Lies are often said in silence. Crimes are most often committed in secret. Often what is not said is more important than what is said.
Every so often we are reminded of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Richard Fernandez "The Foundations of Our World" reminds us that these were not the most devastating attacks in the Pacific. They are remembered for a reason.
As the New York Times remembers Hiroshima, try this quiz. Name the two greatest losses of civilian life in the Pacific war. Hint. In both cases the civilian casualties were greater Hiroshima’s. In one case the event took place on American soil.
Casualties
Hiroshima 70,000–80,000
Battle of Manila 100,000
Nanjing 300,000
Hiroshima, Manila and Nanjing are tragic in their own ways. But one tragedy that continues even to this day is the selective memory in the capitals of nations who the inhabitants of Manila and Nanjing once called their Allies. Bravery and sacrifice is fine; but politics is finer. Hiroshima is remembered not only because of the suffering and loss that took place there but because it renews an ongoing narrative, and those Japanese dead can still march in its cause. Manila and Nanjing, which hold the graves of nearly 400,000 people who once fought on the side of the democracies, are forgotten. But that is no matter. After the first death, there is no other.
I live to spit on peole who lie through silence.
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