A date that shall live in infamy !
 

Hrm... no posts here, nothing in the news.

Kind of sad really. :oops:

But several threads on other SS boards already.

Me, I don't start threads about historical dates. But I already started my morning by watching Tora! Tora! Tora! yet again.

See the SH3 & Sh4 forums :yeah:

I have three PH themed posters in my computer room here, so I always have a reminder. Not that I need one.

I noticed a thread over in the SHIII forums which made me think "God, is it Dec 7th already?" and check the date on the computer calender.
Obviously it doesn't have the same tone over here as it does in the States, but it's still something that echoes throughout time as one of the most devastating military attacks that at the same time completely failed in its objective. It won't be long now, another two years in fact, before it's the 70th anniversary, seventy years and still the oil leaks from the Arizona, like a wound that will never heal, and for many veterans of that day, I guess that is the perfect analogy.

West Loch Explosion, 1944

Thanks for giving me the idea, Steve. That's what I'm going to do tonight. Tuck in with Tora, Tora, Tora and a drink and raise the glass to the guys who lost their lives 68 years ago.

I always ask myself 'Why?' when hearing that reference.

One could ask whether or not it was a clever decision to go to war. But to hold somebody else responsible for one's own fault to be too sleepy while the other already was executing with determination and had managed to hide the attack, is simply stupid.

I was listening to the radio this afternoon to a local show that I like. Its usually local politics, but on historical dates, the host will spend a good hour dwelling on the lessons of history.

Today, as he often does, he had Dr. William Forstchen on. As a local professor, as well as well known author, Bill brings a knowledgable insight and seriousness to the subject.

The entire "Day of Infamy" speech was replayed, as well as a number of historical news announcements of the attack. The phones were flooded, as they always are on historical days with people filled with gratitude and honor for those of the Greatest Generation.

Just goes to show that while the "mainstream" can gloss over it - there is a lot of everyday people who enjoy taking a moment to remember the heroes of the time.

You know, I was eating out earlier today and I saw an older man w/a Navy baseball cap which said "West Virginia" on it, w/a fair number of ribbons above the brim. He also had a red windbreaker which seemed to have the Marine logo on it. I wondered if he could have been a Marine stationed on the West Virginia on 12/7/41. I wasn't about to go up and ask.

Um, it's one of the opening lines of Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech to Congress asking for a Declaration of War on December 8th, 1941.

Because it changed mankinds fate?

Embarking on mass killing hundreds of thousands of people and destroying whole cities - and considering it to be of vital importance whether or not one wears a necktie, or gives a declaration of war. Hilarious. Or perverse, if you prefer.

If you have decided for war, f### all that civilised attitude, and better focus on ripping your enemy heart out of his chest as fast as you can and drink his blood and burn his home and let all heavens fall down onto his country.

You don't like that? Then be slow to start a war - that is wise, nevertheless always be prepared to defend yourself - that also is wise. America could and should have known what was coming, but allowed to get caught on the wrong feet. Blame yourself.

My sympathy were people want to remember the dead. But were you call your enemy infamous for having fought as best as he could, all you get is my laughter.

I just have exchanged PMs with somebody participating in this thread - he knows that I mean him when reading this. If he wishes he may quote me from that.

Hindsight is always 20/20

How? :hmmm: