Quotes from our past

I'm not an FDR man myself, as the past played out he
was a neophyte on the international stage and knew
little when it came to politics in Europe in regards
to the intentions of Stalin, his agreements and
"warming up" to the Russians at Yalta consigned
millions to the shroud of the Iron Curtain because he
"thought" Stalin could be appeased with a little give
and take. The rest is history now, however.

But, I found the following interesting as this is very
much in our modern debate about defense and
initiative.
***

FDR, Fireside Chat, Sept. 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. ...

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....

It is clear to all Americans that the time has come
when the Americas themselves must now be defended. A
continuation of attacks in our own waters, or in
waters which could be used for further and greater
attacks on us, will inevitably weaken American ability
to repel Hitlerism.

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.
***

A different day for sure, a different President, and a
different set of circumstances. However the principle
should still stand.