UPDATE 1/4/2013: We continue to read stories of the tensions between Marines and the Japanese citizens and government officials in Okinawa, where we currently have 50,000 Marines stationed. Due to an alleged sexual assault in October 2012 by 2 Marines, who are currently awaiting trial, the Marines have responded with a strict curfew and other UNspecified restrictions on the troops. Read about it here.
Its no secret that I believe that the 3rd largest economy in the world, Japan, should be defending itself. Still, it is hard to stomach being there, as the Japanese show no gratitude whatsoever for our presence there defending THEM. If they don't like it, then they should do what Jack Nicholson suggested in the 1992 movie with Tom Cruise (paraphrased) and "pick up a weapon and guard the wall" - in other words, defend yourselves.
The article above details a minor violation by a Marine who was participating in the extreme sport of jumping over urban obstacles (its called "parkour" or "urban running" and is believed to have initially started in France) and fell off a wall onto the property of a PUBLIC building and was arrested and held for 6 days in jail before being released with no charges filed. I guess they define PUBLIC buildings differently than we do? The jail time was considered an overreaction to the UNintentional trespass by the Marine.
The Japanese feel that the US has a hefty responsibility when stationing troops in Japan, but I say the Japanese SHOULD have a hefty dose of gratitude for our presence in Japan to defend them. Bring our troops home to defend and protect us, and let the Japanese defend themselves.
The recent Fiscal Cliff negotiations resulted in Tax Increases and even larger Spending Increases. I bet that moving 50,000 Marines home would save us a bundle - how about it, our big spending government?
********************
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 7/21/2012:
Yes, I am familiar with history. Japan bombed us at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. We subsequently defeated them (putting it mildly - we dumped 2 nukes down their pie-hole) and rebuilt their country from scrap - literally. By the 1950's, Japan was included under the guidance of the Marshall Plan, but initially the rebuilding of the Pacific Island nation was assigned to General MacArthur. At that time, we carved out American military bases, which we have yet to vacate. Japan took a consititutional oath (or something like that) not to have OFFENSIVE military capabilities, and somehow we ended up being responsible for their defense to this day. I feel that by now, we can trust our former enemies, and they need to take up arms to defend themselves. Read about it here.
Its no secret that I believe that the 3rd largest economy in the world, Japan, should be defending itself. Still, it is hard to stomach being there, as the Japanese show no gratitude whatsoever for our presence there defending THEM. If they don't like it, then they should do what Jack Nicholson suggested in the 1992 movie with Tom Cruise (paraphrased) and "pick up a weapon and guard the wall" - in other words, defend yourselves.
The article above details a minor violation by a Marine who was participating in the extreme sport of jumping over urban obstacles (its called "parkour" or "urban running" and is believed to have initially started in France) and fell off a wall onto the property of a PUBLIC building and was arrested and held for 6 days in jail before being released with no charges filed. I guess they define PUBLIC buildings differently than we do? The jail time was considered an overreaction to the UNintentional trespass by the Marine.
The Japanese feel that the US has a hefty responsibility when stationing troops in Japan, but I say the Japanese SHOULD have a hefty dose of gratitude for our presence in Japan to defend them. Bring our troops home to defend and protect us, and let the Japanese defend themselves.
The recent Fiscal Cliff negotiations resulted in Tax Increases and even larger Spending Increases. I bet that moving 50,000 Marines home would save us a bundle - how about it, our big spending government?
********************
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 7/21/2012:
Yes, I am familiar with history. Japan bombed us at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. We subsequently defeated them (putting it mildly - we dumped 2 nukes down their pie-hole) and rebuilt their country from scrap - literally. By the 1950's, Japan was included under the guidance of the Marshall Plan, but initially the rebuilding of the Pacific Island nation was assigned to General MacArthur. At that time, we carved out American military bases, which we have yet to vacate. Japan took a consititutional oath (or something like that) not to have OFFENSIVE military capabilities, and somehow we ended up being responsible for their defense to this day. I feel that by now, we can trust our former enemies, and they need to take up arms to defend themselves. Read about it here.
ABOVE: New technology V-22 Osprey. The Wall Street Journal ran an article ("Japan Balks at Deployment of U.S. Aircraft") in their World News Section on Saturday July 21, 2012, about how Japan was balking at our deployment of Afghanistan and Iraq-proven American V-22 Ospreys. They are to replace our (really!) aging Vietnam war era CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters currently deployed in Okinawa. Japanese politicians are balking at accepting the Ospreys on their soil, claiming they are unsafe.
ABOVE: Vietnam War era old technology CH-46 Chinook helo. The statistics (should you choose to believe them) say otherwise. U. S. Marine Corp. statistics show that the accident rate for Ospreys is 1.93 accidents per 100,000 flight hours, compared to 2.43 accidents for all Marine aircraft. The 1.93 figure is slightly higher than the CH-46 helicopters that they are replacing, at 1.11 accidents per 100,000 hours. However, the Osprey flys at twice the speed of the CH-46 and can carry 3 times as much weight, with 4x greater range between refuelings.
Tensions are high between the US and Japanese politicians and military. Simple solution: get the heck out, and let Japan defend itself. Formerly the 2nd largest economy in the world, Japan recetly ceded that to China, but 3rd place ain't bad. One would think they could defend themselves. How much does it cost us to defend Japan 67 years after we defeated them in WWII? Nobody knows, but I'm guessing its a lot of dough. Yes, we want to have influence in this region, but wouldn't a strong Japanese military presence do that? They are a staunch ally, are they not?
GERMANY: Same goes for Germany (as well as bunch of other countries). 67 years after WWII, why can't the Germans defend themsleves? If they are an ally, we should be able to use their military bases when necessary to defend our interests. In the meantime, have the Germans staff their own darn bases. Where are my leftists friends when we discuss these issues? Wikipedia again comes to the rescue, listing how many US military personnel are spread amongst 150 different countries in the world (how many countries in the entire world are there? certainly, we are in almost every one?).
A FEW GOOD IDEAS PILFERED OFF THE INTERNET:
1) "Why do we have bases in both Okinawa and S. Korea? There is only about 200 miles separating the two countries. We should close one, and since Okinawa always seems to have problems, let's close Okiinawa. Save money. We don't need both." [My idea: let's close 'em both and let the profit from buying Hyundais and Kias pay for a defensive military force to protect themselves from the North Koreans and their medieval economy]
2) "It is in our interest to have a free Japan. But somebody ought to give the Japanese a choice, either we run our own military bases and equipment, and defend them, or we get out, and the Chinese can have them for lunch. These ungrateful allies of ours still want to dictate how we do the ultimate favor, defend them from tyrants." [Actually, I think the Japanese could defend themselves against the Chinese if they put their back into it]
3) "Send them the FULL BILL for the United States defending their country. If they refuse to pay for their own defense, close the United States military bases and bring our troops home. America can no longer afford to be the police force for the world!" [Amen to that!]
