For Hiroshima Day

August 6, Hiroshima Day, commemorates the first ever atomic bomb attack, by the United States, on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. It is estimated that 90,000－166,000 persons died from that attack. A second (and last) atomic attack was carried out three days later, also by the U.S., on Nagasaki, Japan.


Having been born almost two years later, I grew up in the shadow of the bomb. I grew up in the first generation knowing we could bring the world to an end. Now we know that we can bring the world to an end not only by nuclear destruction, but through environmental destruction as well. 


I remember  in elementary school we had bomb drill practices when we had to get down under our desks for awhile. Families were encouraged to build bomb shelters in their backyards for survival. I don't think many did though. At least, none that I knew of. Anyway, "the bomb" was in the air, so to speak. We were probably even shown documentaries on such.


I also remember later seeing the movie called, "On the Beach," depicting after the bomb. I even read a couple of novels depicting after the bomb.


Not too many years ago, I read a book I found at my local library telling stories from the survivors called, hibakusha. At this time I also read from the library, a book by a Japanese man survivor written not too many years after the bomb.

I guess you could say I have been haunted by the bomb. This threat of nuclear destruction is one reason I believe we are going to have to get along in this world.  I am not one of those who looks forward to the end of the world for Jesus to come back. I believe that part of why we are here is to love and care for each other. Compassion--not hate, destruction, and war--is the way.


The above is why I am so dismayed by the current action of Congress in our deficit crisis. There is no excuse for the wealthy not doing their part and for putting it all on the poor and the needy. All this warmaking and defense spending must be cut.


All human life everywhere is sacred including terrorists, Democrats, and Republicans.


I Declare World Peace.


Read Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Rich Man's Coup of America and Women's Challenge, and sign the Charter for Compassion. You can also declare world peace, too.