On a sleepy Sunday morning more than 80 years ago (84 I believe), the sounds and sensations of paradise were shattered by those of guns, bombs, and war. The events not only shattered the old world order, but the lives of all Americans. The resulting war took the life of my uncle Foster; was responsible for the later death of my uncle James as the growth that got into his lungs as he floated around the Pacific after having a ship shot out from under him was responsible for his later death; and, altered the lives of my other uncles and my Dad.
FDR decreed it a date that would live in infamy. For a while, that was true. We were vigilant and determined not to sleep again at the dawn. Now, it is dawn again, and again at the dawn I fear we sleep. Just as last time, there are far too many who desire us to be asleep and remain asleep. Well before that dawn some sounded the alarm: among others, look up the name Richardson and what happened to him. Then look to not just current events, but the last four or so years.
Nor is it a single- or double-axis threat. Following the money can be easy in many cases; but, trying to follow the ideologies is much harder. And, yes, there is more than one paymaster and more than one ideology at work today. We face not two major enemies, but several; and, of them all the ideologies are the hardest for most to recognize as they wear masks that appeal to specific groups and demographics. Yet, many mask the same godless authority that even uses religious groups for its ends.
Nor was the enemy truly already within the gates then. Despite the racism and land-grab of FDR, there was no real internal threat (or at least not with the Japanese, arguments can be made in other cases). Today, well, if you’ve been reading me a while I think you can figure out my concerns. Or already share them.
The best we can do is pray, prepare, and continue to push for policy and military reforms. Meantime, Sal has a good thread up at X and there is a lot of other good food for thought going up at different places. As for me, I have done what I can and will spend at least some time today thinking about visiting the Arizona, the Punchbowl, and other places associated with that Day. I will most likely say a prayer for those involved. Take some time today and think and pray. I believe both are very much needed.
