This Netflix documentary is just excellent. It traces out the conflict between the USSR/Russia and the West from the 1917 Revolution until today. It also goes into tremendous depth of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, which is much deeper and more complex than I ever really understood.

I don't agree with all the conclusions they reach. But I do agree that the inactions of Bill Clinton after the fall of the USSR led to the rise of Putin. We missed our chance to help them install a truly democratic government in a society that has never experienced one. We instead enjoyed our "peace dividend" and allowed totalitarianism to rise once again in that country.

We profit through wars. Not peace.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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We profit through wars. Not peace.

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This.

This is the answer to pretty much any question involving our government, particularly its approach to foreign affairs.

I've watched a couple episodes and think it is good, and less biased than I expected. Still, it underplays how the Japanese were not going to accept surrender until they happened. I think Truman fighting to stave off dropping a third one and lied about as to the military targeting nature of the two cities is interesting and mostly true, but many of us wouldn't be here today if it hadn't happened, as well.

Nagasaki cathedral/RCC population especially is a little tragic but it's also an idea of what total war is about. The IJN/Japanese were all-in on war to the last man, and I don't agree with many of the conclusions drawn by the series.

fc2112 said:

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This Netflix documentary is just excellent. It traces out the conflict between the USSR/Russia and the West from the 1917 Revolution until today. It also goes into tremendous depth of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, which is much deeper and more complex than I ever really understood.

I don't agree with all the conclusions they reach. But I do agree that the inactions of Bill Clinton after the fall of the USSR led to the rise of Putin. We missed our chance to help them install a truly democratic government in a society that has never experienced one. We instead enjoyed our "peace dividend" and allowed totalitarianism to rise once again in that country.

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Does it show how right Patton was and how wrong his superiors were in not letting him roll through russia?

I do not have Netflix and have not watched the documentary.

I am sorry to be one of those people who responds to things they have not watched, but from what I have read online, this show apparently follows the leftist revisionism so prevalent in academia today.

The documentary is foolish propaganda if it argues anything other than the reality that the dropping of the atomic bombs was necessary and even, in a twisted way, merciful.

The Japanese did not surrender after the first atom bomb. They did not surrender until nearly a week after the SECOND bomb. Even after the emperor had decided to surrender and recorded the message to be broadcast to the Japanese people, a military coup was attempted to steal the recording and stop the surrender.

Each month the US waited for the Japanese to surrender, 200,000 innocent civilians in their conquered territories died.

Each month, hundreds of British and American POWs (including my uncle, A&M Class of 1928) died.

Each month, tens of thousands of Japanese civilians died, because the US continued the firebombing of Japanese cities.

Any guilt we may feel over the deaths of Japanese civilians can be laid at the door of their own rulers, who persisted in fighting when the war was clearly lost.

The Japanese were indeed trying to surrender, not to the Allies, but to the Soviets (who had not yet declared war on Japan)--and on terms favorable to Japan:

They would not be occupied.

They would conduct their own war crimes trials.

Not only the Emperor, but the militaristic system in charge of Japan would stay in charge.

They would keep most of their conquered territories in Korea, Manchuria, and China.

Obviously, this was a pipe dream. The Soviets were just stringing them along until they were ready to enter the war and gain control of some of the territory Japan had taken.

Good sources: "Retribution" by Max Hastings and "Downfall" by Richard Frank.

Here is the thread from six months ago.

https://texags.com/forums/16/topics/3449988/replies/67167342#67167342

AggieDruggist89 said:

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We profit through wars. Not peace.

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"War is good for business."

Rule of Acquisition #34.

/Nerd Mode

fc2112 said:

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We missed our chance to help them install a truly democratic government in a society that has never experienced one.

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We have spent much treasure on such endeavors. Have we ever had any successes?

Japan and Germany leap to mind.

I agree with your cynicism, however.