Keith Muschinske - I agree that we'll probably debate the dropping of the atomic bombs forever, and that's probably a good thing.  There are some historical aspects to the decision to use the bombs that many don't realize 1) Harry Truman was new to the presidency and knew nothing @ the program and its implications until after FDR's death, 2) we had broken the Japanese codes and knew that Japan was attempting to have Stalin act as a peacemaker in ending the war (Russia & Japan were still "at peace") but Stalin refused to see the Japanese ambassador, 3) alternatives to the bomb presented to Truman included a naval blockade of Japan and 4) a demonstration of the atomic bomb in an isolated area.  Of course we'll never know what might have happened.  Die-hard Japanese militarists still wanted to fight on after the atomic bombs were dropped.  Only the actions of Emperor Hirohito after the bombs convinced the Japanese army to stop fighting.