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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012.Pentagon vows new measures in Okinawa after alleged rape
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Hayden Wellstone
I know.
saidani
I have no idea what you are talking about. However, I assume that you are more concerned about the trials and tribulations of the poor US troops than the desires of the Okinawans...on Okinawa...the home of the Okinawan people.
To be sure, the US brass has a difficult job in this situation. However, it is asking too much to expect the local public to make their jobs any less difficult.
Now, you can please explain what you learned in Mrs. Smith's high school sociology class that has any bearing on this subject at all.
Hayden Wellstone
sadani,
I'm guessing you've never seen the inside of a sociology class. Pity that.
saidani
The problem many Okinawans have is that Americans already act like they own the place. And what makes you think that the Japanese want to interact more with these troops?
You are in Japan. Any resentment should be directed toward the US government which sent you here. The Japanese are not obligated to make your life better or easier or more enjoyable or make you feel welcome or entitled to any sense of "ownership."
The locals feel that the Americans are not respectful nor disciplined. This comment rather confirms those feelings.
Hayden Wellstone
Does anyone want to bet that the decision that will come down on high will actually cause things to get worse. All of the curfews just lead to resentment of the Japanese by some servicemembers. They need to forget about the curfew and get their Sailors off the ships and in apartments out in town. The more they interact with the Japanese, the better the chance for them to develop a sense of ownership of Japan. A lot will see they have a vested interest in keeping things safe in "their town."
Back in the days of old, there were no curfews and we were encouraged to interact with the Japanese as much as possible. Friendships were forged and the likelihood of doing something really stupid wasn't as great.
Locking Sailors on the base just increases their stress levels and causes some to feel resentment toward the Japanese.
There's no way anyone at the Pentagon is going figure that out. And they wonder why, with every new curfew or rule, things only get better for a short time before something really bad happens. Caging Sailors up on the base will not help one iota. In fact, it will lead to the next stupid decision made by a Sailor while drunk and off base.
And let's just dispel the myth that an earlier curfew will curb drinking. It doesn't matter what time the curfew is, an hour before it goes into effect, guys and gals will be pounding shots to get their drink on before they have to return to the base. The curfew encourages binge drinking.
If I saw that happening once, I saw it a thousand times.
Olegek
They were US soldiers ....
darknuts
Why do people forget one simple fact? That these men were not stationed in okinawa and therefore even if the bases were not here this could have happened. Why punish the military in Okinawa for something they didn't do?
whiskeysour
Blanket Punishment - That's one of the many reasons why I got out of the military.
I hate receiving punishment for STUPID PEOPLE'S ACTIONS. Somebody steals a car in Yokohama - every service member in Japan is punished.
When I was a serviceman, i've seen crazy behavior from Officers, Enlisted, and etc.
Regardless of rank, if one of your servicemen is acting up or to far drunk to control themselves. It's your duty & authority to send that guy home and sleep it off regardless of rank.
REMEMBER Your Cultural Ambassadors blah blah blah uplifting speech blah blah blah.
When I was in Japan, I've seen Marine & Navy guys punch Japan citizens in the face, stealing automobiles, robbery, perverted things, not paying for cab fare and all the ugliness.
I saw the worst fight I've ever seen during a visit to Guam.
BertieWooster
I wonder that anyone is surprised at the outcome.
These two idiots couldn't have chosen a worst time.
What with the Ospreys, broken promises to hand back Futenma, the length of time and continuing violence, Okinawans are reaching the end of their tether.
They've put up with the US military for far too long.
Olegek
What really happens when one progressive democracy occupies other (a little bit less progressive) ?
noirgaijin
Two nuts that are NOT stationed on Okinawa, are there for less than 24 hours, and some here want to lockdown the bases on those who live there and have been on their best behavior for years. Blanket punishment does nothing more than make good people want to do bad. If found guilty punish them to the fullest, the message will be clear to anyone who thinks about doing this in the future.
Brian Sutton
Yeah another lock down probably... Hopefully it doesn't effect us civilians..
nath
It's ground hog day again. They will impose a still curfew for a while and then will lift it. I'm sorry to say this will not be the last incident of this type. It will happen again. Sad but true.
YuriOtani
It would be good to keep the young ones on base during the late hours. The drinking part is an excuse as rape does not require being drunk. They must have some good evidence for moving so fast and or yielding to political pressure.
megosaa
...forever i hope.
mpoki
Sounds like a lockdown again...we'll see how long this one lasts...
Ronald F Stark
By all means remove ALL U.S. military forces from Okinawa as soon as possible! When the last one leaves remove Okinawa and all of its islands from the U.S. Japan security treaty, cease all Japanese government subsidies, all U.S. subsidies, etc. Leave the Okinawan population to live in peace and 100% responsible for their own safety and security.
semperfi
It is about time ------------- almost too late--------------------------USA has damaged it's credibility and Japanese waht them OUT.
chooch
Ringside:
I think that they are going by the "innocent until proven guilty" idea that most progressive democracies subscribe to. You'll be happy for it if you're ever accused of something you didn't do.
Herve Nmn L'Eisa
Off-base liberty is secured(cancelled). That'll work.
nath
May have endured? I'm sure she didn't enjoy it. This is something she will have to live with for the rest of her life. Ther's no getting over it.
And they say, "may have?"
megosaa
good on ya!