Posted on 03/05/2006 6:41:25 PM PST by voletti
TOKYO: Thousands of protesters gathered on Sunday on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa to rally against plans to relocate a US air base there, with reports saying the protesters numbered as many as 35,000. Holding placards demanding the immediate closure of the base and its relocation off the island, about 35,000 people took part in the rally in Ginowan, Kyodo News and public broadcaster NHK reported. “The city of Ginowan strongly demands that Futemma, the world’s most dangerous base, be shut down immediately and relocated outside of Japan,” Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha was quoted as saying in the Kyodo report. “If there is no US bases in Okinawa, it will be good and safe for our children,” a local woman participating in the rally told NHK. But few other communities are willing to host US bases, which are in the country under a security alliance as Japan has been officially barred from keeping a military since World War II. Another southwestern city of Iwakuni outside Okinawa will vote March 12 on whether to allow more US warplanes on its soil, in a largely symbolic referendum on the controversial plan to shift US forces in the country. afp
Ok, how about a Chinese government for Japan?
Ok, how about a Chinese government for Japan?
Sorry double post :)
I worked with a guy once who married an Okinawan woman - he was a really lucky guy!
with reports saying the protesters numbered as many as 35,000
Uh hah ... we better change our plans! ROTFLOL!!!
I know.
Its a consistent theme that keeps cropping up in VDH's writings for example.
Its easy to mock the cvivilized.
Dissing the US carries little risk etc and hence all these gooseballs indulge merrily in it.
The same fuzzbombs who couldn't /wouldn't dare to stand by Denmark are out in force protesting US imperialism (yeah, right).
Yep the Chi-coms have been waiting a looooong time to settle old debts...
The Japs should want no part of China or alienating themselves
from the USA....but kids are stupid...and their parents have forgotten..
I think they need to review the Charter
I wonder how many women were protesting? Women who owe quite a bit to the United States, if I'm not mistaken, in terms of their Constitution e wrote for them...
This has become an annual Jap tradition when the weather turns nice and the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
You know, with the way the Japanese treated American prisoners during the war, it is a wonder why we let them continue to survive.
Imagine a world where the Soviets had to decide the fate of the Japanese.
Why is that?
I hope people figure it out. When you are fighting, you keep fighting until they are really really defeated, and then you keep fighting a bit more. If you want to keep a piece of the dirt, you take it, be sure you have defensible borders, and don't lease it. Annex it outright.
If they don't surrender, you keep fighting and killing, until they change their mind, and then you keep fighting anyways.
Thats the part I'm thinking. These people know that we had more than two bombs don't they?
When did that happen?
Do the Ryukans know?
Was Cindy Sheehan there?
Her son died in the military btw...and she still supports the the troops...
Yeah - she's a real patriot...
I agree.
And the media dutifully exagerates the protesting kooks with incessant disproportionate coverge.
For years the media praised the Marshall Plan, which gave a good portion of northern Europe to the Soviets, but have never given General MacArthur the credit for bringing about a thriving economic force in that country.
These protestors are operated by Communists.
What is Japan thinking? Besides the U.S. being their largest importer of automobiles and cameras, Japan has a ton of yen invested in this country. Our Airforce based there would be an advantage to them, wouldn't it?
"Ok, how about a Chinese government for Japan?"
What a stupid comment.
The people of Okinawa aren't protesting American forces on their island just for the sake of doing so.
Perhaps if the American soldiers living there would learn to behave themselves and keep their hands off the women...
Ping.
"I wonder how many women were protesting? Women who owe quite a bit to the United States, if I'm not mistaken, in terms of their Constitution e wrote for them..."
Oh yeah...How many US soldiers/sailors have been arrested in Japan for raping/groping women?
I'm sure they're really thankful...
Yeah I'm sure the soldiers at the base are all rapists. Evil American rapists! Grow up.
world’s most dangerous base?
So you think they'd fare better with other countries? Why don't you stop painting with such a broad brush? If troops are committing crimes, they should be dealt with appropriately.
However, you seem over-anxious to point out the worst of the best in the military, and you should be reviled for it.
I'd suggest that you grow up.
Then again, what was I thinking by expecting you to have some understanding about another culture.
"So you think they'd fare better with other countries? Why don't you stop painting with such a broad brush? If troops are committing crimes, they should be dealt with appropriately.
However, you seem over-anxious to point out the worst of the best in the military, and you should be reviled for it."
I'm not painting with a broad brush. Sure, one or two rapes per year may not seem like much to you, but to the local community, that's one or two too much and it should be too many for you too. Those one or two soldiers are the ones who represent the rest of us.
The last thing we need here is a school-yard shoutfest, so do yourselves both the favor.
Speaking of growing up, you're the jackass that suggested a chinese replacement because the people were protesting against having an American base on their island.
Between our housing area outside Yokota AFB in Japan and the base itself were a highway (near the base perimeter fence) and a local railroad (near our housing area). There was also a water tower in our housing area -- with a commanding view of the entire length of the flightline -- and well beyond.
When the Communists held their demonstration marches along the highway, I climbed the tower, and watched those who had completed the trek being loaded onto the motorized train coaches, taken back to the other end of the base, and offloaded to march again.
So-called "35,000 marcher" protests actually consisted of only a few thousand actual marchers.
I would not be at all surprised to see the same "continuous loop" trick used on Okinawa...
Yes, they did have "professional cheerleaders" with power megaphones, who would shout "Yen-kee!" -- to which the crowd would respond, "Go home!"...
Yeah I'm sure the soldiers at the base are all rapists. Evil American rapists! Grow up.
The man has got a point.When I was stationed there in'75 some women were raped.It's such a small place that anger spreads like wildfire..And even a thousand protesters is a good amount.Ther was hostility (not from all) towards Americans around,,,It's so small the speed limit for the entire island is 35mph.
Ok, so 2 rapes per year is too much. Agreed, but if there are 2 rapes, should we remove our base from a country? Sounds kind of disproportionate, considering that there will always be crimes.
Furthermore, I was not wishing a Chinese rule on Japan, I was only hoping they would realize that they are better off with the US in their country, than any other. Again, they lack a sense of proportion.
So what is your opinion?
Memo to self: Japan from list 1 to list 2.
Don't be unkind.
A few 1000 kooks shouldn't alter the basic foundation of the US-Japan alliance that has withstood the test of time.
Besides, if we do alter our perceptions of the alliance, the kooks win.
That's true. OK, move Japan back to list 1.
Ok, how about the Japanese islands being split up between China and Russia?
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