This Is Not Pearl Harbor

Hartford Courant ^ | Sep 13 2001 | EUGENE E. LEACH

[2Trievers]

Within minutes of the horrific attack on the World Trade Center, Tom Brokaw of NBC News was declaring war on terrorism. On almost every TV channel, references to Pearl Harbor were flying even before the Center towers collapsed.

The daily news has been called the first draft of history. Some people in the news media seem eager to turn in their first draft while events are still going on. This is irresponsible reporting and dangerous history.

[2Trievers]

Someone, please take Mr. Leach out back to the woodshed.

[Tripleplay]

Peter Jennings would love this guy. Two nights ago he was absolving all the arab states of any blame. He went down every arab country and gave reasons why they were not involved. Last night, he said: "If you can call it that" when referring to his interview with Orin Hatch. Hatch was blaming the Taliban outright. PJ might as well wear a "I hate America" button while delivering "his news".

[2Trievers]

Mr. Leach, of my post grad alma mater, has caused me to reflect on my charitable contributions to the college ... ah, I have it. When the next fund raising comes around, I'll send a photocopy of a check for another donation to FreeRepublic in their names. Cool. I feel better already.

[metesky]

Leach may well be a major league clymer, but he's right that this is no Pearl Harbor.

The Japs came as a military unit in the uniforms of their country. These scum make the Japs appear honorable.

[garbanzo]

People must trust their democratic and humane convictions to prevail against the murderous passions that motivated the attacks of Sept. 11.

From the safety of the ivory tower...it was the "democratic and humane convictions" of public policy appeasers which resulted in this attack.

[RichInOC]

Exactly right. What happened Tuesday wasn't Pearl Harbor, it was a bandit attack.

[xm177e2]

In December 1941, the world had been at war for more than two years. There was never the slightest mystery about who carried out the attack

The world has been at war for decades, there's war in the Balkans, war in the Middle East, war in Asia, war in South America, even in Europe--terrorism is everywhere, Islamic fundamentalism is everywhere.

We know exactly who carried out this attack, and we know who's aiding them.

[Age of Reason]

The attacks on the World Trade Center were not another Pearl Harbor.

Forget Pearl Harbor . . .

REMEMBER THE MAINE?

[not-an-ostrich]

Unbelievable. Is Trinity a Quaker college?

[neutrino]

Please consider adding the phrase "Barf Alert" to such items....

[jamaksin]

Firstly, our prayers and God's grace go out to all those affected by this heinous attack.

However, the WTC was a true surprise attack. By all accounts the world's intelligence community had detected no warning.

Pearl Harbor WAS NOT a surprise attack. Pearl Harbor was not an intelligence failure (e.g., the Japanese Fleet was tracked).

Pearl Harbor was the price willing paid by FDR and his War Cabinet for the United States entry into WWII.

[Iowa Granny]

I have nothing to hide. I have no objection to registering my home address. I will do whatever is necessary to assure that my grandchildren lead a long and peaceful life. Registering our home addresses has already happened,, unless we're tax evaders.

[Darth Sidious]

These scum make the Japs appear honorable.

Even Yamamoto was haunted by his actions, and until the day he died could neve sleep peacefully again.

[Nubbin]

Since when have "humane intentions" ever prevailed against murderous attacks Mr. Leech? I'm sure if your wife or children are ever attacked in your presence this philosphy will win the day. One look at your piety and your face filled with "humane intentions" will immediately cause the murderous thugs to repent and recant the attack on your family.

What a nutcase!

[DonQ]

At Pearl Harbor the Japanese (and I am old enough to remember when it was acceptable to call them Japs) were flying their own planes, with Japanese insignia clearly visible, and were targeting battleships and army bases. The American death toll was 2400.

Tuesday's death toll probably exceeded Pearl Harbor's within the first hour, and the final total might be twenty times Pearl Harbor. And, of course, the villains kept their identity secret and aimed at the heart of a civilian center. An attack of this magnitude on noncombatants indicates the sort of war where the usual humanitarian rules have been cancelled.

[2Trievers]

No, just your run-of-the-mill New England liberal cesspool.

[2Trievers]

My apologies, neutrino ... it won't happen again ...

[Mason]

Promising reform movements, my arse.

The progressives gave us the unlimited income tax and took away the political power of our states by destroying their Senate representation, giving us Leviathan.

The professor is correct, though, that there are differences, and they are important. Still, I say declare war, and keep our freedoms. Let's use that militia clause in the U.S. Constitution to start training everyone to keep a military rifle, and to train in disaster events.

[Jaxter]

"Even Yamamoto was haunted by his actions, and until the day he died could neve sleep peacefully again."

He didn't really lose that much sleep then because the plane he was flying in was ambushed and shot down by a flight of USAAF P-38's a couple of years later and he was killed.