I missed you guys...

Have you heard anything different from us about that S. Korean ship sinking?

You have no idea how jealous I am. My goal in life is to live in Japan for an extended period of time.

Haha, don't be surprised if you hear from me

I wonder how many of those older people actually still remember the whole atomic bomb fiasco? I can imagine there'd be some hurt feelings, lol.

The focus isn't really on the atomic bomb, just American nuclear programs in general. When the Ronald Reagan came to Sasebo (some time in 2007 I think) there were a group of protesters outside the base saying the ship was unsafe to pull into port. I think the most unsafe feature of that ship was the 6,000 Sailors onboard that destroyed Sasebo on liberty, lol.

A number of other countries (including Australia if I remember correctly) do not allow nuclear-powered US Navy ships into their ports.

Frankly, if I was Japanese, I would just be pissed off that another country thought it was fine to have a base in my country.  I don't know if I'd mind that they bombed my country for being aggressive half a century ago.

ParielIsBack wrote: Frankly, if I was Japanese, I would just be pissed off that another country thought it was fine to have a base in my country.  I don't know if I'd mind that they bombed my country for being aggressive half a century ago.

The reason we have bases in Japan is because Japan is constitutionally prohibited from spending more than 1% (maybe 2, can't remember) of GDP.

We're not there because we bombed them, we're there because they no longer believe in fighting wars. We're their big brother on the playground standing up for them.

PaiNTbALLfReNzY wrote: Our presence isn't all negative though, we bring a lot of business to the city, not to mention we have a handful of community relation events to strengthen the relationship between Japan and the US Forces. It's the actions of individuals who think they are immune from obeying Japanese laws that ruin it for the rest of us who never cause a ruckus.

True enough, our military bases are an ecenomic benefit to Japan. The downside to this are the same anywhere else in the world where you have a large, concentrated number of males under the age of 22. Stuff will get broken, drunkeness will happen and herpes is a consiquence. But they spend a large amount of their income on random crap they don't need where they are located so, free money for Japan.

Granted I would prefer if all our forces acted more mature during their R&R sessions but you have to be realistic. Dumb kids are dumb kids.

mbro wrote: The reason we have bases in Japan is because Japan is constitutionally prohibited from spending more than 1% (maybe 2, can't remember) of GDP. We're not there because we bombed them, we're there because they no longer believe in fighting wars. We're their big brother on the playground standing up for them.

Considering they had troops deployed to Iraq, I think they can probably handle defending themselves for at least a little bit.  The bases are far more important to us than them.

True enough, our military bases are an ecenomic benefit to Japan. The downside to this are the same anywhere else in the world where you have a large, concentrated number of males under the age of 22. Stuff will get broken, drunkeness will happen and herpes is a consiquence. But they spend a large amount of their income on random crap they don't need where they are located so, free money for Japan. Granted I would prefer if all our forces acted more mature during their R&R sessions but you have to be realistic. Dumb kids are dumb kids.

Exactly my point.  I wouldn't want a military base in my town, I know that much.  First of all, it would mean some people were actually having fun occasionally.

PaiNTbALLfReNzY\ wrote: Hopefully tallen didn't die again.

I remember starting that btw

all the old members are showing back up. hows it goin hybrid?