Blagojevich Makes Some New Friends

In breaking news, our esteemed Governor was picked up at his house this morning (his home in Chicago, not the Governor's Mansion in Springfield...) by the FBI. The Tribune has been running updates on the story here.

Among other things, the Governor apparently had Obama's empty Senate seat on Craigslist. Some of those "other things" also included planned retaliation at the Tribune for critical articles and editorials. Refer to the above link to the Tribune for the whole story.

"So help us God"

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 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 its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our 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 of 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. I regret to tell you that 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 and today 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.

But always will our whole nation 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 that 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 it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

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, December 7, 1941 a state of War has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

These are the words of President Franklin Roosevelt on December 8th, 1941. If you have the time and the inclination, you can listen to the CBS News broadcast of the speech, here. I will refrain from making any of the obvious comparisons to our current issues with terrorism and other potential troubles around the world.

I do want to bring attention to the event on this it's 67th anniversary and lend weight to the vow of the people that lived through it when they no doubt vowed never to forget that day.

~ Gabriel

Quote of the Day

Uttered by my esteemed brother during an internet conversation about the government's justification for the bailouts. Their repeated claims that all heck would break loose if we didn't give them 750B dollars IMMEDIATELY.

"Yeah, the world end? maybe its just the Midwesterner in me, but I don't think I'll let someone else tell me when my world is ending nor what qualifies as that end."

Well said, Michael, well said.

A Hearty Congratulations

It's a freezing cold morning morning here in Central, IL. The "feels like" temp. on my walk to work was about 10F. (On a side note, is there anything more ridiculous than the "feels like" tempurature? nevermind) Despite the cold, we do have baseball news. All of us here at Country Roads would like to extend a hearty congratulations to Albert Pujols, National League MVP.

From Matthew Leach's write up on the Cardinals website:

Albert Pujols' magnificent season earned him his second NL Most Valuable Player Award. Pujols' 369 points bested the 308 points garnered by Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, who beat him out by a narrow margin to win the 2006 MVP.

Pujols has finished in the top 10 in the voting in every one of his eight Major League seasons, and has been fourth or better seven times. He is the 11th player to win two NL MVP Awards, and he's one of three active players with a pair of MVPs.

Pujols is truly one of the greatest players in baseball and it's nice to see him getting recognition, even after a fourth place finish from the Cards (should I say something here about the Cards winning the same amount of play-off games as the Cubs? ah, better not...). His numbers speak for themselves, but his work ethic and attitude that he brings to the game elevate him from a player with good numbers, to a great baseball player. He doesn't "throw away" at bats. He is more than a homerun hitter, he's a great hitter and baserunner, if you follow me there. He's a defensive asset at first base.

At the risk of sounding like a bit of a hero worshipper... He's a great guy too, or certainly appears to be, I don't actually know him personally.

Additionally, Pujols became the third player, along with Sammy Sosa in 1998 and Rod Carew in 1977, to win the MVP and the Roberto Clemente Award in the same year.

Pujol's comments on being awarded the National League MVP:

"I have to thank my teammates," Pujols said at a news conference at Busch Stadium on Monday afternoon. "Obviously this is not an award that you win by yourself. My teammates were involved every day, day in and day out, supporting me, getting on base and driving me in. These kinds of numbers, you can't do it by yourself."

For you Cardinal fans, this award (and the previous MVP award he won in 2005) puts Albert in some great company,

... Musial had been the only Cardinal to win the award at least twice.

In the history of the award, 13 Cardinals have won a combined 16 times. In addition to Pujols and Musial, Willie McGee, Keith Hernandez, Joe Torre, Bob Gibson, Orlando Cepeda, Ken Boyer, Marty Marion, Mort Cooper, Joe Medwick, Dizzy Dean and Frankie Frisch all garnered MVP honors.

Congratulations to Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals. Here's looking forward to 2009.

~ Gabriel

Veteran's Day

"Words alone are insufficient to express our lasting gratitude and admiration to those whose patriotism and courage have ensured our peace and freedom despite threats of tyranny and aggression. Significant disruptions in their lives and other personal hardships have been the price that our Nation's veterans have paid so that the rest of us might enjoy the fruits of justice and liberty. ...

... Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby call on all Americans to join in observing Thursday, November 11, 1982, as Veterans Day. I urge both public ceremonies, as well as private thoughts and prayers, in recognition of the great contribution of our veterans to an America that today is an example to all nations of freedom, liberty, and democracy."

~ Ronald Reagan