Wednesday, December 7, 2005

[1941 - Japanese attack US Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,300]

Infamy Revisited

It seems incredible that more Americans died on 9-11 then were killed at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Pearl Harbor, of course, marked this nation's entry into World War II, which would take the life of millions, and transform the country from a peacetime to a wartime economy. The terrorist attacks in September 2001 did bring the economy to a standstill for a few weeks, after which time business went on pretty much as usual. And yes, 9-11 did spawn the invasion of two countries, but the US casualties so far number 'only' in the tens of thousands.

FDR and his team, who were at the helm in '41, inspired confidence and determination as they led the nation into war, moving Americans both in and out of the service to sacrifice unflinchingly in a great cause. By contrast, Bush & Co. have appeared both weak and inept, inspiring only division within the country and without. No one who has seen the video of President Bush receiving the news of the planes crashing into the World Trade Towers as he read bunny stories to children in a classroom photo op can have missed the terror in his eyes as he sat frozen by his fear while precious minutes ticked away. He was only rescued by a second visit from one of his retinue who no doubt broke through the presidential paralysis by suggesting that the Commander in Chief get to the relative safety of Air Force One.

William's Whimsical Words:

Perhaps the only real parallel between the two events is that each of them led to an era of repression, erosion of civil rights and liberty, and persecution of US citizens who looked or acted like the enemy.

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