64th Anniversary of Hiroshima

Yesterday marked the 64th anniversary of the worst massacre in human history: the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. 50,000 people from 60 countries gathered to commemorate the event and listen to Japan's call for a total elimination of nuclear weapons by the year 2020. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso spoke, detailing Japan's commitment to building a non-nuclear world:

"Japan will continue to uphold its three non-nuclear principles, and lead the international community toward the abolishment of nuclear weapons and lasting peace."

So, as we face the potential of nuclear war with Iran, North Korea, Hamas, or any "stateless" enemy, it's important to remember that the only nation to ever USE a nuclear weapon was the US. As we remember what we did, here are some reminders:

• The Hiroshima blast killed approximately 80,000 people instantly, and destroyed the entire city. The total reached 220,000 when Nagasaki was bombed three days later.
  
• "The full count of the atomic bomb's victims was approximately 140,000 by the end of 1945, and has since reached 260,000."
• "The use of the bomb to end WWII ushered in a new nuclear era, and today, there are 27,000 bombs in the global nuclear arsenal. According to William Hartung of the New America Foundation, that's enough to destroy the world several times over."

The LA Times conducted a poll ("Do you think the United States did the right thing or the wrong thing by dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?") to see whether or not American's still agree with President Truman's use of the bomb and found some interesting results:

• 61% said they believed it was the right thing, 22% called it wrong, and 16% were undecided.
• 73% of voters older than 55 approved, while only 50% of voters ages 18 - 34 approved.
• 74% of Republicans said the bombings were a good idea, and 49% of Democrats agreed.
  
• 72% of men approved and 51% of women agreed.

Though some of those numbers surprise me (especially that almost 3 out of 4 people over age 55 approve of the bombing), the fact that the approval rate drops 25% among the younger generation gives me hope that we are moving in the right direction.

Personally, I can't think of any reason why a nuclear weapon should ever be used. What could justify the instantaneous killing of 80,000 human beings? Not to mention the fact that modern nuclear weapons are thousands of times stronger than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

To put some perspective on the issue, the American Cancer Society estimates that 440,000 people die annually from tobacco use. Or put another way, almost twice as many people die annually from tobacco products than died from dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki...

Nuclear Nonproliferation

The Obama diplomacy must be working. In the past few months, there have been great strives in nuclear nonproliferation as well as reduction of existing warheads, despite some very volatile regimes.

One of the biggest announcements thus far has been the agreement between President Obama and Russian President Medvedev with the stated goal of reducing the world's two largest nuclear stockpiles by as much as 33%, which would be the the lowest levels of any U.S.-Russia accord. Because the US and Russia account for almost 90% of the worlds nuclear weapons, this is a great first step. Russia, however, is not the biggest obstacle at the moment, that title is shared by Iran and North Korea.

President Obama made clear during his campaign that he would persue a new strategy of mutual respect and diplomacy, which is appears to be upholding. He has already extended a hand to the Iranian regime, it's up to them to reach back. For those who missed it, Obama set forth his plan for Iran in his speech in Cairo:

This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.

I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America's interests. It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

That is the talk I like to see out of my president. Hilary Clinton, however, was a bit less eloquent in her appearance on Meet the Press this weekend when she said that Iran does “not have the right to obtain a nuclear weapon” and continued to say, with a total lack of irony:

“What we want to do is to send a message to whoever is making these decisions, that if you’re pursuing nuclear weapons for the purpose of intimidating, of projecting your power, we’re not going to let that happen,” Clinton said. “Your pursuit is futile.”

Though Iran's nuclear ambitions are a major focus, North Korea successfully tested a nuclear device earlier this year and has been claiming that any attempt to enforce the new UN sanctions, such as boarding/inspecting any North Korean ship, would be considered an act of war. , even going as far as saying that it would "wipe the United States off the map." The good news, however, is that North Korea's Foreign Minister said over the weekend that it may be open to new negotiations on its nuclear program as long as they are held outside of the upcoming six-party talks, including the U.S., China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.

Now, we just have to wait and see if the talk translates into action.