In the newly revealed 20-page memo from FDR's declassified FBI file, the Office of Naval Intelligence on December 4 warned, "In anticipation of open conflict with this country, Japan is vigorously utilizing every available agency to secure military, naval and commercial information, paying particular attention to the West Coast, the Panama Canal and the Territory of Hawaii."
This does not say that Japan was going to attack Pearl Harbor. But it probably did fit in well with our expectations of war. We figured we'd be hit in the Philippines if Japan struck us. But not Pearl Harbor.
Warning about Japanese intelligence interest in our West Coast, the Panama Canal, and Hawaii would fit in with an effort to see what we send west to interfere with Japan's offensive in the western Pacific. I mean, Japan didn't attack our West Coast or the Panama Canal, did they? Why assume a reference to Hawaii means we knew an attack on Pearl Harbor was coming--and FDR let it happen to rally the country?
Until Rosie O'Donnell tells me the sinking of USS Arizona was an inside job and that the memorial is just a cover-up to make sure nobody raises the hull to see the proof of the controlled scuttling (I mean, really, could near-sighted Asians flying scrap-metal planes really do that much damage?), I'm not buying any conspiracy. One must have standards of proof, mustn't one?
