Nate the Great Heads Back to Sports

Surprise news tonight that Nate Silver is exiting NYT for ESPN2, where among other things he will guest on Keith Olbemann's new latenight show.   Silver's career started in the baseball stat/analysis biz so not a total shock.

Manning and the Enemy

My new piece at The Nation on judge refusing to throw out "aiding the enemy" charge against Bradley Manning.  A verdict might even come later today.

Dylan Under/Out Of Control

As I've noted before, most of the fabled "Basement Tapes" recorded by Dylan and The Band at Big Pink in 1967 remain unreleased (though long available on 5-disc bootlegs).  The dozens of unreleased cuts include some terrific and not-so-great covers plus many Dylan originals (completed or in-process).   Also, many alternate takes of the songs that have been released.  Here's the mis-named "Under Control," the rockingest one, and possibly the hardest he ever rocked, with Robbie snarling on guitar.   Note:  I've posted the first chapter of my just-completed comic novel, Too Much of Nothing--set in and around Big Pink today--here for a few days, please read and comment!

Countdown to Hiroshima, July 19, 1945: 'Fini Japs' Without Bomb?

Each summer I count down the days to the atomic bombing of Japan (August 6 and Augut 9, 1945),  marking events from the same day in 1945.  I've written  three books on the subject:  Hiroshima in America (with Robert Jay Lifton),  Atomic Cover-Up (on the decades-long suppression of shocking film shot in the atomic cities by the U.S. military) and Hollywood Bomb  (the wild story of how an MGM 1947 drama was censored by the military and Truman himself).

July 19, 1945:  Gen. Leslie Groves' dramatic report on the Trinity test lands on Secretary of War Henry Stimson's desk.  Residents of New Mexico and Las Vegas, who witnessed a flash in the desert (some received radiation doses) still in the dark.

The Interim Committee has settled on a target list (in order):  Hiroshima, Kokura, Nagasaki.  Top priority was they must be among the few large Japanese cities not already devastated by bombardments--so the true effects of the new bomb can be observed.   That's also why the bomb will be dropped over the very center of the cities, which will also maximize civilian casualties.  Hiroshima has the added "benefit" or being surrounding by hills on three sides, providing a "focusing effect" which will bounce the blast back on the city, killing even more.  Kyoto, on the original target list, was dropped after an appeal by Stimson, who loved the historic and beautiful city. 

July 18, 1945:   Truman has met with Stalin at Potsdam and mentions Stalin has some "dynamite" but Truman also has "dynamite" which he's not revealing yet--i.e., the A-bomb. See below for how the Trinity test gave Truman a "power surge."

But in his diary he also scribbled one of his most revealing, and most-discussed, pre-bombing comments.  After noting that Stalin has affirmed that he would be declaring war on Japan in early August, as planned, Truman writes: "Fini Japs when that comes about."  This suggests that Truman knew that the much-dreaded, by Japan, Soviet entry into the war would soon provoke a Japanese surrender--with no need for the atomic bomb.  So some historians have charged that this only heightened Truman's determination to use the bomb, and as soon as possible, to keep the Soviets from gaining much territory--and also to show that he huge amount of money spent on the new weapon had been necessary.

In a later diary entry that day, Truman declares that he now believed that Japan "will fold" even before Russia declares war.  Stalin had showed him a telegram from Japan's foreign secretary "asking for peace."  He then states that he was "sure" Japan would surrender after use of the bomb--if they haven't already. 

Earlier, Truman had toured Berlin and in his diary remarks on the utter destruction, effect on civilians, although this doesn't make him pause to consider what would soon happen to two large Japanese cities.  

See my new piece at The Nation on my part in 1995 protest of exhibit featuring the Enola Gay at the Smithsonian.

July 17, 1945:  Secretary of War Stimson writes in his diary that he has carried the secret message of the successful test to President Truman, at Potsdam, who is "delighted" with it.  Now Truman will feel he can really be tough with Stalin--what Robert Lifton and I in our book call "the Trinity power surge"--and no longer desires Russia's entry into the war against Japan, set for early August.  Eyewitness accounts of the test by top scientists  here.

Anyone who thinks the U.S. would be surprised by the force of the coming blast over Hiroshima--a city of 300,000 overhwelmingly populated by women and children--and its radiation dangers, might consider this immediate official assessment, including this:  "Partially eviscerated dead wild jack rabbits were found more than 800 yards from zero, presumably killed by the blast. A farm house 3 miles away had doors torn loose and suffered other extensive damage."

July 16, 1945:  The Nuclear Age began this morning, with the Trinity test of the first weapons in the New Mexico desert--and already amid secrecy, cover-ups and radiation dangers (including a drifting radioactive cloud).  Oppenheimer speaks his famous words, "I am become death/Destroyer of Worlds."   See my full piece at The Nation. 

July 15, 1945:  The first bomb is readied for the first top-secret test at Trinity--just a day off.   Few plans to warn nearby residents about drifting radioactive cloud. Truman, heading for Potsdam, awaits results, which will help dictate how tough he is vs. the Russians.  Meanwhile, Oak Ridge scientists sign Leo Szilard petition calling on Truman to re-consider any use of the bomb (see below).   They change the terms a bit, however, to:   "We respectfully petition that the use of atomic bombs, particularly against cities, be sanctioned by you as the Chief Executive only under the following conditions:  1. Opportunity has been given to the Japanese to surrender on terms ensuring them the possibility of peaceful development in their homeland.  2. Convincing warnings have been given that a refusal to surrender will be followed by the use of a new weapon.  3. Responsibility for use of atomic bombs is shared with our allies."

July 13, 1945:  "The Gadget" is carefully placed on top of the detonation tower at the Trinity and nearly ready to be set off in the first atomic test, but thunderstorms are in the forecast.

Washington intercepts and decodes a cable from Japanese Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo to his Ambassador in Moscow that states, "Unconditional surrender is the only obstacle to peace." Secretary of Navy  James Firrestal writes in his diary: "The first real evidence of a Japanese desire to get out of the war came today through intercepted messages from Togo, Foreign Minister, to Sato, Jap Ambassador in Moscow, instructing the latter to see Molotov if possible before his departure for the Big Three meeting and if not then immediately afterward to lay before him the Emperor’s strong desire to secure a a termination of the war."

July 12, 1945:  Headline in Wash Post:  "U.S. Brushes Jap Peace Feelers Aside."  Indeed, this was the case, awaiting (possibly) successful first test of the atomic bomb at Trinity.   The U.S. was demanding "unconditional surrender" while the Japanese were attaching one large condition:  that they be allowed to keep their Emperor, at least as a symbolic leader.  The U.S. would firmly reject that (a month later, after use of the two new weapons, they would accept it, for our own ends, and still call the surrender "uncondtional").

July 11, 1945:   Truman was heading to Potsdam to meet with Stalin and Churchill, where he would issue the final ultimatum for a Japanese surrender.   But he awaited word on whether the new weapon  would work in its first test, due in a few days, weather permitting, knowing that it might allow him to dictate terms to the Soviets in the postwar world.  The first two targets for use of the bomb had been picked--two large cities in Japan previously not bombed, which would allow experts to assess the full power of the new device.   The bombs would be dropped over the center of the cities,  now occupied mainly by women and children, for the same reason.

The assembly of the first atomic bomb, called by scientists "The Gadget," began at the Trinity test site in the desert near Alamagordo, N.M., starting with installation of the explosive lens, trhe urnaium reflector and the plutonium core.  Video below:

Glad Tidings? Van Knocks New 'Moondance'

Yeah, even longtime rabid Van Morrison (e.g. yours truly) grew sick of the song "Moondance" decades ago, but it's off a great album of that name from 1969.  Was fun to see/hear "Into the Mystic" show up in a key segment in this week's episode of HBO's The Newsroom.  Anyway:  Surprising word emerges today that Van is coming with a FIVE disc set featuring 50 new cuts or versions of songs from the album, including seven renditions of a song famously cut, "I Shall Sing."   Now if we can just get an expanded Veedon Fleece.

UPDATE:   At main site, Van posts this:

"Yesterday Warner Brothers stated that 'Van Morrison was reissuing Moondance.' It is important that people realise that this is factually incorrect. I did not endorse this, it is unauthorised and it has happened behind my back My management company at that time gave this music away 42 years ago and now I feel as though it"s being stolen from me again."

Gunman at White House Explains

Gunman seized just outside White House on Tuesday says, gee, I only wanted to fire off a couple shots, no biggie.  Shirtless, had an open container,  and from Texas--what else you need to know?  "The gun was loaded with 13 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, according to NBC. Officers found two more magaziness with 13 rounds, 171 more rounds of .45-caliber, hollow-point ammunition and two hunting knives with serrated edges on his property. They did not find a license to carry or any gun permit in his name."

Texas: Clinically Insane

Planned Parenthood already shutting down at least three clinics in wake of signing of new abortion law. 

“The combined impact of years of budget cuts to women’s health care services and the dismantling of the successful Women’s Health Program will take affordable, preventive health care options away from women in Bryan, Lufkin and Huntsville — just as these policies have taken health care away from an estimated 130,000 others — when Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is forced to close these family planning health centers at the end of August," said Melaney A. Linton, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast.

Spending the Night With Leonard Cohen

Yes, a new first-person piece at NYT for its Boomer or Boom-Boom or Booming section.  The fantasy of millions of women  comes true, sort of.   h/t  @Bbedway

We accompanied him to a drab hotel room that was dominated by a mammoth bed, covered with the ugliest bedspread I had ever seen. By now it was after two. He turned on the TV and we stood around for a few moments chatting about how ugly the bedspread was. Then we took turns using the bathroom, stripped down to our undies, and the three of us dove into that great big bed and … went right to sleep.

That 'Enola Gay' Exhibit

Back in 1994-1995, I was one of a small group of historians and journalists who were at the center of what you might call a "counter-protest" at the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.  Some of you may recall the widely-publicized scenario:  The Museum had attempted to mount the first "balanced" and accurate historical reckoning of the atomic bombing of Japan, for the 50th anniversary, in an exhibit surrounding the first display of the partly-restored bomber that dropped the new weapon over Hiroshima, the Enola Gay.  When right-wing media and congress members and veterans groups were leaked an early script, they went ballistic (to so speak) and successfully brought pressure on the Smithsonian (and White House) to force a complete rewrite, so that the exhibit became a one-note, and historically inaccurate, glorification of the bombing with no shades of doubt.

I was intimately involved for months in the push-back, attended meetings in D.C. with the museum director, and more, to no avail (even witnessed civil disobedience at the museum on the day the exhibit opened).  Anyway:  Too much to recount, but here's a link to a letter that we wrote (signed by many historians) and sent to the Smithsonian director.  My book Atomic Cover-up on same general "denial." 

A Novel Experiment

Folks, as I've warned for a few months:  I have just finished writing, and revising, my first (comic) novel, Too Much of Nothing, after authoring something like fourteen non-fiction books.  Desiring some instant feedback,  I am making the first chapter available in its entirety, if you simply go here.  Or if you request it via email,  I will then reply with the opening chapter as an attachment.  Would appreciate any comment, even if it's just one word, such as "Hilarious!" or "Really?"

Like most fiction writers, I don't want to really say "what it's about" or "give too much away," but obviously my many years as senior editor at Crawdaddy are kicking in.  A capsule:  A one-hit wonder former star, who now lives in one of the most famous houses in rock 'n roll history, goes out on tour for the first time in years,  searching for fun and political relevance--and his suddenly missing wife.  Meanwhile, eco-guerillas are after him.  Humorous (and dangerous) settings include the village of Woodstock, Key West, and New York City.  Naturally, there's drugs, sex, and rock 'n roll.  Now I've said too much already.  But if you're interested,  read it now here or drop me a line today at:  epic1934@aol.com.  Guaranteed:  A few laughs.  Thanks.

Trailer For Upcoming Assange Flick Released

I've written about this a few times, but now the movie is nearly here--yes, Benedict Cumberbatch IS Julian Assange.   First major drama.  From Dreamworks.  With Stanley Tucci and Laura Linney.  A lot of DDB in the trailer, no Bradley Manning on screen. Assange has already knocked.

Trayvon and 'The Newsroom'

Fun piece at The Onion urges that HBO's The Newsroom get axed before it gets a chance to cover the coming (in its timeline) shooting of Trayvon Martin and uproar and trial that followed. “Honestly, I just don’t know if I can make it through Will McAvoy’s self-righteous monologue criticizing other news outlets for selectively editing Zimmerman’s 911 call, or listen to an articulate new black staff member’s passionate, perfectly rehearsed speech to the rest of the News Night team at ACN about what it feels like to be racially profiled, or see how a heated office debate over race in America will somehow affect Jim and Maggie’s relationship. I just won’t be able to handle that, okay? So please, please let the show be canceled by then.”

Idiot Marine Who Urinated on Corpse Wants to Do It Again

Remember that U.S. Marine who was demoted for urinating on dead Afghans in 2011, with other troops, captured in a video--which naturally inflamed both our allies and enemies over there, endangering U.S. lives? Now says he'd do it again, because Marines aren't "Boy Scouts." And he's planning a book to brag about it.   His penalty was merely demotion, not court-martial, and fined $500. 

Dylan: A New 'Self-Portrait'?

Columbia just announced volume ten in its valuable Bob Dylan Bootleg Series--and they are boldly going where some hoped they would never go--35 "rarities" and "outtakes," mainly from one of his most derided albums, Self-Portrait, from 1970.   Greil Marcus in Rolling Stones had famously asked, "What is this shit?" about this double-lp collection of covers, old folk songs, a few live cuts with The Band.  The new CDs also covers the album that followed,  New Morning, which started him on the road back.  One thing's for sure:  Dylan's painting ability, if not his singing,  has improved greatly.  Here's their promo trailer:

Zimmerman Juror Drops Book Deal

So it won't be "buy George" after all.  Campaign sparked via Twitter to protest to juror, her literary agent, and would-be publisher.  They pulled back and then she announced she was dropping project, after announcing it on CNN just a few hours earlier.   "Now that I am returned to my family and to society in general, I have realized that the best direction for me to go is away from writing any sort of book and return instead to my life as it was before I was called to sit on this jury.”

Harvey Keen

Thanks to my son, and longtime Mets fan, now out in L.A., send me this clip of Jimmy Fallon getting new Mets star Matt Harvey to ask the men-in-the-street what they think of ...Matt Harvey.  No one recognizes him.