| "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." | comments: Leave a comment   |
| To Anyone That Voted For Prop. 8
On August 17th, 1790, Moses Seixas sent a letter to invite newly elected President George Washington to visit the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island.
From George Washington's letter responding to Moses Seixas:
"For happily, the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens."
So, be happy while you can, as you delude yourselves that this war is over.
Parting thought - if you believe so much in America, that all men are created equal; that we all have the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and if you can comprehend that researchers studying animals have determined that homosexuality is not limited to humans - it is not a choice - that penguins and giraffes have a marked propensity for homosexuality... in short, God made Gay people as well as "Straight" people, why do you set yourself as Judge?
If God truly does have a problem with it, is that not between the Lord God and the individual? Were you not called to love? Or is it all right to hate them if they're not like you?
You might wish to consider that you have missed the entire point of your faith.
As a post-script, Last night on CBS 2 News while covering the protests outside the LDS Temple in Los Angeles, Bishop Frank L. Stewart, founder of the "ZOE" Zoe Christian Fellowship in Whittier, California, was interviewed and said that the people of California had spoken, and those voting "No on 8" should, and I quote, "suck it up."
A law protecting the rights of a minority disliked by a majority has almost no hope of passing, unless decent compassionate people take up their cause. A "law" (I use the term generously) like Prop 8 taking away the fundamental dignity of another human being? Do I really need to advise you on that, Bishop? What did Christ Himself say the two greatest laws were?
You call yourself a Man of God, a Bishop... Shame on you, sir, for taking your position. You are an African-American man - how would you feel if in the mid 1960s the Civil Rights Act had not been passed, and as angry protestors rioted against the police, white clergymen took to the airwaves and said that you should just "suck it up?"
You're supposed to be protecting those that are oppressed, not oppressing them. Does God love sinners? Not sin, obviously, but those afflicted by it? What did God do to redeem them (and you, Bishop)? Should you not love your neighbor?
Shame on you! | | comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
| Thank you, God.
Thank you, America.
Hail to the Chief! | | comments: Leave a comment |
| On July 20th, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon.
On July 20th, 2006, Kevin R. "Virgo" Postel suffered a series of heart attacks and died.
On July 20th, 2008 - Today - I'm missing Virgo. I wish he was still on this Earth to talk to. I'm sure if he were still alive, over this past week we'd have seen "Hellboy II; The Golden Army" and "The Dark Knight" (he enjoyed the originals for both) and sat down today to play some Traveller with Troy, Aragorn, Sean, Angela, and Jim, to commemorate good old Neil Armstrong stepping off that "Eagle" Lander ladder 39 years ago...
Instead, today, we remember, and we hope for the future, and we mourn the past.
Here's to One Giant Leap For Mankind and to Absent Friends. So it goes. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| "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." | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Happy Birthday to Rhesagirl (a.k.a. Razor, Poet Woman, and a few other nicknames). Hope your Birthday is the BEST EVER!!!
SPOILERS FOLLOW...
Rhesagirl is the final Cylon Model. You read it here first. | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| The Second Coming
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all convictions, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all around it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? | | comments: Leave a comment |
| HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH
FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON
JULY 1969 A.D.
WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Your Score: Proteus33% Extroversion, 13% Intuition, 100% Emotiveness, 42% PerceptivenessChanging your shape to suit your situation, you are most like Proteus. More than anything else, you need to be wanted. You have a very strong work ethic, and are very adaptable, but are often unappreciated. You develop very strong personal loyalties, and will often maintain these personal relationships at a great expense to yourself. Convention and conformity are very important to you, and you find deviations from either to be very inappropriate. You tend not to burden those around you with your own problems.
Famous people like you: Mother Theresa, Jimmy Carter | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| 2007 – 1944 = 63 years
63 divided by 4 = 15 years (leap years)
63 minus 15 years = 48 non leap years
15 times 366 days = 5,490 days
48 times 365 days = 17,520 days
Today is D-Day + 23,010 Days...
To all of the heroic men that stormed the bloody beaches of Normandy, or flew the bombers, or parachuted far behind enemy lines in the early morning hours, or manned the ships that bombarded the coasts of "Fortress Europa" - especially the 2,000+ that gave up their lives on that "Day of Days" in the cause of freedom - THANK YOU.
May God bless "the Greatest Generation" for all time. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| For the president, and the majority leaders and candidates and rank-and-file Congressmen and Senators of either party—there is only blame for this shameful, and bi-partisan, betrayal
SPECIAL COMMENT
By Keith Olbermann
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18831132/ | | comments: Leave a comment |
| To the wrongs that need resistance,
To the right that needs assistance,
To the future in the distance,
Give yourselves.
Carrie Chapman Catt
Carrie Chapman Catt (January 9, 1859 – March 9, 1947) was a woman's suffrage leader. She was elected president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) twice; her first term was from 1900 to 1904 and her second term was from 1915 to 1920. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Kurt Vonnegut, one of my favorite authors, has passed away. If you're not familiar with the body of his work, go check him out.
I'll best remember him not for Slaughterhouse Five, although it was perhaps my friend Pete's favorite book. No, I shall remember him for the brilliant Mother Night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Night
( Some excerpts... )
He will be missed. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| 'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,
And do such bitter business as the day
Would quake to look on. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.
Lao Tzu | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
____________________
Merry Christmas! | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| At 8:30 on the evening of April 2, 1917, President Wilson appeared before a joint session of Congress asking for a declaration of war to make the world "safe for democracy." On April 4, Congress granted Wilson's request and the United States was at war with Germany.
America thus joined in the carnage that had been ravaging Europe since 1914. Germany's renewal of unrestricted submarine warfare and the revelation of a proposed German plot to ally with Mexico against the US prompted Wilson's action. In January 1917 Germany declared all ships trading with Britain as targets including those of neutral countries. In February the British gave the American ambassador in London a copy of an intercepted German telegram. The telegram came from the German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, to the German ambassador to Mexico. Zimmerman proposed that in the event of war with the US, Germany and Mexico would join in an alliance.
Germany would fund Mexico's conflict with the US. With victory achieved, Mexico would regain her lost territories of Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Release of the telegram ignited a public furor further inflamed by the loss of four US merchant ships and 15 American lives to German torpedo attacks.
Wilson realized war was inevitable but agonized over the decision for what it might do to the spirit of the nation. He feared war would change America forever, making her tougher, less humane. "Once lead these people into war, and they'll forget there ever was such a thing as tolerance ... the spirit of ruthless brutality will enter into the very fiber of our national life ... every man who refused to conform would have to pay the penalty."
References:
Ferrell, Robert H., Woodrow Wilson and World War 1 (1986).
How To Cite This Article:
"America Declares War, 1917," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2000). | | comments: Leave a comment |
| I'm at the office, thinking about my friendship with Virgo from 1990 onward, especially the six and a half years we shared a house up in Panorama City, and I gleaned a lesson for those of us with creative ambitions; that lesson is this - Don't wait to chase your dreams.
Virgo was planning on retiring from the Studios, where he did Special Effects and Set Construction (you can see him in the IMDB for his work on the movie "Blade" - he also built sets for "Blade Runner" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," among many, many others), and writing scripts and novels.
He wrote a few scripts, most of them with me as his writing partner, but nothing much ever became of them.
So live like there's no tomorrow, because the future is a gift, not a guarantee.
Here endeth the lesson. | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
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