F R A N K L I N   D E L A N O   R O O S E V E L T   M E M O R I A L

Washington, D.C.

This room looks decidedly different from the first two. Large granite blocks are scattered about and there's a loud waterfall whose waters run rough and tumble down a disjointed rock face. Yes indeed, we have entered into the dark realms of World War II. WWII dominated FDR's third term, effectively pulling America into the foray with the tragic happenstance that took place on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor.

"We must be the great arsenal of democracy" said FDR in a particularly important fireside speech. Having played the part of fearless leader in the fight for saving America from economic disaster, FDR is now faced with leading a Nation into war. Both Japan and Germany were conspiring for world domination, the Axis Powers had seemingly gained the upper hand. America must now enter the war to help prevent world destruction. Ha, it sounds a bit dramatic, world destruction, but that's exactly where things were headed.

Coming from a wealthy and privileged background, had FDR ever been exposed to the horrors of war? Yes, indeed he had. FDR toured the battlefields in France during WWI, as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. The inscription reads: "I have seen war. I have see war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded... I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed... I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war."

Interestingly enough, the most graphic parts are removed. Here is the full quote: "I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed. I have seen 200 limping, exhausted men come out of line—the survivors of a regiment of 1,000 that went forward 48 hours before. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war."

Looking past the chaos of upturned granite blocks, I see a ray of hope in the distance. It's FDR, sitting confident and strong with his little Scottish Terrier Fala at his feet. Hordes of people must really fancy Fala, you can see where they've touched the statue based on where the patina has been rubbed away, effectively exposing the golden bronze.

The inscription behind FDR reads: "They (who) seek to establish systems of government based on the regimentation of all human beings by a handful of individual rulers... Call this a new order. It is not new and it is not order."

Interesting, who thought it appropriate to insert the (who) into FDR's quote? Is that really appropriate? It's a slippery slope, my friends. With carte blanche like that, anything is possible. Perhaps, when selecting the quote from a pool of edits, one of the edits was:

"They (the nutjobs) seek to establish (really cool) systems of government based on (or remotely relating to) the regimentation of all human beings (, as well as all plants and animals,) by a handful (or bucketful) of individual rulers (or pencils)... Call this a new order (or something like that). It is not new (and improved) and it is not order."

See what I mean? Scary, eh?