Maybe It's Just Time For America To Go.

[twyacht]

After almost 70 years. With our countries own domestic problems, and the strategic relevance? of a military base in Japan; the pattern of thinking "we're just always going to be there" needs a fresh approach. IMHO.

Why do we need to be in Okinawa?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1247281/Thousands-protest-Tokyo-U-S-military-presence-Japan.html

I would move ops to South Korea, just to piss off Kim-Jong-Idiot, that seems strategically and geographically just as good, and it would be good PR, and save money.

I know money means nothing to a gov't that spends it freely as it's technically "our" taxpaying dollars....but geez...

Time to think outside the box.

[tombogan03884]

To hell with those little gooner azzholes, If it wasn't for the innate kindness and big hearts of Americans there would not be a live Japanese ON Okinawa. They need to shut up and remember that their defending Army had less than 50 survivors and they were ALL wounded, badly.
We need Okinawa because it's an unsinkable aircraft carrier like England, also, since Japan is no longer a "militant " nation but has at least 2 neighbors who are (N Korea and China ) our presence guarantees Japans safety.
Okinawa is the best choice because,
1 diplomatic considerations rule out Taiwan,
2 June 25 1950 showed the strategic vulnerability of South Korean bases
3 Reaction times and travel distances, as well as political interests and safety issues rule out a return to the Phillipines.

[Woody]

 Send them to Taiwan. They are going to need them.

[deepwater]

To hell with those little gooner azzholes, If it wasn't for the innate kindness and big hearts of Americans there would not be a live Japanese ON Okinawa. They need to shut up and remember that their defending Army had less than 50 survivors and they were ALL wounded, badly.
We need Okinawa because it's an unsinkable aircraft carrier like England, also, since Japan is no longer a "militant " nation but has at least 2 neighbors who are (N Korea and China ) our presence guarantees Japans safety.
Okinawa is the best choice because,
1 diplomatic considerations rule out Taiwan,
2 June 25 1950 showed the strategic vulnerability of South Korean bases
3 Reaction times and travel distances, as well as political interests and safety issues rule out a return to the Phillipines.

4 deepwater needs a watering hole (had a few drunks there before....)
5 Phillipines... well.... no sailor worth his salt could be found on board unless he had the duty... not a way to remain 'battle ready'     

[tombogan03884]

Send them to Taiwan. They are going to need them.

We spent the 20th century fighting other peoples wars and getting sh!t on for it.
You think we should spend the 21st wasting our blood and resources on more ungrateful foreigners ?

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

For those 5 reasons, from tom and deepwater, it seems to make more sense.

Just wondering. I know China wants Taiwan back really bad, and the U.S. just made a huge weapons deal with Taiwan, but Japan?

Can they not defend themselves from that little schmuck in N korea? Do you think China will attempt to conquer the region?

Seems unlikely.

We spent the 20th century fighting other peoples wars and getting sh!t on for it.
You think we should spend the 21st wasting our blood and resources on more ungrateful foreigners ?

He!! NO!

[Solus]

but Japan?

Can they not defend themselves from that little schmuck in N korea? Do you think China will attempt to conquer the region?

IIRC, Japan, by the treaty signed at the end of WWI, is prevented from establishing a military force?

[tombogan03884]

They have the "Japanese Self Defense Force" and after 9-11 they amended their Constitution to allow it to serve outside Japan so they could assist us in the war on terror, but while they are very professional the force is very small, and aimed primarily at SELF defense and Fisheries protection, while N Korea has one of the largest Armies in Asia, and when they test their missiles they often shoot them over Japan into the Pacific. Japan has the lead in quality, but they would be swamped by sheer numbers.

China ? As far as Taiwan/ Formosa it's hard to say because so much of the decision would depend on internal Chinese politics, as for the rest of the region I see them preferring a course of economic domination, and political influence rather than military domination, although the military option will always have a place in theirs neighbors minds.

[twyacht]

TomB, I think your sounding more Presidential by the day.

Not kidding either.

tw

[tombogan03884]

Must be because I didn't waste my time on reading Law.