Hi KB,
Humorous first (IMO anyway), provocative (no doubt about that) second. Frankly, I laughed as hard at db's response as I did at the original piece. Well done, db.
And Warp, you are quite right re. name calling. Too bad right wing talk radio hosts and a couple of commentators on Fox don't agree. Case in point, Glen Beck this AM.
As for Hitler's lack of weapons of mass destruction (WMD's--Now there's a term that George Carlin could have a ball with. Where is the dividing line for the definition of WMD's anyway? Our incendiary bombing in Japan killed as many people as our A-bombs did.), that was mostly luck and Hitler's bad decision-making. Hitler still managed to kill millions using "conventional" methods--if the concentration camp gas chambers can be called conventional). He had a nuclear program, and development of the V-1 pulse-jet and V-2 ballistic missiles lacked emphasis early on only because he didn't think he needed them to win. The Germans already had multi-stage rockets on the drawing boards capable of reaching the US.
Had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbor, or just delayed awhile, and had Hitler finished business in England before invading Russia--or taken a page out of the Irag invasion staying away from the cities and conquering the oil fields, we would have stayed isolated. And, those of us who were left after Hitler turned his attention toward us, might be speaking German--or be ruled by the descendents of the right wingers of the time who opposed our involvement in the war. It was more than isolationism--many here were outright admirers of Hitler--Charles Lindberg being one of the more prominent examples.
That's why I actually give some credence to the theory that Roosevelt knew that Japan planned to attack Pearl Harbor--letting that happen as being the only thing that would get us into the war.
As for beer kb, I whole-heartedly agree. Ever try Steelhead Ale, made by Mad River Brewery in Blue Lakes, just outside of Arcata? Good name, great ale.
Jim |
