Awakening a Sleeping Giant

self | 11 September 2001 | Dave Dilegge

[VaMarVet]

On 7 December 1941, a Japanese fleet of aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and submarines conducted a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. American casualties were 2,330 killed and 1,145 wounded.

On 11 September 2001, a terrorist fleet consisting of 4 highjacked commercial airliners and possibly a car bomb conducted a surprise attack on New York City, Washington D.C., and the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. American casualties are still to be determined but are estimated to surpass 10 thousand.

Imperial Admiral Yamamoto, who conceived, designed and promoted the Pearl Harbor attack, cautioned against a war with the United States. Having twice held naval attaché positions within the Japanese embassy in the U. S. Capitol, he knew well the industrial strength, material wealth and temperament of the United States. Overruled by his superiors, he dedicated his efforts as Commander in Chief of the Imperial Combined Fleet to a successful attack. Upon completion of the attack he is quoted as saying "We have awakened a sleeping giant and have instilled in him a terrible resolve".

The Pearl Harbor attack, a dastardly deed for sure, was targeted against military installations and vessels. The terrorist attack this morning was targeted against civilians in New York and Government installations and personnel in the D.C. Metro area. It is time that the "Sleeping Giant" once again awaken from its slumber as today's events were nothing less than an act of war.

Like World War II, this war means nothing less than our national survival should we fail and must be prosecuted as such.

This means no middle ground for our allies and the United Nations - support us wholeheartedly or suffer the loss of our friendship, defense capabilities and the economic benefits that go with a relationship with the world's only superpower and most benevolent nation.

This means no quarter given to any country or organization that provides safe haven, logistic, intelligence, moral or other support to terrorist groups and individuals. Such support must be considered an act of war and responded to in kind.

This means no leeway for failure by our civilian and military leaders. When our national survival is at stake careerists need to find other work. Our Republic needs its true statesmen, warriors and patriots to lead this fight - anything less than a passionate devotion is not acceptable.

This means no pandering to U.S. special interest groups or other domestic organizations or individuals who might still believe that there is a United Nations, other international consensus, or politically correct solution to prosecuting this war.

This means no pandering to the media and public opinion polls. In total war the most popular often are the most defeated. Our leadership has some tough decisions to make and our prayers should be with them.

[FlyVet]

I expect that every American airport will now look and operate like an Israeli airport. It will happen.

And why not? In my travels to Europe, I wasn't disturbed by seeing well-disciplined policemen carrying submachineguns in the airports. I found it rather comforting, actually. It's time for complacent USA to wake up. Apparently these terrorists don't understand what happens to Americans when they do things like this. Patriotism and resolve are on their way back.....

[VoodooEconomist]

Americans of 2001 have very little in common with Americans of 1941. So, I'm not sure the analogy is completely accurate.

[FlyVet]

I expect that every American airport will now look and operate like an Israeli airport. It will happen.

And why not? In my travels to Europe, I wasn't disturbed by seeing well-disciplined policemen carrying submachineguns in the airports. I found it rather comforting, actually. It's time for complacent USA to wake up. Apparently these terrorists don't understand what happens to Americans when they do things like this. Patriotism and resolve are on their way back.....

[wretchard]

Dear JoeA:

The days of peace are over. Now that we are at war the measures will be extreme, expensive and will demand sacrifices of us all.

Iraq, Libya, the Sudan and Palestine have to be destroyed as political entities. No surgical strikes. Their governments must be destroyed and given over to a friendly power as spoils. Palestine to Israel. The Sudan to its nearest neighbor. Iraq to Turkey etc. Yasser Arafat to be captured, tried in New York and hung by the neck until dead.

[VaMarVet]

Americans of 2001 have very little in common with Americans of 1941. So, I'm not sure the analogy is completely accurate.

Wait and see - then FReep mail me.

[c. l. coffman]

It's time the pendulum swings back the other way, then, and we start to act like that great generation of WW II. It's time to get their courage and character back and not let all they fought and died for be in vain!

[kjam22]

I agree with you. Bush's statement of we will track down these terrorists and punish them is lame.

[HamiltonJay]

The Car Bomb reports were declared false long ago.

A dark day for america.... now its time tim whoop some arse.

Continuing coverage of events

[Redbob]

To our list of shrines:
The Alamo
The Maine
Pearl Harbor

Another has been added:
The World Trade Center

Let us never forget!

[Redbob]

"Americans of 2001 have very little in common with Americans of 1941. So, I'm not sure the analogy is completely accurate."

I'm with you there; in 1941, Americans were, well, Americans. Now we're "Hispanics," and "Palestinians" (an ethnicity whose future is in doubt), and "African-Americans" and every other hyphenated-American you can think of.
I've no doubt that the ACLU will be suing to preserve the right to terrorist acts as protected "free speech."

[B Knotts]

aiming especially for his head.

No. His head should be preserved after decapitation, then it should be displayed on a pike in the UN General Assembly.

[pankot]

As someone commented this morning: It's time to pacify the Mideast and turn it into a parking lot.

[Redbob]

"...those nutcase Muslims would use chemical/bio weapons if they went to war."

And how would they deliver those weapons? By camel?

[chopper 1]

Where is Harry Truman when we need him most? Semper-Fi Chopper 1

[Britton J Wingfield]

This may de-hyphenate some people. I sure hope so.

[Nick Danger]

This means no quarter given to any country or organization that provides safe haven, logistic, intelligence, moral or other support to terrorist groups and individuals.

I figure we have about a week during which we can do pretty much anything we want, and our usual International Friends will keep their mouths shut. Even Putin sent a telegram to Bush, essentially telling him to go ahead and bomb whoever he needs to.

This would therefore be a good time to show our many friends throughout the Islamic world what the benefits are of harboring Bin Laden. I think the Taliban can serve as an example to others of how forgiving we can be when their "guest" sends his suicide squads out to act against us on behalf of Allah.

We probably also have some good bank records telling us who has been funding this guy. They should get a visit from the B-2's as well. And while we're at it, this provides an excellent excuse to turn Saddam's various palaces into pancakes. Maybe glass pancakes.

[Britton J Wingfield]

This may de-hyphenate some people. I sure hope so.

[Capitalist Eric]

Wretchard wrote: First. We must get the political authority to destroy the enemy.

Not to sound like the wet blanket in the crowd, I seriously doubt that we the political will to truly destroy an enemy. The liberal/leftist elitists have been working nonstop for 30+ years, to emasculate our military, undermine our morals and erode our sense of will.

While I do think we should turn Afghanistan into a collective field of molten glass (Syria and the Palestinians, too), I don't think Bush OR Congress have the stones, to do what's right. I think they lost that ability decades ago, as demonstrated by the impeachment/non-conviction of Bubba.

I simply think they're too pussified to do much of anything, anymore, except suck blood from the public sector, like so many leeches.

IMHO.

[VaMarVet]

Just my thoughts on this whole thing.....

[Kosh]

How you ask? How about truck, car, boat, airplane, backpack, or virtually any other mode of transportation. Transit security in the U.S. is nonexistant, and you can cross the border with ease. If illegal drug runners can find a way in with impunity, so can a determined terrorist organization.