Lindbergh Tells Me About Threats To America
By James T. Moore (03/05/07)
What student today hasn't heard about Lindbergh's solo flight across the Atlantic? But how many people know what this soft-spoken adventurer had to say about America's foreign policy of non-involvement in foreign wars?
So, once again, I projected myself back through time to meet and talk with Charles Lindbergh personally. Getting this famous American’s thoughts down, in his own, exact words, was well worth my travel time.
The night we talked (it was shortly before World War II) I had the eerie sensation that Lindbergh was telling me about the America of today.
MOORE: Good evening, Mister Lindbergh. May I call you Lindy? You’re smiling. I take that for “yes”. Taking nothing from your historic flight, I must say honestly, sir, that some people actually think of you as un-American. Why is that do you suppose?
LINDBERGH: “Since September, l939, until the present, there has been an increasing effort to force the United States into conflict. Why are we on the verge of war?”
MOORE: I’m sure I don’t know.
LINDBERGH: “Who is responsible for changing our national policy from one of neutrality and independence to one of entanglement in European affairs?
MOORE: I don’t know that either, Lindy. That’s why I’m talking with you this evening.
LINDBERGH: “I have often said that if the true facts and issues were placed before the American people, there would be no danger of our involvement.”
MOORE: Why aren’t we getting these facts and issues? Who is preventing it?
LINDBERGH: “Have you ever heard an interventionist, or a British agent, or a member of the administration in Washington ask you to go back and study the record of what they have said since the war started? Are these self-styled defenders of democracy willing to put the issue of war to a vote of our people?”
MOORE: So far, no, at least not that I know of.
LINDBERGH: “When this war started in Europe the Americans were solidly opposed to entering it. We had the best defensive position in the world. We had a tradition of independence, and the one time we did take part in a European war it left European problems unsolved, and debts to America unpaid.”
MOORE: You’re talking about the first World War, I presume. So why didn’t we stay out of this one?
LINDBERGH: “National polls showed that when England and France declared war on Germany in 1939, less than ten-percent of our population favored a similar course for America. But there were various groups of people, here and abroad, whose interests and beliefs necessitated the involvement of the United States in the war.
MOORE: I was never sure of that, but I suspected it. Who and where are these people?
LINDBERGH: “The subterfuge and propaganda that exists in our country is obvious on every side.
MOORE: Forgive me, sir, but I ask you again, who and where are these people that you say want to involve us in foreign wars?
LINDBERGH: “I shall point out some of these groups tonight and outline their methods and procedures. But in doing this I must speak with the utmost frankness for in order to counteract their efforts, we must know exactly who they are.”
MOORE: That’s fine with me, sir.
LINDBERGH: “I am speaking here only of war agitators, not of those sincere but misguided men and woman who, confused by misinformation and frightened by propaganda, follow the lead of the war agitators. These war agitators comprise only a small minority of our people; but they control a tremendous influence.”
MOORE: Really? In what way?
LINDBERGH: “Against the determination of the people to stay out of war they have marshaled the power of their propaganda, their money, and their patronage.”
MOORE: I’m sure the American people would appreciate hearing more about that. Oh, I’m sorry, I hate to interrupt you, but I can only travel in time for so long, then I must get back. But with your permission, sir, I’d like to visit you again soon for the rest of this informative session. Meanwhile, it’s been a pleasure talking with you this evening, Lindy. Good night, sir.
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