Readers sound off on dropping the bomb, Father’s Day and Chris Christie

Monroe Township, N.J.: I disagree with Rosario Iaconis’ recent guest column (“Hiroshima and the Bomb, then and now,” op-ed, May 20). He maintains that the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan was unnecessary because the Japanese would imminently surrender. This topic hits home. My father was on a Navy destroyer heading toward Japan in the spring of 1945, just weeks before the United States released the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August. Kamikaze suicide planes were a constant threat.

The professor asks if the bombs were really needed to “save nearly a million American and Japanese lives that would have been lost in an invasion of Japan?” But that number drastically undercounts what military experts had estimated. The Imperial Japanese Army credo was to fight to the death. William Shockley, a top government planner, prepared for 1 million American casualties and 4 million Japanese casualties. Two-hundred-thousand Japanese perished in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Horrific. Yet far more people were saved by the August bombings. And the atomic devastation led Emperor Hirohito, worshiped as a living god, to concede defeat.

The atomic bombs not only ended the conflict with Japan, they also ceased atrocities by Japanese soldiers like the Bataan Death March (photo) and their crimes upon occupied peoples. Torture; beheadings of prisoners; Korean sex slaves (“comfort women”); mass sexual assault in China. Read Iris Chang’s book, “The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II.” The brutality of the Japanese rapes in China is shocking.

Japan initiated war with the United States at Pearl Harbor and, with its ally Nazi Germany, sought world domination. Only American resolve and sacrifice blocked the heinous ambitions of both nations. Barry Hantman

Fresh Meadows: A father is a loving, caring patriarch of his family. He is a teacher of respect, love, morals and kindness for his children. He is a good listener who is always supportive during the best of times and the not-so-best of times. He is always there to encourage his children to strive to do their best and to show kindness and respect toward others. He sets an example for his children by how he lives his own life and faith. A father is, like a mother, a precious gift from God always and forever. God bless all of our fathers and grandfathers, both living and deceased, on this special day, Father’s Day. John Amato

Toms River, N.J.: There is a definite meaning to Father’s Day. A father plays a significant role in a child’s life. He is the steadfast pillar of support for his children. He is there for encouragement, emotional and moral support and, of course, for financial assistance when required. Essentially, a father is someone on whom his children can depend. Unfortunately, there are too many boys out there trying to prove that they are men by fathering children. Look, guys, if you’re not prepared for all the responsibilities and obligations that come along with bringing children into the world, then I strongly urge you to use a prophylactic. There are way too many fatherless children in the world, many of whom are unwanted and unloved, and we don’t need any of you adding to this problem. Rudy Ross

Bayside: I can’t help but wonder why many packaged foods remain fresh only until their expiration date but when exposed to air, the product must be consumed so quickly. It would therefore seem the very air we breathe is toxic to foods. It does cause one to wonder how healthy the air is, anyway? Sarah Alboher

Whitestone: So Daniel Penny was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. What a surprise. Penny, an ex-Marine who proudly served his country, should be given a ticker-tape parade instead of an indictment. He stepped up to protect fellow passengers from serious harm and broke no laws. Alvin Bragg, the criminal-protecting district attorney in Manhattan is at least consistent. He constantly goes after law-abiding, stand-up citizens who contribute to the world. Wake up, all my fellow New Yorkers, come election time I think you all know what you need to do. Vote him out. Gene O’Brien

Manhattan: I shake my head in disbelief whenever I read and hear people complain about the “lack of police presence” causing a spike in crime in Midtown Manhattan. What good is arresting these perps if DA Bragg and other progressive prosecutors continue to release them with low or no bail? Guaranteed the thug who kicked and robbed that 75-year-old woman outside Macy’s, if caught, has a record a mile long. Start putting them away and watch how fast the crime rate drops. Carmine Coluccio

Manhattan: Re “Adams puts foot down” (June 16): The more apt headline is “Adams KOs elected official, betrays retirees.” This is a new low in his “I am king” administration. His inexperience in running anything large and complex like our city is proving dangerous. Frankie Turchiano

Brooklyn: To the Hispanic folk in Miami who see no wrong in the former president’s behavior, especially the older ones who escaped Cuba, please think back to 1959, to wit: “We do not need any two-party government,” and everyone shouted “Si.” You also did not want a democratic government. Some years later, you were fighting the currents of the Mona Passage to get to any point of land in Florida. It bears a heavy consideration. Isn’t the situation similar now? Was the government you got better for you? Look your gift horse in the mouth. Are all those shiny things teeth or swords? As my mother used to say: Careful — what sweetens a goat’s mouth will burn its tail. Shirley Forde

Lackawaxen, Pa.: More than 40 years ago, our oldest boy’s grade school best friend confided: “Life is not fair,” becoming my favorite ethical philosopher. Voicer Chuck Shannon offers an exemplar of that lament, implying that some people in high positions escape the punishment that ordinary folks may receive. Of course, in terms of temporal frequency, ordinary folks get away with speeding, littering, tax finagling, etc. at a much greater incidence than public figures who avoid justice for more serious offenses. As to Shannon’s specific example, it is unclear whether Donald Trump’s indictment is vindication of his outrage or if the Voicer is suggesting that the ex-president should have concealed his crimes by becoming a modern-day Savonarola, lighting a “falò delle vanità” (bonfire of the vanities). John A. MacKinnon

Malverne, L.I.: Former President Trump was elected thanks to the Electoral College. In both elections, he lost the popular vote. In 2016, following the announcement of his presidential victory, as he stood looking in awe, what was going through his head? For years he was in the tabloids showing up politicians, i.e. when he renovated Wollman Rink in Central Park at a discount to what it was going to cost NYC taxpayers. He showcased bravado, machismo and charisma each step of the way. No matter how you look at the predicament he’s in following two recent arraignments, this is drama at its best. Growing up in Queens, I heard stories from regular folks that dealt with him. After firing employees on “The Apprentice,” I think they are having the last laugh. Karma is cruel. As David Letterman used to say on “The Late Show,”: “I wouldn’t give his troubles to a monkey on a rock.” Kosmas Patikoglou

Austin, Texas: On Tuesday, I watched CNN’s town hall with Chris Christie. I am not sure he will win the Republican nomination. But, unlike the majority of Republicans, including most of the other Republican candidates, Christie knows Trump well and has worked for him, yet he is not afraid of the former president. Christie took Trump on vigorously and forcefully. In addition, he answered questions directly, without mincing words or worrying about what his opponents might say. As someone who spent his career studying political rhetoric, I believe Christie was rhetorically formidable. If he qualifies for the debate, he will be a tough foe. Interestingly, the town hall audience — including those who supported another candidate — was listening and, at least non-verbally, responded positively. Christie certainly has a record of being able to persuade. Whether he can convince enough people to win the nomination remains to be seen, but don’t underestimate his rhetorical acumen. Richard Cherwitz