Why does the president make a point of saying that he "cannot
ask that every American remain
neutral in thought"?

mount st. helens in washington erupts, causing a massive avalanche and killing 57 people on this day in 1980. ash from the volcanic eruption fell as far away as minnesota. seismic activity at mount st. helens, which is 96 miles south of seattle, began on march 16.

sense of self-interest

nothing did. japan is wierd and always was.