Circle of Trust

Q Source, quadrant 3 “Lead Right” The practice of virtuous leadership

One can certainly argue that both Emperor Hirohito and Prime minister Hideki were effective leaders for Imperial Japan.  However, among the many other war crimes, the cowardly attack on Pearl Harbor killing 2,403 American service members was certainly not virtuous leadership.  (Hideki would later be found guilty of war crimes by the international Military Tribunal for his crimes including the Bataan Death March, etc…)

WW II was a long and complicated war so this is going to be grossly abbreviated and generalized.  Still, by the summer of 1945 the defeat of Japan was certain.  The Japanese navy and air force were decimated.  The allies naval blockade and bombing of the county crushed the economy and Okinawa has been captured.  It appeared that a full scale invasion of mainland Japan was next.  Then, U.S. successfully tested the first atomic bomb in July 1945.  After the Potsdam Declaration for unconditional surrender went unanswered, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Aug. 6th, 1945 over Hiroshima killing 80,000 men, women, & children instantly.  3 days later, still with no surrender on Aug. 9th, 1945 the U.S. dropped a 2nd atomic bomb over Nagasaki killing an estimated 40,000 more men, women, and children instantly.  Over the next few months  a total of 250,000+ Japanese died directly from the blasts or the after affects of the radiation.  Future affects of Leukemia and other cancers still not totally understood.  So, all of this to say, was this decision by U.S. leaders virtuous if other option were available? (and my many accounts there were)

The Japanese military was particular cruel and I could easily argue “they deserved” what they got.  However, it’s estimated that only 10-15% of the total casualties from the two blasts were Japanese military personnel.  On the other hand it was widely estimated that a ground invasion of Japan would have cost the U.S. as many as 1,000,000 additional casualties in an already devastating war.  None of this is to say which decision was right or wrong.  Thankfully none of us will ever be faced with such dire choices.  I wish only that as we strive to lead virtuously in our respective communities and families we learn from the past and consider the long term outcome before acting in haste whether with a sharp tongue or ‘the bird’ on the expressway.  I hope we can all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and even slower to anger. (James 1:19, paraphrased)

Prayers for our brother Hotbox, Swass, Cousin Eddie, and Nacho Libre.