gokuh73 comments

I am sorry that I must take this attitude, but I am tired of the petty whining by both sides. I think that if Japan wants to scrap the current agreement, fine. That means that all the concessions made by the Americans (reduced flight hours, flight paths, plans to reduce bases and personnel) should be scrapped as well. Begin FULL flight operations at Futenma immediately. Place signs on all the gates notifying the Okinawan people that due to the Japanese gov't and recent elections, negotiations must start again from scratch. They also need to increase the base housing available and move all military on base. Restrict them to base and limit their off base access. Remove all local nationals from base access and give the US dependents jobs on base. Once the people start feeling the pain because of the loss of the jobs and spending by the Americans, their tune will change and the silent majority will be heard.

The plan would have reduced Okinawa's "burden" by closing Kinser, Futenma and Lester while increasing the presence inside of an already established base. The "beaches" that would be bulldozed were inside the current base and not accessible to any except those on the base.

Again, I hate to take this stance because I love Okinawa and have lived here in harmony with the Okinawan people for almost 12 years associated with the military. But when the people are swayed by smooth talking politicians and liberal media (like the US was recently), the silent majority must be prodded to wake up and speak up. Look at what is happening with the US and its' smooth talking politicians and see what is in store for the DPJ in future elections.

shoulda just kept it when we had it...woulda made a nice training base to stage LARGE SCALE military exercises whenever N. Korea started sabre rattling.....Think of all the bombing and artillery practice that could be hosted here......Hey, we could even close the Hawaii bases and forward stage them all out here...plus there would be less whining by the vocal minority, they wouldn't be here....