Today’s New York Times piece (11/29/10) on the re-election of a governor of Okinawa who opposes the U.S. military base there seems to treat the views of the People Who Live There as one thing to maybe think about, and an annoying, in-the-way thing at that, with residents’ resistance described, variously, as a “wrench,” a “thorn” and a “headache”. (Overall, the piece reads a bit like the reaction of the Japanese national government to Hirokazu Nakaima’s re-election as “one manifestation of public opinion.” Yes, elections are that.)
Majority local opposition to the base is noted second, after the Japanese prime minister’s view that the base is “a critical deterrent against regional security threats–a message driven home by North Korea’s deadly artillery strike on a South Korean islet on Tuesday.” Can you “drive home” something that isn’t true? Sounds more like the Times thinks the deterrence capability’s crucialness is a fact, not a “message,” and that the artillery strike just proves it. One could just as easily point out that the U.S. presence there could be part of what keeps North Korea on edge. The fact that South Korea can conduct mock invasions and war games with the assistance of the most powerful military on the planet might not seem like peacekeeping to everyone.
Also, I guess the Okinawan governor’s opponent’s proposal that the base be moved out of Japan altogether is “strident” by definition, since the paper doesn’t point out any way he was particularly loud or shrill about it. He has the wrong opinion; that makes him a screamer.
Wouldn’t North Korea’s recent attack against South Korea prove that the presence of US military bases simply does not act as a good deterrent?
For a good insight into the whole sorry mess that our Okinawan base creates daily, see Chalmers Johnson’s indispensable “Blowback”.
The main reason for the North Korean attack is that the US is still at war with North Korea. A peace treaty is the solution. More troops or fewer troops in Okinawa will not end a war in Korea that has lasted 60 years. If this logic were sound, the Bush administration would not have moved troops out of South Korea to redeploy them to Iraq.
Folks… I know Okinawa well. There are MANY US Military bases there!
The main objection is NOT the Air Force Base Kadina. It’s the thousands of US Marines who have to practice blowing shit up! That’s offensive in anybody’s back yard.
Also be aware that there is a massive BUILD UP on (not IN tishado…when you’re speaking of islands) US Teritory Guam.
It’s a hell of a lot cheeper for us to move the USMC off Okinawa, and let them mess up Guam.
Japan’s a poor little country that’s totally dependent on the US for it’s defense. They ought to be greatfull that we’re there to look out for them. If I was in charge I’d pull the hell out and let them defend themselves. With all the money they save on defense they can afford to subsidize their manufacturing industries and have an unfair advantage over us. Why the hell do we put up with their crap anyway. Oh wait….I forgot. Can you spell Evil Empire?
Liberalinsc
We cant move to Guam.Remember that Dem Congressmen told us it would sink with all the Marines(and was he kidding? Jesus i hope so)
There are some very complicated force forward geopolitical military reasons for American bases in certain strategic locations.I don’t know if we will ever sit in on a joint chiefs of staffs meeting to see the wisdom of a base on that Island.My guess is we wont.
It’s come to my attention that the above-named author, Chalmers Johnson, died on the 20th of November. A great loss, to be sure. If you want to know why our country feels the need to keep a base on Okinawa (and I mean “on” Okinawa), and terrorize the Okinawan citizenry with rapes, murders, and the destruction of immense amounts of land, don’t sit on your hands and think the Generals and diplomats know best. Read his books–especially the trilogy that starts with “Blowback.” Keep in mind while you’re reading “Blowback” that it was written before 9/11. A remarkble, chilling book.
Today is dec 7th.A time to remember why we were ever there in the first place. And a time to remember the great sacrifice of our marines who then and now are not…..rapists,and other dishonorable names.They are also the best and the brightest America sends forth to defend and secure our liberties.
One wonders how some are able to wave flags, sing Hymns, beat their chests, pat themselves on the back and type at the same time. Maybe it’s because they have 3 pair of hands for what they believe in; Hear no Evil, See no Evil and Speak no evil. Those are saved for anyone who finds fault with their dogma.
Dogma no….memory.Memory