TheMadCap

Absolutely correct, nearly the entire population of Japan would have to ahve been essentially exterminated. Still, even after the declaration of war by Russia and the A-bombs, some wanted to fight on, even trying an ill-concieved cout to prevent the surrender...

You also have to keep in mind the mental make-up of the Japanese at that time. They believed that they were destined to rule, that all other races were inferior and that no one could defeat them with thier "living God" at the head. Even those in power smart enough (Yamomoto) to realize that this way of thinking was going to turn out badly could not really openly say anything that would give the appearance of being anything other than completely confident. To a Japanese, losing face or honor is the worst fate imaginable. To a man, most of them would rather die in a hopeless battle against impossible odds than give up, or be captured. The Miliatry leaders of Japan FULLY expected to have to fight down to the last living citizen in an Allied invasion of the homelands. They gave peasants instructions on the best way to kill an enemy soldier with pitchforks or rocks, in order that they should do thier duty for the Emperor. Those who say that it was unneccessary to use nuclear weapons against the people of Japan do not fully understand thier mindsets. It have been suggested that the number of casulties of an Allied invasion of the Japanese homelands are in excess of one million. Even AFTER the bombs fell there were those that wanted to fight on...

I agree, or at least attempted to, however, it seems I did not make my post very clear. Japan's weather and topography made our attempts to knock out thier factory infrastructure exceedingly difficult...

As Tom pointed out, most of thier motives for attacking were economic to begin with, and they had been essentially at war in China for a over a decade when the attack at the Pearl happened. Keep in mind that the Japanese high command had NO illusions about defeating the US in a head to head confrontation. Thier entire stratagy was to wear down the morale of the American populace to wage a destructive and costly war so far away from home. They only hoped to broker a peace accord which would afford them both a morale and economic victory that they could live with...

True, however, it should be noted that the geography of Japan played a key role in thier being able to field ANY machines of war at all. The locations of many of thier factories for making planes and other armaments were so inaccessable, and the weather usually so poor, that the Allies (really the US) were inneffective at bombing these factories, and was partly the reason why they resorted to the massive fire bombing campaigns which reduced the paper cities of the Empire to dust...

Was this the one they cut the bottom of the hull out to rescue some of the men who were in the lower levels when it capsized or was that the Utah? I have long believed (and have heard it said a few other places) that even if the Japs would have sunk the carriers of the PAC fleet that day, by about 1943 or so when the full might of US war production would have maxed out, the US would still have had the naval firepower to wear down and defeat the Imperial Japanese Navy in the end. What do you think about this?

The ramifications of this are horrifying. Haven't been in a Walmart lately, have you?

Dare you enter the Chamber of Farts?

God, poor South Africa, they got crushed, France, Mexico and Uruguay...

All Pandas in foreign countries are still the property of China and must return to the breeding center in Woolong when they are old enough...

Again, that's not even close, it's a TD...

My God, is that Mabin? What's he doing in there???

Man, Fitzy just faked that guy out of his shorts. You are right though, need to NOT take big hits like that...

Holy Crap, who knew Donte could do that? Marv?

heh, no doubt. What the hell was he thinking? That's not even close, even if the ball didn't come out...

Christ Refs, that's not even close to a fumble. Sheesh, make us waste a challenge on that crap...

Aint no Kris Jenkins, that was Ellis. Even my grandmother knew they were calling a draw there....

Saw them for the first time in Raleigh at RBC center last night. Dude, that was a METAL show dressed up as Christmas music. THe wife and I were chuckling to ourselves about how many old ladies were there listening to shred metal. It was great!

Lol! BTW, the squirrels were "merry" not "married". Get it right or I'll set the building on fire!

Answer: They don't have to.

If the Bills hire any of those three guys, I will shrivel up and die...

without looking at the author first? I know I do, it is practically the only thing I have to look forward to. You know it's always the one that has the funniest headline...

Do yourself a favor and get the entire season of Firefly. You won't be sorry...

yeah, me too. I had no idea (not having installed a kitchen faucet before) that you need a special wrench whos only purpose is taking off that one bolt...

Not bad at all IMO, even thought they aren't ELITE players by any stretch, I would definitely think you keep Whitner and Hardy, and I would be tempted to keep Lankster and Wilson around for depth on D, and Edwards as a backup QB. You DEFINTELY cut Kelsay, just cause it would feel sooooo good to see him gone...