For the US, World War Two started today, 68 years ago, when the Japanese wiped out much of the US Pacific Naval fleet and President Roosevelt declared war.
The dissenting vote was by Jeannette Rankin, of Montana (House), who also voted against engagement in WW I. Her statement on casting her dissenting vote: "As a woman I can't go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else" ... supposedly.
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Be the change we want to see...
Today is a big day for American Presidential politics, the so-called Super Tuesday when citizens in 24 states vote or caucus with their fellows to help select the candidates of the two main political parties. I live in one of those 24 states and Mrs. R. and I vote regular as clockwork.
I've been thinking about the Electoral College, that mechanism by which voters in the U.S. indirectly elect their president.
Are you registered? Do you know where to vote? You can find information and register (if you are not) here (this is an Obama site, but it works for everyone):
There were some old men being interviewed on NPR today and I caught a few moments of their memories. Two or three man mention of the horrible smell of fuel oil and their mates bodies burning.
With respect to Rep. Jeannette Rankin, there's an old joke from when Exxon was Esso.
*with apologies as he grabs hat*
. . . "two or three men made mention" . . .
Proof reading. The forgotten skill.