FIRESIDE CHAT #1 from PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT

My fellow Americans, once again we are on the eve of historic events. As our "neighbor's houses" catch fire, we must be careful that the flames do not consume our own. I have been reading a fascinating correspondence, and would like to now send out some comments in response:

To Chocolate Cake: I am amazed that you would call the Rape of Nanking "heroic". Your very words make me not trust you... either that or you are insensitive beyond humanity. I wonder what your real game is.

To Not Here Yet 002: You ask why the League of Nations is not helping, and yet you and other Americans voted to keep us OUT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Would it be appropriate to call your stance hypocritical? Unless... you are a British operative, which I highly doubt.

To Foxtrot Zulu: It is hard to call any nation "worst ever". I would not be surprised to find that some people of the future will think of America as so monstrous that they would fly airplanes into our buildings. I do agree that Japan's actions are reprehensible. But as your President, I think our focus must be on Europe. The German military machine is vastly superior and is poised to roll over France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and many others. My sources say that Japan is very low on precious gasoline and will not last much longer.

To Mow My Lawn: Who cares about Manchuria? It has some of the richest mineral deposits on earth - including oil! Be careful Lawn. When your neighbor's grass is scorched, yours will soon be next.

To Jello: Ugly war or Good war? Stop waffling and get a backbone. It will soon be time for every American to stand up in defense of innocents.

To Galletas: I find it interesting that your greatest interest is in sailors. I wonder if you and Cake are in cahoots.

To Crazy Dave Jones: You are not so crazy. Your advice is sound - do not be aggressive, but be ready for aggression. I would like you to work on my cabinet.

And To JohnnyB: You are right my friend. Ill-prepared is weakness, and the American people are weak. But it takes much to kill a giant, and anyone foolish enough to attempt it had better make it a killing stroke.

My friends, a great cloud is enveloping our planet, just as in WWI. There will be nowhere to hide. Americans must be ready to serve as the "Arsenal of Democracy." We must build weapons and arm ourselves and our allies, or else the dictators of the Axis powers will choke freedom.