make ignorant statements like this one from one of the newest members of the Rocky Top Brigade, Johnson City Stories and everything else:
Current events have captured the attention the vast majority of the politically inactive -- have mobilized the mainstream, middle ground, middle class, middle american. Never has there been such unity against a war BEFORE it happens.[Emphasis mine]
A quick check of war sentiment prior to December 7th, 1941 instantly dismisses such a claim. The American public had no interest in the war in Europe prior to the Japanese attack. The most common refrain, echoed loudly today by Brook et al is "What has Germany (Iraq) done to us?" There was a lot of pro German sentiment in the US in those days, led by Germanic immigrants, but embraced by many, particularly those with Anti-Semitic leanings. Ironically, the political roles were reversed, with the liberal Democrats urging intervention, and the Conservatives urging isolationism. However, Main Street America said "Stay out of it" in a clear voice. Contrast that with today, where the Main Street supports the war on Iraq and the broader war on terrorism.
By all means, though, continue your protest. It is your right, and one I served 9 years in the Navy to protect. I'd suggest you read a little more history before you go making bold pronouncements though.
Posted by Rich at February 13, 2003 11:02 AMWow, Rich. Couldn't you at least welcome them before fisking them to pieces? :)
Posted by: SK Bubba on February 13, 2003 1:25 PMAmerica was *built* by Germans and has always been isolationist in its tilt. It was just prior to WWI, when Sigmund Freud had toured the nation to great acclaim, that Wilson decided he needed to change America's pro-German sentiments. We had no desire to go to war with them, but he wanted to get us in on the side of England, et al. So, he formed the Creel Commission, which was tasked with finding the ways to change America's perception of Germans and Germany. They reported back and their recommendations went into effect. Within a year, America was rabidly anti-German (something that actually has echoed down to the present day) and ready for war. Creel Commission tactics are standard operating procedure for propagandizing your enemy to this day.
Posted by: mike hollihan on February 13, 2003 1:46 PMSKB, I wasn't THAT harsh, was I?
Mike, Isn't it odd that an isolationist country is always being accused of imperialism? It's particularly ironic coming from the Germans, who be all rights could have been our first real imperial expansion after WWII.
Creel Commission notwithstanding, the isolationist sentiment prior to the Pearl Harbor attack is well documented. Roosevelt had to drag America kicking and screaming into the war, and once begun, fought continuously to maintain our focus on "Germany first."
Posted by: rich on February 13, 2003 4:11 PMYes, FDR certainly did...
http://www.thenewamerican.com/focus/pearl_harbor/index.htm