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Obscure at home, 'Texas Daddy' is a right-wing darling in Japan

121 Comments
By Jon Herskovitz

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Opportunist. If you lack a moral compass you can become famous doing anything.

33 ( +43 / -11 )

I am 99% positive this man is a certain commenter on JT, too bad it can't be discuss openly. anyway, i agree with igloo

Opportunist. If you lack a moral compass you can become famous doing anything.

18 ( +27 / -10 )

Marano is a former telephone company employee

Tony Marano is what you would get if you were to combine blowhard Donald Trump, vile talk show host and hate-monger Rush Limbaugh with the Japanese 'uyoku' right wing.

Marano has certainly hit a financial gold mine with this gig pandering to Japan's extremists, and is certainly generating far more income than he ever did in the white collar world.

Here is a picture of Marano proudly seated with other historic revisionists representing some of Japan's most shameless organization including Happy Science (幸福の科学), Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform (新しい歴史教科書をつくる会), and Zaitokukai (Association of Citizens against the Special Privileges of the Zainichi; 在特会). The photo is titled, "The Faces of Japanese Comfort Women Denialism." http://goo.gl/fQ3Atq

19 ( +27 / -8 )

He said he received death threats.

Serves him right, for wedging himself between the Korean nationalists and the Japanese rightwingers.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

My wife watches this buffoon and then challenges me to dispel the bollocks he's spouting, which takes a matter of moments. Straw man arguments combined with typical unthinking acceptance of the uyoku revisionist lies, all Japanese people were sitting at home peacefully drinking green tea when Hiroshima was attacked, that kind of gibberish.

I particularly enjoyed the one where he went to Taiji, ostensibly to confront the protesters against the vile dolphin slaughter, whom he referred to as terrorist pigs. He couldn't find any. His only explanation was that they'd heard he was coming and run away because they were scared of him. In fact he was there on the wrong day.

The man's a buffoon. A real backpfeifengesicht.

20 ( +28 / -10 )

What a sad man. He could be out volunteering at a soup kitchen or coaching little league baseball but instead he spends his time supporting rightwing nationalists in a foreign country.

10 ( +19 / -10 )

Huh? Uyoku supporting a gaijin? That makes as much sense as owning the tanning salon at a nude beach.

14 ( +19 / -6 )

Just goes to show you, right wingers are the same everywhere you go: ignorant, conspiracy minded and gullible.

10 ( +17 / -8 )

Tony Marano, 66, is called the “Texas Daddy” in Japan

Huh? With a name like that, who'd ever suspect he could be frm Texas? Somewhere in NYC seems about right, most likely in mafioso neighborhoods.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

@Wc626 If you read the article, he is from NYC originally. I'd say he's more like a drunk 'uncle' at Christmas than a 'daddy'

10 ( +14 / -5 )

Here is a picture of Marano proudly seated with other historic revisionists representing some of Japan's most shameless organization including Happy Science (幸福の科学)

There's a messed up cult if there ever was one.

8 ( +16 / -9 )

I would be more inclined to listen to his arguments if he were not so firmly dedicated to making money with his noise. At this point, it looks like he is a lessor known Saran Palin type.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Horrid little man.

8 ( +18 / -10 )

I particularly enjoyed the one where he went to Taiji, ostensibly to confront the protesters against the vile dolphin slaughter

He went to Taiji to make a video? He didn't get detained and chucked out for being on a tourist visa and not touristing? Is there a special 'confronting protesters' visa?

Alistair is right, he is a vile little man. I watched a bit of one of his videos once, the way he spoke (never mind the things he said) made my skin crawl.

15 ( +23 / -8 )

The Japan-U.S. Feminist Network for Decolonization, an advocate for the women, accuses Marano of historical denialism on comfort women and being unaware of what is being published under his name in Japanese.

OK. Here is their web page.

http://fendnow.org/

http://fendnow.org/about/

ABOUT US

We also oppose the U.S. military presence in Okinawa, Hawai’i, and the rest of the Asia-Pacific, and the Japanese re-militarization.

The comfort women advocate group is against the US military presence in Hawaii. You can see what country is behind the group.

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

" is making social media videos backing Japanese right-wing views that have made him a celebrity among hawks in the Asian country."

The author of this article is a complete idiot. If this man is backing "Japanese Right Wing views" then so is the US Government. I guess the US Military is backing "Japanese Right wing views"? As are the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia and India?

-24 ( +6 / -30 )

It is hard to get too riled up at him, when you see him talk on those videos he just looks like a very pathetic, lonely man. My feelings of pity for him easily outweigh any unease I might otherwise have with what he is saying, which is basically just a bunch of random noise that is too stupid to take seriously anyway. If he is making a few bucks off of some gullible Uyoku and perhaps making those people, who are also generally pathetic, lonely men themselves, feel a bit better about themselves then I don`t really have much of an issue with that either.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Videos he posted from Texas made their way to Japan, where they developed a following.

He became more intrigued about Japan, conducting more research and posting more videos. His notoriety snowballed as more people began paying attention.

Translation: "He KA-CHING! realized he could cash in!"

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Tony Marano is what you would get if you were to combine blowhard Donald Trump, vile talk show host and hate-monger Rush Limbaugh with the Japanese 'uyoku' right wing.

Brilliant!! And spot on!

“To say that the Japanese Imperial Army was on a sexual rampage, that is inaccurate,” Marano said. “This whole comfort women story stinks.”

Now, if he had said the holocaust had never happened, he'd be banned from Canada and most countries in the EU (if not all), labeled an antisemite, named and shamed, and possibly have had legal action taken against him. Why aren't any of the western governments calling this out for what it is..holocaust denial style revisionism.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

I watched some of his videos years ago. I don't remember exactly what he said but I do recall he had some good stuff. With the reaction he's generating, both positive and negative, he must be onto something. I'll certainly have another look later.

-17 ( +12 / -29 )

The Japan-U.S. Feminist Network for Decolonization, an advocate for the women, accuses Marano of historical denialism on comfort women and being unaware of what is being published under his name in Japanese.

“The positions he takes are based on the complete distortion of the historical documents,” said Emi Koyama, the co-founder of the California-based group.

I bet the entire article is based on the "release" from the advocate group which is against the US military presence in Hawaii.

“I am just expressing my opinion,” said Marano in an accent that gives away his Brooklyn upbringing. “Why are they fearing this little guy? I don’t mean any harm to them.”

It must be newsworthy for Jon Herskovitz that a person with Brooklyn accent living in Texas calls himself "Texas Daddy".

-10 ( +7 / -17 )

It must be newsworthy for Jon Herskovitz that a person with Brooklyn accent living in Texas calls himself "Texas Daddy".

Actually, this was making the rounds on the MSM yesterday, I saw it on Yahoo. Why? I don not know.

Translation: "He KA-CHING! realized he could cash in!"

In more ways than one I'd imagine on his trips to Japan. They don't call him "Texas Daddy" because of his large stature.

Texas Daddy's Official Goods Store. Front and center on the homepage.

http://texas-daddy.shop-pro.jp

A clown. Plain and simple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPmGwkgC98A

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I've seen this guy on youtube for a few years now. I check his channel from time to time to see what absurdities he spouts. Like someone here already said, Texas Daddy might already be a regular poster on JT. I have a few guesses who lol.... One of the most absurd thing I've seen him say in one of this videos is that the comfort woman statue in California disrespects US soldiers and veterans of the Pacific War during WW2. He says the reason is because.................wait for it...............these "prostitutes" helped and aided the Japanese soldiers by giving them "comfort", and thus making them better at fighting the war, to the American soldiers' dismay.........

11 ( +12 / -1 )

My feelings of pity for him easily outweigh any unease I might otherwise have with what he is saying

@rainyday

He is not deserving of your pity. He is clearly pandering to Japan's right wing to build celebrity status in Japan and make his fortune, and they in turn are exploiting him for all he is worth in a harebrained attempt to lend international credibility to their claims of Japan as a benevolent occupier. Anyway, Marano knows where his bread is buttered, and may not be as dimwitted as he seems.

This is almost laughable. It is akin to a situation where the Aryan Nations, Ku Klux Klan and National Alliance white supremacists combine forces to get a Japanese nobody (who they consider as inferior) to appear in videos and give speeches in the U.S. about how wonderful life was under slavery.

The next thing we know the uyoku might be loading Marano into their black sound trucks and parading him around Tokyo. If so, he may be the first visibly non-Japanese person ever to get that honor. (photos of Japan's uyoku sound trucks: https://goo.gl/LQVvPS)

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I would actually agree with him about criticizing Greenpeace. Smashing your ship against someone else's is hardly peaceful behaviour, no matter what justification you might claim for doing so.

Marano and many in Japan’s right wing cite a 1944 U.S. Army report that said women were willing prostitutes, a position critics said is wrong.

Does the 1944 report exist, and if it does, it is actually wrong? A 1944 report might actually be more accurate than a 2016 report.

“To say that the Japanese Imperial Army was on a sexual rampage, that is inaccurate,” Marano said.

Surely his critics have evidence that the army was on a sexual rampage then?

he waved Japanese flags and sat next to a statue dedicated to comfort women in Glendale, California.

A bit childish to say the least, but then I can't say I feel putting statues all over the place is especially productive behaviour either.

Quite a lot of dislike expressed about this guy, but he's surely welcome to his opinions (at least one of which I agree with) in a free country.

-9 ( +8 / -17 )

I've seen this man on a footage of Channel Sakura Okinawa of Henoko demonstrators in front of Camp Schwab sitting in against the Henoko relocation, leading a group of pro-Henoko Japanese right wingers with one man brandishing a big Stars and Stripes.

Japanese right wingers thus identify themselves with the U.S. very affectionately, and so they and the U.S. establishment, or at least Japan hands in Washington, are all part of the same gang. They even organize a tour to Yasukuni Shrine for U.S. service members stationed in Japan.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Many folk know that those who brag and pose are just braggarts and poseurs, not men of depth or strength.

Vitriol and volume do not trump kindness and rational thought in fully-formed people, in men and women of character.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Does 'Oyaji' have the same mostly-innocuous connotation that 'Daddy' does?

Sometimes JT commenters say things like 'oyaji pervert', or ero-oyaji, so I'm wondering.

Although English does have that 'muscle bear daddy' thing.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

so you have one pathetic American dribbling his hate online and then suddenly the Japanese right wingers think all Americans must think the same as he does, LOL I can tell you there are many many more Japanese that are against the Japan far right than there are Americans that support them. But hey when very few like you , you tend to grab any support you can get

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@voiceofokinawa

Yeah, I saw that video too. He panders to the pro-base crowd, then goes to the anti-base protesters and accuse them of getting paid by "commies".

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Does 'Oyaji' have the same mostly-innocuous connotation that 'Daddy' does?

It depends. The term is actually a reversal of the kanji chichi-oya, which means father:

chichi-oya 父親 father-parent oyaji 親父 parent-father

It's often used by males to speak of their father in normal conversation with friends. Ex: "My 'oyaji' said I have to be home at 9". In this case the meaning is neutral. Something like 'pops'. So "My pops said I have to be home at 9".

But it can also be used as slang to mean 'old man', and generally has a slightly negative meaning at such times. This would be something like ero-oyaji. Or there is also the term 'oyaji-gag', which is an old-man's joke, or basically a stupid joke.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Strangerland

OK, thanks, a hit on wikipedia also mentioned the dad jokes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dajare

... Dajare are also associated with oyaji gags (親父ギャグ), oyaji meaning "old man", as an "old man" would be considered by the younger generation most likely to attempt dajare, making them a near equivalent of what would be called "dad jokes" in English.

@fxgai, re "fxgai: Does the 1944 report exist, and if it does, it is actually wrong? A 1944 report might actually be more accurate than a 2016 report."):

A note from the original article clarifies:

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-japan-idUSKCN0VG0QR

(This version of the story clarifies 15th paragraph to indicate that Marano and many in Japan's right wing have interpreted a 1944 U.S. Army report as saying the women were willing prostitutes, not that the Army stated they were willing prostitutes)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Strangerland

There's a messed up cult if there ever was one.

Is this true? I actually don't know much about it... my husbands only cousin, aunt and uncle are all members of this cult, his cousin being born into it. He doesn't particularly like to talk about it (he's Japanese, after all) but I know his aunt fell out with her father because of their WWII war crime denials, as he was drafted to fight in China during the war and saw what the Japanese army did with his own eyes but she was convinced he was 'brainwashed' (ironically) into believing it. Hubby's cousin works teaching English to HS members children. I've always wondered just how out there they were...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Labeling him "right-winger" or "revisionist" is mere proof of leftists who failed to argue with him or his theory.

If you really know what is Japanese "right-wingers" are, it's shame to see this article.

Japanese right-wingers hate any type of foreigners such as this JAPAN TIMES writers who always write distorted and fabricated articles without knowing anything just to make money.

He is very logical and never block anyone who challenge him while the people who oppose him always block him. Do you know why?

Because those left-wingers and anti-Japan crowds including JAPAN TIMES can not argue with him properly as they are cowards.

-14 ( +6 / -20 )

fxgaiFEB. 09, 2016 - 12:18PM JST

Does the 1944 report exist, and if it does, it is actually wrong?

turbotsatFEB. 09, 2016 - 12:41PM JST

not that the Army stated they were willing prostitutes

He should have checked by himself to avoid correction of correction.

Here is the link.

Original photo copy version. page 136 http://www.awf.or.jp/pdf/0051_5.pdf

Text version. http://www.exordio.com/1939-1945/codex/Documentos/report-49-USA-orig.html

UNITED STATES OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION

Psychological Warfare Team Attached to U.S. Army Forces India-Burma Theater

Japanese Prisoner of War Interrogation Report No. 49.

PREFACE

This report is based on the information obtained from the interrogation of twenty Korean "comfort girls" and two Japanese civilians captured around the tenth of August, 1944 in the mopping up operations after the fall of Myitkyin a in Burma.

The report shows how the Japanese recruited these Korean "comfort girls", the conditions under which they lived and worked, their relations with and reaction to the Japanese soldier, and their understanding of the military situation.

A "comfort girl" is nothing more than a prostitute or "professional camp follower" attached to the Japanese Army for the benefit of the soldiers. The word "comfort girl" is peculiar to the Japanese. Other reports show the "comfort girls" have been found wherever it was necessary for the Japanese Army to fight. This report however deals only with the Korean "comfort girls" recruited by the Japanese and attached to their Army in Burma. The Japanese are reported to have shipped some 703 of these girls to Burma in 1942.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

CH3CHO: He should have checked by himself to avoid correction of correction. Here is the link.

Yeah, and in that link the FIRST paragraph under "RECRUITING" says they were forced.

Why didn't you read that far?

(Boldface added by me, for you, below; you're welcome.)

http://www.exordio.com/1939-1945/codex/Documentos/report-49-USA-orig.html

RECRUITING;

Early in May of 1942 Japanese agents arrived in Korea for the purpose of enlisting Korean girls for "comfort service" in newly conquered Japanese territories in Southeast Asia. The nature of this "service" was not specified but it was assumed to be work connected with visiting the wounded in hospitals, rolling bandages, and generally making the soldiers happy. The inducement used by these agents was plenty of money, an opportunity to pay off the family debts, easy work, and the prospect of a new life in a new land, Singapore. On the basis of these false representations many girls enlisted for overseas duty and were rewarded with an advance of a few hundred yen.

The majority of the girls were ignorant and uneducated, although a few had been connected with "oldest profession on earth" before. The contract they signed bound them to Army regulations and to war for the "house master " for a period of from six months to a year depending on the family debt for which they were advanced ...

5 ( +8 / -3 )

@ igloobuyerFeb. "Opportunist. If you lack a moral compass you can become famous doing anything."

Exactly look and Donald Trump.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I've always wondered just how out there [the cult Happy Science] were...

@savethegaijin

Happy Science has released a slew of YouTube video content in recent years under the title "The Fact" featuring respectable looking Japanese WWII vets claiming that the IJA troops were welcomed with open arms by the Asian countries it invaded, and that the soldiers were benevolent toward those they occupied, and well-liked, and that any and all talk of wrongdoings are utter lies.

Many of their videos are about the comfort women and full of first-hand accounts of how well the comfort women were treated.

They are nut cases. For your entertainment, here is a video they produced (in mangled Engrish) titled "Spiritual Interview with the Guardian Spirit of Donald Trump." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_SfS0J1f_s

3 ( +4 / -1 )

CH3CHO FEB. 09, 2016 - 01:25PM JST A "comfort girl" is nothing more than a prostitute or "professional camp follower" attached to the Japanese Army for the benefit of the soldiers.

Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the result of the study on the issue of "comfort women" August 4, 1993

The Government of Japan has been conducting a study on the issue of wartime "comfort women" since December 1991. I wish to announce the findings as a result of that study.

"Comfort stations were operated in response to the request of the military authorities of the day. The then Japanese military was, directly or indirectly, involved in the establishment and management of the comfort stations and the transfer of comfort women."

"The recruitment of the comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who acted in response to the request of the military. The Government study has revealed that in many cases they were recruited against their own will, through coaxing, coercion, etc., and that, at times, administrative/military personnel directly took part in the recruitments. They lived in misery at comfort stations under a coercive atmosphere."

"The Korean Peninsula was under Japanese rule in those days, and their recruitment, transfer, control, etc., were conducted generally against their will, through coaxing, coercion, etc."

"Undeniably, this was an act, with the involvement of the military authorities of the day, that severely injured the honor and dignity of many women. The Government of Japan would like to take this opportunity once again to extend its sincere apologies and remorse to all those, irrespective of place of origin, who suffered immeasurable pain and incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women."

Source: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/women/fund/state9308.html

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

turbotsatFEB. 09, 2016 - 01:33PM JST

The nature of this "service" was not specified but it was assumed to be work connected with visiting the wounded in hospitals, rolling bandages, and generally making the soldiers happy. The inducement used by these agents was plenty of money, an opportunity to pay off the family debts, easy work, and the prospect of a new life in a new land, Singapore. On the basis of these false representations many girls enlisted for overseas duty and were rewarded with an advance of a few hundred yen.

An easy work for women with no education, no job training, and no nurse license, with plenty of money and a huge advance payment. There is only one job.

The money was used for paying off the Family Debt. So, their family knew what it was. The Japanese documents in the Japanese archives say that a consent letter from the head of a household, usually the women's husband or her father, was required to apply for the job of ianfu.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Does the 1944 report exist, and if it does, it is actually wrong? A 1944 report might actually be more accurate than a 2016 report.

The report - an intelligence document from army interrogators (Psychological Warfare Team) marked secret - does indeed appear to exist, and gives the following definition:

A "comfort girl" is nothing more than a prostitute or "professional camp follower" attached to the Japanese Army for the benefit of the soldiers.

The smoking gun next paragraph reads like the sex trafficker's playbook (my emphasis):

Early in May of 1942 Japanese agents arrived in Korea for the purpose of enlisting Korean girls for "comfort service" in newly conquered Japanese territories in Southeast Asia. The nature of this "service" was not specified but it was assumed to be work connected with visiting the wounded in hospitals, rolling bandages, and generally making the soldiers happy. The inducement used by these agents was plenty of money, an opportunity to pay off the family debts, easy work, and the prospect of a new life in a new land, Singapore. On the basis of these false representations many girls enlisted for overseas duty and were rewarded with an advance of a few hundred yen.

Here's a link to an uyoku (?) site with a photocopy of the original document as mailed to Mr. Marano:

http://www.kananet.com/ianfu/ianfu-e-2.html

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He is very logical and never block anyone who challenge him while the people who oppose him always block him. Do you know why?

I know! i know! Because with lack of any long term experience living in Japan, or knowledge of Japanese language, he has learned the 'correct' view of Japan. Which you also agree is correct. Therefore it is 'logical'

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

CH3CHO FEB. 09, 2016 - 01:50PM JST The money was used for paying off the Family Debt. So, their family knew what it was.

Their family didn't know that three out of four (3/4) comfort women didn't survive treatment by IJA by 1945.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

sfjp330FEB. 09, 2016 - 02:06PM JST

Their family didn't know that three out of four (3/4) comfort women didn't survive treatment by IJA by 1945.

That is another "urban legend". No one has ever presented anything that could support that 3 out of 4 comfort women didn't survive treatment by IJA by 1945.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

CH3CHO FEB. 09, 2016 - 02:13PM JST That is another "urban legend". No one has ever presented anything that could support that 3 out of 4 comfort women didn't survive treatment by IJA by 1945.

How many are alive today out of 100,000? Drop in the bucket, or not even that.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Interesting that the unyoke would take the word of a white American, when so much of their gripe is about how their culture was subverted at the end of WWII by the imposition of a constitution that embodied Western values. Maybe they really do need the respect of Whitey after all.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

CH3CHO: An easy work for women with no education, no job training, and no nurse license, with plenty of money and a huge advance payment. There is only one job.

Sure, you can say that, from 70 years on, but the Army report said:

The nature of this "service" was not specified but it was assumed to be work connected with visiting the wounded in hospitals, rolling bandages, and generally making the soldiers happy.

From the link I posted in the other thread:

http://www.awf.or.jp/e3/oralhistory-00.html

(Testimony I) Kimiko Kaneda ... Her father was a Korean and her mother was a Japanese ... When she was 16 years old, she went to Seoul for better employment on the recommendation of her friend who worked as housemaid for a Japanese family. Led by a Japanese, she was put on a train to go from Seoul to Tianjin, China, then from Tianjin via Peitan to Zaoqiang. There she was forced to be a comfort woman for the Japanese military. ...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

sfjp330FEB. 09, 2016 - 02:16PM JST

How did you get that "3 out of 4"? From nothing, right?

There is no dead body, no remains, no name list, no records, no report from surviving family of dead ianfu. No one knows how many ianfu died during WW2. No one even know how many ianfu were there during WW2.

Repeating "3 out of 4" hundred times will not make it a reality.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

CH3CHO FEB. 09, 2016 - 02:30PM JST Repeating "3 out of 4" hundred times will not make it a reality.

Sadly it's all very typical. They perceive Japan as being attacked by outside forces and thus rally to defend Japan's honor, but either don't want to shatter the illusion that exists within Japan that Japan was a victim rather than a belligerent in the war, or just refuse or can't be bothered to turn those same sights and do serious self criticism of their domestic education system and its myriad deep flaws when it comes to WWII education. Either way you cut it, it's not pretty, and a sad state of affairs.

It seems the J-government has now changed its tactics by enlisting these guys in its efforts to whitewash and rewrite history. These "historians" and "scholars" are just toeing the Japanese government line, so they seem to have no integrity or independence. Japan may be successful in using intimidation, fear, coercion and bullying to suppress truth and promote self-censorship at home. Should we be surprised at Abe and his wanting to "restore the honor" of the militarists? His Grandfather was one of them, and his father took over his Grandfathers seat in the Diet. It makes no difference if a person in IJA uniform directly recruited these poor women or the military hid behind a third party such as private-sector brokers to give itself plausible deniability. The end result is the same and cowardly hiding behind a third-party does not absolve the Japanese military of such crimes.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@Sensato

He is not deserving of your pity. He is clearly pandering to Japan's right wing to build celebrity status in Japan and make his fortune, and they in turn are exploiting him for all he is worth in a harebrained attempt to lend international credibility to their claims of Japan as a benevolent occupier. Anyway, Marano knows where his bread is buttered, and may not be as dimwitted as he seems.

Actually what he is not deserving of is my, or anyone elses, attention. At least not to what he is saying. By spending time debunking his BS one is inherently acknowledging that it is deserving of debunking in the first place. By ignoring his nonsense and instead focusing on the fact that this is a truly pathetic creature who probably doesnt have any real friends in this world I feel that I am giving him his due.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

CH3CHOFEB. 09, 2016 - 02:30PM JST sfjp330FEB. 09, 2016 - 02:16PM JST

How did you get that "3 out of 4"? From nothing, right? There is no dead body, no remains, no name list, no records, no report from surviving family of dead ianfu. No one knows how many ianfu died during WW2. No one even know how many ianfu were there during WW2. Repeating "3 out of 4" hundred times will not make it a reality.

And you can deny that Japan committed atrocities during the war until you are blue in the face - there may be holes the evidence is overwhelming nonetheless. Ignore it at your peril and reputation Japan.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

igloobuyerFEB. 09, 2016 - 04:11PM JST

And you can deny that Japan committed atrocities during the war

I support the truth. I deny false. Simple.

Denying false does not mean I deny the truth. Evidence will show what is truth and what is false.

Whenever I deny false, certain people without evidence pop up and say I am denying the truth. It is so easy to tell which is which.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

Just another loony with nothing else to do but make a fool of himself. Muppet.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@fxgai

Surely his critics have evidence that the army was on a sexual rampage then?

With regards to the comfort women, 'his critics' don't use the word rampage. It's a straw man argument; he himself puts the word rampage into his critics' mouths, and then says it's inaccurate.

On the other hand, while not relating to the comfort women issue, there is plenty of evidence of sexual rampages by the Japanese troops who ran amok during their occupations of various places, most notoriously Nanjing and Manila.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Yoshitsune FEB. 09, 2016 - 05:46PM JST there is plenty of evidence of sexual rampages by the Japanese troops who ran amok during their occupations of various places

In every war that man created, let me know which war that women were treated as women? Is Japan just a exception for you?

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

On the other hand, while not relating to the comfort women issue, there is plenty of evidence of sexual rampages by the Japanese troops who ran amok during their occupations of various places, most notoriously Nanjing and Manila.

To be fair you could say the same things about the Russians after the fall of Berlin... and no I'm not denying anything. Oh and in the interests of balance... http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/04/09/the-scars-of-war-vietnam-comfort-women/

2 ( +3 / -1 )

In every war that man created, let me know which war that women were treated as women? Is Japan just a exception for you?

I haven't claimed there was a war in which women were not mistreated and I haven't said that Japan is an exception. That has nothing to do with the arguments of Texas Daddy to which I was responding, and you're making straw man arguments - just like Texas Daddy!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I watched some of his videos years ago. I don't remember exactly what he said but I do recall he had some good stuff. With the reaction he's generating, both positive and negative, he must be onto something. I'll certainly have another look later.

Better take your head out of there and give it a good clean first though, don't ya think?

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

He's making money off y'all! lol

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Strange. He seems to be telling the Japanese that American image of Japan is not being tarnished by the comfort woman issue when the truth is plain to see on these boards.But then again, three years ago at least, Americans liked Japan more than America. https://rankingamerica.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/the-u-s-ranks-3rd-in-liking-the-united-states/ He has some great editors and translators on his side and appears to be using a teleprompter. Maybe I am just jealous!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

From my years in the news industry, I know Jon Herskovitz the Reuters reporter in Texas on this piece. Good guy. Used to be based in Tokyo, then Seoul, now back in USA. His reports are always looking for quirky things in life and this portrait of Tony has now introduced this man to millions of readers and TV viewers worldwide. By shining a media spotlight on him his quirky schtick will be exposed for what he is. Harmless guy. A real American. Pay him no heed. Another media monster created by social media. Let him be. He will disappear soon.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Posting this type of idiotic article will increase the number of viewers of Tony's videos. Even the editor label Tony "revisionist," viewers will judge who is right and who is wrong. Editor is not always right, most of the case, editor is wrong.

Only person who benefit from this article is Tony. Rest of those who leave hateful comments here are all losers. He've got a free exposure of himself and his videos.

All the people are not stupid as this editor and some of ilogical idiots are emotionally reacting or felt jealous of him.

God bless Tony !

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

Tony Marano is one of American citizens who visited Japan and came to conclusion that post-war view of Japan created by news medias and other liberal organizations were moderately distorted. Indeed, many of them who visited Japan realized discrepancy between reality and views of opinionated liberal news media, but many do not have chance to openly express the impression. Tony was blessed with the opportunity. His openness and straight forward talk are appreciated and agreeable to most of conservative US citizen, not to mention Japanese readers. It is not fair to claim him as history revisionist. He is just a truth finder in the history.

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Why does the right need affermation by an old WHITE guy? It looks like the nationalists still got s "white man is superior" complex. They need white affirmation to feel that their case is good.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

God bless Tony ! Shunichi-chan? Honey, baby, sweety, is that you? Welcome to forums.

http://i1.wp.com/fendnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Denialists.001.jpg

Why does the right need affermation by an old WHITE guy? It looks like the nationalists still got s "white man is superior" complex.

Good point. I would also add that it probably makes them feel as if they can point to as proof their claims are all valid.

But, am I the only person that finds the name "texas daddy" a bit creepy?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

There is fast money to be made supporting anything right wing. I would like details on who is fans are over here in Japan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

There is fast money to be made supporting anything right wing. I would like details on who is fans are over here in Japan.

Indeed it seems there is. I wonder if Jon was paid to write this puff piece?

The angle of the accompanying photo as well as his physical description would lead one to believe he is some big, tough guy when in reality he is about the size of an arm rest. Honestly, I think he is the real life inspiration for the "Colonel" in king of the hill.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The surname itself says what this guy is. A Barnstorming extortionist. The poor Japanese people can't recognize a game that has no humor this guy is nothing but a opportunist!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

JT should be ashamed of running such a biased anti-Japan article. Tony Marano's views do not vary from those of the US government and military. Crying avout the "right wing" In Japan is like crying about the KKK influence on US policies. Insignificant, especially when China next door, the most economically and militarily powerful dictatorship is completely rightwing in it's policies, both towards it's own people and neighboring Asian countries. So what's next JT? Are you going to run an article calling Professor Park a "right win revisionist" because her views do not match those of the rabid comfort women crowd?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

The Japanese right wing is just so utterly ridiculous and incoherent, that it is hard to take them even remotely serious. Their lack of rational thinking even trumps the right wing ideologies in other countries. I mean it’s probably the only right wing movement in the world that is pro US government. That already says it all. What kind of mental leap does it take to be pro Japanese empire AND pro US occupation at the same time? Is this even real?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

He is very logical and never block anyone who challenge him while the people who oppose him always block him.

What kind of cretin publishes blatantly incriminating evidence as proof of innocence?

"On the basis of these false representations many girls enlisted for overseas duty"

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Tony Marano's views do not vary from those of the US government and military

So, it took my 30 seconds to find his blog.

http://propaganda-buster.blogspot.com/

15 seconds to cut and paste the following:

"U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy is an embarrassment"

A view of the US government. Riiiiight.

And

"To those not in the USA, here is proof-positive the USA has devolved. This is a photograph of a rally in support of Democrat / Socialist Bernie Sanders seeking the Democratic Party nomination to run for president. He is an avid socialist, which is a gateway ideology to communism. Here in the USA, once the bastion of freedom and capitalism, this socialist garners such support.

This is what happens when runaway liberalism is allowed to hijack popular culture (Hollywood), the public schools, universities, the news media, and a political party. Say goodbye USA. "

These are NOT the views of the US govt or military.

Ossan, there is this thing called google. You can get information on many things very easily. People can fact check things really easliy.

You look really foolish when you say things so demonstrably false.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

These Japanese right wingers are funny. One, they loves Daddy Texas, a Westerner who would most likely fit into their type of people to hate because of their "Westerners subjugated Japan post-WW2, making Japan look bad and not allowing Japan to have a military" theory. In fact, they even accompanied Daddy Texas in California to visit (disrespect) the statue, seemingly not taking any offense when Daddy Texas had his own theories about why the statue is bad (he believes it's bad because these women apparently helped Japanese soldiers during the war, which means it was bad for American soldiers, the heroes...). They just accepted that the Imperial Japanese soldiers were the bad guys, as Daddy Texas basically alluded to. Two, they also happen to be pro-US base even though they usually say they want to be militarily strong and become a "normal country" again. How can you guys be strong when they want to hide behind the US all the time? You might also wonder what Daddy Texas might think when he hears Japanese right-wingers blaming the America and the West for holding them back....I think there's some compartmentalization going there.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

If this man (Marano) is backing "Japanese Right Wing views" then so is the US Government. I guess the US Military is backing "Japanese Right wing views"? As are the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia and India?

@OssanAmerica

That sounds exactly like something Tony Marano aka. Texas Daddy would say.

I am assuming that you are trying to say that Marano does not back Japanese right wing views, and neither do the governments of the U.S., Philippines, Vietnam, Australia and India. So, if Marano's views are not right wing, how else would you describe them?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Hisanori HasegawaFEB. 09, 2016 - 08:15PM JST

Tony Marano is one of American citizens who visited Japan and came to conclusion that post-war view of Japan created by news medias and other liberal organizations were moderately distorted. Indeed, many of them who visited Japan realized discrepancy between reality and views of opinionated liberal news media, but many do not have chance to openly express the impression. Tony was blessed with the opportunity. His openness and straight forward talk are appreciated and agreeable to most of conservative US citizen, not to mention Japanese readers. It is not fair to claim him as history revisionist. He is just a truth finder in the history.

Yea, well I lived and worked in Japan for 15 years and there are only two perspectives that Western media get wrong; Japan is full of weird introverts (though there are a lot) and they have incredible levels of safety and a wonderful education system. These are the only things the west is a bit confused about. The western media's interpretation of the war is far more balanced and based in fact that it is in Japan.

What did Marano notice in his short trip that I didn't in 15 years?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

[Japanese right wingers] even accompanied Daddy Texas in California to visit (disrespect) the [comfort woman] statue, seemingly not taking any offense when Daddy Texas had his own theories about why the statue is bad (he believes it's bad because these women apparently helped Japanese soldiers during the war, which means it was bad for American soldiers, the heroes...). ...You might also wonder what Daddy Texas might think when he hears Japanese right-wingers blaming America and the West for holding [Japan] back....I think there's some compartmentalization going there.

@ThePBot

There is definitely some compartmentalizing going on in Marano's mind when he embeds himself with uyoku lot who are essentially Japanese supremacists who are akin to the KKK white supremacists.

These same people who deny the IJA's role with the sex slaves also loathe Louis Zamperini's (who like Marano is an Italian American) story of his POW ordeal and want to keep Unbroken out of Japanese theaters. I would imagine Marano's views clash with those of his uyoku handlers in that regard.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

SenseNotSoCommonFEB. 09, 2016 - 10:33PM JST

What kind of cretin publishes blatantly incriminating evidence as proof of innocence?

An honest man would. Do you know the George who cut down the cherry tree?

A legal profession, too. If a person is accused of a heavy and a light crime, like a rape and a prostitution, a legal profession would advice the defendant to confess prostitution, if it was indeed true, to get a not-guilty verdict on the rape charge.

The 1944 US Army report is such a case.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

life in Texas and put together a YouTube video channel called “PropagandaBuster.”

Tells me everything I need to know

6 ( +7 / -1 )

"He speaks little Japanese."

Thats all I need to know, dead give away he is just talking.

Let dude leave his comfort zone, marry a Japanese, work in Japan, and learn to speak understand Japanese. I could guarantee he would be a different man in 1 year. When he visits Yasukuni, does he even understand what they are saying and what the place means? What he is doing is insulting to the veterans of WW2 who fought against what he defends. Ridiculous.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Texas Daddy's primary handler in Japan is apparently Shunichi Fujiki (藤木俊一). He serves as the Secretary General of the Texas Daddy Japan Secretariat office. This man has been in the press quite a lot for his involvement in a number of right-wing exploits.

Here is Shunichi seated with Marano: http://goo.gl/fQ3Atq

4 ( +5 / -1 )

An honest man would. Do you know the George who cut down the cherry tree?

An honest person wouldn't cherry pick a single phrase from an otherwise damning report and publish it as evidence of no wrongdoing.

If a person is accused of a heavy and a light crime, like a rape and a prostitution, a legal profession would advice the defendant to confess prostitution, if it was indeed true, to get a not-guilty verdict on the rape charge.

TexasDaddy and his chums really are clutching at straws.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Poor fella...LOL

Kind of like a black man going to the rural south in the U.S., putting on a robe and waving a rebel flag, supporting the KKK. Does this guy even know what he is dealing with? The right wing doesnt like gaijin, or has there been a recent change of events? Ive seen backdrop flags from the US and China in their booths and rallies, of course blabbing all thats wrong with Japan is those countries faults. This guy decides to become a tool for them? LOL.....its a strange world, thats for sure. I smell crash and burn...when this one realizes whats really going on...wow, wouldnt want to be him..LOL Tom gaijin are a trip, but this one takes the prize )

2 ( +4 / -2 )

5petalsFEB. 10, 2016 - 11:35AM JST

"He speaks little Japanese."

Thats all I need to know, dead give away he is just talking.

You speak no Japanese, either, right? You have no Japanese friends to speak with, right?

You say that Texas Daddy is untrustworthy on Japan because he cannot speak Japanese. How about you? I find your comments far from reality.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

The 1944 US Army report is such a case.

You mean the report that clearly states Japanese agents were sent to Korea to recruit comfort women?? But, but, I thought it was only the Koreans doing that.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

You can't blame Texas for this guy, he's from New York.

Sensato: Here is Shunichi seated with Marano: http://goo.gl/fQ3Atq

The large banner over the people in the photo says:

Comfort Women Not Slaves / A "comfort woman" is nothing more than a prostitute / (U.S. Office of War Information No. 49, Oct. 1944) / Japan's Collaboration for UN committee, Alliance for Truth about Comfort Women

I guess they didn't have room on the banner to include this part of the report:

RECRUITING

Early in May of 1942 Japanese agents arrived in Korea for the purpose of enlisting Korean girls for "comfort service" in newly conquered Japanese territories in Southeast Asia. The nature of this "service" was not specified but it was assumed to be work connected with visiting the wounded in hospitals, rolling bandages, and generally making the soldiers happy. (emphasis added)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@CH3,

yes, way out there in the twilight zone...)

I cant stop laughing at this...this...what is it? lol. Its like a Jewish person wearing a T shirt with a potrait of Joseph Mengels on it that say "he helped our people" I mean come on dude, this is ridiculous.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Marano and many in Japan’s right wing cite a 1944 U.S. Army report that said women were willing prostitutes, a position critics said is wrong.

Sounds like an idiot

5 ( +7 / -2 )

If he's an enemy of Sea Shepherd he can't be all that bad!

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

get himself an internship at a construction company. would love to see his speech 6 mos latter

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Their lack of rational thinking even trumps the right wing ideologies in other countries. I mean it’s probably the only right wing movement in the world that is pro US government.

Well the US government was responsible for exempting the emperor from war crimes responsibility, setting up Nobusuke Kishi in power - and for letting Zamperini's tormentor (the bird) off the hook. I guess the right wing's sense of gratitude isn't misplaced. It's a shame Marano has allowed himself to be a mouthpiece for the right

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This guy, Texas Daddy, is one of the most stupid guys I have ever seen. He even said once that Japan should not regulate hate speech because of "freedom of expression". It's plain idiotic to use freedom of expression as a reason for allowing hate speech.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@kaiser,

True, but you can learn allot by watching this clown, its how allot of things get kicked off, and he will probably collect a large following due to disconnected ignorance. To the connected informed, yes, he is quite the, well I dont think there is a word to describe it, but to the uninformed, he is the perfect tool to deliver.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I have seen several videos by Marano and what he says is so ridiculous that I wonder how an article on this guy could end up in the POLITICS section of JT.

As Marano's ruthless rampages surely trigger a lot of hate I would rather like to see an articles on him in the CRIME section.

Or with a slight touch of blasphemy, wouldn't an article on someone who calls himself "Texas Daddy" and who seems desperate to "entertain" the Japanese right-wingers better fit in the ENTERTAINMENT section?

While I do believe it is important to debunk the nonsense and myth uttered by such weird people I don't believe those who take him serious are within reach of whatsoever arguments.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Absolutely

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

What puzzles me is the denials about crimes that are committed during Wars! Since the beginning of Human history all Wars have been tarnished with crimes by all sides.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan wants to forget. The rest of the world would be content to let them do so, if revisionist politicians didn't go around denying Japan's apologies and wrongdoing. Mainstream Japanese then get upset because they have no idea what wrongs they did in ww2, and thus are angry that South Korea and China are upset with them. People like Marano give revisionists the misplaced idea that their twisted ideology has mainstream support. If the Japanese government had any decency they would declare him persona non grata (like they did with O`Barry recently)

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The only thing I see is some lonely people foaming in their mouth because someone found riches speaking his mind while the bashers gets dirt.

He is a private citizen posting what he thinks on Youtube, if you have opposite opinions then I suggest you get a camera and argue there.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

He is a private citizen posting what he thinks on Youtube, if you have opposite opinions then I suggest you get a camera and argue there.

That's what this page is about. Are you suggesting we can't post opposite opinions here?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I also suggest people watch what they say because unlike Ms. Pak, he is a private citizen so he can sue people of defamation as well as the publisher if they resist in taking down those post. 2Channel got sued and had to pay the price.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

This guy, Texas Daddy, is one of the most stupid guys I have ever seen. He even said once that Japan should not regulate hate speech because of "freedom of expression". It's plain idiotic to use freedom of expression as a reason for allowing hate speech.

but you are making a hate speech now.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

@ Triring

I also suggest people watch what they say because unlike Ms. Pak, he is a private citizen so he can sue people of defamation as well as the publisher if they resist in taking down those post.

Watch what they say? Defamation? Could you explain that?

People here are just saying that Marano is uttering ridiculous things, that he's distorting history and that he's engaging in hate speech, all of which is easy to prove, just look at one of his videos.

If there's anybody who schuld be afraid of a defamation suit it is Marano. He's defaming several hundred former "comfort women" from more then 8 nations in his rampages. He has ridiculed the former comfort women and suggested that they should have put paper bags over their heads because they were so ugly. He's trying to make us believe that all those hundreds of largely consistent first hand accounts are all blatant lies.

And he claims all this without having done any meaningful first hand research and without ever having talked to even one former "comfort woman". Isn't that ridiculous?

He's a puffed-up internet "celebrity" who found the oddest of all audiences, one that is desperate to believe anything that could soothe their deep engraved inferiority complex.

He's not the first person in history to be successful with BS, but he's surely one of the most embarrassing I have seen in action.

@ tinawatanabe

I suggest that you look up the definition for "hate speech" as you seem a bit confused about its meaning.

To criticize someone based on arguments, and as a reaction to claims of that someone, doesn't account for hate speech, even if the criticism is harsh.

Wiki defines hate speech as "speech that attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as gender, ethnic origin, religion, race, disability, or sexual orientation."

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Wiki defines hate speech as "speech that attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as gender, ethnic origin, religion, race, disability, or sexual orientation."

Why would Japan have to be bound by the definition of hate speech somebody wrote in Wiki?

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Why would Japan have to be bound by the definition of hate speech somebody wrote in Wiki?

Please feel free to look up "hate speech" in any serious dictionary, wiktionary or contemporary encyclopedia that you like, just make sure that you understand what it means.

If you don't care about what certain terms actually mean, but just use them in your own arbitrary way, then we won't be able to engage in a meaningful discourse with you here.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

bam_boo, I checked my electronic dictionalry which contain many dictionaries but I coundn't find the word. Anyway, each country has a different meaning for the same word.

And he claims all this without having done any meaningful first hand research and without ever having talked to even one former "comfort woman". Isn't that ridiculous?

He seemed have done some meaningful research, and his findings conincide with other official findings by US, Korean and Japanese experts.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Anyway, each country has a different meaning for the same word.

I have to admit that I don't know what you are trying to say here.

Are you suggesting that the english term "hate speech" has a different meaning in Japan? Or rather that the Japanese translation of the term (ヘイトスピーチ) has a different connotation because of cultural differences?

I don't know of any profound differences of how the term is used in Japan, but if you believe there are please enlighten us.

He seemed have done some meaningful research, and his findings conincide with other official findings by US, Korean and Japanese experts.

In the few videos I have seen Marano refers to all the same few documents that are usually cited by the net uyoku. Mainly the notorious 1944 US army report that features arbitrary interviews with 20 or so "comfort women", a hand full of pimps and a collection of readily available information on comfort stations. The report wasn't even remotely designed to reveal violations of women's rights, but only aiming at unveiling weak points of the enemy. It's meaning and content is well known by anybody who has dealt with the matter and it is only people like Marano or Japanese right-wingers that get excited about it.

But if you believe there's anything meaningful that Marano has uncovered himself, tell us about it.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Re: hate speech

In the US, we take the First Amendment very seriously. SInce the 1960s, the Supreme Court has been very reluctant to restrict most forms of expression. The judicial doctrine is somewhat complicated and a bit contradictory, but the following can be said:

Most attempts to curtail the content of freedom of expression fail. The courts will only allow such laws, regulations, ordinances, etc to stand if they are, "narrowly tailored to meet a compelling govt. interest." Very few things pass this test.

Hate speech falls into two general types: those regarding public order and those about protecting people's feelings. In line with our dedication to the freedom of expression, the hate speech laws dealing with maintaining public order are upheld only when there is no other way, ie. 'narrowly tailored" This is because maintaining public order is a compelling govt, interest.

Preventing you or me from being offended is not considered a compelling govt interest.

Most simply put, I have no right not to be offended. In the US.

Now, all that only goes when the govt. is involved. In legal jargon, it when there is something called "state action."

IOW, the First A does NOT APPLY private institutions (that don't get public money). A company can pass any hate speech rules it wants to, with some limitations.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

kaiser90:

" This guy, Texas Daddy, is one of the most stupid guys I have ever seen. "

In what context? Youtube videos? I humbly suggest you have not seen many of those, then.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Never really understood how this guy became "popular" among any population in Japan.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Never really understood how this guy became "popular" among any population in Japan.

Because he tells a segment of the population what they want to hear: That Japan is right and everyone else is wrong

2 ( +5 / -3 )

But if you believe there's anything meaningful that Marano has uncovered himself, tell us about it.

The Japanese public know comfort women system was legal, and the Koreans fabricated the story as a tool to bully Japan. Marano actually uncovered what Japan had already known. But Japanese are not good at expressing themselves much less in English (Japan's Foreign Ministry included). So he is a saver.

NY Times article says Korean hatred against Japan is out of control. Japan knows it but if you don't, you should read. https://t.co/uu3eG1Tuum

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

And he claims all this without having done any meaningful first hand research and without ever having talked to even one former "comfort woman". Isn't that ridiculous?

Oh please, you don't accept the interview done by various people who tells a very different story. Basically you just can't accept the truth and would deny anything beyond your belief.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

My link above was wrong one. Please enter "Seoul’s Colonial Boomerang"

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

JESUS MARIA!!This third world war against Tony Marano just because he says what he believes,whatever it is right or wrong?!Every one can agree or disagree with him,accept or reject,thats fine,but what i can see is absolutely TERRORISM!!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

And we all have a right to call him out on his abhorrent views

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@tinawatanabe

The Japanese public know comfort women system was legal, and the Koreans fabricated the story as a tool to bully Japan.

Thankfully, you're wrong.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

What I find very disrespectful and arrogant about this guy is that he hasnt had to endure the whole package, meaning the gaijin breakdown that occurs from residence in Japan. You know, the whole, japan way or no way, reprogramming and rework of ones character to fit the mold. He stays in a disconnected place, but speaks as if he is a connected source. At one level, its comedy, at another its disrespect Its comedy because he is being used as a tool, and isnt even aware of it. I guess to win the affection of some Japanese, like Tina, who seem to dislike the U.S., individualism, etc, I could allow myself to become "reworked" and talk like this guy, but thats not something I can honestly do because its all crap

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

For the past several years Marano, along with Henry Scott Stokes and Kent Gilbert, have been appearing frequently in the Yukan Fuji and several right-wing opinion magazines like the Sankei Shimbun's Shokun and WiLL. They have also published books, the contents of which would have almost certainly got them hanged had they published or broadcasted them in wartime. (Try googling "Lord Haw-haw.) Of these foreign mercenaries, Marano is the most extreme since he's never lived in Japan and has zero qualifications as a journalist, academic or opinion leader. I think Yukan Fuji is defrauding its readers by publishing columns that profess to air Marano's views when they are merely ghostwritten by history trolls who are out to deny the Nanjing Massacre, atrocities against allied POWs, etc. The same crowd also blames Roosevelt for "tricking" Japan into attacking Pearl Harbor. These people learned their history lessons at the knee of Josef Goebbels and for Marano to lend his name to them and accept money for it is shameful. What's really remarkable is why Japanese would even want to take the writings of foreign mercenaries without questioning their motives (money? shameless self promotion?), when they have nothing whatsoever to offer. The rightists have been making exactly the same claims since the occupation ended.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@galapagos,

any outsider who plays with that will eventually get burned. Thats my final post on it. Nothing personally against the guy, but he doesnt know what he is dealing with

2 ( +4 / -2 )

What puzzles me is the denials about crimes that are committed during Wars! Since the beginning of Human history all Wars have been tarnished with crimes by all sides.

Yes, but losers must accept all accusations (otherwise it's "denial") and the winners are heroes who did no wrong.

-19 ( +1 / -20 )

About the comfort women issues, now, not just Korea and even the Philippines are protesting because Japan deny forcing.

[b]‘Comfort women’ outraged by Japanese gov’t attempt to revise history[/b]

http://bulatlat.com/main/2016/02/10/comfort-women-outraged-by-japanese-govt-attempt-to-revise-history/

But of course, Japanese right winger will still says it's all Korea and China propaganda. Japan are so wrong if they think they can convince the world with their lies. The more Japan or that Texas person deny it, the more the world believe and learn of Japan war crime, the more people think Japan negatively. Japan denial will have the opposite effect from what Japanese right winger want.

@Wakayama Mama Typical unoriginal and overrated excuse. Japan already be treated as bad guys even before WW 2 end. When Japan attack China, the entire League of Nations protest and told Japan not to attack but Japan do not listen Japan already make itself the villain long time even BEFORE they lost the war.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Precisely

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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