The Forum > General Discussion > Is it time for the US to go?
Is it time for the US to go?
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Posted by examinator, Tuesday, 30 March 2010 1:59:07 PM
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Dear Examinator,
American bases throughout the world - particularly in unstable regions act as a deterent and a first point of response against any aggressive action in the region. It also provides security to Australia. With the instability in North Korea and certain neighbouring regions it is good to maintain American presence in the Pacific. Posted by Foxy, Tuesday, 30 March 2010 6:09:19 PM
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cont'd ...
I forgot to add that the Americans have learned that at the start of World War II - the concentration of their Pacific power in Pearl Harbour was a disaster. As a result their forces today are spread out throughout the Pacific which includes Okinawa, South Korea, Guam, Taiwan, the Phillipines, et cetera. Posted by Foxy, Tuesday, 30 March 2010 6:17:18 PM
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The Okinawans should welcome the Americans for the diversity and multiculturalism they bring to their otherwise insular, homogeneous population.
Posted by Proxy, Tuesday, 30 March 2010 6:23:27 PM
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The Pentagon's reason for the presence of miltary bases in foreign countries is to secure America's interests by deterring attacks as a first line of defence.
They also “serve the national economic interests of the United States, ensuring access to markets and commodities needed to maintain the American standard of living…” and are a “visible expression of the extent of America’s status as a superpower”. Another argument “sees them as positive expressions of American character, and particularly its humanitarian ethos.” The Pentagon portrays itself as a benefactor, a liberator, and helper on the scene at times of natural or other disasters. They also claim bases are “gifts to other nations, both as defense sites and as wealth generators. They represent American altruism and sacrifice” when, in fact, they’re for hardline dominance intolerant of opposition, national sovereignty, democratic freedoms, and social justice. Instead of providing safety and security, they often incite antagonism, opposition and blowback against an American occupier and enemy. They are also hugely profitable for the defense establishment and related industries. When (and if) they pull out of an area they leave horrendous pollution behind for the inhabitants to clean up. I wonder have many foreign governments are allowed to have miltary bases within US borders? Posted by wobbles, Wednesday, 31 March 2010 12:13:08 AM
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What would the consequences be IF they left?
Posted by StG, Wednesday, 31 March 2010 8:55:17 AM
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Yes StG, the loss of enough jobs, & business failures to make Okinawa a depressed area for the next 20 years.
When the US closed those bases in the Philippines, it ended up costing over 350,000 jobs, just in the local areas. These things require serious thought, before the flag waving brigade get their way. Posted by Hasbeen, Wednesday, 31 March 2010 9:28:15 AM
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The Roman Empire at its height in 117 AD needed thirty-seven major bases to police its realm from Britannia to Egypt, from Hispania to Armenia.
At the peak of their empire in 1898, Britain had 36 naval bases and army garrisons. America had about 38 large and medium-sized facilities in 2005 but also a total of 737 military bases in other countries. There are 14 bases on Okinawa that take up that 18% of the land mass of the island. How much do they need? After those local rape incidents of 1995 and 2008 there has been considerable tension between the military and locals. I don't think they would be sorry to see the bases go, despite any economic consequences. Posted by rache, Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:21:48 AM
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I found this old song on the web by the
Andrew sisters. I wonder how the natives in Okinawa would respond to it today? "If you ever go down Trinidad They make you feel so very glad Calypso sing and make up rhyme Guarantee you one real good fine time Drinking rum and Coca - Cola Go down Point Koomahnah Both mother and daughter Working for the Yankee dollar Since the Yankee come to Trinidad They got the young girls all going mad Young girls say they treat them nice Make Trinidad like Paradise From Chicachicaree to Mona's Isle Native girls all dance and smile Help soldier celebrate his leave Make every day like New Year's Eve Drinking rum and Coca Cola ..." Posted by Foxy, Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:41:47 AM
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“Down the bay where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top I took a trip on a sailing ship And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way Won't be back for many a day My heart is down, my head is turning around I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town Sounds of laughter everywhere And the dancing girls swaying to and fro I must declare that my heart is there Though I've been from Maine to Mexico But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way Won't be back for many a day My heart is down, my head is turning around I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town Down at the market you can hear Ladies cry out while on their head they bear Ackie rice and salt fish is nice And the rum is good any time of year But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way..." Posted by Proxy, Monday, 5 April 2010 6:07:18 PM
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Well all songs aside - this topic seems to
have come to a standstill, which is a pity as it's one that really deserves more attention. The battle of Okinawa was quite horrendous if anyone wants to do a bit of research. And the question of American bases is a very pertinent one. Anyway, here's a website that may be of some interest: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7059805.ece US may have to move troops from Okinawa to reduce military ... The US seems to be able to explain the need for its bases in Okinawa by explaining that they are - " Protecting Japan against regional threats such as North Korea's nuclear weapons and from China's building up its military year after year ..." However thousands of people from all over Japan are protesting against the presence of US bases... It shall be interesting to see what the final result will be. Posted by Foxy, Thursday, 8 April 2010 3:58:38 PM
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Alongside them are the 12,500 Americans who also perished in the brutal, inch-by-inch fight for the small, tropical island of coral 1,000 miles south of Tokyo.
"The United States has been here ever since, but a peace deal signed 50 years ago was not an equal one, agreed in the aftermath of war, surrender, then occupation.
There are now 24,000 US troops on Okinawa, most of them marines, and their bases, airfields, housing and training facilities cover a fifth of the island.
The people of Okinawa felt their lives were sacrificed in the war for the sake of the country, and they now believe they are shouldering more of their share of the burden of hosting US forces - with three quarters of American facilities in Japan on their small island...."
Source BBC.