Saketown comments

Well Admiral, welcome to the hardest job you are ever gonna have in your Naval Career - Retaining the "Status Quo".

Currently you have 7th Fleet and U.S. Forces in Japan (Yokosuka & Sasebo) at your Command and whatever China brings to your desk in an all out effort to change the Starus Quo, don't forget that Douglas MacArther and Chester Nimitz pivoted their Legacies at keeping The United States a Peaeful yet Powerful Force in the Asian/Pacific Region. You will also be charged with maintaining the Freedom of Navigation in the Pacific Region & to keep Japan safe per our Treaty with Japan Post WW2 - that's our Promise.

With that said, God Speed Admiral!

Look how China's Military "Land Reclaimation" (Invasion) of the South China Sea has rattled their own markets.

Their unilateral actions has triggered Foreign Investors to become too nervous to trust China anymore and they're starting to Bail on China.

China's own Greed & Corruption will soon become their own Worst Enemy and without a Democracy in place to stabilize the populace & keep the Government in Check with a system of Checks & Balances - they'll soon be looking looking for someone to Kingpin and attack.

Slamming, Babling, Military Drills, and Saber-Rattling will get absolutely nowhere folks.

China will just keep pushing forward until the U.N. Security Council votes on a Militarty Resolution to halt ALL of China's activities around the Spratley Islands.

THEN Naval Blockades may be established, but little too late for that since Washington fell asleep at the switch and let China complete the "Island Reclaimation" or for a better sense of the word "Invasion".

And you all have heard China's response - They're not gonna budge now that they are all comfy and cozy on their new islands.

The mistake The Philippines made; was back in the early 1990's when they persisted for the U.S. Military leave The Phillipines.

Mt Pinatubo eruption pretty much sealed the deal, but there was time to offer a alternative base relocation, but we just didn't feel very welcome in the Philippines, and if we still had an active U.S. Military Naval and Airbase like we had in Subic Bay & NAS Cubi Point - The Phillipines wouldn't be having this problem with China on their back doorstep would they?

The Japanse in Okinawa had better take serous consideration before demanding the U.S. Military leave Okinwa because I guarantee Okinawa - it won't be a matter of "IF" but "WHEN" The Communist Incursion will be at their doorstep.

Scrapping the current plans & design for the Olympic Staduim in Tokyo had more to do with unhappy Japanese Citizens who are expecting a design that reflects Japanese Culture or a Japanese Iconic Image.

And you can't blame the Japanese for how they feel right?

After all, they do have over a 1,000 Year Cultural History in Japan that the Japanese cherish as part of their entire existence on this planet.

With that said, this is a Big Deal for the Japanese and their National Pride is riding on these 2020 Olympic Games.

I am willing to bet that's the Japanese will gladly spend 250 Bill Yen IF the stadium is designed by a Japanese and it reflects an Iconic Image of Japan.

My thoughts were a stadium built that peaks upward and then designed to look like Mount Fuji.

Thoughts?

Gosh Japan, what took you so long?

What was Japan going to do? Wait until they get attacked by China or North Korea and THEN decide to enact Security Laws?

I believe for most Japanese, they have been living under the Security Blanket of The United States for so long, that they had become short sighted to the Clear and Present dangers that surround their small ocean boarders.

Don't get me wrong, The U.S. Will help Japan (it's in the Pacifist Constitution) but thanks to Wall Street - to an extent. Plus the Japanese cannot depend on The United Stated forever and frankly with the Soft Tone from Washington towards China and North Korea lately - The Japanese Government had to make a Sound Decision to Secure their Country from external threats and incursions, its Land & Ocean Boarders AND to "Get Ready" just in case.

The Kamakura Shogunate may have repelled the Mongolian Invasion thanks to a Super Typhoon. However, the Japanese cannot count on another Super Typhoon to repel a Chinese or a North Korean Invasion.

And if you all think I am just talking smack, then mark the words from a voice who lived during The Roman Empire:

"He is best secure from dangers who is on his guard even when he seems safe." - Publilus Syrus 32BC

What choice does the world have right now?

Iran is the only Arab Country that has the best capabilities to get the most heavily involved at fighting Islamic State and continuing sanctions simply inhibits Irans ability to do this. Iraq needs their help and this is the only way.

And Benjamon Netanyahu needs to Cool His Jets with all this "Iran = Armageddon" talk and furthermore, Netanyahu needs to contribute more to Peace in the Middle East instead of Fear Mongering the Oil Salivating Republicans in Congress.

And don't think for a moment that these sanctions on Iran aren't about Oil. The 2nd Largest Oil reserves are contained in Iran. 1/4 of the world oil comes out of Iran (or it used too) and remember when Gas was on .98 cents a gallon? Follow me here? Wonder why Oil SHOT UP after Bush & Cheney invaded Iraq & slapped heavy sanctions on Iran and it had nothing to do with the The Ayatollah coming to Power - It was The Ayatollah telling that Oil Gang known as OPEC where they can shove it because he wasn't gonna play their game.

Look I'm just a dumb Country Boy from Texas, but I can tell ya'll Sanctions on Iran are useless, senseless, and fruitless.

Honestly, we need Iran. We need their support at fighting ISIS and I don't want to see Young Americans die senselessly against the most Vicious Islamic Militants the world has ever seen, but if this enemy can be fought by another Muslim Faction that knows them better than we do and if lifting sanctions opens the Arab Spring - then by God do it.

This is why Communist Countries like China sooner or later (sooner rather than later) need to recess their markets and sell off.

You NEVER Bull-Run your Markets without having a Major Sell Off of stocks or fall back into a Recession to cool off your markets.

China's market has been so strong in the past 12 Years thanks to the outsourcing of American Jobs to China and China's continuing "Cheap Labor Market" plus over 90 Million Chinese who own personal stocks, and that is fine, but they didnt to SELL when it's time to SELL.

Instead they simply withheld their stocks in hope that their values would increase in order to sell later at a heigher value and without a timely sell off or a recession - All the Foreign Investors Bailed on them and now the Chinese Government just placed a 6 Month Ban on selling off any stocks. Now they can't sell anything and their stock values will soon deflate.

LOL - Can't wait to see the final outcome when 90 Million Chinese will soon learn that their stocks aren't worth spit, people's money lost on a stagnated & deflated market, and the Juan starts sinking like a stone cast into the sea.

In the meantime, the Japanese Yen is gaining momentum on the Juan and the U.S. dollar needless to say.

Get ready for the riots Beijing.

BTW China, still not interested in that Democracy thing?

The Japanese are gonna have to face it sooner or later that if they want to Win these Soccer/Football Games against these Tall & Big Gaijins, then they may want to put all that "Visual Nationalism" aside and start mixing in some of those "Hafu's" onto their teams (Half European - Half Japanese or Half African - Half Japanese).

They need Bigger Players. I mean look at the size and body mass differences between the Japanese players and the Americans - The Japanese just got steamrolled out there.

Technique works great and all that fancy foot-work, but what can do when some 6'1" Wall of Ragging Gaijins come charging at you with their own techniques?

You get kicked & knocked to the ground or that short goalie watches the ball fly past her after being kicked off a leg that is 3 Feet longer than hers.

Anyway, Excellent Effort to The Japanese, but I sort of knew this outcome.

Eventually - All Empires Fall.

Usually by the their own corruption or by the wrath of their own people.

That's not my opinion - That's a Historical Fact.

The question will be: What side of History will Communist China stand on?

There is no Miscnveption - it is very clear:

Find me 1 sunken Chinese Warship at "Iron Bottom Sound" in Guadalcanal or The Coral Sea or Midway Islands or Leyte Gulf or Samar or Vella Gulf - any sunken Chinese Warships?

Who routed the Japanese through the Surigao Straits and subsequently sunk the Battleship Musashi in the Sibuyan Sea?

Certainly not any Chinese Warship.

Find me 1 dead Chinese Soldier on Saipan, Guam, Pelilu, Phillipines, Ieo Jima or Okinawa?

They had the troops, why didn't they help?

China was invaded by Imperial Japan and placed under Heavy Occupation until the U.S. came to China's rescue.

The only contribution that China played during WW2 and for the U.S. and their allies was allowing us to use their Airfields for refueling - and that's it.

Mao Zedong and his group of Comminist Rebels were hiding and cowering until the U.S. drove the then Imperial Japan to the point of retreat and it was only THEN the Communist Rebels came out and started fighting with simple rifles and small cannons.

And THAT as their Legacy during World War 2.

Laughable and Pathetic.

Knowing how Communist China was going to turn on the U.S. the way they did Post WW2 (Korea & Vietnam) - I feel I like we should've just left the Japanese Garrisons on mainland China so they could've kept those Rat Communist Chinese from attaining a Nuclear Weapon.

I am curious how that hypothetical would've played out through history.

Case Dismissed.

There has already been Multimillions of Dollars worth in Yen paid out to South Korean Women who "allegedly" accused the then "Imperial Japanese Soldiers" of engaging in Forced Prostitution, plus Roads, Schools, and Airports have been built by the Japanese for the South Koreans in order to rebuild their infrastructure after WW2 - Free of charge.

Even through there has been Zero Evidence supporting Forced Prostitution, the numerous apologies per every Prime Minister of Japan were essentially coerced onto the Japanese Government Post WW2 by The U.S. in order to restore the peace and tranquility between the Asian Countries in order to rebuild a once War Torn Asia and to institute a culture of trust between the Asian Countries.

That was The United States vision of Asia Post WW2 until China turned Communism by The Soviet Union along with Mao Zedong's Dark Vision of Post Asia Post WW2 and those perspectives changed the Geopolitical Structure of Asia and ushered in The Korean War.

South Korea has more to appreciate from Post WW2 with Japan and if South Korea respects The United States for all that we have done for them, then they should listen to the U.S. and encourage Guen-Hye Park to find a more beneficial role as President of South Korea by building her Nationalistic Perception as more of someone who is a forward thinker and not someone who consistently hinges her reputation on events that "allegedly" happened in the very distant past.

Again, case dismissed.

These drills are useless at this point.

Really - what's the point? To scare China?

From China's refusal to halt Washington's repeated calls to immediately halt the Invasion of the South China Sea - I mean "Land Reclamation" of the South China Sea, I can see where all this is going - nowhere.

Little to late at this point to try and do anything about it and just like Pre-911 Washington is asleep at the switch again.

You all know this "Land Reclamation" by Communist China of The South China Sea did not just happen overnight. This project must've taken at least 4 Years with all the planning surveying and research before China actually started the dredging process.

I believe Washington knew for years ago that China was sand dredging the islands and Washington and the U.N. just idly stood back and let them do it without any Stern Warnings to immediately halt then and not now.

So what's the penalty? Economic Sanctions on China? Raise the Tarrifs on all imports from China? Naval blockade to halt any further Militarization of the South China Sea?

So far Defense Secretary Carter and Admiral Harris have delivered some tough talk to China, but their tough talk fell on deaf ears in since the Chinese know that Washington is being constrained by Wall Street who continues to outsource American Jobs and Business to China.

Looks like China just spun that pivot right back on Washington.

@Yosun - Well the British were invading the Faulklsnds - plain and simple. The point being is that The Phillipines have administered the Spratly Islands (just as the Japanese the Senkakku's) since the end of WW2 and there were NO DISPUTES up until 1992 when researchers suddenly discovered Natural Reserrves in this areas and then suddenly Communist China starts moving in claiming "This is our Sovereign Territory - You Go!"

Everyone needs to understand being British, Chinese, or American, just because Natural Reserves become prominent in a region favorable you your Nation does not mean for your Nation to start planting your Military there and making boastful threats to nations that have already regionalized these areas and administered them for many many years.

Finally, there is No Disputing International Waters and I wish the media would stop putting a spin on what is well perceived as an Invasions to be coined as "Land Reclamation" and Territorial Incirsions as "Disputes".

Beijings idea of Hong Kong's Democratic future is more than just a "Fake Democracy" - it's a downright "Facade" coupled by "Irrevocable Despotism".

But that's Communism right? "Do as I say - And not as I do."

"The Communist Party has the voice and You do not."

Right? Is that Fair? Is that Humane?

Democracy = Freedom = The Voice of The People

As an American, I am very concerned for Hong Kong.

Well the mistake was not who gained legal rights of the Spratly Islands and their respective territory - it's been contested for 100's of years but 99% - it's The Phillipines.

The mistake and I may I use the term "Regret" was The Phillipines wanted the United States Military off their islands before 1991.

When Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the U.S. decided to give the Phillipines what they protested for so many years - We left the Philippine Islands for good.

And now look what happened - China's Invasion.

I hope the Governor of Okinawa is taking notes.

Yes, and no matter how the term is Coined by the Communist Friendly Media these days - "Land Reclamation" = INVASION

Communist China is invading the South China Sea.

Hitler did not "Reclaim" Poland - he Invaded it, occupied it, and expanded Nazi Germany's Territory.

Communist China is going down the same road as Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan did during WW2.

But what do you all really expect from a Contradicting, Corrupt, Communist Party? Clarity?

I think not.

It is interesting that Washington is just now raising comcerns over Communist China's "Land Reclaimation"??

Is that what they're calling it these days? I was think of something more in the lines of Imperialism via Militarism aka Illegal Land Grabbing.

Any historical maps to back up these territorial claims?

Nope. Just were taking it - And the Oil Reserves just South of these "Reclaimed Islands" near Malaysia.

I am really worried. Washington assured the world that they wouldn't allow Iran to build Nukes and I believe Iran will build Nukes.

Washington assured our Asian Allies, like JAPAN that they would not allow Communist China to expand and Comminize The Pacific but at this rate that is exactly the way things are shaping up to be - A Comminized Pacific Region.

Wake Up Washington - Somebody's sleeping at the switch again!

Why is it when Japan tries to get 1 thing entered into the UNESCO committee for a vote suddenly China and South Korea have issue with it?

Did you all know that China and South Korea were opposed to Mt. Fuji getting on the list? Also the Yuzu fruit which was cited by UNESCO along with Sushi as a Japanese World Cultural Heritage Food was opposed by South Korea because South Korea claimed that the Yuzu Fruit is actually a Korean Fruit they call Yuya. DNA testing proved it was 100% originally cultivated in Japan before the Heian Period.

The audacity of South Korea and China goes beyond absurd.

The Senkaku Islands should be named as a Japnese UNESCO World Heritage Site. That will put an end to the persistent incursions by Communist China AND the Spratley Islands as a Republic of the Philippines UNESCO World Heritage Site - Then the Philippines can demand that Chinese Airbase to be dismantled and removed immediately without question or recourse.

Finally, in Honor of my Fathers Generation who fought in Vietnam -and with the Vietnamese Governments support: The Khe Sanh Airbase & Battlefield in Vietnam should also be nominated and put on the UNESCO list as well.

So, Apple lost about 16 Million Dollars in that 5 hours outage at iTunes?

Meh - No big loss to Tim Cook.

Along side his Gold Apple Watch, he probably has 16 Milion Dolars in the ashtray of his Aston Martin.

I've heard all the PRO's & CON's regarding "The Apple Watch" and as splendid and as marvelous as this little device may be, keep in mind that this is a "Consumer Electronic" device and it is evident that it will expire in about 8 Months starting after April 24th meaning the Next Generation Apple Watch will be introduced probably before next Valentines Day.

Conscience of that fact, I have humbly decided to pass on purchasing the watch and not because of the price tag (no not the 18K I am not that crazy) but because it will essentially go into a jewelry box once it expires.

Well, if any of you guys do actually go out and purchase this watch, do one favor for me?

Raise up the watch and yell: "Khaaan! Khaaan! Khaaan!"

I just love that scene in "The Wrath of Khan" and I thought I would do that one day if technology ever came around to having computers on our wrists like in Star Trek - LOL

My thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery to Ambassador Mark Lippert.

It's not an easy job being an Ambassador in a region where Hard Lined Nationalists like North & South Korea are consistantly at the boiling points with not only themselves but Friendly Neighbors like Japan.

Our Diplomats & our U.S. Armed Forces are trying to hold together the "Status Quo".

My concern at this point was how and why the South Korean Government knowing this guy is a "Domestic Extremist" allowed him to remain on this "Reconciliation Committee" and gave him an invitation to this event and knowing his past (2010 he threw a piece of concrete at the Japanese Ambassador) would be within arms reach of a U.S. Ambassador.

The second he walked through the doors, he should've been stopped and turned away and or arrested right on the spot, but why wasn't he? Why is the South Korean Governemt apologizing for allowing a known "Domestic Extremist" into a forum without being searched and within reach of a U.S. Ambassador?

Is it because South Korea is at odds with the U.S. over our close friendship with Japan - a Country they detest?

Sorry, but I am not accepting South Korea's lousy apology for allowing this known Domestic Etremist into an event and within arms reach of a U.S. Ambassador without searching him for weapons and then condemning an attack that THEY allowed to happen via negligence? It's almost as if they knew this was going to happen and it was a shot at the U.S. who allies with Japan over a petty squabble regarding questionable issues stemming over 70 Years Ago during World War 2.

Even though North Korea is pouncing on the opportunity to Rub It In Our Noses, this attack had little to do with North Korea.

I blame it all on South Korea.

Hezbollah is fighting ISIS?

OMG! Hell really has frozen over...

Or has all this morphed into Good Muslims vs. Bad Muslims?

Feudalism vs. Extremism?

And where do the Jews in Jerusalem fit into this equation?

Since Iran has been fighting ISIS along with the Iraqi Shiite's will Israel forgive Iran, Hezbollah, and form a Bond with Palestine?

The time is now to think really hard for the Leaders in The Middle East.

ISIS believes they are fighting a Cosmic War based upon the apocalyptic chapter in The Quran and they are determined to bring "The Crusaders" to Dabiq in Syria for all out conflict. Very Bizarre, but that is what they are reaching for and that is why President Obama is hesitant to send in a Full Blown Invasion Force - The fear of another suicidal War like we faced against The Japanese and the Kamikaze or the determined Communization of Vietnam by The NVA & Viet Cong.

It's not a joke with these guys and if we go in, there's not much chance for success if we can't determine who is a Good Jihadist from the Bad Jihadist or who's the lesser of 2 evils...?!?

Good Lord, the GOP in Congress are crazy if they think they can try this again. I watched the entire War in Iraq unfold and many people called me a crazy liberal for being in decent of Bush's decision to invade Iraq but descent was Benjamin Franklin's position during the signing of The Constitution because The Bill of Rights was abstained at the time. Subsequently, he signed The Constituion but not without griping about it first. I was the same way towards "W" when he was determine to "Take down Saddam Hussain", and what happened? Just as Saddam warned, "...You'll Be Opening The Gates Of Hell..."

And the GOP think they're gonna gallop right back into Iraq with Jeb in the Oval Office for a sequel?

right.

The Democrats in Washington have had an interesting history of controlling Military Operations during War - right from The Oval Office.

The Generals and Admirals hate it, but it has proven successful at times.

Take for example "The Battle for Khe Sanh" during The Vietnam War; President Johnson set up a Situation Room in The Oval Office. He had current and up to date battle maps and he was controlling all of the Air Strikes right from The Oval Office. The battle between The U.S. Marines & The Vuet Cong raged for weeks and eth the help from the Air Strikes, it eventually was a success for The United States and along with The Marines, President Johnson was credited for winning that battle.

If The White House plans to repeat what is known to some as "The Johnson Strategy", then The White House should think about Liberating Raqqa, Syria and Mosul, Iraq from ISIS.

It would require intensive Air Strikes, Attack Helicopters, U.S. Special Forces, and 3 Battlions of U.S. Marines to go in a Liberate these towns from ISIS.

Liberation is the only way to draw a clear battlefront in this campaign.

The Grammy's need to file an indefinite Restraining Order on Kanye West and charge him with Tresspassing next time he comes within 100 Feet near The Grammy's.

They can't afford to have that Moron interrupt the show next year.

Besides Beyoncé Knowles (even though she was awarded a Grammy) is not entitled to a Grammy just because she releases a Single or an Album.

Beck is a highly respected artist and his album was very good and he along with Sam Smith both deserved their Awards.

Lieutenant Kaseasbeh will be in our hearts forever.

Our thoughts and prayers to his Family and especially his Dad who went out there before this horrific news reminding ISIS that Kaseabeh was a fellow Muslim Brother like themselves, yet he was doing his duty as a pilot and following orders from his superiors - he pleaded to them to show amnesty to Kaseabeh, yet we learned later that ISIS had already committed this horrific act and they never came back later to apologize nor show any remorse comsidering he was fellow Muslim.

At this point I don't even believe that ISIS are even Muslims themselves..

Allah nor Muhammad could never look into the eyes of mankind and condone this - They would decry this as a Sin.

A Sin against Islam and a Sin against all Humanity itself.

ISIS is not Islam and this Califate Al-Bagdadi is a False Prophet to God.

He is Satan himself in my eyes, and he has brainwashed the minds of lesser educated people to believe and follow him into his Culture of Murder and Doom!

I can only pray that they see the light and turn away from that Demon.

I am happy that Jordan and the rest of the Islamic Community are helping us (The United States) to Annihalte - as Kassebeh's Dad put it - Islamic State and restore the good name of Islam.

This pilot died with such Valor and Courage.

I saw the images and I saw defiance in his face looking out at those MURDERING THUGS!!!!

My thoughts and prayers to the Father, Mother, and Family of this pilot - Your Son was a Hero - A True Hero!

May God bless his soul.

I've been a strong proponent for Japan's Military Expansion for about as long as I have been posting on this site.

Japan should without hesitation move on legislation in order to protect the lives of their citizens ANYWHERE they are threatened.

These twisted and diseased maniacs who call themselves ISIS have taken a Respectable Religion and perverted it into Culture of Murder and now they have declared "Open Season" on all or any Japanese they may come in contact with or abduct.

China and South Korea are probably against this move, but hey - anytime China & South Korea want to join the rest of the world in fighting Global Terrorism then jump right on in and join the fight. However, they seem to keep within their boarders and point outwards at the Japanese over World War 2 when they should be helping us fight World War 3!!

Japan needs to move on protecting their citizens from Terrorism, Communism, or any other "ism" that threatens the safety and security of the Japanse People.

And we, The United States of America; will stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends - The Japanese People and offer any support they may need.

My condolences to the Wife and Family of Kenji Goto.

Kenji was a very special person in this world and his love for helping others will remain in our hearts for a very very long time.

We are ALL utterly unerved and completely stifled at the savage & horrendous murder of Kenji Goto.

This murderer "Jihadi John" and his Cult of Killers will very soon meet their maker - rest assure of that - is comming very soon.

As soon as we know the status of that pilot we are going to do something (The U.S. and our Allies) that we have done yet in this War and that will be seen very soon - Stay Tuned we are going to turn the tables on this Killer, his Boss, and their army of blood thirsty rejects!

Thoughts and Prayers to Junko Ishido and her Family - You are all in our hearts and we The International Community feel your sorrow. Also thoughts and prayers to Haruna Yukawa's family who also had to endure the same suffering and pain. Your Sons were good Men to the world.

Nobody should ever take s Respected Religion and pervert it into a Cult of Murder!!

But that is what ISIS has done and they stand alone in the Islamic World. Allah has no room in heaven those who murder the innocent just because of their nationality and turning a blind eye to their plea without the chance for amnesty.

God willing - they will pay with their rotten lives for their Sins!

Assure this, if Goto & The Pilot dies - Rishawi hangs.

One innocent Man is already dead and his family in dispair.

How far does ISIS want to go with this ordeal?

They'd better think this through very carefully if they intend to see to the end of their Caliphate.

ISIS nor any hostile entity who wage terror and genocide should never underestimate the vaste financial and intelligence gathering resources of The United States and their Allies have throughout The Middle East.

Because there will be a day of reckoning for those who do.