JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

threedogs's past comments

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  threedogsJan. 23, 2009 - 02:55PM JST

  Coca Cola???

  Posted in: Who or what is the most recognizable pop culture icon on the planet?

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  threedogsAug. 04, 2008 - 11:21PM JST

  hairforest is right Japan should step up to the plate and join the nations of superpowers and renounce article 9. It is a joke that they are a pacifist nation anyway as they consistently rate in the top 3-5(depending on which year you look at) for Defense Expenditure for the last 10 years. The ability to make foreign policy decisions independent of the US with specific regards to North Korea would serve their interests best, since the abduction issue still has not been resolved. However, I don't believe that by renouncing article 9, that the bases would necessarily close. They would in all likelihood be re-aligned much in what is already planned for in 2016. Much like the US presence in Europe. The problem of your paradox is not whether the Japanese could or would do this; but rather whether their neighbors would tolerate their return to a normal military status. Especially with their immediate neighbors' (specifically Korea and China) recent violent nationalist tendencies that have sprung up over the last few years. The US presence assures its neighbors that Japan will itself not fall into that same trap of emotional nationalism and do something stupid.

  As much as you US bashers like to spew invective of the "US empire and imperialism" your remembrance of history is short sighted. We are no angels and far from perfect in our past exploits and current support of authoritarian regimes; but we respect to any other empire in the history of the world: British, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Sultanate, Persian, Greek and etc. we have by far the best track record of peacefully returning sovereignty and maintaining a laissez-faire influence over the nations we "colonize" Yes it is so far from ideal, however our "cultural imperialism" over the world is the best thing we got in a "dog eat dog" world of imperfection, even with Bush's failed policies of the last 7 years.

  Posted in: Does the U.S. need to have military bases anywhere in Japan?

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  threedogsAug. 04, 2008 - 07:18PM JST

  Industrial accidents happen and at least the US military reports them. There may be a lot of other incidents that don't ever get reported. Their reporting of problems are not immediate or as transparent as say the public would like; partly because of the classified nature of operating procedures and equipment used in the military. But I dare say it is far better than any private corporation or any other foreign government in reporting problems or accidents. If anything the private sector far less transparent or upfront about mishaps than the US military. Especially here in Japan, which has a tendency to cover up mishaps until they can't anymore. Look at the Snow Brand foods fiasco, or worse the town of Minamata cases of mercury poisoning. What it that took some 10 years from the discovery of the cause until the government admitted the source was from Chisso. (We are still learning of extent of the cover up 40 years after the fact).

  Considering how minor the amount was leaked it is amazing this made the paper at all.

  Sarge said best "Nothing to see here...Move along!"

  Posted in: U.S. Navy warns of possible radioactive leak from nuclear sub in Sasebo, Okinawa

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