Discussion Question #1
Why do you think Harry Gold provided sensitive information to the Russians? Could there be spies in Crawford County collecting sensitive information for another country's benefit?
Why do you think Harry Gold provided sensitive information to the Russians? Could there be spies in Crawford County collecting sensitive information for another country's benefit?
Discussion Question #2
The chapter, “Quiet Fellow,” ends with the following statement: “It was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life.” What is the meaning of the word haunt as it is used in the previous sentence? Why do you think Sheinkin used this statement at this point in the book? What could he be telling his audience?
Discussion Question #3
On page 113, we learn that twenty-six Norwegian civilians were killed when Knut Haukelid and his commandos sank the ferry carrying the German heavy water. What are your thoughts and feelings about loss of innocent lives during any war?
Discussion Question #4
Why is it important that you understand the different perspectives regarding the use of weapons of mass destruction?
Thank you, Mrs.Reis, for working with us on the blog. Ransom, Kendrick, Ximena, and I appreciate your help.
ReplyDeleteHarry Gold provided sensitive information to the Russians because he thought he was helping a friend. In the book, BOMB: The Race to Build-and Steal-The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Sheinkin explicitly stated on pages twenty-four and twenty-five, “ He was thankful to Black for getting him a job and wanted to repay the debt”. This evidence backs up our claim by proving that Black wanted to help someone who helped him during a difficult time in the economy. Ransom, Kendrick, Ximena, and I believe that Black was not thinking about the consequences. He was only thinking about helping a friend and helping himself during The Great Depression. We also feel like Black was wrong to make this choice because he sold out the citizens of the United States. Overall, Americans should be loyal to America.
2. Ransom, Kendrick, Ximena, and I believe that there could be spies in Crawford County. The following are four major industries in Crawford County that others may want information on: Marathon Petroleum, Hershey, Victor Dana, and Flying S, Inc. These companies produce products that benefit people in this country so it is obvious that others may want to make these products too in order to make money or use them against us. For example, according the Flying S, Inc. website, http://www.flying-s.com, the employees make prototypes for individuals, but they also produce prototypes for NASA and the government. These products could be top secret. We know this because on the website, there is a tab for “Projects”, and it is restricted. So, it can only be restricted if there is something they do not want others to know. Also, companies in Crawford County most likely spend a lot of money for security. We can tell they do by the gates, fences, and security gates. Why spend the money if there is no threat? Obviously, there could be spies. What do you think? Could there be spies lurking in Crawford County?
Ransom, Kendrick, Ximena, and I are excited to read your response.
1. I do agree that Harry Gold provided sensitive information, because he believed he was helping a friend,but do you think that Harry Gold should have been thinking for himself, and not just following blindly, or do you think that Harry Gold believed in the Communist cause?
ReplyDelete2. I believe that the industries you mentioned are places that would have needed information and data for spies. I think it was great insight about the Flying S. Inc. This area and county is open for individuals to work to find needed information. Do you believe information such as when things or products are moved from Marathon should not be shared? Last, do you think that spies would be easy to point out, or would they be like Harry Gold?
1.Ransom, Kendrick, Ximena, and I think that Harry Gold should have thought for himself and the country. We also think that he was following blindly. We do not believe that Harry Gold believed in the Communist cause because he was trying to build the Gadget to threaten other people with whom we were in war.
ReplyDelete2.Ransom, Kendrick, Ximena, and I do not believe that products that are moved from Marathon should be shared. We think that spies would be hard to find these days because there is more technology now and new ways to hack. That is why people need to be aware and be aware in their community.
Blog #2 Group 2
ReplyDeleteThe word ‘haunt’ as used in the following sentence, “It was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life” means something can never be forgotten and will always be on the back of your mind. Sheinkin used this statement at the end of the chapter to tell his readers that Oppenheimer’s decision not to tell Groves would always be on his mind, and he would continue to feel guilty about it. In the book, Bomb:The Race to Build-and Steal-the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Sheinkin explicitly states on page sixty-five, “Oppenheimer chose not to tell General Groves that he’d been approached by the Soviets.” This evidence backs up our claim by proving that Oppenheimer made a choice that would haunt him. Groves believed in Oppenheimer, and Oppenheimer owed Groves the truth about being approached by the Soviets. Sheinkin wants his audience to keep reading to see how this decision haunt’s Robert Oppenheimer’s life and career. What do you think it all means?
We look forward to your next response.
I agree with your meaning of haunt. Also, I do believe that Oppenheimer's decision may have a far reaching effect in his future. I believe that you have a good point about why Sheinkin use this statement. It is foreshadowing events to come. Do you believe it is important to stop and think about what may happen because of a decision you make? Should you stop and think about the consequences? Do you think Oppenheimer, stopped and thought about what he should do and its consequences?
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs. Reis,
ReplyDeleteOur group read your question, and we think it is important to stop and to think of the consequences that can happen. Haukelid did not stop and think what would happen to the twenty-six families who had to deal with all those deaths. It is important that the military think about what could happen to the civilians and their families. Always think about the consequences and pay attention.
Group#2 Blog #3
ReplyDeleteMrs. Reis,
Our group did not agree on the answer to this question. Ximena and I believe that the loss of innocent lives during any war can be avoided. No one should feel the pain of losing a loved one so we do not believe that it was right that they Hydro was sunk. There have been millions of people who have died throughout the years because of war so Ximena and I do not think that that is right. Take September 11, 2001. So many innocent people because of their skin color, their religion, and their beliefs. This shows that there is hatred in this world, and we should stop the fighting and the killing.
Kendrick and Ransom feel differently. They believe that the loss of twenty-six people is better than thousands. It is important to always consider the greater good. That is even what British intelligence did. On page 110, Sheinkin explicitly stated, “Haukelid relayed the details to British intelligence in London, saying that the job would be tricky and might result in the loss of civilian lives.” ‘Case consider,’ came the immediate reply from London.” This evidence backs up our claim by proving that even the military and intelligence believe that the sacrifice of a few is better than the loss of thousands or even millions. Kendrick and Ransom can infer that the families of those twenty-six who lost their lives were so saddened by the event, but in the end it helped saved so many from Hitler’s rage. It does not take away their pain, and we do understand that.
What are you thoughts?
The loss of life is quite traumatic at any time, but the loss of innocent lives during war is quite difficult. These tough choices are ones that you must stop and think about. That is why I believe it is important to to take into account what a person may have to do in war. In war there are no easy choices, but it is important to take into account what may happen to all involved over the long run. This is a very emotional topic. Wars, and in this case World War II included so many people. Many people in this war had been brutally hurt in one way or another. Remember to take into account what these individuals had lived through and were worried would happen to them, their families, and their world if their mission did not succeed. Do you think they thought about the end result if they won or lost? Try to put yourselves in their place at that particular time and moment. There is no easy answer either way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding. Our group feels that those involved in the sinking of the Hydro thought out the consequences of sinking and not sinking the ferry. No doubt this was a tough decision, and one that stuck with them for their lifetime. Ransom, Kendrick, and I think the ferry should have been sunk because otherwise Hitler would have advanced in his bomb. Ximena thinks that the ferry should not have been sunk because innocent lives were lost. Ransom, Kendrick, and I think it is better for twenty-six people to die is better than millions. Ximena thinks that nobody should have died when they bombed the ferry. We can agree that it would have been a tough decision to make.
ReplyDeleteIt is important that we understand the different perspectives regarding the use of weapons of mass destruction because there were many people affected by them. In the book, Bomb: The Race To Build-And Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin, he shows us the different perspectives of the scientists, military, political, and the Japanese civilians that were involved with the use of the atomic bomb.
ReplyDeleteTo begin, the scientists felt happiness and horror regarding the use of the atomic bomb. In the book, Bomb: The Race To Build- And Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Sheinkin explicitly states on page 200, “Almost everyone was feeling that same strange mix of pride and horror. That night Oppenheimer went to a party in one of the men’s dorms, carrying in his hand a message from Washington with more details on the destruction in Hiroshima. As he showed the note around, the mood in the room darkened. The party broke up early. As Oppenheimer walked home, he saw one of his scientist bent over a bush, vomiting. He thought to himself, “The reaction has begun.” This textual evidence backs up our claim by proving that some felt happiness in the success of the atomic bomb, and also pride in their work. However, with that feeling of pride came the feeling of horror after they realized that what they created will kill innocent lives. We can infer that these scientists felt personally responsible for the mass destruction that was a result of their love of science. Ultimately, it shows us that these scientists realized that what they created could end mankind. They also realized that there would always be weapons of mass destruction in the world.
Not only is it important that we understand the scientific perspective, but it is also important that we understand the military perspective. Some military were pleased because they completed their mission, and some also felt responsible for the killing of the civilians. Sheinkin explicitly states on page 197, “A feeling of shock and horror swept over all of us,” said Tibbits. Robert Lewis picked up his pencil and made a note in his logbook: “ My God, what have we done?” This textual evidence backs up my claim by proving that military was happy there mission was accomplished but they also saw first hand the devastation that they caused when the dropped the atomic bomb. We can infer that they were doing what needs to be done, but with that meant that they were killing people which they would not normally do. All in all, we realize that the military men and woman, even today, have a huge responsibility on their shoulders.
Next, it is important that we understand the political perspective. Truman felt proud of the accomplishment of the creation and dropping of the atomic bomb. Sheinkin states on page 199, “keep your seats, gentlemen,” Truman said, an excited smile on his face as he waved the note in his hand. “I have an announcement to make. We have just dropped a new bomb on japan which has more power than twenty thousand tons of TNT. It has been an overwhelming success!” This textual evidence backs up showing how Truman was happy after we dropped the bomb. One can infer that if the atomic bomb was not successful, Truman would have been responsible since he was the president. It is important that we understand the political perspective because we need to see that the president has a lot of responsibility and makes important decisions on behalf of the United States.
ReplyDeleteFinally, the Japanese civilians of Hiroshima felt pain and horror when the atomic bomb was dropped. Sheinkin states on page 196, “Yohko Kuwabara tumbled out of a streetcar. Building all around her were on fire. “I picked my way through the rubble and made it out to the main street.” she said “ I stood there dumbfounded … I heard children crying, buildings collapsing men and women screaming. I saw the bright red of blood and people with dazed expressions on their faces trying to get away. Where should I go.” This textual evidence backs up our claim by showing these innocent civilians suffered the horrible pains of the bomb that the U.S. made. We can infer that these citizens felt the aftermath of the bomb for years that followed. It is important that we understand the Japanese civilian perspective because we have bombs that are a hundred times more powerful than the atomic bomb, and we do not want to be victims like these civilians. We need to be aware and proactive.
Overall, Sheinkin wants us to understand the different perspectives. If we understand their perspectives, and their decisions, it will help us in the future. It is very important that we understand all sides of an issue before making a decision.
I agree that it is important that when making decisions that we see consequences of our actions. Humans are not perfect, but it is through taking your time and making educated and principled decisions that we do the best for all involved. I have enjoyed reading your group’s blog. The group has done a good job in answering and explaining your points of view.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a job well done.
Thank you for your response.
ReplyDeleteWhen Steve Sheinkin ends Bomb- The Race to Build- and Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon with “ In the end, this is a difficult story to sum up. The making of the of the atomic bomb is one of history's most amazing examples of teamwork and genius and poise under pressure. But it’s also the story with no end in sight. And, like it or not, you’re in it,” he is sending a strong message to his readers. In the novel Sheinkin explicitly states on pg. 236 “If you think atomic explosions in Asia wouldn’t affect Americans, consider this. A study published in scientific American in 2010 looked at the probable impact of a “ small” nuclear war, one in which India and Pakistan each dropped fifty bombs. The scientist concluded that the explosions would ignite massive firestorms, sending anonymous amounts of dust and smoke to the atmosphere.” This evidence backs up our claim by showing the mix of emotions that people had after Hiroshima and how weapons of mass destruction continue to impact us today. One can infer that Oppenheimer was fearful that these weapons could get out of hand because now there are nuclear bombs that can wipe out whole entire countries. In the end this all means that the weapons that were created during this time and since then are part of our lives forever.
ReplyDeleteI see that there was much thought in your latest blog. It is through these educated responses that we are able to convey to others our opinions for now and future opinions and beliefs. Understanding and knowledge of world issues today are happening at a lightning speed, but I believe that it is important for you, me, and all to find the true facts to make decisions that are in sink with what we believe. A person is in control of his or her own life. So, it is important to take your time and get the facts to help make those life decisions.
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding. We think that you are right about how it is important that we talk about facts for us to know about our past. We must also make sure we have true facts and not wrong information.
ReplyDeleteThank you, again, for helping us all this time and reading our responses. We really appreciate it!
It has been my pleasure to participate in this blog. Your responses are seen to be quite thorough and thoughtful of everyone in your group.
ReplyDelete