An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
The Danger Of Forgetting The Past
Dec. 7, 1941: A date that new generations should know
Seventy years ago today, a peaceful Sunday morning at Pearl Harbor turned to carnage and panic as Japanese aircraft roared through the Hawaiian skies and hot ammunition ripped into American ships. Caught by surprise, America lost 2,388 military personnel and civilians. The fuse that would send America into the Second World War had been ignited.
The following day, President Franklin Roosevelt addressed the nation from the Capitol. In a speech which lasted less than seven minutes, the president gravely described the “date which will live in infamy.”A wounded but resolute America was at war. And Roosevelt predicted “always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.”
I wonder if we’re living up to that prediction.
Sadly, I would have to say no. We don’t remember. Especially the younger generation. To paraphrase Stephen King in his Dark Tower series, “We have forgotten the face of our fathers.”
The historical significance of Pearl Harbor, its warnings against geopolitical complacency, and its ongoing implications are not even concepts that the majority of our college students would recognize.According to a study of college seniors from elite universities around the country, a third could not identify Germany, Italy and Japan as our wartime enemies. Almost two thirds did not even know the Battle of the Bulge occurred during World War II.
I have had conversations with younger folks, mostly teens, about history, and what they’ve learned of the sacrifices of those who came before them. Simple questions that any elementary school kid should know. They don’t. I find it more than just a little disturbing that out of all the kids I asked, not one knew who Patrick Henry was. Not one! For college aged people not to know the answers to such questions is totally unacceptable!
This is not a matter of simply amassing facts and dates. It’s about our obligation to teach our young people about the pivotal moments in the defense of the free world – which still needs defending.
The Roman orator Cicero, who is coincidentally believed to have died on Dec. 7, 43 BCE, observed, “Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child.”
Our school system is failing miserably. They have become nothing more than indoctrination centers for the left’s agenda. Our kids NEED to know where we have been, and the mistakes that were made, in order to not repeat them. Unfortunately, we have become way too complacent as a nation, and are once again, being attack, from the inside.
Are our young people developing into the adult citizens that a free society requires?
The answer to that question would be a resounding NO! I do not trust the youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. I fear putting such responsibility into their hands.
Colleges are failing to provide our students with the educational foundation they deserve and our country needs. A nationwide study of more than 1,000 colleges and universities, What Will They Learn? (www.whatwilltheylearn.com) found that 80 percent of our colleges don’t require students to take a foundational course in American history. A mere 5 percent require economics. Barely 15 percent expects students to study foreign language. Without a strong foundation, how can the leaders of tomorrow set the course for our future?
What was once a nation built on a rock solid foundation, with principles and morality, has now become nothing more than a house build on sand. Without a strong foundation, we will no longer be a strong nation.
Students today are more likely to know the vulgar lyrics of rappers such as Kanye West, T-Pain and Nicki Minaj than the brilliant ideas of Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein or Galileo. Students can describe Occupy Wall Street in impassioned detail without knowing who occupied Europe in the 1940s, or how and why it happened.Lady Macbeth has receded into near oblivion as Lady Gaga takes center stage.
We have truly become the Ugly Americans.
~ George Santayana ~
Yesterday, December 7th, 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 the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of 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. I regret to tell you that 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.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today 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, that always will our whole nation 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 that 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 it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
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 unbounding 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 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt – December 8, 1941
Shoot, most people are not aware of what is the present situation.
CNN did a poll about wheter or not the pay-roll tax cuts would impact people and 9/10 had no idea and were not sure what those tax cuts were.
OT: Speaking of remembering, do you remember what the Sun and warm weather are like?
People are ignorant, both by choice, and because the gubmint wants ‘em that way. *insert numerous four lettered words here*
No. I don’t like this at all! We left Wisconsin to get away from the cold, snow and taxes. It hasn’t even snowed up there once so far, and we’ve had it twice? What is wrong with THIS picture!!! grrrrr… sigh… I hate algore! Heh.