makes1 comments

"The vast majority of Japanese people are quite happy with remaining a pacifist country."

Yes Bertie, but he doesn't care, AND he's dead set upon destroying the economy - he's halfway there, already.

"the US respects freedom of speech more than probably 99% of other countries."

Out of ~ 200 countries, . . . "in the United States (46th)"

New math?

Freedom Index: "Reporters Without Borders"

"Countries that pride themselves on being democracies and respecting the rule of law have not set an example, far from it. Freedom of information is too often sacrificed to an overly broad and abusive interpretation of national security needs, marking a disturbing retreat from democratic practices. Investigative journalism often suffers as a result.

This has been the case in the United States (46th), which fell 13 places, one of the most significant declines, amid increased efforts to track down whistleblowers and the sources of leaks."

Economists at the University of the Ryukyus have studied this situation for years and have determined the amount of off-base money spent by the American military is negligible. Shintoshin located where the old Makiminato Base existed contributes far more to the local economy than all bases combined.

Protestors are paid NOTHING for participation and come of their own volition,

AND what Bertie says is true: "And they do NOT create security and safety in the Asian sphere. They create a dangerous environment for Okinawa, which is one reason why Okinawans want the US military off their island."

"Cautious" people like abe?

"a perception that the presence of so many young servicemen is a source of crime." With all due respect to the writer, I live here, and there is NO perception of crime by the military. There are a plethora of incidents of crime, many of which of unreported.

true okinawa: Do you even know what the word "communist" means?

scipantheist, many of these countries were NOT rubble until america stepped in and turned them into rubble.

"Okianwa" felt a little "backwards."

VERY surprising!

It TRULY is the "land of the setting sun."

Add all the total hours, and teachers would do better working at a combini!

l

First Only mainlanders are against the base. Okinawans in general don't care if it is there.

helly, you must know VERY few Okinawans

"The poll, conducted Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, also found that some 70 percent of respondents believe the Hatoyama administration should negotiate with the United States to have the base relocated outside the prefecture"

http://community.apan.org/map/tng/b/northeast_asia_daily_news/archive/2009/11/03/mainichi-poll-70-percent-of-okinawans-want-futenma-moved-out-of-prefecture-japan.aspx

Do you have to study to be so ignorant of FACTS, or does it come naturally?