Zinn--propaganda--surely you jest!  Would you say that Paul Johnson's works are Rankean, without biasand provide a balanced view of history?  How do you feel about David Irving?

Be forewarned Willy, most of us here are of the conservative ideological view.  Scout, skiguy, and myself are probably the most far right.  Phid and Wally are maybe not as far right as the rest of us.  I prefer a balanced view of History, but by balanced I mean explaining the various interpretations offered by historians.  Still, at the end of the day, one side has to be taken and defended.

I'm not qualified to discuss the Hossbach memorandum, but I do know this; Hitler was so obsessed with the Versailles Treaty that when he Conquered France, he forced the French representatives to surrender in a box car just like the Germans had to do in World War I.  So I would say there is something to what you mentioned.

On this date Sec. of State Hull sent a memorandum to the Japanese outlining the conditions necessaryfor normalization of relationships between US and Japan including lifting of sanctions and unfreezing of assets.  One of these demands was the withdrawal of all Japanese forces from China.  There remainssome ambiguity about this note as Manchuria is never mentioned.  Some believe that the Japanese madea terrible error as they concluded that Hull included Manchuria in his demand while others opine thatHull meant only China as Manchuria was already occupied and governed by the Japanese.I am of the opinion that Hull did mean Manchuria as we never recognized the puppet state of Manchukuoand therefore that territory was, in our minds, still part of China.The Japanese could not envision a withdrawal from Manchuria as it was to be their "living space" withland and resources for a new and powerful Japan.  To accede to the American demands would be to placean American foot on their neck and become a second class power.  Not to accede meant war.  Is mycontention reasonable?

I think so, and this was brought up in my World War II class as an undergrad.  Also, you have to remember there was an even more confusing political situation in China with Chiang Kai Shek and Mao Tse Tung.  Hull had to work very hard to keep these two rival factions together as allies in a joint effort against Japan.  I guess in a way I'm defending Hull, but I'm not, because Japan did more to unify the Chinese resistance than anything Hull did.  Still his job was very complicated in this theater of the war.

I have learned to question everything from my government these days, especially after 911.  I'm not going to get into this touchy subject here, but let's just say I don't believe we have been told the whole story, and probably never will.

I don't accept the 911 Commission findings either.

Scott Brown will be the GOP nominee, but Paul might be his VP.  Just a thought.

I'm not having any problems.  But I usually don't take that long to post, and I use the quick reply for most of my replies.