicemen would have been killed if an invasion of Japan using conventional weapons were necessary.

I am sure that the U.S. leadership during the war was painfully aware of the awesome power of the atomic bombs used against Japan, and of the appalling loss of life that would occur. The decision to use atomic weapons was strategic, not vengeful. The fact that no nuclear weapons have been used since bears witness to this.

There can be no “moral equivalence” argument comparing Oklahoma City to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To imply this is an insult to our veterans.

GEORGE S. WILLIAMS

Torrance

* I’m sure that those Americans alive during World War II are ecstatic to hear McElvaine’s assessment of their reaction to Hiroshima. What an evil population we must have been, so hellbent on revenge. It’s just too bad the bomb had to end the war.

TOM BYRD

North Hollywood