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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Countering China, Obama asserts U.S. a Pacific power

World Nov. 17, 2011 - 11:15AM JST ( 29 )

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29 Comments

-3

just-a-guyNov. 17, 2011 - 12:42PM JST

You know Chairman Mao's remarks over the retreat of US marines out of North Korea? Paper tiger! And it's still valid as of today!
0

Elbuda MexicanoNov. 17, 2011 - 01:35PM JST

Sorry but NO BODY TRUSTS CHINA!! Paper Tiger?? Hahaha!! Ask the victims if Hiroshima and Nagasaki about American paper tigers and see what they will answer. By the way China's worst enemy?? Not the USA!! CHina is China's worst own enemy!!
-1

SuperLibNov. 17, 2011 - 02:57PM JST

China opened the door and Obama walked in....
-3

ZenpunNov. 17, 2011 - 04:33PM JST

Back in August, Mr Obama was struggling to pay the wages to Marines and public servants. If Congress blocked his request for extending the debt limit beyond $14.3 trillions, he even has no money to pay his bills now. He has to realize that US has to foot the bill for rotating the marines.
-1

Lieberman2012Nov. 17, 2011 - 04:53PM JST

Obama should continue Bush's policy of favoring India over China.
0

lostrune2Nov. 17, 2011 - 06:57PM JST

The root of the questions is, why are China's neighbors being threatened by China?

And y'know, if it's really a paper tiger, Taiwan would've been invaded already, hahaha.
-2

just-a-guyNov. 17, 2011 - 07:26PM JST

Once those USmarines were 'kicked out' of Iraq and afghanistan, they begins a new round of 'occupation' in Darwin. Why does Mr Obama has to yell: We(US marines) are here to stay! Does the CIA has intelligences predicting the Chinese paratroopers is going to be air dropped over Darwin or his election manager caution him:Hey Barack, you better hurry to occupy another country saving America's face after defeats otherwise you will being a one term president!
-1

okimike67Nov. 17, 2011 - 07:38PM JST

Just a Dufus!

Australia is a "Big Boy" country and has INVITED the Marines in to jointly train as partners.

Unless you are from DARWIN (or PERHAPS OZ) you are not entitled to an opinion or a voice.
-3

greendestinyNov. 17, 2011 - 07:47PM JST

Counter China?

America is like a hyperactive kid with ADHD! America is countering China with bases in Japan and South Korea. With arms sales to Taiwan. With bases and ongoing fighting in Afghanistan. With aircraft carries and subs in the Pacific. With spy flights just outside of Chinese territory. With a Navy base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. And now Marines in Darwin.

And China? Hasn't budged!

If I were not American and concerned about my country's wasted wealth, growing empire and militarism, I might split my side laughing!
2

Spidapig24Nov. 17, 2011 - 07:53PM JST

Hey Just - a -guy are you from Australia? No well what has it got to do with you.

The US was invited to come to Australia unlike Iraq, and Afghanistan. You do realise Australia and the US have been allies since WW2 and have fought many wars together. The US already trains and conducts yearly exercises in Australia and visa verse not to mention the facilities that the US already has in OZ. It makes perfect sense as there is a large land mass with a small population so plenty of training areas. In fact one of the training areas is an unpopulated area the size of Belgium. Also given the fact that Australia is resource rich and population small and in an area that has many dangers i.e. terrorism in nearby Indonesia then l say let them come.
-1

okimike67Nov. 17, 2011 - 08:01PM JST

Spida,

Doesnt matter to these fanatics. They only care about their view/agenda. You posted almost the same detail a few days ago and are SPOT ON MATE!

If I were you I would be worried, what with that OZ invasion thats takin place and all..... LMFAO ;)
1

Spidapig24Nov. 17, 2011 - 08:05PM JST

Mike,

Its amusing to see these people kick up a stink about what the US is doing in OZ, personally l would prefer to see this US invasion as some call it rather than no invasion. But hey what would l know l only live there unlike these other objectors.
-5

greendestinyNov. 17, 2011 - 08:07PM JST

Hey Just - a -guy are you from Australia? No well what has it got to do with you.

As far as completely crappy arguments go, that is a whopper! Any America has just as much invested as any Australian. Anyone in the world has something invested when faced with increased militarism. Ever heard of the World Wars? America is as all over the planet as Britian was, which ensured that most of the world was affected by those wars.

And last but not least, everyone is entitled to an opinion whether you like it or not.
2

Spidapig24Nov. 17, 2011 - 08:16PM JST

greendestiny

As far as completely crappy arguments go, that is a whopper! Any America has just as much invested as any Australian.

Sorry let me rephrase it for you unless you are Australian or American then this has no impact on you. If you read my comment though it was aimed at someone that claimed this was an invasion similar to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that is a crappy argument.

Anyone in the world has something invested when faced with increased militarism.

Um excuse me, lets point this out to you. Australia asked the US, the US said yes. How is that increased militarism? You realise that every 2 years since 2005 US / Australia have held exercises in this area involving up to 20000 us troops and 10000 Australian troops. It makes perfect sense to set up a more permanent base for training in the area for US troops. After all were else can they train in an area the size of a small country unimpeded?

Ever heard of the World Wars? America is as all over the planet as Britian was, which ensured that most of the world was affected by those wars.

You have obviously heard of the World wars you realise it was the US sitting on the sidelines that didnt help. You do also realise that it was aggression by Germany, Italy and Japan that caused the problems not were the UK was afterall was China part of the UK, or Indonesia, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Argentina, Libya, France, Russia, the list goes on and on. All these places plus many more where impacted and attacked during WW2 yet they werent British so to quote you that sir is on crappy argument.

And last but not least, everyone is entitled to an opinion whether you like it or not.
-1

PT24881Nov. 17, 2011 - 09:30PM JST

The whole report was filled with canons & sabers described as influences & powers -- are we back in the Middle Age ? Vote is king !
1

lostrune2Nov. 17, 2011 - 10:41PM JST

And China? Hasn't budged!

I think that's the point - to keep it that way. It is called a "containment" policy, after all - stay there and keep staying there. No touching Taiwan; no owning the South China Sea.
1

YuriOtaniNov. 17, 2011 - 11:59PM JST

Darwin is about 5,000 kilometers from China. Outside the range of all of its fighters. What threat 2500 Marines is to China at this distance? Well none, none at all. Maybe peace can be achieved if the nationals of all of the countries acted tougher and duct tapped the mouths of our "leader" shut.
1

globalwatcherNov. 18, 2011 - 04:12AM JST

Darwin is about 5,000 kilometers from China.

Yuri, there has been a couple unrests in Port of Timor recently. In addition to that, Indonesia (Muslim) is a oil rich country. Strategically, this is an excellent move to counter balancing China.

Once those USmarines were 'kicked out' of Iraq and afghanistan

Just-q-guy, I cannot speak for Afganistan, but people of Iraq LOVE American soldiers being there as they know they are well protected by Americans.
1

DeploreNov. 18, 2011 - 05:23AM JST

I believe we should instead focus on maintaining our hegemony in the Western Hemisphere.
0

Elbuda MexicanoNov. 18, 2011 - 06:36AM JST

It would be nice to be able to live in a world with out wars, with out the need for marines, missiles etc..but the sad fact is that we live in a messed up world, terrorists up in Indonesia, Mindanao Island of the Philippines etc..we never know where we will need to rescue American citizens or have to back up people from ANY PART OF THE WORLD, take the case of INDONESIA, the USA sent many many TROOPS to give FOOD, WATER, CLOTHING etc..to the poor victims of the earthquakes, tsunamis etc..Marines are not only trained for killing, but also to be the first on the ground in case any major disaster does occur, just an idea, but maybe half of the US marines now down in Okinawa should be moved up to Hokkaido??
1

sfjp330Nov. 18, 2011 - 07:12AM JST

China's relations with its most important neighbors are already seriously damaged to the point where there is no benefit to be gained from working or even appearing to work to complicate things further. Look around China's periphery and quickly understand why. China fought a brief but fierce border war with India in 60's, and the two countries are future rivals. They have never come to terms about the disputed territory. In the northeast, China faces claims from the two Koreas that it has absorbed traditionally Korean lands and distorted the history of an ancient Korean kingdom in order to cover its tracks. China also faces a dispute with Japan over Senkaku and maritime boundaries in an area thought to be rich in oil and gas. Ironically, given the longtime animosity between China and Japan, of all of China's disputes with its neighbors, this one looks like the most manageable.
-3

greendestinyNov. 18, 2011 - 07:23AM JST

I think that's the point - to keep it that way. It is called a "containment" policy, after all - stay there and keep staying there. No touching Taiwan; no owning the South China Sea.

Serioiusly, where else do you think China is going? Is that all you got as an argument for containment? Because of local disputes?

China has the same beef with Taiwan that the Union had with the Confederacy. If Florida was Confederate to this day, do you imagine the U.S. government would as patient about foreign interference?

And the South China Sea? China's claims there are as legit as British claims to the Falklands. But China is not doing much militarily about it, not since the U.S. was running around in Vietnam.

Just have a look at the big picture. You speak of containing China, but who is containing America? Ameirica is all over the planet...literally. America is the new Rome, and my image of Rome is not so good.
-4

greendestinyNov. 18, 2011 - 07:28AM JST

Sorry let me rephrase it for you unless you are Australian or American then this has no impact on you.

Well, now at least you include the fact that it impacts Americans. And it was not the first time you tried to claim only Aussies can have an opinion. You did it in another thread too.

But its not only them. America is all over the planet with fingers in everybody's pies. What America does affects us all. America annoying China has potential to affect us here in Japan for example. If you cannot see that, you cannnot see the forest for the trees.

How is that increased militarism?

Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.[1]

Straight from wiki. Methinks you entertained a special definition that was as incorrect as it was self-serving. America is the most militaristic nation on the planet, and expanding. So many of you just refuse to face the truth.
1

Spidapig24Nov. 18, 2011 - 07:44AM JST

greendestiny

Well, now at least you include the fact that it impacts Americans. And it was not the first time you tried to claim only Aussies can have an opinion. You did it in another thread too.

Indeed l did, and if you read that was in response to non Australians being critical of US troops being based in Australia. And the comments where not from a US / Australia view point but of a US expansion policy. Which is incorrect, as l have said when a country invites another to use its land to enable training etc that benefits both nations then were is the issue there?

America is all over the planet with fingers in everybody's pies. What America does affects us all. America annoying China has potential to affect us here in Japan for example. If you cannot see that, you cannnot see the forest for the trees.

How is 2500 troops in Darwin annoying China? Seriously? Maybe it has something to do with the uproar happening at the moment where it has emerged China is using a space monitoring station in Australia to spy on US and Australian naval vessels. Seriously though this move has less to do with everyones bogeyman China and more to do with threats in the more immediate area (Indonesia) and training. As l have said time and again where else in the world can the military have access to uncluttered land, sea and sky like they can in this training area?

Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.[1] Straight from wiki. Methinks you entertained a special definition that was as incorrect as it was self-serving. America is the most militaristic nation on the planet, and expanding. So many of you just refuse to face the truth.

Hey l agree that they are militaristic, l also believe that they are flawed, use the wrong strategy in Afghanistan and should never have been in Iraq. That being said l am more than happy to welcome the troops to my country and am more than happy to have that presence there. Afterall what happened last time the US was isolationist and now militaristic? A little event called WW2 (in particular the Pacific war).

As for what l think, l think you may be one of those types that runs the military down until you need them and then scream blue murder that they didnt do enough/ should have done more sooner etc. But hey each to there own.
-3

greendestinyNov. 18, 2011 - 09:01PM JST

Which is incorrect, as l have said when a country invites another to use its land to enable training etc that benefits both nations then were is the issue there?

You seem to have colonization confused with expansionism and militarism. This move will antagonize people unnecessarily. Admittedly, is a small step among many steps of many sizes. But the time to complain is not after the crap hits the fan you know.

How is 2500 troops in Darwin annoying China? Seriously?

The headline alone is annoying to China.

l think you may be one of those types that runs the military down until you need them and then scream blue murder that they didnt do enough/ should have done more sooner etc.

I have not given you a single reason to say anything like that. You are wrestling with your own demons. What I want is for the American military to leave the entire vicinity I am in. That would effectively leave unable to make such complaints. But the reality is that they are here, and unwanted as they may be, my tax yen funds them, and if the time comes, I will be expecting a return on my money. No duality here.

And wars happen with or without militarism you know. An important thing to remember about the war in the Pacific is how it ended. America can finish fights without a world-wide military presence. People need to learn better reasons not to fight than just having a fear that the U.S. will smack them instantly. In the long run, America is stifling the maturity of nations.
-2

DotobockNov. 18, 2011 - 10:14PM JST

When China decided to wage financial war against USA it would just be a matter of time before USA faced lynch mobs in their own countries. That time is fast approaching. The non-stop protests against the cabalists in the US to remove thesm from the body politic of the West. The invisible part involves control of codes and high tech “black screens,” that are used to manage the international financial system. Bank accounts meant for the use of humanity as a whole but taken over by private interests will be seized. As a part of this move, the control of the US dollar should be taken away from the privately owned Washington D.C. Corporation and moved to Switzerland. There it will be managed by the nations of the earth. Given these circumstances, the United States would be well advised to create a new greenback for their own use.
-3

Elbuda MexicanoNov. 19, 2011 - 05:39AM JST

Sure and it is not like if CHINA is not sitting on it's own ECONOMIC and POLITICAL ticking time bomb?? Does anybody run away from their country to escape to the economic success of China? Sure you have some Eastern European women etc..just like here in Japan who follow the $$ but just as the USA is slowly beginning to realize, $$$$ can not BUY you true happiness, now China is also on this mistaken path, thinking that the richer and richer the country gets that the people will somehow automatically be truly happy, but this is a mistake, this is why so many Americans try to fill the void in their lives with drugs and in the Chinese case with $$$ and a few with religions that now are underground, but both China and the USA maybe should try and learn a less from little Bhutan, GNH, Gross National Happiness. Not only $$$$, but what really makes people happy and it is not that newest car or the news Iphone, newest and fastest computer etc..but deep deep down in our souls, something more precious than $$$$ is the answer, IMHO.
-1

greendestinyNov. 19, 2011 - 09:29AM JST

Greendestiny, the USA leaves your part of the world and suddenly every thing will be just fine??

I never used the word sudden. Of course Japan will need to beef up her SDF and it will take some time. But, that you think Japan would get an immediate attack is more a testament to your paranoia than anything. Russia wants nothing from Japan it does not already have. NK shoots rockets over Japan for show if anything. South Korea has Dokdo. And Japan should just give some islands to Taiwan anyway, then ROC will have to shut up. Nobody is itching to invade Japan proper. I would say the Fukushima disaster now trumps the U.S. military as a deterrent anyway.
1

PT24881Nov. 19, 2011 - 05:45PM JST

What a superpower is it ? Guns, guns, guns...president Obama, while giving speeches about ( military ) power, someone was shooting with gun outside his window back home -- at a stone's throw from the White House.. This 'gun' or cowboy culture is the only power the Americans have to gain the respect ( or fear ) of the world ? If the American value is superior, does one has other 'power' to contain these communist / socialist / dictator regimes ?