Allow me to introduce myself..........

[The_Marion]

I am a 87 year old former Marine WWII veteran who returned to Okinawa to help these wonderful people to get back on their feet We had to rebuild from scratch as this whole island had suffered the ravages of a terrible war. I stayed and helped to rebuild their economy and I met and married a Ryukyuan girl and became a member of the Taba family.

As a wanna-be Ryukyuan I have become a activist working for the independence of the Ryukyu Islands and I hope some day they will become a free State such as Singapore. I thus became a Ryukyuan activist for the past 60 plus years. You will hear more from me over the coming years.

[dk]

Wow. Honored to meet you. :D You have a fascinating history. Please stick around!

[P_chan]

Welcome to the forums and enjoy yourself!

[The_Marion]

The Ryukyu Islands was once the Kingdom of the Ryukyu Isalnds and they absolutely did not believe in War and their customs and culture belay this fact.

The USA Military will one day be removed and hopefully to the Marianas Islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

We will also work to have the Japanese self defense forces removed back to Japan proper and we are striving to become an Independent Sovereign State without even a semblance of weapons. At that time The Ryukyu Islands will become the Peaceful Green Islands we once knew.

[Boost]

we are striving to become an Independent Sovereign State without even a semblance of weapons. At that time The Ryukyu Islands will become the Peaceful Green Islands we once knew.

Sir, with all due respect, by not having a self defense force, what would be the islands plan of action should there ever be another conquest by a foreign nation to conquer and take over the islands?

I know that may sound “far-fetched” but I suppose if it happened once, it could feasibly happen again.

[a_bjyrd]

Nice to meet you! This sure is one of the most amazing places I have ever been and all of the people are so wonderful! I have never felt so safe than I have here!

[ja_Patriot]

Welcome to the forums.

Question: Without defense, wouldn't history repeat itself?

I recently read a good article on how after decades of peace and trade, the Ryukyus were easily subdued and conquered by invading warlords from the Japanese main islands (in the 18th century) because they (the Ryukyuans) forgot to fight and defend themselves.

Perhaps you could provide some enlightenment of the various aspects and issues entailed.


#

[DoctorP]

Welcome to the forums. I am first amazed that you are 87 and online!

I hope that one day the Ryukyu Kingdom is again acknowledged, and Okinawa is no longer part of Japan...but I doubt that would ever happen. I have always been one to argue that Okinawa should have never been given to the Japanese after WWII, but get blank stares whenever I say that.

[Tempestuous]

Welcome to the forums. I am first amazed that you are 87 and online!


I was just thinking the same thing!
I know people that are 50 & 60 and don't get online let alone on message boards & forums.

Welcome The_Marion, look forward to seeing you around.

[The_Marion]

I already posted this answer and somehow the moderator gave it the quick boot and asked me to refresh my membership before I could post this answer,

I answer two of you above who asked how the Ryukyu Islands could defend themselves and I replied by asking them to contact Google as to how mmany unarmed Nations are registered withe United Nations and they are many. I reminded everyone the Ryukyu Islands were given back to the Ryukyuans immediately after the Unconditional Potsdam Surrender Papers were signed and these papers included the Cairo Accords of 1943 which returned the Ryukyu Islands to the people of the islands

Second I reminded the United Nations would insure their future. and I also reminded everyone that Sato and Nixon acted Unconstitutionally when they gave back to Japan the islands of the Ryukyuans and called it a Reversion

[Boost]

Fair enough, but then my question becomes, why should I (figuratively speaking) be responsible to defend you (again, figurative) just because you do not want to be responsible for your own security?

I don't see issues when a nation needs help defending themselves, but to outright say "we will have nothing to do with a self defense force and it is your responsibility to defend us" is just wrong IMO.

[atb35]

Welcome to the boards The Marion. I somehow visioned Boost as one of Will Farells kids in Taladega Nights talking to The Marion just now....funny:) Im not going to even touch on the no military in Okinawa thing, I will just chuckle to myself and refrain.

[Boost]

Welcome to the boards The Marion. I somehow visioned Boost as one of Will Farells kids in Taladega Nights talking to The Marion just now....funny:)

Dunno if that is a good thing or not being I don't watch stupid movies with Will Farell in them...:rolleyes:

Im not going to even touch on the no military in Okinawa thing, I will just chuckle to myself and refrain.

Best ya can do huh? :)

[Muku]

I already posted this answer and somehow the moderator gave it the quick boot and asked me to refresh my membership before I could post this answer,

I answer two of you above who asked how the Ryukyu Islands could defend themselves and I replied by asking them to contact Google as to how mmany unarmed Nations are registered withe United Nations and they are many. I reminded everyone the Ryukyu Islands were given back to the Ryukyuans immediately after the Unconditional Potsdam Surrender Papers were signed and these papers included the Cairo Accords of 1943 which returned the Ryukyu Islands to the people of the islands

Second I reminded the United Nations would insure their future. and I also reminded everyone that Sato and Nixon acted Unconstitutionally when they gave back to Japan the islands of the Ryukyuans and called it a Reversion

With all respect here to you, the island nations that have no military and that can not defend themselves do not sit in close proximity to Taiwan, Japan, and China. Plus with the potential of oil in the South China Sea no country in the region would allow Okinawa to be returned to being independent.

For conversation purposes the idea of independence is a great topic to discuss, however I will bet you any amount of money that nearly 100% of the Okinawan people think they are Japanese first and Okinawan second. Talk to any kids and ask them, you might be surprised.

Okinawa would have been better off staying a protectorate of the USA, but that is ancient history as well, just like the independence of Ryukyu. You may remember that it has been since at least the late 1600's that Japan has excercized influence and some control over these islands. It's not like we are talking about something that happened 50 or 60 years ago.

It would be the same as Texas ceceeding from the USA, as it once was a Republic as well.

[Fonze]

Welcome to the forum.

I to like the way you think but like DoctorP said it's not going to happen. Unless Tokyo, God forbid is destroyed and then maybe just maybe. Not saying I wish that.

[Asshat]

This has got to be a troll. Comparing Singapore...well, let's see. Singapore maintains a very healthy economy by having numerous ties world-wide, Singapore has a very progressive social care system with taxation to pay for it, and Singapore has a very modern standing Army, including an air arm. It also has mandatory service.

No I am not sure how a former WWII Marine came back to contribute to the rebuilding of the Okinawan economy unless that Marine was working for the US Government, or planting sato kibi.

If this is a real person, well....good luck.

[ja_Patriot]

I already posted this answer and somehow the moderator gave it the quick boot and asked me to refresh my membership before I could post this answer,

I answer two of you above who asked how the Ryukyu Islands could defend themselves and I replied by asking them to contact Google as to how mmany unarmed Nations are registered withe United Nations and they are many. I reminded everyone the Ryukyu Islands were given back to the Ryukyuans immediately after the Unconditional Potsdam Surrender Papers were signed and these papers included the Cairo Accords of 1943 which returned the Ryukyu Islands to the people of the islands

Second I reminded the United Nations would insure their future. and I also reminded everyone that Sato and Nixon acted Unconstitutionally when they gave back to Japan the islands of the Ryukyuans and called it a Reversion


First of all, I don't recall the mod here booting anyone. Must be your imagination.

Second, for such a project of massive implications, you want those of us who just want to hear more about it, to contact "google" for additional info? You've got nothing then.

And, thirdly, you "reminded the United Nations would insure their future". How do you know for a fact what the UN would do?

Hope you sharpen your pencil before your next post. You're sadly coming across as delusional in this particular issue you've brought up.

But hey, enjoy your visits here.


#

[TheNoNamedOne]

This has got to be a troll. ...If this is a real person, well....good luck.

The_Marion is not a troll. He believes what he is talking about and besides here, I have seen him active on other Japan related forum boards.

Though I disagree with some of the things he has said here thus far, I welcome him to the boards. I hope he continues visiting and posting. I enjoy seeing a wide range in opinions.

[TheNoNamedOne]

The Ryukyu Islands was once the Kingdom of the Ryukyu Isalnds and they absolutely did not believe in War and their customs and culture belay this fact.

Not quite true, TM. The Ryukyu Kingdom only came about after bitter inter-fighting between the the northern, central, and southern smaller kingdoms caused them to be united. Furthermore, the kings of Shuri subdued by force or threat of force the outlaying islands -- all the way from Amami to the Yaeyamas. Had not they came under the dominance of Satsuma then there is no reason to think they would not have continued further north towards Yaku-shima or even more south towards Taiwan.

Even before the three kingdoms appeared before the Ryukyu Kingdom took shape, there was violence between villages as local chiefs vied for power. Not only castle ruins, but a good deal of smaller protective fortress ruins are scattered around the island to point to the violent past of the Ryukyus.

They surely did believe in war, and only had to give it up because they were subdued by a stronger warrior culture from the north.

[P_chan]

Yep, they sure did believe in war. There are 300+ castle ruins on this island.

[ryukyuboi]

The_Marion has appeared on other online forums associated with newsprint. His posts here as consistent with his other posts elsewhere. Information he presents as fact is not always the case.

[P_chan]

Maybe he is just trying to get some publicity. Maybe some kid making up the story, hoping the newspaper that is linked to the forum will run something he said.

[Bones]

Originally posted by MUKU:

For conversation purposes the idea of independence is a great topic to discuss, however I will bet you any amount of money that nearly 100% of the Okinawan people think they are Japanese first and Okinawan second. Talk to any kids and ask them, you might be surprised.

I ran across this a few hours ago, so since the family was present, I put them to work for about 30 minutes.

With the help of my wife, I spent about 15 minutes asking people on the street if they were Japanese, or Okinawan. Talked with about 20 people, and they mostly said Okinawan. One person answered Japanese, only because he was over here on a business trip.

Next, I sent out our relatives, asking the people if they were Japanese, or Okinawan. I stayed at home, thinking that their answer would be prejudiced by my presence.

One of those people is a niece of ours, about 10 years old. She was born on Okinawa, to Okinawan parents.

Out of the second group, all the people that they talked with claimed to be Okinawan.

When asked if life was better after the reversion, 8 people responded with no, 4 people responded with "we'll see", 8 people responded with "what can we do about it?".

When asked: "Was life on Okinawa happier for you, before the Island was returned to Japan?"

7 people responded that Okinawa never belonged to Japan, 9 people responded that life was more difficult, 4 decided not to say anything.

While my little experiment is not scientific, it pretty much blows "Muku's statement out of the water. Then again, if I were to conduct that same experiment closer to his home, the numbers would be against me.

The operative term that he used in his experiment "when you talk to the kids", may work in that respect. We focused our attention on the adults, and we sent one child out as well just to question the kids.

All of them responded with Okinawan, v.s. Japanese.

So I'm questioning the statistics that he threw out in his statement.


NBTP

[DoctorP]

I always stress the difference between the Okinawans and Japanese. They are two different cultures, and definitely see things differently. I hate it when I go somewhere and people refer to Okinawans as Japanese...grinds on me! :cursing:

[Asshat]

TP- Sorry dude. I'll take no further part in this. Enjoy the sandwich.

[okinawapaul]

I don't care what anyone else says, it still seems like a troll!

Doesn't matter if they post on other boards or not. How many 87 year olds do you know that can pee by themselves, much less post on a forum with anything somewhat coherant? Anyway, best of luck to you dude, if you are indeed for real!

[bad_karma]

I think you have to separate cultural/ethnic identity from national identity.

Every person I've met from Okinawa who has a passport, that passport says "Japan" on the cover.

Semantics.


Peace,

BK out

[Bones]

Originally posted by DoctorP:

[/quote]I always stress the difference between the Okinawans and Japanese. They are two different cultures, and definitely see things differently. I hate it when I go somewhere and people refer to Okinawans as Japanese...grinds on me! :cursing:[/quote]

Me too, Doc. Our son is getting married soon, and one of the first questions my wife asked:

Are you naicha..(sp?)

Turned out that she is from Chibana, and instantly, the whole course of the interview changed. She's a lovely young lady, BTW.

But on a personal level, it gave me some insight about the level of animosity between Okinawans/Japanese.

NBTP

[DAPRINCE69]

how was wwII?