December 7, 2008

December 7, 1941: The First Infamous Date

The Attack on Pearl Harbor:
The attack on Pearl Harbor (or Hawaii Operation, as it was called by the Imperial General Headquarters) was a surprise military strike conducted by the Japanese navy against the United States' naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the morning of Sunday December 7, 1941, later resulting in the United States becoming militarily involved in World War II. It was intended as a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from influencing the war Japan was planning to wage in Southeast Asia against Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States. The attack consisted of two aerial attack waves totaling 353 aircraft, launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers.
The President Addresses Congress:
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
The Declaration of War:

The joint resolution (S. J. Res. 116) declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial Government of Japan and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same, was read the first time by its title, and the second time at length, as follows:

Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United states of America:

Therefore be it Resolved, etc., That the state of war between the United states and the Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial Government of Japan; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United states.

The Lone Dissenter:
In 1940, Rankin was again elected to Congress, this time on an anti-war platform. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, she once again voted against entering a World War, the only member of Congress to do so, saying "As a woman, I can't go to war and I refuse to send anyone else. It is not necessary. I vote NO." However she did not vote against declaring war on Germany and Italy following their declaration of war on the U.S. Instead, she voted merely Present. ("Present" Sound familiar? - QC)
A personal account told to me by my grandmother:
She was dining with some friends after church and the news came on the radio. She said she remembered stunned silence in the restaurant, then tears and anger and talk about war. Then she realized for a second time she'd have to see men she knew going to fight, just like in her childhood when the United States entered the First World War. She remembers all the neighbors getting together - like they used to do back in those days - to listen to the news that day and then on December 8th to hear the President ask Congress to declare war.
To the Memory of the Gallant Men Here Entombed and their shipmates who gave their lives in action on December 7, 1941, on the U.S.S. Arizona.


Source: Queer Conservative

Pearl Harbor Day events today

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  • Commemoration in Balboa Park: Ceremony will take place from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center's main chapel in Balboa Park. (619) 239-2300 or sdvmc.org.
  • Meeting in Balboa Park: Pearl Harbor survivors Jack Evans, Stu Hedley, John Hancock and John Morrill will headline a symposium from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park. Free to museum members and $5 for the public. (619) 239-2300 or sdvmc.org.
  • Gathering on the Midway: Remembrance ceremony and wreath-laying will be held at 9 a.m. on the flight deck of the Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. (619) 544-9600 or midway.org.
  • Tribute on the seas: The privateer LYNX, a tall ship that's 122 feet long, will embark on a three-hour cruise at 9 a.m. Trip will include a wreath-laying ceremony and broadside salute from the cannons aboard. Sponsored by Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. To register for this $50 event, call (866) 446-5969.
  • Service in Oceanside: Memorial service will start at 9:30 a.m. at Dolphin Pier, 1500 Harbor Drive N., Oceanside Harbor.
  • Program in Imperial Beach: Memorial service will begin at 8 a.m. at the Imperial Beach Pier Plaza. If there's rain, the event will be moved to the Fleet Reserve Branch Home, 659 Silver Strand Blvd. (619) 395-2207.

Source: Sign On San Diego

Ghrelin Mimetic

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The baby boomers were young, were ready to serve and protect America at one time. But now having reached old age. They are having a difficult time performing even simple daily tasks such as house hold work because of loss of muscle in old age. Until now, the most common prescription for such issues was exercise, and more exercise. A lot of times, it doesn’t work, and it leads to frustration.

Given the fact that a person’s muscles depend on a lot of factors, including hormones. To give you an example, human growth hormone levels decrease as the person ages. And this loss is associated with the decline in muscle mass.

However, a new study in the annals of internal medicine, has taken a unique look at this metabolism. The scientist have often wondered in theory, if they could somehow slow down or totally stop this decline in muscle mass as the person ages. The drones at the medical Institute. Then started about 65, youthful men and women between the age of 60 to 81.

They divided the group into two divisions, they gave a fake medicine with no effects at all to one group, and they gave ghrelin mimetic to another group and recorded the effects scientifically. This substance basically simulates production of growth hormone and the results were terrific. The group that got the substance showed an increase in muscle mass. And remember we are talking about a group that is quite aged. I’m sure a lot of baby boomers would welcome this advance science with glee. As this helps them live longer, and younger.

This rudimentary study is definitely interesting as it is going to hurt baby boomers stay independent and youthful by maintaining their muscle mass try and weight. To say this would lead to a much better quality of life would be modest. And hey, who can forget about the cost of Medicare, and you factor all this in it. Everybody is going to rejoice, if more advances are made in this field.

If you are a baby boomer, what do you think about this study. Share your experience with us and tell us how this advancement is going to help you in your daily life.

Source: Tech Banyan

David Gregory to Host ‘Meet the Press’

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NBC News officially announced on Sunday morning that David Gregory, its longtime correspondent, would become the permanent moderator of “Meet the Press,” the network’s Sunday political discussion program. It had been expected that Mr. Gregory would replace Tim Russert, who died of a heart attack in June.

The network used the appearance by President-Elect Barack Obama on Sunday to name Mr. Gregory, who will start next week. The interim moderator, Tom Brokaw, formally introduced the 38-year-old Mr. Gregory at the end of his interview with Mr. Obama.

Mr. Brokaw announced that this Sunday would be his last as what he called “the temporary moderator” filling in for his longtime friend, Mr. Russert, and identified Mr. Gregory as both another great journalist and personal friend.

He noted that because of the election and the economic crisis and what he called “a critically important time for the country” that “more people are paying attention” to “Meet the Press” and the other network Sunday programs.

Mr. Gregory said called the appointment “an incredible honor,” and promised to follow Mr. Russert’s advice to “hold leaders accountable.” He added, “It’s all about preparation” and said he would take on the job “with great purpose.”

The interview had been taped Saturday; “Meet the Press” was first broadcast starting at 9 a.m. in Washington.

Source: NY Times
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