Weird things happen when powerful people want war. The Japanese Navy was bittery opposed to launching a war on the USA in the late 30's and early 40's because their commander, Admiral Yamamoto, believed they could not win such a war. He was called "defeatist" and threatened with assassination by the Army hawks, who wanted a war (which the Navy would have to fight...). He was finally sent to sea, in order to keep him alive, since he still opposed going to war, and a lot of people were out to kill him for it.

The Army, you see, was running the political show in Japan at that time.

Well, the Army finally got its way, and war became absolutely inevitable, despite the fact that Yamamoto was dead right...it was virtually unwinnable for Japan, unless they worked miracles...and the USA made huge blunders at the same time.

Yamamoto got the order to fight...and like any good Japanese immediately set out to obey it as best he could. He planned the Pearl Harbour operation, which he figured was the best shot at evening up some very uneven long range odds.

For this he was hated by Americans, yet he was the strongest voice in Japan against fighting the USA in the first place. Americans did not know that, I suppose, although I'm sure their political and military top leaders knew it.

The Americans later planned a trap for Yamamoto, and shot him down with P-38's in 1943. Sweet revenge, they called it.

Now...I wonder if Bush, like Tojo, will finally get his way and have his war. At least in his case, he knows he can "win" it...conventionally speaking. Sort of like Japan attacking some little place like Thailand in 1941 would have been....but with greater long term risk this time, I'd say. Too much possible fallout in all the wrong directions.

- LH