Open Thread: Remembering Pearl Harbor, 72 Years On
U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist David Rush
To the Congress of the United States
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.
This being an open thread :
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20131210/jailed-alaska-militia-leader-seeks-aid-amnesty-international-political-prisoner
Mr Cox seems to have found his “voice” again- yech.
In the midst of mourning Mr Mandela, marking the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor , and the like , we have Mr Cox insisting he is a political prisoner and writing a letter to Amnesty International for relief after a July letter requesting asylum somewhere outside America in open appeal to ” Sensible People of a Candid World”
Pffft!
would be MORE than happy to donate for a plane ticket to Somalia for him……
… one way , of course… 🙂
of course!!!
Ticks me off he’s playing games with the “candid world” part of the Declaration of Independence.
“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world….”
Mr Cox sorta conveniently forgets the part :
“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.”
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
At what point did he ever petition for redress from his (imagined) injuries? Was that what running off and hiding out over the child welfare check thingy was supposed to be?
How did WE, the people become his me, me, me the individual-trumps-the-group ?
Everything is always about himself with this guy, high falutin language about liberty, natural law (Pfftt!) and so on notwithstanding.
http://www.juanitajean.com/2013/12/08/when-ted/comment-page-1/#comment-111217
Ted Cruz rewrites Pearl history. No wonder it was a surprise attack. It happened before even the Japanese knew it.
http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/men-kill-mountain-lion-near-rock-valley-iowa-homes/article_857eaa30-7fbb-55a0-9da1-ac8713018f0d.html
Since iowa is the middle of Alaska,if you super-impose Alaska over a map of the eeuwess,this is much ado about nothing. OTOH,Rock Valley is about forty miles NW of mikey,which is too freakin’ close for big critters with fangs and claws. About four below zero,snow has missed me so far. Bundle up,keep warm.
Dagnabbit, mikey, I gave that mountain lion a sketch map which clearly showed your farm.
I guess you just can’t trust a mountain lion to follow directions anymore.
Actually,Slip,if he came from your direction he was on a near straight line until he got waylaid. Rock Valley is NW of me.(slightly more W than N). Unfortunately they are not protected in iowa from anyone who sees one. I’ll send you my GPS coordinates in case there is a next time. Google lists me as having a Primghar,iowa address,although it has been Sutherland for the 35 years I’ve lived here. 🙂 Wish the next cougar better luck.
While remembering Pearl Harbor, let us not forget Fukushima Daiichi.
What does Fukushima have to do with pearl Harbor?
The father of one of my best friends growing up was on the USS Arizona that day. His half brother still serves witihin the hull . I was able to be on Ford Island when I was in the Navy and see where he swam ashore, hauling a buddy thru the oil. We visited the site during our honeymoon, well before it became a popular tourist attraction, just a simple shaded bench next to the boat landing area . I was a pall bearer when he passed in the mid 70’s and think of him always on this day. Arthur (Gil) Gilbert RIP