Comments on: Japanese Protest USS George Washington in Yokosuka http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/ Just another Navy guy living in Japan... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:28:43 +0000 By: Tony http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-365939 Tony Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:31:05 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-365939 Yes, the Japanese did put up the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Parks (I've been to Nagasaki and it is a very impressive place...and the area around the blast epicenter is very chilling) to remind the world of the horrors of nuclear war. There can be a long and drawn out discussion about the wisdom on the part of Truman to drop two nuclear weapons on Japan at the close of the war, as well as the wisdom of the Japanese government to continue the war after the disaster at Okinawa, not to mention the disasters leading up to that battle. Needless to say, at the time, it seemed like a good idea after 12,000 KIA and 36,000 wounded in Okinawa, it's still one of those "I'm glad I didn't have to make that call" decision. Granted, the GW fire did not help at all with the perceptions about the first ever nuclear powered warship permanently stationed in Japan. The protests are not pointed towards the Navy personnel on base, but towards the GOJ who assented to Washington's request to station the GW here. But what choice did they have in the face of the geo-political situation rising here with the US no longer having any conventional carriers and reality of the Chinese building thier own carrier, though not completed. Its not as if the Japanese are concerned about China alone (lets not forget thier good friends in South Korea are starting to build up a modern navy...they just launched thier newest AEGIS DDG this month and the Taiwanese who the Japanese have had issues with since the 17th century), but they know that it is to thier interest to have the, while we in the Navy at times scoff about it, premier Navy in the world at close call. On an unrelated note, there's a good chance that those people marching in the sun probably recieved more harmful "radiation" from the sun than they will probably recieve from the CVN during its stay in Japan, short of a total catastrophe occuring (crossing fingers). Yes, the Japanese did put up the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Parks (I’ve been to Nagasaki and it is a very impressive place…and the area around the blast epicenter is very chilling) to remind the world of the horrors of nuclear war. There can be a long and drawn out discussion about the wisdom on the part of Truman to drop two nuclear weapons on Japan at the close of the war, as well as the wisdom of the Japanese government to continue the war after the disaster at Okinawa, not to mention the disasters leading up to that battle. Needless to say, at the time, it seemed like a good idea after 12,000 KIA and 36,000 wounded in Okinawa, it’s still one of those “I’m glad I didn’t have to make that call” decision.

Granted, the GW fire did not help at all with the perceptions about the first ever nuclear powered warship permanently stationed in Japan. The protests are not pointed towards the Navy personnel on base, but towards the GOJ who assented to Washington’s request to station the GW here. But what choice did they have in the face of the geo-political situation rising here with the US no longer having any conventional carriers and reality of the Chinese building thier own carrier, though not completed. Its not as if the Japanese are concerned about China alone (lets not forget thier good friends in South Korea are starting to build up a modern navy…they just launched thier newest AEGIS DDG this month and the Taiwanese who the Japanese have had issues with since the 17th century), but they know that it is to thier interest to have the, while we in the Navy at times scoff about it, premier Navy in the world at close call.

On an unrelated note, there’s a good chance that those people marching in the sun probably recieved more harmful “radiation” from the sun than they will probably recieve from the CVN during its stay in Japan, short of a total catastrophe occuring (crossing fingers).

]]> By: cheloso http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-328708 cheloso Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:16:28 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-328708 A Capn Zack! I'm a piggin up what your puttin' down brotha. But yeah, your crap was rude as hell. It reminds of the Marine General (?) who said the jarheads who raped that girl in OKI should have spent the rental van money on a hooker... My Q 2 You is about CV 63... WTF happened? I was on the Indy and we were gentlemen (cough cough) but I haven't heard any dirt Re the Kitty. So, OK... what did they do... A Capn Zack!

I’m a piggin up what your puttin’ down brotha. But yeah, your crap was rude as hell. It reminds of the Marine General (?) who said the jarheads who raped that girl in OKI should have spent the rental van money on a hooker… My Q 2 You is about CV 63… WTF happened? I was on the Indy and we were gentlemen (cough cough) but I haven’t heard any dirt Re the Kitty. So, OK… what did they do…

]]> By: CAPT Zack Sparrow http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-326795 CAPT Zack Sparrow Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:57:42 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-326795 Yes I know my spelling and grammar syntax royaly blow, I do sincerly appologize (probaly spelled that wrong too) for that. Spell checker should probably be my best friend at this moment. Yes I know my spelling and grammar syntax royaly blow, I do sincerly appologize (probaly spelled that wrong too) for that. Spell checker should probably be my best friend at this moment.

]]> By: Larry O`Rielly http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-322400 Larry O`Rielly Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:43:51 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-322400 Dude, Never mind your comments, just fix your spelling.- it sucks! Dude,
Never mind your comments, just fix your spelling.- it sucks!

]]> By: CAPT. Zack Sparrow http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-318236 CAPT. Zack Sparrow Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:45:59 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-318236 Just so everyone knows I do know that the comment I made was in a way, crude. It was not intended to make a mockery of what happened. Yes I know it was bad event and I do, belive it or not, understand this. I have been to Hyroshima and Nagasaki and been to the peace memorials there and paid my respects. I have been to the island the bombs flew off of and to the location in New Mexico wher they were made. I have seen the effects of radiation poisoning in living and dead tissue. The last comment was made as a light hearted off color joke. Some of the punch is lost without a tone of voice behind and i tend to forget that but I wasn't serious about it in that way. It was more of a kinda get over it style thing. It may have been a bad event but that was in an entirly different time in sense of who we were as individual countries and train of thought. We have since moved beyond that as whole human beings here. Every comment i may make like that isn't meant to be ignorant or disrespectfull as a whole but more of a different twist in views. I loved Japan and enjoyed being there even though i do make fun of cultural differences but I do it equaly across the board every where i have been including the states. What I was trying to imply was a (and people are going to get pissed off about this one) get over it attitude. Every country has some history changing event happen and latches on to the bad effects of it. There was unjust bias against those of middle eastern decent here in the states after 9/11 because of the acts of a very select few. And there the actions of those during most of our great grandparents or grandparents times are affecting the transition there. All I was trying to imply, although threw crudeness I'll give it that, was lets all get get past the parts of the past that unfarely alter our judgments and see things on both sides. I did however mean that nothing can be worse than the hawk, that thing is a curse from hell for everybody. Just so everyone knows I do know that the comment I made was in a way, crude. It was not intended to make a mockery of what happened. Yes I know it was bad event and I do, belive it or not, understand this. I have been to Hyroshima and Nagasaki and been to the peace memorials there and paid my respects. I have been to the island the bombs flew off of and to the location in New Mexico wher they were made. I have seen the effects of radiation poisoning in living and dead tissue. The last comment was made as a light hearted off color joke. Some of the punch is lost without a tone of voice behind and i tend to forget that but I wasn’t serious about it in that way. It was more of a kinda get over it style thing. It may have been a bad event but that was in an entirly different time in sense of who we were as individual countries and train of thought. We have since moved beyond that as whole human beings here. Every comment i may make like that isn’t meant to be ignorant or disrespectfull as a whole but more of a different twist in views. I loved Japan and enjoyed being there even though i do make fun of cultural differences but I do it equaly across the board every where i have been including the states. What I was trying to imply was a (and people are going to get pissed off about this one) get over it attitude. Every country has some history changing event happen and latches on to the bad effects of it. There was unjust bias against those of middle eastern decent here in the states after 9/11 because of the acts of a very select few. And there the actions of those during most of our great grandparents or grandparents times are affecting the transition there. All I was trying to imply, although threw crudeness I’ll give it that, was lets all get get past the parts of the past that unfarely alter our judgments and see things on both sides. I did however mean that nothing can be worse than the hawk, that thing is a curse from hell for everybody.

]]> By: DriK! http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-317726 DriK! Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:58:50 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-317726 Whether they like it or not, the GW will come here. They can protest all they want, but they're going to get used to it and eventually it wont be a problem and get used to the idea of a nuclear powered carrier. They are just ignorant on what nuclear power is all about, and when they see there is nothing to worry about, they wont care anymore. As far as the first comment on this post goes, I know that individual known as Zach and I believe that at one point he did go to Kure, which is not far from Hiroshima. With an attitude like his, more than likely he did not go Hiroshima, but I wasn't on the ship yet. I did visit Peace Park, the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Museum, but Zach had already checked off, but I have never felt so terrible for what had happened. I wish I was around to aid those who were caught in the blast, but then again, my Father was not even born yet. None the less, it did happen and making fun of those who suffered in the blast is an unforgivable. Zach, you are seriously the most fucked up person I have ever met. Thank God you are not at this command anymore. Whether they like it or not, the GW will come here. They can protest all they want, but they’re going to get used to it and eventually it wont be a problem and get used to the idea of a nuclear powered carrier. They are just ignorant on what nuclear power is all about, and when they see there is nothing to worry about, they wont care anymore.

As far as the first comment on this post goes, I know that individual known as Zach and I believe that at one point he did go to Kure, which is not far from Hiroshima. With an attitude like his, more than likely he did not go Hiroshima, but I wasn’t on the ship yet. I did visit Peace Park, the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Museum, but Zach had already checked off, but I have never felt so terrible for what had happened. I wish I was around to aid those who were caught in the blast, but then again, my Father was not even born yet. None the less, it did happen and making fun of those who suffered in the blast is an unforgivable.

Zach, you are seriously the most fucked up person I have ever met. Thank God you are not at this command anymore.

]]> By: I*heart*rice http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-317424 I*heart*rice Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:17:45 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-317424 <blockquote>WXgesr said: Let’s see how you feel about your point after that.</blockquote> No one said anything about Pearl Harbor. That's not the point. You can't sit there and compare two wrongs and expect that to make a right.

WXgesr said: Let’s see how you feel about your point after that.

No one said anything about Pearl Harbor. That’s not the point. You can’t sit there and compare two wrongs and expect that to make a right.

]]> By: CS1(SS) Tim Poole http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-317230 CS1(SS) Tim Poole Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:29:54 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-317230 This situation is one that cannot be debated reasonably in this type of forum. Nor should it, none of us were there so lets keep the insensitive no, ignorant comments to a minimum. That being said as Americans we can’t even begin to fathom the depth of what the Japanese went through after we nuked them. And visa versa when they bombed Pearl. It is said that war affects the sons of 4 generations. My grandfather who was involved in the island hopping campaign of the Pacific hated the Japanese with a passion until the day he died. Some people on both sides of the war have an inability to forgive because it’s still being fought in their memories. How haunting must it have been to be 19 and your job was to use a flamethrower to burn people out of caves because dying was preferred to surrender. Likewise how horrible it must have been to, in the blink of an eye witness thousands of people vaporized or even live with the after effects of radiation. The Japanese are allowed to protest. I live in DC and don’t like the protesters around here but you have to deal with it. Just think…What if we weren’t allowed to protest? The majority of people on this earth can’t. Don’t take it for granted! This goes much deeper than an Aircraft Carrier powered by a “hot” rock, it’s not that simple. As Americans we are still affected by our own Civil War and that was from 1861-65. I predict that it will take somewhere around 175 years until World War 2 fades from memory. Being that we are in the military don’t forget the big picture. Japan is a foreword deployed base of operations for the US. Strategically, Japan is priceless for us. You may not realize it but just by you guys serving there, you are without a doubt securing the long term safety of the US. Don’t forget, there are a lot of bad guys out there. You don’t always have to fight them to deter them. This situation is one that cannot be debated reasonably in this type of forum. Nor should it, none of us were there so lets keep the insensitive no, ignorant comments to a minimum. That being said as Americans we can’t even begin to fathom the depth of what the Japanese went through after we nuked them. And visa versa when they bombed Pearl. It is said that war affects the sons of 4 generations. My grandfather who was involved in the island hopping campaign of the Pacific hated the Japanese with a passion until the day he died. Some people on both sides of the war have an inability to forgive because it’s still being fought in their memories. How haunting must it have been to be 19 and your job was to use a flamethrower to burn people out of caves because dying was preferred to surrender. Likewise how horrible it must have been to, in the blink of an eye witness thousands of people vaporized or even live with the after effects of radiation.

The Japanese are allowed to protest. I live in DC and don’t like the protesters around here but you have to deal with it. Just think…What if we weren’t allowed to protest? The majority of people on this earth can’t. Don’t take it for granted!

This goes much deeper than an Aircraft Carrier powered by a “hot” rock, it’s not that simple. As Americans we are still affected by our own Civil War and that was from 1861-65. I predict that it will take somewhere around 175 years until World War 2 fades from memory.

Being that we are in the military don’t forget the big picture. Japan is a foreword deployed base of operations for the US. Strategically, Japan is priceless for us. You may not realize it but just by you guys serving there, you are without a doubt securing the long term safety of the US. Don’t forget, there are a lot of bad guys out there. You don’t always have to fight them to deter them.

]]> By: SV http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-317148 SV Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:47:30 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-317148 <strong>..and then try to find the alledged Pearl Habor Victory Museum which is also, supposedly, in Hiroshima. Let’s see how you feel about your point after that. </strong> How can you speak about something you've never seen? You've never seen it, because it doesn't exist. It's an urban legend perpetuated by ignorant people on the internet. Funny, my uncle came all the way from Hiroshima so he could go to Mikasa museum because he had never seen such a thing before. Nice try. ..and then try to find the alledged Pearl Habor Victory Museum which is also, supposedly, in Hiroshima. Let’s see how you feel about your point after that.
How can you speak about something you’ve never seen? You’ve never seen it, because it doesn’t exist. It’s an urban legend perpetuated by ignorant people on the internet.

Funny, my uncle came all the way from Hiroshima so he could go to Mikasa museum because he had never seen such a thing before.

Nice try.

]]> By: SV http://fewl.net/2008/07/19/japanese-protest-uss-george-washington-in-yokosuka/#comment-317146 SV Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:38:13 +0000 http://fewl.net/?p=293#comment-317146 You can bet that the majority of the people involved with these organized protests are the same people who get out and protest the US military being in Japan at all. I don't feel these small groups are representative of the overall Japanese opinion. When I asked some elderly Japanese people what they thought about the GW coming, most of them took a negative opinion based solely on the worry that a catastrophic accident could happen. To you, or anyone else it seems illogical but that's where the sensitivity to history kicks in. I'm sure many people understand what the nuclear power is used for. However, it is not nuclear power the Japanese are generating or are in control of, and I feel that's where their worries and insecurities lie. I can't speak for the whole population of Japan, but the small group of old folks I spoke with feel that way. The US Navy has done what they can to inform the public, but it's not going to prevent a small segment of Japanese society from not wanting us or our nuclear carrier here. You can bet that the majority of the people involved with these organized protests are the same people who get out and protest the US military being in Japan at all.

I don’t feel these small groups are representative of the overall Japanese opinion.

When I asked some elderly Japanese people what they thought about the GW coming, most of them took a negative opinion based solely on the worry that a catastrophic accident could happen. To you, or anyone else it seems illogical but that’s where the sensitivity to history kicks in.

I’m sure many people understand what the nuclear power is used for. However, it is not nuclear power the Japanese are generating or are in control of, and I feel that’s where their worries and insecurities lie. I can’t speak for the whole population of Japan, but the small group of old folks I spoke with feel that way.

The US Navy has done what they can to inform the public, but it’s not going to prevent a small segment of Japanese society from not wanting us or our nuclear carrier here.

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