Jingoistic America

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by Matt308

And as I posted elsewhere, FBJ, the Japanese just completed a study on the cost and timeline for development of atomic weapons. Conclusion $5-$7 billion and about 5 years. A drop in the Japanese financial bucket.

Bet that would scare your grandparents.

I read that - pretty scary. They may feel they are compelled to have them because of the North Korean threat.

[mkloby]

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

I read that - pretty scary. They may feel they are compelled to have them because of the North Korean threat.

That seems likely. I'm in favor of the Japanese increasing their military expenditures - I think they've proven themselves to be a responsible nation as a whole in the global community. They may be the most threatened by a nuclear N Korea.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by mkloby

That seems likely. I'm in favor of the Japanese increasing their military expenditures - I think they've proven themselves to be a responsible nation as a whole in the global community. They may be the most threatened by a nuclear N Korea.

I could agree with that as long as any ambitions to deviate from their current constitution is squelched.

[Matt308]

And therein is the key. There is quite a contingent beating the old Empire drums and its coming from some of the younger politicians. That kinda scares me. World's second largest economy, arguably the worlds most technologically advanced and a resurgent drive to the glory days of the past under the Emperor gets my attention.

[Emac44]

Originally Posted by Matt308

Good post Emac. Forgive? Perhaps. But, Never forget. He who forgets history is doomed to repeat it.

thanks Matt. I was in Singapore in October 2005 with my wife and I having a vacation and being a history buff we decided to go and have a tour of the old defences like the forts and what is called the Battle Box. General Percivals underground head quartar bunker etc. We also went out to the Changi War Memorial and (replica) Chappel, Original built by the POWs. and as i said Matt my uncle who was in the Army at the time of the fall of Singapore became a POW himself. In our family military service is held in high esteem by our family etc. And we are schooled in Australian and Commonwealth and our Allied History of our Allies etc past and present. To make a long story short after touring the Historical sites in Singapore including the Alexandria Hospital where patients and hospital staff were bayonetted by Japanese troops. I was asked if i want to go and see the Japanese War Memorial. My answer was NO I bloody well don't want to see the graves of butchers. I was asked this by the tour guide 50 metres away from standing near Changi beach were 2500 local civilians were machined gunned to death by the Japanese in June 1942. tour guide replied that is not unusual a lot of Aussies say the same thing after seeing other historical sites. I do not hate the Japanese of today but i do not pay homage to murderes some 60 years ago

[Matt308]

It appears that we are in violent agreement.

[FLYBOYJ]

In 1998 my squadron did a deployment at Barber's point right before it closed. We participated in a RIMPAC exercise. We had P-3s from the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and Korea participating. A party was held for all participants and a couple of the Japanese came up to our maintenance officer and asked "where do we find the Arizona?" He turned to them and said "Where you F#*king left it!"

True story.

[Emac44]

Flyboy had a similar thing occur in Sydney years ago. Had a few to drink and was with a few mates and all of us were a bit under the weather mean and cocky. etc. 2 Japanese tourists came up to us and wanted the direction to Circular Quay and King's Cross. I said your lot found your way to Pearl Harbour now find your way to ****ing King's Cross. Not one of my better days in welcoming tourists

[FLYBOYJ]

[Matt308]

OOoof. That might have been a little harsh. The Japanese P-3 airman however deserved what he got. How insensitive. I bet he felt like a heel.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by Matt308

The Japanese P-3 airman however deserved what he got. How insensitive. I bet he felt like a heel.

They acted like they were asking for directions to a park or something.

[Matt308]

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

They acted like they were asking for directions to a park or something.

FBJ I bet that airman to this day remembers that episode, just as you do. Life lessons are a *****.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by Matt308

FBJ I bet that airman to this day remembers that episode, just as you do. Life lessons are a *****.

Yep!!

[Emac44]

Ok back from Cebu in the Philippines. arrived yesterday back in Australia on 26th January Australia Day. and already have recorded my thoughts about the **** fight on banning Australian Flag at the Big Day Out Concert in Sydney etc But glad to be home and proud to be an Aussie regardless if its not political correct or not etc. My son learned a valuable lesson over the last week in Cebu and which he came to realize how good he has it here in Australia and the freedoms he has. He saw first hand how beggars and the homeless live in an Asian Country and how the stark differences are between rich and poor. He got to see poverty and and hovels of the slums in Cebu with compared to the lives of people living in luxury Nivel hills homes in Cebu compared to the slums and tennants hovels in Cabantan Mabolo Cebu City near the Ayala Business Park. But he also got to see the pride of Filippnos have in the Philippines around places like the Lapu Lapu Shrine Mactan Island and the memorial to Chief Lapu Lapu but above all he was welcomed to the Philippines not only by my wife's family but in general by all Filippino's to the Philippines. He was told by me to treat all he encounted with respect because we were invited guests to their country and not to disgrace his family name and being an Australian by rudeness or intolerance to his welcomers in the Philippines. My son does look like daniel radicliffe (Harry Potter) and my son was constantly had said to him you look like Harry Potter and unfortunately or fortunatley he earned his nickname by Filippinos as Harry Potter but it was always said with a smile and no malice towards my son was intended. My son bore all this with cheerfulness and good graces and replied salamat (thank you). Like my wife and I we were all glad to be back home in Australia. and our Harry Potter wants to go back for another vacation in the Philippines to learn more and of course he has been invited back by the Filippinos to come back to enjoy another time in the Philippines because of my son's good manners which has been instilled into him by his parents

[Matt308]

Good for you Emac. No malice was intended toward your son and it was a good life lesson.