Sunday, April 08, 2007
Bumper sticker
Check out my rockin' new bumper sticker! I've been wanting something like this for a while but couldn't find it. I wonder if teachers are supposed to stay out of politics here. Hmmm, oh well I'm a gaijin, they can't get mad at me. I know nothing! See nothing! Hear nothing! I hope drunk marines don't key my car.
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7 comments:
nice blog.
read a lot of it.
i went to high school on kadena, even used to be a lifeguard on futenma.
if i hadn't had that opportunity, i think my life would definitely be worse for it. island's definitely a part of who i am.
i keep feeling an initial rush of anger and wanting to argue with your anti-military stance; but as I think about it- when i lived on oki, i wasn't any better. then again, i didn't blame all military, mostly kept my vitriol for the marines- not even all marines either, just those that distinguished themselves as idiots.
i think a good number of americans from the bases have really tried to do a lot of good for okinawa; both over there and abroad. back here in the states, i belong to an Okinawan "kenjinkai" or cultural association, where we do Eisa drumming and play the Sanshin.
just hate to see everyone lumped together and labeled killers. my dad was an air force dentist for chrissakes.
otherwise, keep up the blog.
it's a fun read and it's great to see photos of my favorite places available on the net.
week and a half till i'm back there.
eric
Why do you assume that the anti military base bumper sticker is an attack on military personnel, "everyone lumped together and labeled killers," as you put it? If you really look at the sticker, it clearly targets the noise and disruption caused by the bases, not military personnel. No one is labeled a killer.
Many people in the U.S. have bought into a right wing narrative that says "If you criticize U.S. government policy, you are not patriotic and do not love America. If you critize the war in Iraq, you are attacking the U.S. soldiers in Iraq." These media stereotypes are meant to silence criticism of our foreign policy. The journalists and opinion makers who promote these views at the highest level have a very cynical and undemocratic political agenda. I'm sure your views are heartfelt and sincere, but I hope you will question why you had the reaction you had to this anti-base bumper sticker.
No doubt, a "good number of americans from the bases have really tried to do a lot of good for okinawa." From what I've read and heard, the okinawan people appreciate this. Their opposition to the bases is primarily because they oppose U.S. and Japanese policies that allow the U.S. government to occupy much of their best land, disrupt their lives, serve as a nuclear stronghold,and subvert their sovreignty.
I have not seen anything in Joyce's blog to suggest that she blames all military personnel for U.S. policy.
I guess you missed the post in march:
"Which sucks, because Okinawans have been peacefully protesting for 50 years trying to get the US killing machine away from their homes and lives and I think people finally thought they were going to get rid of Futenma. NOOOOOT!"
i love it joyce! it takes guts to take a stand when you aren't somewhere like chapel thrill where you know everyone will agree with you.
little starlet will be just fine, even with a few scratches she'll still shine radiantly
Joyce,
I want one of those bumper stickers, seriously, and will send you money for it if you'll let me know how to get it to you! I'll put it on my car and send you a picture of it! Joyce, I'm with Sister Sandi, you keep on shining!!
My feelings about the relocation of Futemna are much like yours. It's frustrating to know the wishes of the people of Okinawa are given very little consideration and the beauty of northern Okinawa could be marred and the peaceful dugong sacrificed. My husband and daughter would not be surprised to come home and find a note from me saying I'm off to Okinawa to participate in a sit in.
By the way, why do I love Okinawa? I was an army brat, spending middle school in a quonset hut and my first year of high school at Kubasaki High in the 70's and I'll never forget it and I'm looking forward to being able to return. I know without a single doubt I'll be back there some day.
Meanwhile, please keep blogging about your rich Okinawa experiences. You blog's the first place I go when I turn on my computer in the morning. Keep posting about all your experiences and impressions.
I'm not kidding about the bumper sticker...
Thanks a million, Joyce!
thanks for commenting everyone! ex-oki, thanks! i will definitely try to find you a bumper sticker. can you give me your mailing address or email address??? eric, i don't have anything against the troops or individuals in the US military in okinawa. i meant it the way my dad (john) interpreted it.
It's cool. :)
Like I said, i wasn't a huge fan of the whole base situation when I was there either.
It's a big ugly issue.
I lived in Okinawa when Ota was governor.
I was off at college when the 95 incident happened, but came back the following December to a home that had totally changed.
I had friends, Okinawan and American on both sides of the base issue- I think you'd be surprised at how many Okinawans hated Ota.
My reaction to the anti-base stuff comes as a leftover from being harassed by people (mostly people in/from Nago) and denied entrance to various bars, clubs, and even stores based on my "nationality". Next time I'm telling people I'm German. lol
4 more days w00t!
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