I suppose there will always be controversy surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor. History is clear that FDR wanted to go to war on the side of Great Britain, but faced a recalcitrant Congress and a public with loyalties so mixed that, many Americans, especially Republican Plutocons, favored Nazi Germany. Even after the war had started, FDR had to threaten Prescott Bush with prison to make him stop trading with Hitler. History is also clear that FDR did everything he could to push Japan into embarking on a war against the US. He wanted Japan to make the first move, because that was the only way he could get the public support he needed. There is no doubt that FDR knew when Japan planned to attack the US. The only thing is question is whether or not he knew where. In my opinion he did. I suspect he thought that the American forces at Pearl Harbor were sufficiently prepared to fight off the attack without prior warning. If he did, he was wrong. Nevertheless, his speech before Congress the following day is a landmark in US History, and I invite you to listen.
I also hope you will join me in honoring those who were killed and injured on that fateful day, those who survived, and all the men and women who have served in our military. They are not at fault for the crimes of our politicians.
4 Responses to “December 7: Remembering the Day”
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It wasn’t just the Republicans. What about J Kennedy Sr.?
Kennedy too, but he’s pretty much the lone Democrat, whereas Bush was the worst of a long list of Republicans.
Hi TomCat,
Nice post my friend, I’m in line with your assessment. I’d read somewhere (not making this up or trying to be funny) that FDR was convinced Japanese pilots had poor eyesight and therefore could not accurately bomb/torpedo their selected targets. I’ll try to track down the source.
Thanks, Oso. I’ve read the same. It was a very common belief then.