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.
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Tainted Links
From the Des Moines Register: Bikers still unhappy with ethanol
In my last post, I was displeased with an ethanol spokes person's take on a perfectly worded label. A biker website has done the exact same thing except on the other side of the position now. The American Motorcyclist Association doesn't like the move to E15.
The EPA specifically stated that only cars and light trucks model year 2007 and earlier. The pumps will be clearly labeled (see previous post). Motorcyclists and drivers of pre-2007 vehicles need to pay attention to the pumps.
In my last post, I was displeased with an ethanol spokes person's take on a perfectly worded label. A biker website has done the exact same thing except on the other side of the position now. The American Motorcyclist Association doesn't like the move to E15.
The EPA specifically stated that only cars and light trucks model year 2007 and earlier. The pumps will be clearly labeled (see previous post). Motorcyclists and drivers of pre-2007 vehicles need to pay attention to the pumps.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tainted Links
From the Des Moines Register: Ethanol warning label upsets industry
The main part I want to comment on is paragraph four:
"Shaw questions the label’s truthfulness because of the sentence that says the “fuel might damage other vehicles.” The government is still studying the impact on models from 2001 to 2006 and isn’t doing any research on vehicles older than 2001, so there’s no basis to say that E15 might damage cars odler than 2007, Shaw said. “That is a flat-out unsupportable statement that is very prejudicial and needs to be out there,” he said."
Mr. Shaw is letting his bias cloud his reading of the label. The label is worded correctly - "fuel might damage other vehicles". The fact that the government is still studying vehicles that were made before 2007 and have no data of how E15 runs in them makes the wording perfect. The wording is not "fuel will damage". The word might is the key word.
1. It sometimes denotes was possible, implying ignorance of the fact in the speaker. Orders might have been given for the purpose.
The EPA will change the label once it has completed its testing of E15 in engines for models before 2007. Mr. Shaw can disagree or agree with the label then but right now he doesn't have a valid complaint against it.
The main part I want to comment on is paragraph four:
"Shaw questions the label’s truthfulness because of the sentence that says the “fuel might damage other vehicles.” The government is still studying the impact on models from 2001 to 2006 and isn’t doing any research on vehicles older than 2001, so there’s no basis to say that E15 might damage cars odler than 2007, Shaw said. “That is a flat-out unsupportable statement that is very prejudicial and needs to be out there,” he said."
Mr. Shaw is letting his bias cloud his reading of the label. The label is worded correctly - "fuel might damage other vehicles". The fact that the government is still studying vehicles that were made before 2007 and have no data of how E15 runs in them makes the wording perfect. The wording is not "fuel will damage". The word might is the key word.
MIGHT, n. pret. of may. Had power or liberty. He might go, or might have gone.
The EPA will change the label once it has completed its testing of E15 in engines for models before 2007. Mr. Shaw can disagree or agree with the label then but right now he doesn't have a valid complaint against it.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tainted Links
Thinkprogress.org has an interesting take on the Tennessee County fire that is now national news. Zaid Jilani's take - the consertives and Republican's on the board: "The conservative vision was on full display last week in Obion County, Tennessee."
The city of South Fulton in 1990 (due to what the television report said was budget concerns), implemented a $75 firefighter service fee for those outside of the city limit. Mr. Cranick counted on the fire department coming with their service even though he didn't pay the fee. The television reported that in 2008 a house was allowed to burn down because it's owner did not pay the fee. Mr. Cranick knew that the fire department followed this policy and yet ignored the risk.
Before I go to my suggest on how to correct this policy, I would like to point out Mr. Jilani's bias. Mr. Jalini kindly points out "Crocker, a Republican who was elected in 2008 and serves with a county commission where every seat is also filled by a Republican, likened the policy to buying auto insurance." He is implying that only Republican's have a hand in this policy. However, the policy was implemented in 1990. Crocker was elected in 2008. He also stated that every seat in the county commission is filled by a Republican. I am sure he meant the city commission (which by all indications is where the policy originates from) is filled by Republicans. According to the city's website, longest serving member was seated in 2000. Unfortunately my searching ability is not to the point where I can find who was seated in 1990 and what party they belong to. That would be a very interesting fact to learn.
Now for the fix. The problem isn't the $75 fee for the fire fighting services. The problem is the fact that those who didn't pay the fee have no recourse for help if they need it. The policy should outline the costs associated with a call and state that those who decide to fore go paying the $75 dollar fee will be require to pay for the full cost associated with the call. Some of the itemized expenses outlined would include milage, water, and the firefighters "hourly rate".
Trying to blame this on a mayor that was not seated at the time the policy was created is ridiculous. Trying to blame this on city commissioners that may or may not had been seated when the policy was create is ridiculous. Trying to blame this on a political party that may or may not had been in power in 1990 is ridiculous.
Mr. Jalini has no basis for any of the blame he lays in his post. He has no facts to back up his claim that it was only Republicans or conservatives that put this policy into place. Overall his post is disingenuous. He should have suggested solutions to this failed policy. However, all he is looking for is to blame someone and make people feel guilty.
The city of South Fulton in 1990 (due to what the television report said was budget concerns), implemented a $75 firefighter service fee for those outside of the city limit. Mr. Cranick counted on the fire department coming with their service even though he didn't pay the fee. The television reported that in 2008 a house was allowed to burn down because it's owner did not pay the fee. Mr. Cranick knew that the fire department followed this policy and yet ignored the risk.
Before I go to my suggest on how to correct this policy, I would like to point out Mr. Jilani's bias. Mr. Jalini kindly points out "Crocker, a Republican who was elected in 2008 and serves with a county commission where every seat is also filled by a Republican, likened the policy to buying auto insurance." He is implying that only Republican's have a hand in this policy. However, the policy was implemented in 1990. Crocker was elected in 2008. He also stated that every seat in the county commission is filled by a Republican. I am sure he meant the city commission (which by all indications is where the policy originates from) is filled by Republicans. According to the city's website, longest serving member was seated in 2000. Unfortunately my searching ability is not to the point where I can find who was seated in 1990 and what party they belong to. That would be a very interesting fact to learn.
Now for the fix. The problem isn't the $75 fee for the fire fighting services. The problem is the fact that those who didn't pay the fee have no recourse for help if they need it. The policy should outline the costs associated with a call and state that those who decide to fore go paying the $75 dollar fee will be require to pay for the full cost associated with the call. Some of the itemized expenses outlined would include milage, water, and the firefighters "hourly rate".
Trying to blame this on a mayor that was not seated at the time the policy was created is ridiculous. Trying to blame this on city commissioners that may or may not had been seated when the policy was create is ridiculous. Trying to blame this on a political party that may or may not had been in power in 1990 is ridiculous.
Mr. Jalini has no basis for any of the blame he lays in his post. He has no facts to back up his claim that it was only Republicans or conservatives that put this policy into place. Overall his post is disingenuous. He should have suggested solutions to this failed policy. However, all he is looking for is to blame someone and make people feel guilty.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
VJ Day
The day for which the people of the world have prayed is here at last. There is great thankfulness in our hearts. Peace has not come, however, as the result of the kind of power which we have known in the past, but as the result of a new discovery which as yet is not fully understood, nor even developed. There is a certain awe and fear coupled with our rejoicing today, because we know that there are new forces in the world, partly understood but not as yet completely developed and controlled. This new force is a tremendous challenge to the wisdom of men, and for that reason I know that most of us feel that it must be subject to their collective wisdom. Just as it was discovered by the pooling of knowledge from men of many races and religions, so it must be ruled in its development.
We should not think only of its destructive power for this new discovery may hold within it the germs of the greatest good that man has ever known. But that good can only be achieved through man’s wisdom in developing and controlling it.
Today we have a mixture of emotions, joy that our men are freed of constant danger, hope that those whom we love will soon be home among us, awe at what man’s intelligence can compass, and a realization that that intelligence uncontrolled by great spiritual forces, can be man’s destruction instead of his salvation.
For the happy wives and mothers of my own country and of the world, my heart rejoices today, but I can not forget that to many this moment only adds a poignancy to their grief. All women, wives and mothers, sisters or sweethearts, who have had men involved in this conflict, know what it is to live with fear as a constant companion. Some women will still have to help their men fight the aftermath of war in their own lives. Others have lost forever the men they hold dear. Many, many women, however, will be able to rejoice for themselves individually and for the others whose anxiety for their dear ones and whose separation from them will soon be over. Many of us are hoping that the very suffering which women of all nationalities have been through, will bring about a greater kinship among them than has ever existed before. The power of women for good should be intensified because they will surely determine to work together in order to insure that the forces of the world are used for constructive purposes. Women want to create a world atmosphere in which human beings may develop in peace and loving understanding. [script: Insert]
Our prayer today is one of gratitude, Oh, Lord, that peace has come to bless the earth, but above all we pray for wisdom and for the spirit of love in the hearts of men, for without that spirit, wisdom will avail us little.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Government Efficiency
This is not meant to pick on the USPS. It does the best it can. It is to point out how inefficient government is.
This past weekend I ordered two products. Both are shipped via the USPS. I ordered one the day after the other.
Product A's tracking:
Now it seems to me that product b should arrive the day after product a considering both are coming from California.
Product B's tracking:
Both are labeled as first class mail. So why is product B taking so long? This is how efficient government is at providing services. Remember that when it comes to social security, and health care.
This past weekend I ordered two products. Both are shipped via the USPS. I ordered one the day after the other.
Product A's tracking:
 | Delivered, March 25, 2010, 1:24 pm, WAVERLY, IA 50677 |
| Sorting Complete, March 25, 2010, 8:12 am, WAVERLY, IA 50677 |
| Arrival at Post Office, March 25, 2010, 6:47 am, WAVERLY, IA 50677 |
| Processed through Sort Facility, March 23, 2010, 11:23 pm, DES MOINES, IA 50395 |
| Processed through Sort Facility, March 22, 2010, 6:57 pm, SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92403 |
| Electronic Shipping Info Received, March 22, 2010 |
Now it seems to me that product b should arrive the day after product a considering both are coming from California.
Product B's tracking:
| Processed through Sort Facility, March 27, 2010, 12:18 am, CHICAGO, IL 60701 |
| Processed through Sort Facility, March 26, 2010, 12:51 pm, ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007 |
| Processed through Sort Facility, March 23, 2010, 6:58 pm, LONG BEACH, CA 90809 |
| Electronic Shipping Info Received, March 23, 2010 |
Both are labeled as first class mail. So why is product B taking so long? This is how efficient government is at providing services. Remember that when it comes to social security, and health care.
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