The difference is that back during WWII, people actually trusted their government. Today people are much more educated and have learned about the lies our government has told in the past. Many have lived through Vietnam, Watergate, Iran-Contra, etc. It's simply a lack of trust of the government.
It was not until 1995 (54 years later) when the McCollum Memo was released to the public, that it became public knowledge that the attack on Pearl Harbor had been intentionally provoked and allowed to happen. If such a thing were to happen today, information would spread around the internet, investigative reporters would write articles. And within a year or two, best sellers like
Day of Deceit would be in book stores.
Back then reporters did not go snooping around government looking for corruption and lies. Just the opposite, the newspapers often went out of their way to protect politicians and squash rumors of their wrongdoing.
Moral of the story? I guess "ignorance is bliss". At least people all felt good about their country back then.
