cleo said...

cleo at 10:59 AM JST - 16th August

Brighteyes -

I'm not suggesting that we should or should not commemorate the war dead. I'm questioning your assertion that not honouring 'those who gave their lives to advance nefarious ends' would lead to the end of war.

The winners get to write history, and so of course winners never…

Posted in Yasukuni at 10:59 AM JST - 16th August
cleo at 01:42 AM JST - 16th August

People do in fact go to war for horrible reasons.

But as you admit, they believe that they're right. And this war, whatever war it is, is always different from every war that has gone before; not because it's really any different, but because this time we really need to…

Posted in Yasukuni at 01:42 AM JST - 16th August
cleo at 01:11 AM JST - 16th August

No one ever goes to war in a pernicious cause. Each side thinks they're in the right, God is on their side and the other side is heading to Hell. And at least one side is always wrong.

Posted in Yasukuni at 01:11 AM JST - 16th August
cleo at 01:07 AM JST - 16th August

Today he will not lay a reef (wreath?) on the memorial epitaphs

Actually the Emperor, Empress and PM did attend a memorial service for the war dead today and they did pay their respects in a very dignified manner, just not at Yasukuni.

Japanese people have to know that…

Posted in Japan ministers, but not premier, visit war shrine at 01:07 AM JST - 16th August
cleo at 12:45 AM JST - 16th August

What kind of world would we live in if people actually thought that going to war in the service of a pernicious cause would result in immortal opprobrium rather than honor? That would truly be horrible.

I think most people do think that, don't they?

The problem arises when leaders…

Posted in Yasukuni at 12:45 AM JST - 16th August
cleo at 09:29 PM JST - 15th August

And on the subject of tasteful remembrance, those penguin suits the pollies insist on wearing are the height of tastelessness.

Posted in Japan ministers, but not premier, visit war shrine at 09:29 PM JST - 15th August
cleo at 09:27 PM JST - 15th August

They died defending the country from foreign aggression? Huh?

That's what they were told.

Posted in Yasukuni at 09:27 PM JST - 15th August
cleo at 09:26 PM JST - 15th August

The Emperor of Japan who too, like so many of his mindless herds will focus on Gold and Silver rather than Red; the blood of millions of Japanese souls that died in his name. Today he will not lay a reef on the memorial epitaphs of the youth **he sent…

Posted in Japan ministers, but not premier, visit war shrine at 09:26 PM JST - 15th August
cleo at 09:15 PM JST - 15th August

I think there are more tasteful ways of remembering

They're carrying a banner bearing the name of the squad to which their fallen comrades belonged, to the shrine in which they've been told their comrades are enshrined. I see nothing tasteless in that. They could just place a wreath…

Posted in Yasukuni at 09:15 PM JST - 15th August
cleo at 07:48 PM JST - 15th August

Speaking of surgery -

Soni’s victory came ..... two summers after Soni underwent a minor heart operation.

Now that is amazing.

Posted in Phelps makes it 6 Olympic golds, 6 records at 07:48 PM JST - 15th August