Pearl Harbor Day
Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I always acknowledge this day, “a date which will live in infamy.”
Here is President Franklin Roosevelt’s address to Congress on December 8, 1941:
“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 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. And 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.
And 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 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.”
We don’t have a Pearl Harbor national holiday. That is probably a good thing. I wouldn’t want dumbsh_t folks to say have a happy Pearl Harbor Day.
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Today is not election day for the City of H-Town runoff, so ignore the featured photo.
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Evan @evan7257 tweeted this last night:
Got polled on the SD 15 race to replace Whitmire. It begins!
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This from the Chron:
Amid pointed criticisms from mayoral hopeful state Sen. John Whitmire, outgoing Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration is seeking City Council approval to amend four lucrative airport concession agreements that would limit the ability of future administrations to terminate the current contracts.
The four 10-year contracts, collectively worth over $1 billion, cover a wide array of food, beverage and retail services at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. Among them is a particularly contentious deal, approved earlier this year after three separate rounds of bidding, that ousted Pappas Restaurants from Hobby Airport, where it had previously operated for two decades.
Right now, the Houston Airport System’s director, a mayor-appointed position, holds the power to end any of these contracts as he sees fit. Under the proposed amendment, the city would need to obtain City Council approval to withdraw from these agreements without cause.
On Wednesday, Councilman Michael Kubosh tagged the proposal to postpone the vote for a week. He said he needed more time to review it because the administration is “changing the way things happen.”
The Turner administration said the proposed change is meant to ensure reliable operations and uninterrupted services within the airport system.
“Given the significant investments made by concessionaires and the importance of stable continued airport operations, it is recommended that greater oversight be exercised when a decision to terminate is contemplated,” the administration said in a note on the council agenda.
Here is the entire Chron read: Whitmire, Pappas oppose Turner’s plan to amend $1B airport contract (houstonchronicle.com).
Commentary doesn’t want to jinx things, so I will put it this way. If Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee wins on Saturday, the H-Town Mayor will probably call her and ask her what she wants him to do on the airport contract issues. He will work to accommodate her.
If State Sen. John Whitmire wins, those council members who will be serving during a Whitmire administration will have to decide if they want to go against the Mayor-elect 19 days before he takes office.
I know where I would put my dough.
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A nice announcement from the Chron. Here is from the Chron:
Alejandra Matos has been named the Houston Chronicle’s managing editor for audience and content strategy. She is the first Latina to hold the role and to appear on the news organization’s masthead.
“Alejandra brings high-level strategy, digital leadership and a sharp sense of how to connect with audiences in Houston and beyond,” said Kelly Ann Scott, the Chronicle’s editor-in-chief. “As a native Texan, her knowledge of the state runs deep. She’s absolutely the right person to continue to build relationships with our readers, listeners and viewers as well as push to transform our news organization as we move forward.”
In her role, Matos will oversee the newsroom’s audience development teams as well as statewide content initiatives including a nine-person Austin bureau covering state government and politics, a statewide weather team and data team. She will report to Scott.
Matos has led the audience development team at Hearst Newspapers since August 2022. In her role, she and her team worked with Hearst’s premium newsrooms to grow and engage audiences across search, social and newsletters. She has been in Houston since March, helping the newsroom develop and employ best practices around its journalism and how it reaches new audiences and subscribers.
Here is the entire Chron read: Alejandra Matos is Houston Chronicle’s first Latina managing editor.
Way to go, Chron.
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Congrats to Taylor Swift for being named 2023 Time Magazine Person of the Year. She has certainly had influence this year. Her concerts are major economic booms to local economies. She takes over NFL telecasts. She has helped drive up voter registration. Today’s Savannah Guthrie dressed up like Taylor for the Halloween show. I certainly like her “Christmas Tree Farm” that is currently playing on the Christmas tunes channels.
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Election Day is in two days.
