Dec 7, 1941

[Mule]

Originally Posted by cairns

But I interpreted it as a demonstration that regardless of what side of the battle you're on on any particular day, in the end everyone loses.

I didn't. It's the Pearl Harbor anniversary. Not Hirsoshima.

And you might note that not everyone lost. The United States and her allies won. And because of that, in the long term, Germany and Japan did too.

+1

[Mule]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Pearl Harbor Day used to be how I remembered a friend's birthday. In the last 6 years, for me, it recalls the post-Depression re-birth of a great nation, and shines a spotlight on our current failures as a country.

I see your point, f*ck all 'em soldiers that got killed, right?

[Sunroof]

My ex-father-in-law was a Seabee in WWII and resented anything Japanese til his dying day. I will never forget when my ex-wife and I brought home one of those Toyota Corolla's in the early 70's and he refused to speak to us for what like seemed like months!!! Lots of WWII vets feel this way, but many refuse to discuss it. A sneak attack on Pearl Harbor when the Japanese are talking in Washington pursuing peace?! It would twist me the wrong way too. As a member of the great baby boomer generation, when growing up through the 50's and 60's, WWII was not that far behind.

My father was a side gunner in WWII on a B-24 ("Bugs Bomby") in the Pacific. Although he was credited for shooting down three Jap planes and his plane crashed landed on a beach, and another time with a gear up landing, he never talked about it. All I have to show for his heroics is a bunch of metals.

I was in Vietnam during the tet offensive (1968-69), but that was a different story. I did not protect the coast of California from invading sampans!! Where was the honor? WWII had to be amazing as a young combat soldier, sailor or airman who were in the action. These brave and honorable young men of WWII will always have a glorious place in our country's history.

We should never forget December 7, 1941, no matter how fast your 350Z goes or salmon skin roll tastes..............


Bob

[Craig 930 RS]

Is your Dad in this picture??

[cairns]

Well this is a pretty simple argument.

First a picture of Hiroshima is not how I, or the vast majority of Americans, remember Pearl Harbor. The picture of an overturned Arizona and a smoking battleship row are far more evocotive of this day. A picture of Hiroshima on this day is, IMO, an insult to all the men and woman, who died that day- not realizing that the Japanese had, by their acts, acted in war against us and killed in cold blood without provocation. It is indeed a day which will live in infamy.

As to my second comment the answer is even simpler The world, and in particular Germany and Japan, are far better off today because we won that war. No one can say for certain what would have happened if the US, Britain and France had simply let Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini take what they wanted and kill whoever they felt like killing- or had they defeated us and conquered our homeland- and those of Australia, Canada and Britain.

But IMO anyone who thinks that the world would have been better off had that happened is, quite simply, a moron. Germany and Japan are thriving democracies not just because we won but because we helped them get back on their feet and treated them as friends- and not, as Japan treated the Chinese, like conquered subjects.

[surflvr911sc]

Why do you guys insist on making everything an argument?

Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. Today is Pearl Harbor Day in remembrance.

Where is the argument there?

[Craig 930 RS]

Back to the topic.


I've wondered:
WHY did Japan attack Pearl Harbor - (besides stopping/disabling our fleet) ie, did they not think that bringing the US into the war was at the very least 'a bad thing' for them?

Or did the Bushido warrior code overwrite all common sense?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by surflvr911sc

Why do you guys insist on making everything an argument?

Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. Today is Pearl Harbor Day in remembrance.

Where is the argument there?

THANK YOU!

Gheeze, I think you guys could argue about what time the sun comes up.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

THANK YOU!

Gheeze, I think you guys could argue about what time the sun comes up.

Why the sun rises in the mornining.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Gheeze, I think you guys could argue about what time the sun comes up.

7:38am and if you have a problem with that, I'll prove you wrong!!!

[cairns]

Hey it was the Rising Sun that started all this (insert picture of japanese flag).

[tabs]

And the rising sun set on August 9th, 1945, because a new sun eclipesed the Rising Sun.

[scottmandue]

Ya know technically since the earth revolves around the the sun it doesn't really "rise" or "come up".

[kstar]

There is no "Sun"

http://www.revisionism.nl/Sun/The-Mad-Revisionist.htm

[Sunroof]

Greg....

Thanks for the photo, but that "Bugs Bomby" came after my dad's plane. The photo of him and his crew is posted in black and white and listed with the 7th Air Corp.

I have seen many B-24's at air shows and museums and have stood in the area of the open door when he was a door gunner. These guys had to have ballz of steel to face a high speed prop plane spitting bullets at you! The B-24 was known as the flying coffin because they were so sluggish. Despite that, his plane led the raid over Saipan.

My father never talked of heroics, what it was like to face an enemy fighter plane, crash on a beach and see his buddies die. He never spoke negative of the Japanese nor of the war. He was a kid (19) at the time as most were. He was one of the "greatest generation" and we, the younger pale in contrast to what these people did to preserve freedom. It was some war!

Bob

[varmint]

uploading a few photos of my dad. flew c-47s and cc-46s. served in new guinea/china.

[Mule]

Originally Posted by surflvr911sc

Why do you guys insist on making everything an argument?

Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. Today is Pearl Harbor Day in remembrance.

Where is the argument there?

This is not that complicated. One ass clown retorts to remarks in memoriam of Pearl Harbor Day by posting a pic of Hiroshima & pointing out, how bad the survivors there had it. Inferring that we (the USA) had committed a more heinous act. Apparently a couple of us considered that an insult the USA on a day set aside to remember the Americans whose lives were taken that day. Sorry if this was so hard for some of you to understand.

[TGTIW]

At this time in 1941 my father, uncle, and grandparents had just been rounded up by the US government and sent to an internment camp in Crystal City, Texas. I repsect the lives lost at Pearl Harbor, but ultimately there are now winners in war.

[surflvr911sc]

Originally Posted by Mule

This is not that complicated. One ass clown retorts to remarks in memoriam of Pearl Harbor Day by posting a pic of Hiroshima & pointing out, how bad the survivors there had it.

And you take the bait as usual, thereby degrading the conversation to a b/s political belief rant; great way to remember the fallen.

Bob (sunroof), your dad sounds like a true gentleman and a hero for his conduct both in and out of battle. God Bless Him.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by TGTIW

At this time in 1941 my father, uncle, and grandparents had just been rounded up by the US government and sent to an internment camp in Crystal City, Texas. I repsect the lives lost at Pearl Harbor, but ultimately there are now winners in war.

Very apt...but at least they were not in Nanking.

My best friend growing up in Cali was Japanese. His parents were interned. Mr. Kunisaki was adamant that his sons never forgot that they were given a future, one they took advantage of.
Those lost at PH did not have the same opportunity.