Bob Krumm
December 8, 1943
London – It has been two years since President Roosevelt has embarked on the most far-reaching global war in history, and yet America has so far seen little success.
Attacked by Japan–an attack not unprecipitated by America‘s heavy-handed policies in the Far East–America‘s reaction has been to wage war against foes ten thousand miles distant from the Japanese. Rather than trying to bring to justice organizers of the Japanese attack, this war’s major fighting has been limited largely to North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Critics have had plenty of fodder for claiming that the administration had been looking for any excuse to fight Hitler. Even without proof of German involvement in the attack on Pearl Harbor, neo-zionists in the administration seemingly viewed the Hawaiian attack as a green light for their ambitious plans.
Meanwhile, Roosevelt‘s military has been less than successful on the battlefield. Kasserine was far from a stellar example of American military prowess. And for what? So that America could lay claim to the barren land inhabited by the third world tribes of Libya? Across the globe at a tiny and irrelevant atoll named Midway, the Japanese finished off one of America‘s newest carriers, the USS Yorktown. This, after the Japanese already destroyed the backbone of America‘s Pacific fleet: the battleships. Ironically the USS Yorktown was named for the last battle of the first American war. Could it be that fifty years from now Japan will celebrate America‘s last-ever battle by naming one of its ships the Midway? And on the beaches of Anzio a country not known for its military success, Italy, has given Americans fits. The Army has been particularly ineffective thus far. Could it be that General Marshall’s purges of the Army’s general officers has made its ill effects felt on the battlefield?
And what of America‘s allies? There’s England, led by the “hero of Gallipoli” Winston Churchill. And don’t forget tiny Australia. Last and certainly least is Stalin’s Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. If there was one country on the globe that justified an American attack against it, it would be her ally Russia. And yet Roosevelt arms America‘s doppelganger, while he makes excuses for its inhumane treatment of its citizenry. Doesn’t sound quite like the “shining city on the hill” you probably thought America once was.
Tens of thousands dead, and two years into the globe’s most horrific war, and America looks no closer to achieving its goals. And just what does President Roosevelt actually expect to accomplish as a result of this expensive gamble? Does he really expect to introduce democracy to America‘s enemies? Imagine Germany, which itself has only been a country for 70 years, accepting a constitutional form of government. Even more laughable is the idea that a Far Eastern culture like Japan‘s, with its Oriental religion and its martial history, could ever accept Western-style democracy.
At home America still reels from the worst economy in its history. One can’t help but wonder if the administration views news of the steady stream of military casualties so casually because they know that at least that means there will be less hungry mouths to feed.
Because of Roosevelt‘s costly war-without-end, and a struggling economy, Republicans can’t help but to be excited about their prospects of finally achieving long-awaited electoral success in 1944.
(I orignally found and posted this 7. October 2003)
Related:
Franklin D. Roosevelt: 1933-1945
137 Remarks at Malta
December 8, 1943
Lord Gort, officers and men, good people of Malta:
Nearly a year ago the Prime Minister and I were in Casablanca —shortly after the landings by British and American troops in North Africa—and at that time I told the Prime Minister some day we would control once more the whole of the Mediterranean and that I would go to Malta.
For many months I have wanted on behalf of the American people to pay some little tribute to this island and to all of its people- civil and military- who during these years have contributed so much to democracy, not just here but all over the civilized world. And so, at last I have been able to come. At last I have been able to see something of your historic land. I wish I could stay but I have many things to do. May I tell you though that during these past three weeks the Prime Minister and I feel that we two have struck strong blows for the future of the human race.
And so, in this simple way, I am taking the opportunity to do what all the American people would like to join me in doing. I have here a little token- a scroll- a citation- from the President of the United States, speaking in behalf of all the people of the United States. And may I read it to you:
“In the name of the people of the United States of America, I salute the Island of Malta, its people and defenders, who, in the cause of freedom and justice and decency throughout the world, have rendered valorous service far above and beyond the call of duty.
“Under repeated fire from the skies, Malta stood alone, but unafraid in the center of the sea, one tiny bright flame in the darkness—a beacon of hope for the clearer days which have come.
“Malta‘s bright story of human fortitude and courage will be read by posterity with wonder and with gratitude through all the ages.
“What was done in this Island maintains the highest traditions of gallant men and women who from the beginning of time have lived and died to preserve civilization for all mankind.
“Dated December 7, 1943.
Signed FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.”
I have signed it at the bottom and I wrote on it not today but yesterday, December 7, because that was the second anniversary of the entry into the war of the American people. We will proceed until that war is won and more than that, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the British Empire and our other allies in making it a victory worth while.
