Never Forget

Yesterday, Dec. 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 the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

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

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday 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.

Always will we 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 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 very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

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, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Remembrance

Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business, as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.

-G.W. Bush

VMA's

So I decided to record the VMA's last night. I thought it would be nice to watch them again. The production is usually pretty good and the performances are always impressive. Last night's show wasn't very good. For it being the 25th 'birthday' of the show it was a rather crappy production.

The host was Russell Brand. I thought he was good in Sarah Marshall. I did not realize he wasn't acting in that movie however. He is a pretentious, pompous English man. He started the show by begging the American voter to elect Barrack Obama. I didn't expect much less from MTV. Then he started on a rant about the Jonas brothers' 'virginity rings'. He continued to insult them for their choice throughout the show. I thought that liberals were all about choices. He interrupted the cast of Twilight as they introduced Paramore. Note to MTV - if your host has to explain the reason he is there is because he is popular in another country, maybe you should had picked a different host.

The show was on the Paramount lot. It seems like it would be a good place to have it. It wasn't that great at all. The actual awards area seemed empty. There weren't fans right up on the stages for the live performances. They had presenters all over the 'studio' and winners seemed confused on where to go (Pussy Cat Dolls were definitely lost). I think the production suffered from the setting as well. Jamie Fox didn't know when to start back up after the video of the list of nominees. Demi Moore didn't have a microphone when she came on stage. The setting did allow for some good live performances. The Jonas Brothers performed outside on the back lot as did Pink.

Overall for a 25th show (which they made a big deal about), it was pretty crappy. Hopefully next year's production is better.

Best thank you speech - Lil Wayne who thanked 3 people - God, his family, and y'all (the crowd/fans).

SFIV

You will notice that my posts will be completely random. I just watched the trailer for Street Fighter IV. I must say that is looks pretty damn good. I remember playing SF and SFII on my friend's Sega Genesis. It was a great game. I even liked the cartoonist style. The new one looks pretty much the same but with 3D fighters and even 3D boards/levels (I haven't done any research on it yet). Am I getting my hopes up that a updated Capcom vs. Marvel coming out soon too?? How awesome would that be?

1100 Miles

The Sunday before Memorial Day is a race fan's dream. On network TV alone is 1100 miles of racing. The crown jewels of two series are raced, Forumla 1's Grand Prix of Monte Carlo and the IRL's Indianapolis 500. F1 is only seen on cable, for the most part, due to all but one race being on other continents. As far as the races available on network television, the greatest spectacle in motorsport, the Indy 500, and NASCAR's longest race, the Coca-Cola 600, keep race fans on their couch for most of the day.

This year's Indy500 was anticipated by open wheel fans because of the newly re-joined series. There is also the hype of Danica Patrick's first win. Of course Danica supporters were disappointed when she was knocked out of the race by Ryan Brisco in the pits. I can't say I agree with Ryan when he stated that she had plenty of room to maneuver around him. She did veer to the right to avoid him, and I can't say I would like to get much closer to that wall than she did. I can't say it is completely his fault either though. Someone in his pit did make a bit of a mistake. Whether it was the crew chief on the pit box or the spotter on the main straight, someone didn't let him know that Danica was there and he had to stay right to get around her by speeding up or slowing down. Danica's reaction might had been over the top, but she had finished in the top 10 since her rookie year and the first DNF had to hurt.

Tony Kanaan also had some bad luck. His teammate, Mario Andretti, tried a late pass going into the corner while both were in the front of the pack. Kanaan slowed to avoid a collision and go into the greys and I believe he kept it off the wall (or at least did not cause any major damage). He came off the wall in an odd way and right into Sarah Fisher. Wrong place at the wrong time hurt both teams. Sarah was understandably emotional afterwards. Unlike most of the rest of the field, Sarah was driving a car that she, herself, was the owner of. She had to procure all of the funds to field the team. Even to the point were her fans started contributing to her team. There will be the standard "There's no crying in racing" quotes on the net. In Sarah's case, she is right to be emtional over the accident. It will be hard for her to enter another field. The sponsors for the 500 only got 'half' the exposure they hoped they paid for. Sponsors go into this field knowing that this is very possible. I hope she can make it back into another race this year. The more cars in the field the better.

Scott Dixon and Ganassi Racing dominated from the first of the month until the end. Dixon won the pole and won his first Indy.Ganassi seems to be the top team this year. Dixon seems to be the man to beat for the championship also. More on this later.

The Coca-Cola 600 was a very good race from beginning to end. The final laps contained most of the drama. Kasey Kahne swept the spring races at Lowes this weekend. He took the All-Star race after the fans voted him in (I am sure Kasey would like to thank all the soccer moms out there). Some luck gave him the 600. Fuel strategy put him in a good position to win and Tony Stewart had a tire failure that gave him the win. Junior was forced into the wall late in the race otherwise he was looking as a contender for the win. I had not watched much NASCAR racing this year and am will have to say I am impressed with the toughness of the new car (COT). The old car would have relegated Junior to the back of the pack, not a top ten placing.

Indy use to be the biggest race of the year. Now not only Daytona but also the Coke 600 seems to be much bigger than Indy. The first reason for this would be the open wheel split. Sponsors couldn't decide on which series would be better to market in so they went to one that didn't have a direct competitor. American drivers seemed to find seats easier in NASCAR. The fame was found in NASCAR like it was in the early 90s in CART. Household names changed from Unser, Andretti, and Foyt to Gordon, Johnson, and Kahne. IRL brought in Dixon, Kanaan, Castroneves, and Wheldon, great racers but foreigners. Even more so, companies were leaving IRL. Chevy and Oldsmobile couldn't keep up with Honda and Toyota. Even Toyota left for the green pastures of NASCAR. Only one company provides tires for both series - IRL runs Firestone while NASCAR runs Goodyear. In order for the IRL to come back to promince I believe they need to have manufacturers come back in and complete like NASCAR. Race fans are not only loyal to a driver but to also a manufacturer. Much of this can be seen in Toyota's arrival in the Sprint Cup. I also believe NASCAR should open up the tires available to other manufacturers. Anything to create more competition.

Even with all the difference and disparity in popularity both series are making new fans and keeping old ones. Racing in America is increasing in popularity. Now if only F1 could get a race or two back in the States.

Memorial Day

For my first post on this memorial day, I would like to thank the soldiers past, present, and future who have sacrificed their time, their livelihood, and their lives to preserve the constitutional republic that is the United States of America. I will leave you with this thought:

Only Two Entities Have Offered to Die for You
JESUS CHRIST and the AMERICAN SOLDIER
One Died for Your Soul,
the Other Died for Your Freedom.