Day of Infamy
12.07.05
Listen to FDR’s December 7th Speech. (Requires Realplayer)
FDR’s Day of Infamy Speech
“Yesterday, December 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 its 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 colleague 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 unbounded 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, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
Interesting, reading that speech, how much of it is relevant today… I wonder if President Bush had spoken something like that after 9/11 if anyone would have said anything…
Keep it up,
S. Clark
# December 7th, 2005 at 8:37 amCPL, USA (Former)
Well i was disappointed today. Our school didnt have a moment of silence for all the people that died there. They didnt even say anything on the announcements just went on like it was any other day. Pisses me off when people do stupid crap like that. So ungratefull.
# December 7th, 2005 at 10:18 amYea, it’s a shame how the school system just doesn’t care about the sacrifice of our heroes.
You should complain to the principal. Thats how things get done, when a student steps up and says what needs to be said.
# December 7th, 2005 at 10:52 amyeah, I was reading the newspaper this morning, and I kept looking for an article about december 7th, 1941, and there was nothing. I was so dissapointed. The front page of the paper was about movie, just goes to show what’s more important these days.
# December 7th, 2005 at 2:57 pm[...] y today… Sure Fire says, I think Chad had a good post on over at PTA. Filed under: General Leave a Reply Name (required) [...]
# December 7th, 2005 at 3:49 pmYa my school did nothing. Freakin liberals. Especially in PA. I hate this state.
# December 8th, 2005 at 7:22 amI saw this on a mate’s site and thought it might be appreciated here.
How D-Day would be reported in today’s media.
NORMANDY, FRANCE (June 6, 1944) Three hundred French civilians were
killed and thousands more were wounded today in the first hours of
America’s invasion of continental Europe. Casualties were heaviest among
women and children. Most of the French casualties were the result of
artillery fire from American ships attempting to knock out German
fortifications prior to the landing of hundreds of thousands of U.S.
troops. Reports from a makeshift hospital in the French town of St. Mere
Eglise said the carnage was far worse than the French had anticipated,
and that reaction against the American invasion was running high. “We
are dying for no reason, “said a Frenchman speaking on condition of
anonymity. “Americans can’t even shoot straight. I never thought I’d say
this, but life was better under Adolph Hitler.” ! The invasion also
caused severe environmental damage. American troops, tanks, trucks and
machinery destroyed miles of pristine shoreline and thousands of acres
of ecologically sensitive wetlands. It was believed that the habitat of
the spineless French crab was completely wiped out, thus threatening the
species with extinction. A representative of Greenpeace said his
organization, which had tried to stall the invasion for over a year, was
appalled at the destruction, but not surprised. “This is just another
example of how the military destroys the environment without a second
thought,” said Christine Moanmore. “And it’s all about corporate greed.”
Contacted at his Manhattan condo, a member of the French
government-in-exile who abandoned Paris when Hitler invaded, said the
invasion was based solely on American financial interests. “Everyone
knows that President Roosevelt has ties to ‘big beer’,” said Pierre
LeWimp. “Once the German beer industry is conquered, Roosevelt’s beer
cronies will control the world market and make a fortune.”
Administration supporters said America’s aggressive actions were based
in part on the assertions of controversial scientist Albert Einstein,
who sent a letter to Roosevelt speculating that the Germans were
developing a secret weapon — a so-called “atomic bomb”. Such a weapon
could produce casualties on a scale never seen before, and cause
environmental damage that could last for thousands of years. Hitler has
denied having such a weapon and international inspectors were unable to
locate such weapons even after spending two long weekends in Germany.
Shortly after the invasion began, reports surfaced that German prisoners
had been abused by American soldiers. Mistreatment of Jews by Germans at
their so-called “concentration camps” has been rumored, but so far this
remains unproven.
Several thousand Americans died during the first hours of the invasion,
# December 15th, 2005 at 5:04 amand French officials are concerned that the uncollected corpses will
pose a public-health risk. “The Americans should have planned for this
in advance,” they said. “It’s their mess, and we don’t intend to help
clean it up.”