Okinawans want Marine base gone

Please allow me to vent.....

I just read an article from the NY Times about 90,000 Japanese Citizens of Okinawa, protesting to Prime Minister Hatoyama about keeping an election promise to get US Marines off Okinawa.

I have a better idea..... Come and try to throw us off !!!! Okinawa is a sacred place that cost the lives of many brave souls.

These smiling while stabbing idiots can try to erase their past, but the rest of the world remembers the beast that started the aggession back in the 1930's.

Besides the massive drop in economy, you Japanese may want to reconsider this move. Do you think China forgot about the war crimes committed by your people ?? Hell no, and when China wants their pay backs the Japanese will come crawling back to the US to save them !!!

How soon we forget.

 

It was ok for Poland +++++ to want the Russians out of their Country, Which the US and many other Countries supported. Canada Closed all their Military Bases in Germany. So you think The US is still entitled to that land?? Look at all Canadians Lost their lives in the Battle for Normandy, Would that justify us going to the French and asking for part of their land.

Before you vent why don't you do a little research and fined out Why they want the US Out.

The United States says it is taking reports that American soldiers may have been involved in the rape of a woman on the Japanese island of Okinawa "very seriously".

Police in Okinawa have been questioning US servicemen in connection with the alleged rape, which reportedly took place early on Friday in an area frequented by the US military.

BBC News | ASIA-PACIFIC | Japan rape report worries US

2 U.S. servicemen to be indicted over robbery in Okinawa

2 U.S. servicemen to be indicted over robbery in Okinawa › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion




The crimes haven't all been petty. U.S. troops of all races have committed atrocities in Okinawa, particularly sexual assaults. In the years following World War II, locals say, rapes by U.S. servicemen were shockingly rampant--but the U.S. military, which governed the islands then, has no record of any such crimes. In more recent years, the list of crimes makes shameful reading for any American: July 2000, a 19-year-old Marine is charged with molesting a 14-year-old girl; January 2000, a Marine lifts the skirt of a 16-year-old to take a picture of her underwear.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,171791-3,00.html#ixzz0mE8qEYpI​

Theres another 20++++ links of other insedents that have happen I can post.

 

22 incidents in how many years?

JAJAJAJA ... We say the same here, plus "the presumption of innocence is only for millionaires" and "you wil see the presumption of innocence only in the american films".

 

I have to go along with Spaniard on this one. The United States is way, WAY past being an occupying conqueror, and if Japan says go, we go. And that's all there is to it.

We had a lot of history with the Philippines as well, and we left upon request. To stay where we are not wanted, makes us what we fought against to begin with.

 

This isn't new it's been going on for years, and will continue to go. They generally don't protest Kadena however it's usually Futema or one of the other Marine Camps, depending on their mood.

The reason for the large numbers of Marines on Okinawa is two or three fold A.) Oki was not returned to Japan until the 70's it was a US protectorate, B.) The US is bound by treaty to assist Japan in it's defense. C.) Tokyo dosen't want massive numbers of US troops in the home Islands.

Having been stationed on Okinowhere I can say it probably doesn't break the hearts of alot of Marines that they maybe redeployed to Guam, Oki at the best of times has always been a pain when dealing with the politics of not ruffling local feathers combined with the propensity of the commands to play games with liberty. My first deployment to Oki in the 80's Camp Hansen was known as Parris Island West, due to the ****-**** games and general silliness inflicted on the Marines by the Base Commander . Oki has always lent itself to that type of atmosphere.

But what Okinawans and their Goverment might want to remember is that when/if the bases are shut down, scaled down whatever then so is the economy of Kin, Henoko, Zukiran, Kitami and the rest of the gate towns that make their living off the Marines, Sailors and Airmen. They might be prudent to check with the city leaders of Angeles City, Subic City and Olongapo in the PI to see how that crashes your economy.

 

Spaniard.... I visit this site everyday but I don't post often.... I'll be honest, I feel you are argumentive from your history here. Just my view, who cares... Right ?

These crimes are terrible and need to be corrected. I trust our military will take the proper steps.

Did you forget how we got into Okinawa in the first place ?? Were we so terrible back in 1945 trying to end this pitiful aggression backed by blind citizens of Japan?? Let's not forget Comfort Women, Nanking, Singapore...etc. All crimes while Hirohito was in command. Did the "blood thirsty" Americans hang him ?? NO... We gave them a new life, a free life, backed their post war economy and put their protection under our military umbrella.

This is the thanks we get ????

By the way, the Polish and Canadians were some of the best troops of WW 2. Contrary to your statement, I do a little research.....

 

I recall attempting to visit battle sites on the Rock, you couldn't get anywhere near the Sugarloaf area, you could see portions of Shuri, and the Cave of the Virgins and Suicide Cliffs, but you were made to feel like an interloper by the locals. I did get to Ishima (Eshima?) island where Ernie Pyle was killed and the marker was still there, but pretty much any trace of the battle from the US perspective has been wiped away off base.

The presences of US forces in the area is vital to regional security, whether on Oki, the Home Islands, Guam where ever. The JDF is incapable of extended defensive actions and cannot conduct offensive actions per the Japanese Constitution. The point thats being missed is our treaty obligations to Japan and it's defense. It's not that Tokoyo doesn't want us there, it's the fact that the Ryukans want us off Okinawa.

 

I've been around Marines, and know a few. All would be Pi$$ed and would not tolerate this kind of conduct which is unbecoming of Any Marine. Part of the Code of Conduct. Because of a few bad Apples, and this also goes for many other Countries, We can't paint All with the same Brush.

Since Reversion, however, Okinawa's dependence on the income derived from the U.S. military bases has decreased from 15.4 % of the total economy to 4.9%. With this change in the economic issues involved in the military bases, the question of base removal has become more plausible and realistic, and many people consider that a future without bases has become more of a possibility.

Now what I found confusing and is probably the cause of the problem and sending the Wrong MSG to many Marines Stationed there could be this.

Sex Trade
With the development of a sex and entertainment trade centralized around the military bases, some 7,000 Filipinas have been recruited - often on entertainment visas - as sex workers for military personnel.

From 1972 alone, more than 4,700 reported crimes have been committed by U.S. troops in Okinawa. Since 1988, Navy and Marine Corps bases in Japan (primarily located in Okinawa) have registered the highest number - 169 - of court-martial cases for sexual assault of all U.S. military bases worldwide.

Current Issues in Post-Reversion Okinawa

When your stationed far away from home and for a long time, and all the bull you have to put up with, sometimes due to frustration++++++ Things happen.

 

Maybe it's time for the USA to look at the isolationist idea.

Since WW 2 our economy has had many ups and downs. Should we look at the rest of the world and say the hell with you all ?? We could tell the world if you want to be our friend, we'll think about it and get back with you....

How much money would be lost to this "Global Economy" ?? Look at the savings we Americans could realize ?? Since we have a great neighbor to the north and 2 oceans on our east and west, invasions are next to impossible. We now have laser protection for any ICBM's sent to our land.

Since WW 2, what do we have yet to prove ??

 

Mr Steve this is a good observation, no Treat of invasion that I see. The government must pay approximately $100,000 per year for each U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa.

Current Issues in Post-Reversion Okinawa

Therefore if 47,000 are stationed their, Therefore the Savings to the US would be alot of money. That's 4'700'000'000 I don't have a calculator SO check.

 

I can see why the Japanese as well as other foreign nationals where we have bases would want the US out. I speak from experience having been stationed overseas. Even when I was in (80's/90's) there were problems caused by US servicemen in their behavior. Even in countries which were allied with the US during the war, there were servicemen who behaved like conquerors. The old saying was, if you want to see the true nature of the host nation's people, go far away from the base because those folks have not been exposed to the raunchy yanks. Unfortunately, these held true. In my opinion, there is no longer a reason to have foreign bases. The reason for having them no longer exists and as long as we have them, China and Russia will feel the need to contribute to the arms race. Remove the threat and I believe they could be more receptive/cooperative in foreign relations. But that is my two cents. In my opinion, again, I feel the US has become belligerent and arrogant when it comes to foreign affairs. Everybody has to be like us or bend to our will. Many a time I feel ashamed at being associated with the US. Before y'all pounce, I served in the US military involved in 4 different contingencies, my family served and still serves so I have the right by sacrifice to speak my mind because I did this country's dirty work. Like it or not. This country was great and can be if it remembers what it took to get there.

 

My take on it is thus: F*ck 'em in the neck!!!!! regardless of them being home islands or not.

We gave back Iwo...we've left the Phillipines and now they want us out of Oki? Nope, if anything we should expand.

If we leave the Rock then there will be a huge portion of Marine Corps/ Army heritage that will be lost.

 

My thoughts exactly, Sir !! The Rock is ours, we earned it. We talk about history here and do we just ignore Japan and it's past ?? Japan is trying to rewrite it's own history and play the part of victim.

It is a stratigic giant. If we give this up then give them all up. Get out of the Middle East, get out of Europe and tell the rest of the world to go to hell. Then watch the world distruct OUTSIDE of our boarders. Sorry no Marshall Plan this time.

If this happens, Then explain why so many families lost loved ones in WW 2 for nothing !!!

 

I'm sure the Soviet Union felt the same way about Eastern Europe.

 

Not even in a thousand+++++ years, will the Heritage or the exploits to endeavor to persevere of the Corps in WWII on the Rock will ever be forgotten or Lost. The Story of the Corps on the Rock is of extreme, Heroic Gallantry "Marine", Chiseled in Granite! And Not debatable.

WWII History will always remember the Corps sacrifice and their accomplishments on Oki+++. The monuments that have been erected in their Memory will always stand proudly on the Rock, even if the US Leaves.

 

I think that the Okinawans have every right to say who they want and dont want on their island, and nobody else should be able to decide for them.

I really dont think that the US needs to hold onto a Japanese home island just to say "Yeah, we fought there" but rather it seems like some Americans prefer a benevolent image of themselves, so what would be wrong with saying "We fought there, and look what we did for the people" it just seems unnecessary in todays society to need to keep a large island as a visual trophy.

I can see no viable military reason for holding onto Okinawa except for bases in the defense against the false threat of Russia and China who really arent running off to start any nuclear wars on their own accord.

The Russians and Chinese are really not our problem, they are nothing more then wolves backed into a corner by the powerful US media. This would be a perfect way for to show that Americans do trust the Japanese with their own land, and that the cold war is truly over.

 

Okinawa and the Phillipines were the most accessible battle fields in the Pacific, for the majority. Way more Marines have been to Okinanwa than Iwo Jima. Iwo is all but cut off from US visits.

 

I am almost sorry I brought this subject up.

I would rather read the other posts about the battles of WW 2 rather that a political discussion about the results of a terrible battle during a terrible war.

It is a discussion that really hits home to many people and countries. It can't have a "happy" solution.

Just remember, in the late 1930's we could have been the sleezy arms broker of a global war. Europe and Asia is a long way from us. Let's sell tanks, airplanes, artillery, rifles to everyone !! We could of made a fortune for many decades.....

BUT !! This country made a stand, we made a choice to stop the aggression. We made a choice...

The demands of the world to get out and stay out could be deadly but if that's what you want OK...Take a vote.... After all our, military fought on your land to give you that right. If the people of Japan vote us out then we'll go and never come back.

If Okinawa goes...... Every base overseas should go too. It would be the final chapter and the final lesson of WW 2 for USA.