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Address over the radio concerning the attack upon the destroyer GREER,
September 11, 1941

My fellow Americans:

The Navy Department of the United States has reported to me that on the morning of September 4 the U. S. Destroyer GREER, proceeding in full
daylight toward Iceland, had reached a point southeast of Greenland. She was carrying American mail to Iceland. She was flying the American flag. Her identity as an American ship was unmistakable.

She was then and there attacked by a submarine. Germany admits that it was a German submarine. The submarine deliberately fired a torpedo at
the GREER, followed later by another torpedo attack. In spite of what Hitler's propaganda bureau has invented, and in spite of what any
American obstructionist organization may prefer to believe, I tell you the blunt fact that the German submarine fired first upon this American
destroyer without warning, and with deliberate design to sink her.

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In the face of all this, we Americans are keeping our feet on the ground. Our type of democratic civilization has outgrown the thought of feeling compelled to fight some other nation by reason of any single piratical attack on one of our ships. We are not becoming hysterical or losing our sense of proportion. Therefore, what I am thinking and saying does not relate to any isolated episode.

Instead, we Americans are taking a long-range point of view in regard to certain fundamentals and to a series of events on land and on sea which must be considered as a whole-as a part of a world pattern.

It would be unworthy of a great nation to exaggerate an isolated incident, or to become inflamed by some one act of violence. But it
would be inexcusable folly to minimize such incidents in the face of evidence which makes it clear that the incident is not isolated, but
part of a general plan.

The important truth is that these acts of international lawlessness are a manifestation of a design which has been made clear to the American people for a long time.

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It is time for all Americans of all the Americas to stop being deluded by the romantic notion that the Americas can go on living happily and peacefully in a Nazi-dominated world.

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His intention has been made clear. The American people can have no further illusions about it.

No tender whisperings of appeasers that Hitler is not interested in the Western Hemisphere, no soporific lullabies that a wide ocean protects us from him can long have any effect on the hard-headed, farsighted, and realistic American people.

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Because of these episodes, because of the movements and operations of German warships; and because of the clear repeated proof that the present Government of Germany has no respect for treaties or for international law, that it has no decent attitude toward neutral nations or human life, we Americans are now face to face, not with abstract theories, but with cruel, relentless facts.

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And I am sure that even now the Nazis are waiting to see whether the United States will by silence give them the green light to go ahead on this path of destruction.

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The Nazi danger to our western world has long ceased to be a mere possibility. The danger is here now-not only from a military enemy but from an enemy of all law, all liberty, all morality, all religion.

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There has now come a time when you and I must see the cold, inexorable necessity of saving to these inhuman, unrestrained seekers of world conquest and permanent world domination by the sword, "You seek to throw
our children and our children's children into your form of terrorism and slavery. You have now attacked our own safety. You shall go no further."

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Normal practices of diplomacy-note writing-are of no possible use in dealing with international outlaws who sink our ships and kill our citizens.

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One peaceful nation after another has met disaster because each refused to look the Nazi danger squarely in the eye until it actually had them by the throat.

The United States will not make that fatal mistake.

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I assume that the German leaders are not deeply concerned by what we Americans say or publish about them. We cannot bring about the downfall of nazi-ism by the use of long-range invectives.

But when you see a rattlesnake poised to strike you do not wait until he has struck before you crush him.

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Do not let us split hairs. Let us not ask ourselves whether the Americas should begin to defend themselves after the fifth attack, or the tenth attack, or the twentieth attack.

The time for active defense is now.

Do not let us split hairs. Let us not say, "We will only defend ourselves if the torpedo succeeds in getting home, or if the crew and
the passengers are drowned."

This is the time for prevention of attack.

If submarines or raiders attack in distant waters. They can attack equally well within sight of our own shores. Their very presence in any waters which America deems vital to its defense constitutes an attack.

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My obligation as President is historic; it is clear. It is inescapable.

It is no act of war on our part when we decide to protect the seas which are vital to American defense. The aggression is not ours. Ours is
solely defense.

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I have no illusions about the gravity of this step. I have not taken it hurriedly or lightly. It is the result of months and months of constant thought and anxiety and prayer. In the protection of your Nation and mine it cannot be avoided.

The American people have faced other grave crises in their history- with American courage and American resolution. They will do no less today.

They know the actualities of the attacks upon us. They know the necessities of a bold defense against these attacks. They know that the
times call for clear heads and fearless hearts.

And with that inner strength that comes to a free people conscious of their duty and of the righteousness of what they do, they will-with
Divine help and guidance-stand their ground against this latest assault upon their democracy, their sovereignty, and their freedom.

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Of course Bush was dealing with a direct attack on American soil of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and White House.

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FDR considered it "inexcusable folly to minimize such incidents" yet the left continues to do so.

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Substitute terrorist for Nazi.

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Are you lefties listening to your boy from 67 years ago?

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Isn't "silence" and/or withdrawl what the left wants us to do?

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Again, substitute terrorist for Nazi and go WOW!

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Amen FDR! Wait, didn't Bush say something like that?

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Take not Senator Obama!

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We will if the left has their way!

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Remember now, this is FDR speaking, not Bush.

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The above quote speaks for itself; again FDR, not Bush.

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For FDR it's defense. For Bush, the left calls it treason and murder.

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The sad thing is that we are no longer an United people. FDR had the people behind him, Bush does not. There lies the difference in a strong American then and a weak America now. It's not the POTUS, it's the people.

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So I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him...to be honest with you... I truly am not that concerned about him."

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Originally posted by Hooligan1790:

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Of course Bush was dealing with a direct attack on American soil of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and White House.

Of course Bush's response was to invade a country not involved in that attack 6 months later. We didn't invade a country...We removed Saddam followingwhat was outlined in Resolution 1441. We stayed and helped the nations people.

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FDR considered it "inexcusable folly to minimize such incidents" yet the left continues to do so.

I disagree. I believe the left would have supported a war which actually focussed on the perpetrators of 9/11. I disagree with your disagreement...as you were one that stated at the time we went to Afghanistan that too many would die.

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Substitute terrorist for Nazi.

Are all terrorists of one persuasion such as Nazism? Nope...convenient for them isn't it...It gives them support from the likes of you.

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Are you lefties listening to your boy from 67 years ago?

Are you saying Iraq has designs on the Western Hemisphere? Nope, Silly.... The extremists do. Just listen to them.

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Isn't "silence" and/or withdrawl what the left wants us to do?

No.

Again wrong. The left wants us to tuck tail and apologize for being so mean that they needed to attack us.

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Again, substitute terrorist for Nazi and go WOW!

Are we speaking of Iraq or terrorists/terrorism?

Terrorists..as in those that behead for effect...Those that strap bombs on their chests and walk into markets, those that bomb trains and barracks and embassies.

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Amen FDR! Wait, didn't Bush say something like that?

Yes and then hamstrung the effort in Astan in order to tip windmills in Iraq. Nice deflection...It clearly reveals your biased political leanings.

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Take not Senator Obama!

I think you meant take note. So are you saying that if Obama (not my candidate of choice) had the opportunity to attack the actual perpetrators of 9/11 he would negotiate instead?

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We will if the left has their way!

I have no answer for this except BS. BS right back at your politically motivated opinion.

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Remember now, this is FDR speaking, not Bush.

Yes, and when FDR went after the Nazis he bombed and invaded Germany not New Zealand. More deflection...Now had Hitler been hiding in New Zealand...

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The above quote speaks for itself; again FDR, not Bush.

Yes, as long as you are striking someone involved in the issue. The lefties deny the fact that removing Saddam is/was a part of the war on terror. So?

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For FDR it's defense. For Bush, the left calls it treason and murder.

I think FDR actually attacked the Nazis, not so Bush with the terrorists. No, but the left today is simliar to the British ignoring Winston Churchill when he warned about Hitler and the Nazi's (in the 30's)....They actually called Churchill a war monger....Ironic eh?

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The sad thing is that we are no longer an United people. FDR had the people behind him, Bush does not. There lies the difference in a strong American then and a weak America now. It's not the POTUS, it's the people.

Actually, FDR did not have the people behind him until after Pearl Harbor which, by the way the Nazis had nothing material to do with. He did, by some accounts, allow Pearl Harbor to happen in order to enter the war against Germany. Why does this response not surprise me?

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Originally posted by MeatUSCGRetired:
As I recall, FDR went right after the people who bombed Pearl Harbor and stayed after them until he defeated them.

How's Bush doing with that "We'll get him dead or alive" thing with Bin Laden, Mazski?

Bush, speaking about Bin Laden on March 13, 2002, only six months, almost to the day, after the World Trade Center attack:

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So I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him...to be honest with you... I truly am not that concerned about him."

Oh, yeah, he compares VERY favorably to FDR.

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As I recall, FDR went right after the people who bombed Pearl Harbor and stayed after them until he defeated them.

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We didn't invade a country...We removed Saddam followingwhat was outlined in Resolution 1441. We stayed and helped the nations people.

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I disagree with your disagreement...as you were one that stated at the time we went to Afghanistan that too many would die.

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Nope...convenient for them isn't it...It gives them support from the likes of you.

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Nope, Silly.... The extremists do. Just listen to them.

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Again wrong. The left wants us to tuck tail and apologize for being so mean that they needed to attack us.

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Terrorists..as in those that behead for effect...Those that strap bombs on their chests and walk into markets, those that bomb trains and barracks and embassies.

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Nice deflection...It clearly reveals your biased political leanings.

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More deflection...Now had Hitler been hiding in New Zealand...

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The lefties deny the fact that removing Saddam is/was a part of the war on terror. So?

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No, but the left today is simliar to the British ignoring Winston Churchill when he warned about Hitler and the Nazi's (in the 30's)....They actually called Churchill a war monger....Ironic eh?

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Why does this response not surprise me?

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Originally posted by Hooligan1790:
Eddie,

[QUOTE]We didn't invade a country...We removed Saddam following what was outlined in Resolution 1441. We stayed and helped the nations people.

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I disagree with your disagreement...as you were one that stated at the time we went to Afghanistan that too many would die.

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Nope...convenient for them isn't it...It gives them support from the likes of you.

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Nope, Silly.... The extremists do. Just listen to them.

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Again wrong. The left wants us to tuck tail and apologize for being so mean that they needed to attack us.

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Terrorists..as in those that behead for effect...Those that strap bombs on their chests and walk into markets, those that bomb trains and barracks and embassies.

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Nice deflection...It clearly reveals your biased political leanings.

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More deflection...Now had Hitler been hiding in New Zealand...

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The lefties deny the fact that removing Saddam is/was a part of the war on terror. So?

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No, but the left today is similar to the British ignoring Winston Churchill when he warned about Hitler and the Nazi's (in the 30's)....They actually called Churchill a war monger....Ironic eh?

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Why does this response not surprise me?

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You said thousands and thousands...and your tone was much different than you try to imply now...for political reasons - you can keep waiting...trying to pull up a post that old...You know the odds and you're banking on it. No problem.... I remember it, and I now save the best posts for future reference..Things like how you are an eternal optimist..ya know. However, many more have died in the misdirection of Iraq.

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The objective portion of your post is red...do you notice that you tried to use logic, but inserted your personal feelings instead...that pretty much wipes out any chance you would receive the news that many supported this effort...because the EXPERTS you would consider EXPERTS...would only be those that you already agree with, concerning...how did you say? oh yeah.. "beholding to G.B. and the Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight"

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The objective portion of your post is red...do you notice that you tried to use logic, but inserted your personal feelings instead...that pretty much wipes out any chance you would receive the news that many supported this effort...because the EXPERTS you would consider EXPERTS...would only be those that you already agree with, concerning...how did you say? oh yeah.. "beholding to G.B. and the Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight"

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It is????...You are saying that this is unwavering, documented, unequivocal historical fact? Who do you know that told you first hand what went on behind closed doors in FDR white House... Here is what you are now saying is in fact an unequivocal historical fact: by some accounts, allow Pearl Harbor to happen in order to enter the war against Germany. What pray tell liberties are you using to determine that SOME ACCOUNTS creates historical fact?

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Read the history and you will find it. Wishing it were not true or wishing something was true does not make it so. Take for example your defense of GWB's every move. That doesn't make them right.

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Franklin Roosevelt often lied to further his goals. In a radio address broadcast to the nation on 23 October 1940, for example, he gave "this most solemn assurance" that he had not given any "secret understanding in any shape or form, direct or indirect, with any government or any other nation in any part of the world, to involve this nation in any war or for any other purpose." But American, British and Polish documents (mostly released many years later) proved that this "most solemn assurance" was a bald-faced lie. Roosevelt had, in fact, made numerous secret arrangements to involve the U.S. in war.

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Of all his speeches, perhaps the best example of Roosevelt's readiness to lie is his 1941 Navy Day address broadcast over nationwide radio on 27 October.

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The President began his Navy Day address by recalling that German submarines had torpedoed the U.S. destroyer Greer on 4 September 1941 and the U.S. destroyer Kearny on 17 October. In highly emotional language, he characterized these incidents as unprovoked acts of aggression directed against all Americans. He declared that although he had wanted to avoid conflict, shooting had begun and "history has recorded who fired the first shot."What Roosevelt deliberately failed to mention was the fact that in each case the U.S. destroyers had been engaged in attack operations against the submarines, which fired in self-defense only as a last resort.

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It's doubtful if any of Roosevelt's great contemporaries, including Stalin, Hitler and even Churchill, ever delivered a speech as loaded with falsehoods as brazen as those in his 1941 Navy Day address. On at least one occasion, Roosevelt privately admitted his willingness to lie to further his goals. During a conversation on 14 May 1942 with his close Jewish adviser, Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, Jr., the President candidly remarked: "I may have one policy for Europe and one diametrically opposite for North and South America. I maybe entirely inconsistent, and furthermore, I am perfectly willing to mislead and tell untruths if it will help us win the war."

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We, the American people, elect the POTUS to represent ALL of us. Obviously things are done at that level that we ALL don't agree with. That is why the POTUS is the toughest job in the world. I say let the POTUS and congress do their jobs under the system put in place by our forefathers and stop analizing every single move they make. It may also be time to start once again showing a bit of resepct for not only our leader but the leader of the free world.

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I say not only is he NOT the leader of the Free World, he is only the leader of a Clown Parade. You could line up the world's leaders, and you couldn't find ten guys to pizz on George Bush if he was on fire.

Not only do we need to analyze every move he makes, we should maintain indescribable pressure via the media to torment and second-guess his every breath. That is the penalty he should face for his ineptitude in first implementing and then mishandling a conflict with Iraq.

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I agree with your assessment of FDR as far a his misleading ways. No doubt about the fact that he had to mislead many in order to save the world.

The difference is/was he actually got it done.