FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
Pearl Harbor Speech / Dec. 8, 1941

To the Congress of the United States:

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 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 the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or 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. 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.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday 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.

Always will we 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 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 very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that 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, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

FDR was a horrible president domestically. He brought us his famous Raw Deal, which was later augmented by President Johnson in his Great Socialism. We will be suffering the consequences of these destructive programs for years to come, regardless of how quickly we can dismantle them.

It is interesting to note, however, how the Democratic Party has changed on the issue of defense over the last century. President Roosevelt, SocioCom liberal that he was, still retained a sense of America having a right to defend itself against its enemies, and worked diligently to fight a war that was every bit as necessary to the security of our way of life as the current war on terrorism.

Roosevelt, a Donk, saw that if the enemies of the day were not defeated, America would cease to exist. Regardless of what you think of the Raw Deal and his threats to "pack the courts" to cram it down the throats of America's citizenry, you absolutely MUST admire his bravery and courage in making the decision to send American soldiers into harm's way.

Fast forward to today's Donks, led by the likes of "we can't win in Iraq" Weird Howard and "American soldiers are terrorists" John Kerry are now the standard-bearers for the party. Since when is it relevant whether we can win the war on terror? The point is that we are taking a stand and defending ourselves against those who would do us harm. We MUST fight, or risk losing everything others have fought so hard and given their lives to preserve for us. Do you see any promises of quick victory in the speech above? NO. We were three and a half years into a war that had already raged on for years prior to our participation before it was over. Were there setbacks? Of course there were. Did soldiers die? Of course they did. In fact, the War on Terror has seen fewer US casualties than the D-day invasion at Normandy ALONE.

Think about it, Mrs. Sheehag, Dr. Dean, and Mr. Kerry. You bemoan a few thousand dead US soldiers when we lost more than that in a single day on September 11, 2001. Oh, and in case you didn't know, those weren't soldiers. Those were everyday civilians, just like you and me, who were just going about their daily business, not soldiers who have chosen to offer their lives to defend the country. Even Pearl Harbor was a military base. Our losses at Normandy were greater still. OF COURSE every life is precious. That's why we must stay the course and see to it that these dead have not given their lives in vain.

In World War II, we stayed the course. In Veitnam we did not, thanks largely to Mr. Kerry and his lies. Which Democrat would you rather emulate?

RWR

Update:The John Locke Foundation shows us the actual newspapers from the day.