Eighty Years Ago. The Gaza Strip. Favorite Dog. “Sailing.”
- Quote of the Week: “It is not an atomic bomb. It is a thing from hell.” – A survivor of the Hiroshima bombing.
Last week marked eighty years since the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima, and days later, Nagasaki. The casualty count associated with the two bombings have credible estimates of between 120,000-170,000 deaths.
There will always be debate concerning the ethical and legal justifications for the bombings. There is no doubt that the devastation from the two atomic bombs precipitated Japan’s surrender, but at what cost? Those who supported the use of atomic weapons say that their use was necessary to bring an end to the war with minimal casualties. Critics claim the bombings were unnecessary for the war’s end, resulting in moral and ethical implications with many calling the bombings a war crime.
It has been eighty years. Let us all hope that the diatribe surrounding nuclear weapon proliferation quiets down and never again rears its ugly head. This video is a recorded excerpt from President Harry S. Truman after the United States had bombed Hiroshima.
- Last week, one of my questions related to the Gaza- Israel conflict: “What is the g0-forward with Gaza and specifically Hamas? Some pundits call for Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. Some feel that the United States should take over, own, and rebuild the Gaza Strip. What do you say?“
The question may have been answered last week as Israel intends to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip, according to last week’s statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu said Israel aims to eliminate Hamas and secure the area but has no plans to permanently govern there. The country will instead seek to transfer authority to Arab forces. Is this the best solution to free the remaining hostages? Could Israeli occupation finally rid Gaza of Hamas, or will it bring further conflict, devastation, and hunger to the Gaza Strip?
- Does anyone want to venture a guess with the outcome of this Friday’s meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump? Many pundits feel that Trump holds all the cards with negotiations, as Putin, due to dwindling foreign exchange reserves and ongoing unsustainable budget deficits, has put the Russian economy on the brink of collapse. Does Ukraine need to give up some of its Eastern territories to Russia to reach a ceasefire and peace deal? We all wish we could be ‘a fly on the wall’ listening to the exchanges between Putin and Trump.
- Thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s Question of the Week: Not considering shedding, food cost, or reckless abandon, what is your favorite dog breed?
- The best dog is a pound puppy!
- Basset hound because of their majestic grace and solemn bearing.
- The beagle.
- Yorkshire Terrier.
- 1. Boxer 2. Bull dog 3. Mastiff 4. French bull dog Don’t make me choose!
- Labrador Retriever.
- No question a Beagle is the best dog in the universe.
- Boxer
- My dog response probably isn’t appropriate for your G-rated epistle, but for your edification: First, must clarify if the male responder is single or married. If single, no doubt, get a three legged lab and walk it regularly in a public park. Women swoon over three legged dogs, as you know, and are confident that the owner is surely someone they want to sleep with. I’ve known four guys in this situation, and the dog is invariably a chick magnet. Bet you didn’t see that one coming…….
- Pit Bull mix.
Here is this week’s Question of the Week: What sports team, college or pro, is your favorite and why?
- Pure Talent. I enjoy various types of music including classic rock, jazz, reggae, some country, hair-band rock, and lately what some call ‘yacht rock.’ Maybe yacht rock brings me back to my early years? One artist who does resonate with me is Christopher Cross. He has a bit of an uncanny voice, but the melody and tone he uses is amazing. This is one of many hits from the five-time Grammy-award winner. This is “Sailing” and this is definitely Pure Talent.