[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The US would not have declared war on Germany if Hitler had not done so first. Popular opinion against US participation was simply too strong

I agree - but Hitler didn’t.

Hitler’s problem was that the US was logistically keeping Britain - and also the USSR - afloat. How FDR managed to “stay neutral” enough to satisfy US public opinion while he was supplying increasing war materiel to Hitler’s enemies is an interesting PR question.

[jamaksin]

Excellent salient point.

" ... Of course the best means of defense against air attack consists of fighter planes. Lack of an adequate number of this type of aircraft for the defense of the Island, is due to the diversion of this type before the outbreak of the war, to the British, the Chinese, the Dutch and the Russians. ...

Proceedings of Roberts Commission, 24PHA1753, commonly known as the "Knox Report".

For example, the AVG got P-40s, the Britain got PBY-4's, Russian got P-39s, ... all with maintenance personnel, spare parts, ...

Pearl Harbor was "short-changed" intentionally.