Hanks needs history lesson on WWII

I don't know how many people have heard, but recently on MSNBC Tom Hanks called the U.S. military World War II actions racist and terrorist, while in truth the Japanese felt that they were a divine and chosen race, that they killed millions of their lessers in China, marched thousands of American and Filipino soldiers to their deaths in the Philippines and regularly killed prisoners out of hand or worked them to death. They decided as military strategy to fight to the death on every island they occupied and they killed or urged their own civilians to kill themselves rather than be captured by American soldiers and Marines.

It's really sad how some people have this negative opinion about this country. My dad served in World War II, my uncle in Korea and Vietnam, and I respect them and every veteran of all our wars.

I don't know if Mr. Hanks thinks that we now are having a battle with al-Qaida based on racism. I don't remember us being at war with anyone before 9-11 or before Dec. 7. These people attacked us. And I did not mean just by Muslims because al-Qaida has many members from everywhere, even America. Mr. Hanks should pick up a book and do some research before he speaks.

Mike Schatz

Watertown