Leslie

(One theory is) FDR always wanted in the war but, due to American isolationism and the Neutrality Acts, his hands were tied even though German subs had been attacking American ships from as early on as the summer before. With the advent of Pearl Harbor he had the support of congress to declare war on Japan but it wasn't until Germany actually declared war on the US that he could go ahead and declare war on Germany .... even though they had been attacking our ships for months.

Sally Redux

If you have sincere views, by all means express them. However, Brits who have lived in Britain will generally bristle a little when told that the US single-handedly saved Europe.

kimilseung

I did not read her posts like that. Maybe I should go back and read again.

paranoidandroid

A rumour isn't a fact, Kim. I quoted facts, not rumours.

No, it isn't, as you well know. But one man's terrorist, is another man's freedom fighter.

If Roosevelt were around, you could try asking him, but it looks as if Leslie has answered that question for you.
The U-boats sank US naval ships that were escorting the British merchant navy convoys, and the USA still didn't get involved because of internal politics.

kimilseung

Congress was the problem then.

Amazing how issues that are debatable 70 years later, are in some sources presented as cut and dry and without need of question.

kimilseung

Bollocks. Noraid deny involvement with the IRA. Nobody believes it. If the Brits are not supporting the Arabs in Iran then it would go against hundreds of years of precedent.

Leslie

The real problem was the American public - it's just an inconvenient fact that congressmen need voters to be reelected. After WWI Americans did not want to be involved in any foreign wars and had elected representatives that campaigned on the promise to keep them out of foreign entanglements. The war had to be "popular" and it wasn't popular until it was made to feel personal to the individual citizen. The national feeling changed when [1] they (Japan) attacked us on our own soil and [2] they (Germany) declared war on us.

Desdemona

I understand that! And my father only meant that comment about "saving Britain's ass twice" only half in jest and I repeated it in the same vein. He has been married for too many years to a British woman and had kids like us who were more British than we ever American. So I promise to tread more carefully when the American in me takes over

Sally Redux

Nobody believes what?

paranoidandroid

I was wondering the same thing. I hope he isn't going to try and tell me that he believes Noraid.

kimilseung

Nobody believes that NORAID had no involvement with the IRA, as far as I am aware there is no incontrovertible proof. NORAID leadership was cleared in court of gun running. Despite this just about everyone assumes they were involved up to the neck with the IRA. I do.

Android was talking facts and rumours. There are few known facts in these matters. I believe the Brits are supporting Arabistan as much as I believe NORAID supports the IRA.

Sally Redux

Ah right. So you seem to be agreeing with Paranoid.

Desdemona

Exactly! Even back then Congress could derail the best of intentions!


You could say Congress was the problem even then as it is today!

kimilseung

He seems to have a bee in his bonnet about US support for terrorism, I am just adding that the Brits are equally guilty.

Sally Redux

I admit I've lost track a bit. I think the perception is that the American public found the IRA glamorous and romantic, but Al-Qaeda not.