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War Hero Thwarted Nazi Heavy Water Production
Freshly Exhumed writes "Its doubtful you know the name of Einar Skinnarland, but his sabotage over several years repeatedly thwarted Nazi plans to exploit Norway's heavy water production capabilities for their atomic bomb research plans. Skinnerland recently passed away in Canada and his daring exploits are recounted here. Details of some of the raids on the production facilities can be found on pafko and Stephen's Study Room. So many 'what if?'s and suspicions have swirled around the Nazi atomic bomb program that this man's efforts seem crystal clear for a change."
Right. Somehow I don't think Germany would have been as conservative with its use of the bomb. Russia would probably not exist today, neither would Britain. Most of occupied Europe would have bene spared because of the German expansion.
All in all, the world is very lucky that the U.S. got the bomb first. If the U.S. had designs on ruling the world, they wouldn't have allowed any other nation to develop the bomb.
-- You see, there would be these conclusions that you could jump to
Actually, I think he was illustrating that war (or violence) is sometimes necessary in the greater scheme. His comment was extremely funny because it hilights the porous nature of the Old EUian policy of regarding Iraq.
It is ironic that once again Old Europe is hellbent on appeasing dictators. I guess some Old EUian policies never die.
-- You see, there would be these conclusions that you could jump to
Don't forget Old Europe's handling of Palestine and India/Pakistan. Because Britain and France carved out these capricious boundaries and then fled the scene like rats fleeing a sinking ship, the rest of the world is currently in the situation we're in now.
Once again, Old EUian failed diplomacy become's America's burden.
-- You see, there would be these conclusions that you could jump to
Sure Saddam is a monster, but he's a small-time monster. Mao was a bigtime monster, and his regime is still in power...There we had a clearcut (if pointless) humanitarian mission, but when we took a few casualties it was Sayonara Somalia....Bosnia really wasn't our finest hour. We did bomb the Chinese, something we've never dared to do to them in China.
If we cannot take down the small time monsters, how can we take down the big time ones? Sure Kuwait isn't a democracy, but that doesn't give anyone the right to invade it. Saddam invading Kuwait wasn't exactly a gigantic blow to our oil interests. It's not like he was going to turn off the wells. We could have just made sweetheart deals with him like the French (do a Google on Total Elf Fina). But we decided it wasn't right and did something about it.
As for Bosnia, I would disagree. I believe it was one of our finest hours. The US could have just turned the other way and let Slobodan Milosevic butcher thousands of Muslims. We could have easily said it was Europe's problem. But we stood up against genocide and were victorous. Sure it wasn't clean, but war never is.
And honestly Bosnia shouldn't have been our problem. Neither should have Iraq or Somalia. That is what the UN is for. Unfortunately the UN has proven itself to be completely impotent. I am still sickened by the Srebrenica massacre where the UN set up a safe haven, put Dutch troops there, and just watched idly by while 7,000 Bosnian men were killed because they were the "wrong religion".
The US cannot solve every genocidal conflict. We are labeled an evil imperialistic empire for the small places we try to help. Even now when we try to put military consequences behind UN resolutions we spur millions of anti-war protestors.
I would like to hear your solutions to world peace.
Brian Ellenberger
Just because Rumsfield and Bush are war hawks, doesn't mean they're not on to something re: Europe.
When has Europe, as a whole, stood up in a meaningful way and taken a stand for against anything?
Hint: Never.
Say what you will about the current US administration: At least they've got the courage to a) say what they mean and b) act on it.
For the record, I disagree with what they say and what their acts are, but I respect their ability to do what they believe to be necessary.
Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!