Pearl Harbor Was No Nine Eleven

As this is the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, I think it is important to note that the nine eleven terrorist attacks was in no way similar - other than Americans getting killed (btw, let's not forget the WTC was populated with people from around the globe that fateful day at 9:00 AMish). The Japanese attacked military targets using a national military to do it. Nine Eleven was executed by a small group of men with no national affiliation. Moreover, the cohesive national response to nine eleven has been squandered, unlike the national response to Pearl Harbor. By just one measure, the difference is obviated and becomes plain for all to draw their own conclusions- Roosevelt's sons all signed up to serve in the military and fought in WWII. How many of the offspring of those deciding to send troops into harms way have joined up to fight the W, Rove and Co's "war on terror?"

Of course, W is going to use the Pearl Harbor incident in a political way to leverage support for his war. I say, shame on him:

Today we mark the anniversary of a fateful day in American history. On December the 7th, 1941, our peaceful nation awoke to an attack plotted in secret, and executed without mercy. The strike on Pearl Harbor was the start of a long war for America -- a massive struggle against those who attacked us, and those who shared their destructive ambitions. Fortunately for all of us, a great generation of Americans was more than equal to the challenge. Our nation pulled together -- and despite setbacks and battlefield defeats, we did not waver in freedom's cause. With courage and determination, we won a war on two fronts: we liberated millions, we aided the rise of democracy in Europe and Asia we watched enemies become allies, and we laid the foundation of peace for generations.

On September the 11th, 2001, our nation awoke to another sudden attack. In the space of just 102 minutes, more Americans were killed than we lost at Pearl Harbor. Like generations before us, we accepted new responsibilities, and we confronted new dangers with firm resolve. Like generations before us, we're taking the fight to those who attacked us -- and those who share their murderous vision for future attacks. Like generations before us, we've faced setbacks on the path to victory -- yet we will fight this war without wavering. And like the generations before us, we will prevail.