[conservatism_IS_compassion]

What really makes me shake my head over the Pearl Harbor conspiracy theory is that it depends on believing that FDR felt he wouldn’t get a declaration of war from Congress if he brought them evidence of a Japanese plan for a surprise attack, or the attack went off and the Navy successfully defended themselves with few losses. You have to believe he thought he could only take us to war if thousands of sailors and Marines were killed, but not if, say, 100 were killed.

I would like to know that you have read The New Dealers' War: FDR and the War Within World War II before you discuss what FDR didn't know and when he didn't know it. And why.

[Mr. Silverback]

Why would I need to read a particular book to know that the idea that we could be attacked by Japan and not declare war is moronic? And why would I care about the opinion of a historian who operates from the ludicrous position that unconditional surrender was too much to ask from the folks who started a war that killed at least 60 million people? He might as well say the Civil War was fought over the outcome of a zoning committee hearing.

Ergo...

NO SALE.

[LS]

I have indeed read it and found it unconvincing to the central argument. I will repeat what I say in the book. There is zero-—ZERO-—evidence that any American radio listening station or cryptanolist received ONE SINGLE transmission or piece of evidence that the Kido Butai was anywhere near Pearl Harbor. Indeed, they were picking up “chaff” from several Japanese transmitting stations in Japan broadcasting messages designed to make the fleet appear all over the Pacific, but nothing from the fleet itself.