Un-Happy Anniversary: Hiroshima and PDB

Sixty-two years ago today, the United States dropped the first deployed nuclear bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Japan commemorates Hiroshima dead (via Reuters)

Japan marked the 62nd anniversary of Hiroshima's atomic bombing with a solemn ceremony on Monday as the city's mayor criticized the United States for refusing to give up its nuclear-weapons program.

Tens of thousands of elderly survivors, children and dignitaries gathered at the Peace Memorial Park, near ground zero where the bomb was dropped, to remember the more than 250,000 people who ultimately died from the blast.

"Even to those who managed to survive, it was hell where they envied the dead," Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba told the crowd, describing scenes from the bombing such as charred faces and torn clothes.

Six years ago today, President Bush received a Presidential Daily Briefing, called "Bin Laden Determined to Attack Inside the United States."

(Blogswarm call via Blue Gal and Zen Cabin)

August 6, 2001: Bush Administration Warned 'Bin Laden Determined to Attack Inside the United States' (via Center for American Progress April 8, 2004):

Two and a half years after 9/11, the American public learned today that President Bush received explicit warnings that Osama bin Laden was planning to attack the United States – including activities "consistent with preparations for hijacking." Yet, there was no domestic follow-up by the Bush administration. No high level meetings. No sense of urgency. No warnings to FBI agents across the country.