LAD#37

LAD #37

in the early 1950's racial segregation in public schools was the norm across America. Most black schools were far inferior to their white counterparts.

In Topeka, Kansas a black 3rd grader named Linda Brown had to walk through a railroad switch track to get to school, even though a white school was only 7 blocks away. Her father took the case to court. The US district court of Kansas heard the case in June 1951. They did not prevail and Brown and the NAACP appealed to the supreme court on October 1, 1951. The supreme court first heard the case in December 1952 but failed to reach a decision. The re-argument was heard December 1953.

On May 17, 1954 chief justice Earl Warren read the decision of a unanimous court: The supreme court struck down the "separate but equal" doctrine of Plessy vs Fergueson for public education, ruled in favor of the plaintive, and required the desegregation of schools across America.

The supreme court's Brown vs Board of Education did not abolish segregation in other public areas, nor did it require desegregation of all public schools by a certain time. Even partial desegregation of these schools was still very far away.

LAD#36

Truman Doctrine 1947

The reason for the calling of this joint session of congress has to do with the safety of our nation in relation with foreign policy. Specifically Greece and Turkey, both of whom have requested our assistance.

First Greece, of whom we have assisted in the past, just not well enough. Greece is a peace loving nation who has recently been trampled by totalitarian regimes. They have been left with no real means of recovering, notwithstanding their current political climate which is being threatened by radical communists. It is imperative that we assist Greece both with finances and our own people to ensure their continued freedom. It is our duty as Americans, and as members of the United Nations to ensure their continued freedom.

Of Turkey, who have not been nearly as battered as Greece, but still need our help. Britain as a result of the war has decided that she can no longer provide assistance to Turkey. Therefore we must, as the only able nation provide the support to Turkey, so that they can remain in a state of relative wellbeing. Since Turkey wasn't as badly battered by the war, all they need is financial support.

It is of the utmost importance that we support the democracy in Greece. If god forbid, Greece fell to communism, Turkey would most certainly succumb, and so would the other countries around it. This domino like effect would continue throughout Europe. We cannot let this happen, we must defend the free world from this threat.

I know that I am asking for more money after we have gone into a massive debt from WWII but this is important. Primarily this is a fraction, and tiny fraction of the amount we spent on WWII, and consider it an investment so that our fighting in WWII wasn't in vain.

We must take immediate and resolute action. I therefore ask the congress to provide authority for four hundred million dollars for assistance to Greece and Turkey. I also ask the congress to authorize American civilian and military personal to assist in the task of reconstruction. The alternative is much more serious, if we falter in our leadership we may endanger our own nation and the peace of the world. 

 Photo#2: The Vietnam war was also fought to prevent the spread of communism, for the fear of the domino effect.

LAD#35

Executive Order No. 9066

Franklin D. Roosevelt, February 19, 1942

The successful prosecution of war required every possible protection against espionage and sabotage.  As President and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I authorize the Secretary of War to prescribe military areas from which the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave, is subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War may impose.

I further authorize the Secretary of War to take such other steps as he may deem advisable to enforce compliance with the restrictions applicable to each Military area, including the use of Federal troops and other Federal Agencies, with authority to accept assistance of state and local agencies. 

Photo#2: President Trump's executive order on banning immigration was done supposedly to protect America from terrorists, just like FDR's executive order was done to ensure justice during wartime.

LAD#34

Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

December 8, 1941

Yesterday the United States was suddenly attacked by Japan.  We were at peace with Japan, and were still in conversation with its government looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

It is clear that Japan has deliberately sought to deceive us by false statements of hope for continued peace.  The attack caused severe damage and very many American lives were lost.  American ships were also torpedoed on the high seas.

Japan also attacked Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, Wake Island, and Midway Island.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

No matter how long it may take us, we will win through to absolute victory.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Photo#2: The American entry into the Iraqi war was also for the defense of America. The reason given was the search for supposed "weapons of mass destruction".

LAD#33

Franklin D. Roosevelt First Inaugural Address

Saturday, March 4, 1933

Now is the time to speak the truth.  The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.  Nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts.  Our problems only concern material things.  Values have shrunken, taxes have risen, ability to pay has fallen, farmers find no markets for their produce, savings have been lost.

Nature still offers her bounty.  Plenty is at our doorstep.  The problem is the practices of unscrupulous banks due to the lure of profit.  But happiness does not lie in the mere possession of money.

The nation asks for action, and action now.  Our greatest primary task is to put people to work, and can be accomplished in part by the direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as if we were at war.  There must also be a strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments.  In National policy we need to be a good neighbor who respects the rights of others.

I am prepared under by constitutional duty to recommend the measures that a stricken nation requires.  If the Congress fails to take action, I will not evade the clear course of duty … I will ask the Congress for broad Executive power to wage war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.

We face hard days ahead.  The people of the United States have not failed.  They have asked for leadership.  I accept the position.

May god guide me in the days to come.

Photo#2: Again in 2008 there was a recession, and a need for people to get back to work.

LAD#32

Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928

The following declare that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies, and renounce it as an instrument of national policy in their relations to one another, and agree that disputes or conflicts will be settled by pacific means:

The President of the United States Of America

The President of the German Reich

His Majesty the King of the Belgians

The President of the French Republic

His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas

Emperor of India

His Majesty the King of Italy

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

The President of the Republic of Poland

The President of the Czechoslovak Republic

The government of the United States will provide each government with a certified copy of the treaty.

Photo#2: in the 1960's again there was a movement towards settling disagreements peacefully not through war.

LAD#31

President Wilson’s Fourteen Points, January 8, 1918

Once more spokesmen of the Central Empires have indicated a desire to discuss the possible basis of a general peace, but the Central Empires offer no concessions and seem to want to keep every foot of territory that their armed forces have occupied.  The Russian representatives were sincere and in earnest, but they cannot entertain such proposals of conquest and domination.

The adversaries of the Central Powers are clear on the principle and details of a general peace.  Germany and her allies have failed to make such definite statements.

The United States wishes to help Russia attain their hope of liberty and ordered peace.

It is our will and purpose that the processes of peace, when begun, shall be open and will not involve secret understandings of any kind.

The only possible program, as the United States sees it, is this:

- Diplomacy shall always proceed in the public view, with no private understandings.  

- Free navigation upon the seas except when closed by international action

- Removal of all economic barriers and equality of trade among all nations

- National armaments reduced to support only domestic safety

- Impartial adjustment of colonial claims which include the interests of the populations concerned

- Evacuation and restoration of all invaded territories (Russian, Belgium, France, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro)

- Readjustment of the frontiers of Italy along lines of nationality

- The peoples of Austria-Hungary should be accorded autonomous development

- The relations of several Balkan states to one another determined along historically established lines of allegiance and nationality

- Other nationalities under Turkish rule should be assured opportunity of autonomous development

- An independent Polish state should be erected

- A general association of nations must be formed to assure political independence and territorial integrity to all states

We do not wish to injure Germany or block in any way her legitimate influence or power.  We wish her only to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the world, instead of a place of mastery.