Early in the afternoon of December 7, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his chief foreign policy aide, Harry Hopkins, were interrupted by a telephone call from Secretary of War Henry Stimson and told that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. At about 5:00 p.m., following meetings with his military advisers, the President calmly and decisively dictated to his secretary, Grace Tully, a request to Congress for a declaration of war. He had composed the speech in his head after deciding on a brief, uncomplicated appeal to the people of the United States rather than a thorough recitation of Japanese perfidies, as Secretary of State Cordell Hull had urged.
President Roosevelt then revised the typed draft—marking it up, updating military information, and selecting alternative wordings that strengthened the tone of the speech. He made the most significant change in the critical first line, which originally read, "a date which will live in world history." Grace Tully then prepared the final reading copy, which Roosevelt subsequently altered in three more places.
On December 8, at 12:30 p.m., Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress and the Nation via radio. The Senate responded with a unanimous vote in support of war; only Montana pacifist Jeanette Rankin dissented in the House. At 4:00 p.m. that same afternoon, President Roosevelt signed the declaration of war.
Toby Gerhart is a smashing fullback for Stanford University.
Normally we don't like pointing out sports figures as heroes, as we feel military personnel come first in that regard.
But the Heisman Trophy will be awarded soon and Toby Gerhart is what America is all about.
Toby starred for 4 years at Norco High School in football, setting state records, all while becoming valedictorian of his class. That is quite an accomplishment. If you saw the Stanford game this year against Notre Dame, it was Toby who carried the team on his back. Literally. Even though this young man was used and abused the whole game, he still gave 110% in the final minutes, carrying Notre Dame defenders.
Our hat is off to him. He will graduate college in January. Football star and college graduate. You don't here that often.
We wish this amazing young many, Toby Gerhart all the best. He has a great future ahead of him and we wish young people would look up to him.
A Soldier's Silent Night Written by by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987. The audio was done by Father Ted Berndt and his daughter Ellen. Enjoy. Pass it along.
Here are the words to A Soldier's Silent Night
'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this home did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, net even a tree. No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly. The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States Soldier. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight. Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here. I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don't cry, this life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, my life is my God, my Country, My Corps." The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shivered from the cold night's chill. I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. The the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, "carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure." One look at my watch and I knew he was right. Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night. =================================================
President Obama finally decided how many more US troops to send to Afghanistan. Presumably after a much thought out process. We respectfully disagree.
But before we elaborate, we will reiterate that sending troops into harms way is a difficult thing to do. And we never are happy to see our military in danger. But that is what the military is for. To do battle. Like it or not, our military's mission is to fight wars. Many would have you think the military is just a game, another business, a way to spread goodwill and cheer. Those may be by-products at times, but never, ever the reason the military exists.
By President Obama waiting, he has shown that he will make decisions based on political winds. Not on military recommendations. This long process was not to decide what was right. Only to appear to appease certain political factions. The proof of this is what he finally came up with. Basically exactly what General McChrystal asked for weeks ago. The right thing to do, would have been to call an emergency meeting and make the decision, post haste.
The danger was that we had over 60,000 troops in Afghanistan already. Wavering on more troops had to have an effect on the troops already there. Was their danger overlooked by waiting? Were they put in more danger each day more troops were delayed? If you were not going to send more troops, what was the fate of the ones there? Are they going to perform a half-duty, as they might be pulled out at any minute? I can see many troops, and rightfully so, thinking, what am I here for? There was danger in waiting.
The taliban have made gains while this debate has gone on. That in and of itself is bad news for the US and our troops.
We feel a delay put the current troops in danger. And what was accomplished by the delay? Nothing.
There was no need to wait. Either pull out existing troops, or send more. Period. President Obama has made MANY promises about doing the right thing in Afghanistan and not allowing it to fail. But instead of sticking to this promise, he has only delayed any favorable outcome. And there was no need for it.
We know that our military does the best job in the world. But they are human. They must be given the support of all leaders, from the President on down. Or get out.
President Obama had painted himself into a corner. He could not pull out. The only thing left politically to do was wait. And that was a bad idea for our troops.
A taliban-run Afghanistan is not an option. This is Obama's war from the start. And so far he has not done a very good job with it.
The delay in troops has only protracted the problem.
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