Anyone else fed up with Japanese denial of WWII wrongdoing?

[OURYEAR#56]

Really I don't know why you people start attacking other people post. It seems you're only examining one side and not taking into account what the true ramifications are. I said thousands of soliders have dies in fear of nuclear war. I'm not just talking about American Soliders either. I think it matters how you percieve the role America has in the world. As a country we constantly proclaim that we are right. That we are the true way to be. We profess "In God We trust". We almost portray a sense of manifest destiny, or right of kingship, like God has made us to rule the planet or something. If we hold ourselves in such high esteem, then why do we contribute to the destruction of man. You people live in a fish bowl. I truly feel you don't take the whole issue into account.

[Henry]

On the contrary OY56, every country thinks they are right. The US is simply the most powerful and influential and therefore it often seems like we our out to rule the world. If you know anything about US history, however, you'd know that's simply not the case.

In fact, the point here is that the US seems to be only only country that is willing to see both sides of an issue or admit our mistakes. Here are the powers that be in America wrestling with how smypathetic they should present the Japanese perspective in losing WW2. And there's an entire exhibit in the Smithsonian that focuses on the internment camps.

Are the Japanese doing the same with respect to their actions in WW2? Do they have some Pearl Harbor or Wake Island exhibit they're not telling us about? Do they even ADMIT to the Rape of Nanking? Why do you hold us up to higher standards than the Japanese? Why is the US the only country that must impose this self-introspection?

Noone is saying the US is perfect. That's not the issue here. The Japanese continually insist we admit to committing what they perceive as various atrocities during WW2, which we often do, and yet they won't do the same themselves. That's the whole point of the thread.

Why you've decided to use this as a springboard to attack American foreign policy through the ages is beyond me.

[Henry]

Originally posted by codeorama

Henry,

All I'm saying is that we knew Japan was a participant in WWII, we decided to help Britain and to impede Japan. I'm not arguing which side was right or wrong, obviously we chose the right side, but I'm simply pointing out, that comparing WWII Japan with Iraq of the present or Cuba is, well, there is no comparison. It's apples and oranges.

But make no mistake, I never said Japan was justified in my eyes, but I can understand from their perspective why they did it. But Again, I've never said we shouldn't have done what we did, we were clearly correct in our actions.

As far as the military not being prepared, again, apples and oranges to 9/11, the world was at war, Japan was active and the situation was totally different from today.

Code, you were the one that initially started comparing present-day situations with those of sixty years ago. If you don't like it, don't do it.

[codeorama]

Henry,

I may be wrong, but I think you are missing what I was saying about the past and present.

The current Japanese people that are still affected by the results of the atomic bombing have to a small degree, a right to complain. They were not around during WWII, they were not even part of the conflict. I know that some may say, "too bad, their country made mistakes, they have to pay", all I'm saying is that I personally understand why they may be upset because they are sterile or have cancer or what ever. If we were nuked by whomever in the 50's and I had cancer now, I'd be pissed too... that doesn't mean it was wrong for the US to have nuked them (I hold to the belief that the US was unsure of the long term effects of the radiation), it just means that some people understand why some might complain about something that happened because of decisions made by others that they may or may not have agreed with.

[luckydevil]

This country is held to ridiculous standards.

We go out of our way to hear both sides of an issue. I hate the criticism that there is a lack of debate, I find that to be completely untrue. I find it amazing the enormous amount of guilt over the bombing of Japan, which was completely justified. Only in America do we ask “why do they hate us". For all our faults, we are a very tolerant country. We are willing to admit fault even when we are right. Does this country deserve criticism, absolutely? However most of it is laced with ignorance.

[Henry]

Originally posted by codeorama

Henry,

I may be wrong, but I think you are missing what I was saying about the past and present.

The current Japanese people that are still affected by the results of the atomic bombing have to a small degree, a right to complain. They were not around during WWII, they were not even part of the conflict. I know that some may say, "too bad, their country made mistakes, they have to pay", all I'm saying is that I personally understand why they may be upset because they are sterile or have cancer or what ever. If we were nuked by whomever in the 50's and I had cancer now, I'd be pissed too... that doesn't mean it was wrong for the US to have nuked them (I hold to the belief that the US was unsure of the long term effects of the radiation), it just means that some people understand why some might complain about something that happened because of decisions made by others that they may or may not have agreed with.

Actually Code, I was referring to your "what if Iraq nuked us?" example.

I think there is a difference between saying "it's important for all of us to know the long-term affects of using nuclear weapons" and saying "How dare the US do this to us." If the Japanese wish to express the former, I'm ok with that. If it's the latter, tough noogies.

[codeorama]

Henry,

I gotcha... On the latter, I say tough noogies too...