Prior to Pearl Harbor, the US was an isolationist country, which attempted to avoid becoming involved in another war in Europe, especially after President Wilson involved America in World War I.
And both Republicans and their media backers, like the Chicago Tribune, the New York Daily News, the Washington Times -Herald, the Hearst Media chain of newspapers, and other publications, were equally vocal in their opposition to President Roosevelt, as he negotiated the Lend-Lease Act and other means to support Britain against Germany. These were the media influencers of the time.
Even some Americans, from both parties, including Joseph P Kennedy, Charles Lindburgh, Robert Taft, and others actually supported Germany, as well.
After Pearl Harbor, most opponents of Roosevelt's policies mostly died down, but some occasionally nitpicked his handling of events. Most Americans '"rallied 'round the flag" and the men in uniform.
This attitude was maintained as President Truman involved Americans in Korea, and when Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy involved American military in Vietnam. This was caused by many factors, including American triumphs over Germany and Japan, the build-up of the USSR, China's collapse into communism, and the "Red Scare" at home during the 1950s.
After the disaster we experienced with Presidents Johnson and Nixon during and subsequent to Vietnam, the lies we were told and discovered afterward, and the suffering those brave veterans have lived through since coming back, one can understand the skepticism Americans now feel when there is talk of involving our volunteer military in another foreign war.
There was pushback when America became involved in the first Gulf War, but since we felt the goals were explained, there was a coalition of partners and it really did not last long, most Americans supported our involvement. And after the events of 9/11, we supported our involvement in hunting down Bin Laden, who we were told, masterminded the whole attack.
Again, we felt and were told that the problem in Iraq was an extension of the "war on terror" which had started with the events of 9/11, because the key people in the Bush Administration were also the key people which successfully dealt with Saddam in the Gulf War.
These two involvements led to a nightmare which lasted for twenty years, ending with our soldiers abandoning allies and munitions on the battlefield. In utter disgrace, spilling blood and treasure, accomplishing nothing.
Now, we are once again involved in a foreign war, which actually began in January, 1979, initially highlighted by the taking of fifty-two American diplomats and citizens on November 4, 1979, holding them as hostages for 444 days.
Since that time, our military in Lebanon was attacked in 1983, our embassy in Bagdad was bombed in 2019, the USS Cole was damaged in 1998 and other lesser events occurred over the years. All by Iran-backed terrorists, joining in Iran"s "Death to America" threats. But Iran and its proxies, Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah and others have continuously attacked Israel and other Middle East countries with impunity.
Over those same forty-seven years, the IRGC, the Mullahs and Iran's "secular" leaders have indiscriminately murdered its citizens for protesting against the cruelty they live under. With no consequence meted out by any human rights entity, the UN, the World Court or any other agency.
In addition, Iran built its missile defenses, nuclear capability, drone technology, etc, pretty much with no obstruction or double-check. It built relationships with other sanctioned nations to procure additional military support, while trading its cheap oil in barter. It was literally unchecked.
Finally, in June, 2025, the events began to turn against Iran when it attacked Israel. After twelve days, and US involvement with Operation Midnight Hammer, with the destruction of known nuclear sites, Iran agreed to a ceasefire. And the world took notice.
President Trump began negotiations with a new nuclear deal, in order to bring peace to the region. And was continually rebuffed. But he was determined.
On December 28, protests began again in earnest against the regime. This was the latest over the many years of the citizens calling out to the world to help free them from the tyranny of their rulers.
This time, however, the pleas of the protesters were heard. Why? Social media, traditional media and a sympathetic American government heard them. And could not ignore what we all were witnessing.
We saw, in real time, a "government" blatantly shoot down its people in the streets. Even after the internet was shut down in Iran, modern technologies bypassed those efforts and we continued to see what was happening.
Horrified images were broadcast over all sites, forcing us to see what the regime was doing, and realizing that the Nazis did the same to the Jews and others in secret in the 1930s and 1940s. It did so because there was deniability of the rumors coming out of Europe.
But now, no one can deny what is happening. Isolationists, mostly Democrats and some Republicans, will again claim it "is not our war". Maybe.
However, we are a people who believes in freedom, liberty and justice for those who cry out for help. And since the IRGC and the regime refused to yield its iron grip, while possessing nuclear weapons, it finally became time to act.
The regime has proven it does not care even for its Muslim neighbors; it is attacking everyone, even after its neighbors claimed neutrality in the war.
And while members and leaders from both American political parties becried Iran's ongoing climb to nuclear parity, nothing was done. Until now. Suddenly, though, some would rather become ostriches, placing heads in the sand, to block any action THEY called for previously.
Also, two recent Presidents, Obama and Biden, and Secretary of State Kerry actually BRIBED the regime to stop its nuclear goals by delivering pallets of cash in the dark of night, lifting sanctions, and providing additional uranium for "peaceful" purposes. How did that appeasement work out? It only emboldened the dictators.
IGNORING their past deeds because they all would rather block Trump from doing what they all wanted before. KInda like the Comey firing, yes?
But we have finally found a President who cares more for Human Rights than his own political standing. And he has been consistent in his beliefs since 1979; there was no looking at polls to make a decision.
This is THE TIME for America to stand for its principles in its efforts to finally free the Iranian people from the shackles of tyranny. And give them a chance to decide their OWN future, without the interferences of our mistakes of nation-building.
And give the Iranians a chance to live with freedom, liberty and justice for all. On their own terms.
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