Good War Gymnastics

"FDR knew about the 'surprise' attack on Pearl Harbor, you know. He let it happen to suck us into World War II."

"Irrelevant. Whether FDR knew about Pearl Harbor or not, Japan fired the first shot. We had every right to shoot back."

"First shot? FDR had already slapped an embargo on Japan. A blockade is an act of war. Pearl Harbor was in retaliation for the blockade."

"FDR only slapped the embargo in response to Japan's Rape of Nanking. You're not condoning Japanese atrocities against the Chinese, are you?"

"Not any more than you're condoning American atrocities against the Filipinos."

"What do you mean?"

"The Rape of Nanking was in response to the pacification of the Philippines."

"Nanking had nothing to do with the Philippines!"

"Nor did FDR's embargo have anything to do with Nanking."

"You hate America!"

"Only the court historians' version of it."