Obama’s Japan trip revives war memories

The debate over the nuclear strikes on Japan during World War II will probably never end. But both countries are very different from what they were in 1945.

If Obama's visit to Hiroshima helps bring some closure to old wounds, and brings the two nations closer together, I welcome it. Mubashir Cheema

The Japanese need to apologize for a lot of things, starting with Pearl Harbor. Tim Webb

The president has to go to Hiroshima. We have to come face to face with what we did. The conscience of the world is weighing us down. George Kafantaris

No matter how holy we try to portray ourselves, we are the only country to deploy nuclear weapons on civilians. Jerry Tyller

Did anyone expect anything else from this president? This has been an apology tour from beginning to end. Well, here is my apology: I am sorry this guy represents the USA. His record of incompetence speaks for itself. Thomas J. Ritz

It was a very different time, and the options we have today were not available. The Japanese were a formidable enemy and had made a vicious, unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor.

As my dad used to say, “We didn’t start the fight, but we sure finished it.” Thom Paul Viceroy

Of course it's viewed as an apology. If you think he's going there for any other reason, you probably voted for him. Japan cannot even teach their own kids about their country’s role in starting the war and the millions of deaths they are responsible for. Of course I have a problem that my president is going there. Garth Hogan

Sad how Americans justify the killing and maiming of innocent women and children to bring down governments. Pete Wagner

If Obama had been president in 1945, we wouldn't be having this discussion now. We would have just surrendered. Bald Knobber