More about Hillary

[Rachel]

I used to like the idea of Hillary being president, but now I agree with Ian Brody. (Hillary's True Colors in News and Politics section).

I don't have any influence or vote in US election, but the US has lot of influences in causing problems for Okinawa. Hillary's husband came here in 2000 and talked about "reducing the footprint” of US bases or some such.

Here's what happened after these empty words, quoted from one of my favorite American - Chalmers Johnson ...

"On June 29, 2001, a 24-year-old air force staff sergeant, Timothy Woodland, was arrested for publicly raping a 20-year-old Okinawan woman on the hood of a car.

On November 2, 2002, Okinawan authorities took into custody Marine Major
Michael J Brown, 41 years old, for sexually assaulting a Filipina barmaid
outside the Camp Courtney officer's club.

On May 25, 2003, Marine Military Police turned over to Japanese police a
21-year-old lance corporal, Jose Torres, for breaking a 19-year-old woman's nose and raping her, once again in Kin village.

In early July 2005, a drunken air force staff sergeant molested a
10-year-old Okinawan girl on her way to Sunday school. He at first claimed
to be innocent, but then police found a photo of the girl's nude torso on
his cell phone.

After each of these incidents and innumerable others that make up the daily
police blotter of Japan's most southerly prefecture, the commander of US
forces in Okinawa, a Marine Corps lieutenant general, and the American
ambassador in Tokyo, make public and abject apologies for the behavior of US troops.

Occasionally the remorse goes up to the Pacific commander-in-chief or, in
the most recent case, to the secretary of state. On February 27, Condoleezza Rice said, "Our concern is for the girl and her family. We really, really deeply regret it." The various officers responsible for the discipline of US troops in Japan invariably promise to tighten supervision over them, who currently number 92,491, including civilian employees and dependents. But nothing ever changes. Why?"

Did Hillary ever say a single word about sexual violence of US military, and does she care anything about Okinawa?

Would President Obama do any differently, though?:crying::cursing:

[Isaak Brodsky]

Excellent quotes and questions.

Hillary might have to get some sort of advice from Bill on how best to express her anger over the mis-treatment of women in general.

[DougP]

Somehow whenever a politician speaks I get the feeling its all lip service and that there is no sustenance. When it comes to all of these issues I feel it is between the law, those involved(victim(s) the accused) and the local community perhaps. What some gray haired chair warmer over in Washington thinks or says is of no concern to me. I feel sorry for anyone who is really holding their breath waiting for a response from anyone of these politicians. Don't bother.

If you would like to better your community or reduce crime then get involved.
I'm not about to leave it up to the political-ites to ensure my safety or better the cohesion of my local community. In fact if you can make it a point to meet someone new everyday or continue to do good deeds to others and offer a warm smile you are already doing more good than Bill, Hillary or any of them could ever do for your community in their lifetime.

[Isaak Brodsky]

... What some gray haired chair warmer over in Washington thinks or says is of no concern to me. ...

DougP,

Were this the general attitude of all citizens, do you think we'd still have a representative democracy? I can see you point on one hand, but on the other hand, being concerned about what the bloody hell is going down in Washington matters.

You're still a citizen despite your taking up residence in Japan. (These are just assumptions mind you. :))

[Isaak Brodsky]

... If you would like to better your community or reduce crime then get involved.

I'm not about to leave it up to the political-ites to ensure my safety or better the cohesion of my local community. In fact if you can make it a point to meet someone new everyday or continue to do good deeds to others and offer a warm smile you are already doing more good than Bill, Hillary or any of them could ever do for your community in their lifetime.

So true. Excellent points DougP!! Totally agree.

[DougP]

DougP,

Were this the general attitude of all citizens, do you think we'd still have a representative democracy? I can see you point on one hand, but on the other hand, being concerned about what the bloody hell is going down in Washington matters.

You're still a citizen despite your taking up residence in Japan. (These are just assumptions mind you. :))

The Washington/politician comment was nothing more than my disgust towards the attitude of waiting for one of them to apologize for what one of their citizens did and make everything magically better. I guess I'm more frustrated at the fact that it does seem to have a calming affect on people. We may have a representative democracy but I do not always feel to be well represented at many times. Nor do I feel the need to be represented in matters such as this. I also feel as though true representation was tossed out the window long ago. Its more like we represent them and wait for them to tell us what our thoughts should be. Maybe the correct term would be a resented democracy.:) Just some little gripes of mine..:D