http://the-diplomat.com/2010/02/17/japan-us-ties-in-question/ Know The Diplomat, Know Asia Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:12:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0-alpha http://the-diplomat.com/2010/02/17/japan-us-ties-in-question/comment-page-1/#comment-99 Cindy Yost Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:45:55 +0000 http://the-diplomat.com/?p=3353#comment-99 This is troubling stuff. To have Japan be officially neutral,yet have bases there,and then NOT have it perfectly clear about the nuclear stuff,all seems REALLY stupid,and irrational. Why must diplomacy ALWAYS happen between two governments,with all the civilian population at the mercy of whatever is decided? Why cannot the governments meet together,with the US side emphasizing that it WANTS VERY MUCH to accomplish its goals in ways that the nation's citizens will find acceptable,whenever possible? It could choose its battles CAREFULLY,and not act like a bull in a china closet so much. And a great deal more plain and simple HONESTY between governments,instead of the polite lies that are accepted on face value, that pass for "diplomacy", would be a very good thing. This is troubling stuff. To have Japan be officially neutral,yet have bases there,and then NOT have it perfectly clear about the nuclear stuff,all seems REALLY stupid,and irrational. Why must diplomacy ALWAYS happen between two governments,with all the civilian population at the mercy of whatever is decided? Why cannot the governments meet together,with the US side emphasizing that it WANTS VERY MUCH to accomplish its goals in ways that the nation’s citizens will find acceptable,whenever possible? It could choose its battles CAREFULLY,and not act like a bull in a china closet so much. And a great deal more plain and simple HONESTY between governments,instead of the polite lies that are accepted on face value, that pass for “diplomacy”, would be a very good thing.

]]>