LostInSpace

What's on my mind
2001-11-13 16:19:26 (UTC)

This is funny yet so true.

LIFE DURING WARTIME

Now and Then
What if today's media covered World War II?

BY CHRISTOPHER BUCKLEY
Saturday, November 10, 2001 12:01 a.m. EST

Dec. 12, 1941: The City Council of Berkeley, Calif.
approves, by 5-4, a resolution condemning as "warmongering"
the recent U.S. declaration of war on Japan. In a
statement, the council deplores "violence as a means of
settling international disputes" and urges President
Roosevelt to "sit down with the Japanese ambassador in
Washington" and "enter into a meaningful, non-gender or
race-based dialogue."


Dec. 13, 1941: In an article for the New Yorker, Mavis
Montag suggests that the U.S. "has only itself to blame"
for the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, she expresses
satisfaction that America is now formally at war with
Germany and will thus "be forced to aid the heroic struggle
of the Soviet Union."


Jan. 6, 1942: MEDIA REPORTED 'FRUSTRATED' AT LACK OF U.S.
VICTORY IN 'WORLD WAR II'. 'How long is this thing going
to drag out?' Demand new type of commentators
called 'Talking Heads'


Jan. 30, 1942: In an interview on "Good Morning Nippon," a
Japanese bomber pilot wounded over Pearl Harbor denounces
the American Navy's attempt to defend itself from the
attack.

"They should have accepted our bombs as divine will," says
Murama Takaji, 22, who appears on the popular morning show
with both arms in a sling. He says that once he recovers he
hopes to join the elite Divine Wind ("kamikaze")
squadron. "It would be a great honor to crash into an
American ship," he says. "I hear there are many pretty
geishas in the next life."


Feb. 6, 1942: MEDIA EXECUTIVES CHAFE AT WAR DEPARTMENT
RESTRICTIONS ON REPORTING. 'Why can't we go on DooLittle
raid over Tokyo?' Demands head of ABC news.


Feb. 7, 1942: The head of ABC News retracts revelation of
Doolittle mission. "I misspoke," he says. "There actually
is no secret plan to launch B-25 bombers off aircraft
carriers to bomb Tokyo on April 18. Really."


Feb. 18, 1942: CRITICS WORRIED THAT WORLD WAR II COULD TURN
OUT TO BE 'QUAGMIRE'

March. 1, 1942: BRITISH URGED TO HALT BOMBING OF OCCUPIED
FRANCE DURING LENT. Insensitivity to period of fasting and
repentance could 'offend' Christians, 'strain' Alliance.

March. 3, 1942: RAF BOMBERS STRIKE RENAULT PLANT OUTSIDE
PARIS, KILLING 623 AND WOUNDING 1,500. Churchill reported
sleeping 'like a baby' following raid.


April. 20, 1942: Officials from the Japanese Imperial
Ministry of Propaganda and Dissimulation give American
reporters a tour of areas of Tokyo damaged in the Doolittle
raid. According to the officials, all bombs missed military
targets, landing instead on nursery schools, hospitals,
temples, infant formula factories and schools for
handicapped children.

April. 21, 1942: The head of the United Notions
expresses "grave concern" over civilian casualties in
yesterday's Doolittle raid over Tokyo.

"If there are to be any more of these so-called 'daring'
raids over Japanese population centers," he says, "American
pilots must be more sensitive to collateral damage."


April. 21, 1942: WAR DEPARTMENT PUZZLED BY U.N.
PHRASE 'COLLATERAL DAMAGE'. Military scholars, Analysts
say they cannot find term in dictionary.

June. 1,1942: NEARLY 60,000 GERMANS ARE HOMELESS FOLLOWING
RAF BOMING OF COLOGNE. Churchill reports 'best night
sleep' since 1939.

You can find this article here.
http://opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=95001447




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