Yes. But it still took two more years with half the world embroiled in war and massive military attack on the U.S. to get the country in general in the mood to fight an all out war. While we compare 911 to Pearl Harbor, the analogy falls short in many ways. The axis powers were national entities that could be easily defined, unlike terrorism. And the pacifists then did not have the practice and general concencus they have now (nor did they have our involvement in Vietnam and central/south America to point to for their argument). And lastly, he did not have to deal with an education system that teaches America is bad, minorities around the world are good.
True to a point. FDR's blessing was one of Hitler's many tactical blunders by declaring war on the U.S., giving him the excuse he needed to take the gloves off so to speak and forge ahead into commited action. Otherwise yes, his hands were tied politically at the time.
With Bush, I'm not denying anything you pointed out. It is all true. I agree the education system is as you state. All of this is a cancer perpetuated by leftist trash. But it doesn't have to be the norm. It's what we've been forced to accept as the norm over the years. But I think the majority of Americans are smarter than that these days. Ever notice how the "peaceniks and pacifists" were either waving flags or very silent in the months following 9/11? It is only since these cowards have realized their own b*tts are safe again that they've crawled back out of the woodwork, dropped the flag, and begun spewing their misguided propoganda again. In my view Americans are beginning to see them for what they truly are. So I don't think I can agree that is a stumbling block for GWB.
Patton pointed out many past nations vulnerabilities over the course of history. Including an early glimpse into our future. We no longer have oceans to protect us. That is the one that rang true for me. We have been weakened, downsized and infiltrated over the years, both in civilian society and militarily. Yes it is a different world today, with many new and different threats and enemies. I am a firm believer we will have to fight these nations and their ideologies eventually. All I am saying is Bush has a choice. He can learn a lot from Patton's insight and place in history and apply it to himself and the nation, status quo and politics be damned. Be a leader. Or just be another modern day populist politician appeasing the crowds at home and "evil empires" abroad with their own agenda. So far he's managed well. I think he needs to ignore the populist stance and lead. We've matured since WWII. We'll follow him and let the minority voices whine. They always have, they always will. And they've always been proven wrong.
Off to Phoenix for sun and golf for a week. Been fun chatting, see you when I get back. God Bless.