Unfortunately Everything is Skewed While unfortunately Joe is right, a more accurate statement about this whole situation is "History is written according to the who writes it." I find it odd you failed to mention the fire bombing raids on Tokyo that the Americans carried out, which killed just as many Japanese and destroyed just s much Japanese property as the Nuclear Weapons. Its interesting to see your comments because they obviously come fresh after reading the Japanese view of the war- Im not saying they are right or wrong. The American view of the way is vastly different. Most notably I saw 2 things from your post- #1- A downplaying of the Japanese War Machine, and #2- An idea that the Americans were foaming at the mouth to use this weapon on anyone so as not to waste money. #1- The Japanese military during the 20th century was the most ruthless and animalistic country to ever fight in a war. Read about what they did in the Phillipines, the 200,000 sex slaves (comfort women), Allied soldiers they captured and most importantly The Rape of Nanjing-killing 300,000 chinese civilians and POWs and raping at least 20,000 chinese women. The Japanese Government TO THIS DAY still denies and downplays this ever occoured! In fact I remember a recent Chinese boycott of Japanese products because the Japanese didn't even include the destruction of Nanjing in their school textbooks. They murdered millions of Chinese during the war in an attempt to take over Asia much in the same way Nazi Germany was attempting to take over Europe. To think the Japanese Army was afraid of anyone is naive. The Japanese didn't know the meaning of surrender and openly stated during the war they would fight until every last Japanese was dead, if thats what it took. Imagine that- an enemy who is killing millions of people, aspiring to take over every nation in asia and openly refusing to surrender until they are killed. After the Nuclear Bombs were dropped, Emperor Hirohito even OVERRULED his militarist advisors... the last thing the advisors wanted to do was surrender. They never would have surrendered to any country including Russia. Ultimately the US would have had to invade Japan which was to be defended from occupation by 2.3 million troops, another four million Army and Navy employees and a newly created armed militia numbering 25 million- all sworn to fight to the death and never to surrender. The bombs saved untold hundreds of thousands more Japanese and Americans-perhaps millions-from becoming casualties of pre-invasion bombing and shelling, followed by two invasions and forcible occupation.
All of this being said- Revisionist History exists in both the USA and Japan. But to portray the Japanese as excused because they were deluded under their godly emperor and the USA as foaming at the mouth dogs looking to cash in on their Nuclear Investments is ridiculous.
Congratulations ! Congratulations for getting marry.
I had been paying attention to your trip since you were in Japan.
and I am glad to hear Andrew would chose japan for his foavorite place.
I'm looking forward to reading your new travel -honeymoon-blog from Africa.
Take care , bye
koji japan
Lucky Dog You have no idea how lucky you are. We tried to go whale and dolphin watching twice in Kaikoura- once completely shut out due to weather and once teased with a boat ride out only to be turned back to land due to, you guessed it, weather. Oh yeah, and there was a boat full of sea sick passengers to boot. So, needless to say- we are very jealous and will be living vicariously through your pics:)
all of it I just want to thank you for sharing your wonderful adventure, especially the Pandas.
I have seen places through you 2 that I never would have seen and the stories behind the pictures make it all come alive. Thank God for Blogs!! and that You for doing it! Good luck with your new life together. I dont see any problems for the 2 of you. I mean after all traveling together has killed a few marragies LOL
Have a Great Life!
Hi Fiona and Andrew
Did you get to India? Your pictures are just great, as has your commentary. Been looking for your wrap-up blog. Thanks for sharing.
Come off it Joe! Surely you can't really believe that. Typical one-eyed American view. Stop wasting our time.
I have not been to Hiroshima, but have been told that the monuments to this are amazing. Thanks for your photos and story.
So glad that you two are safe and sound. Was worried after not hearing anything for so long. Isn't that crazy! I'm happy to hear that you had such a good year. Thanks for sharing. We'll sure miss your blogs, as you had a wonderful way of describing things.[as a "commenter" said] Good luck and all the very best in the future.
Thanks again.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
All the best to both of you in the future. Thanks for sharing your travels with us. Are you home yet? Hope there will be more blogs coming!
Operation Downfall had the above operation been implemented, instead of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 2 million Japanese and 1 million Americans would have died. As illogical as it sounds, the bombing of these two cities saved lives. And perhaps we could take your swipes at America more seriously if you didn't hail from a land that has illegally invaded and partitioned more countries, whilst committing numerous acts of genocide on four continents, than any other nation in history.
Halong Bay Trip Arrangement I have never been to Hanoi. thinking of going there soon with my family. May I know how did you arrange your Halong trip, via which local agent and cost per person? Do you need to book in advance?
Thanks for helps!
Very Funny Stuff!! Hi there. I just have to comment on this blog. I split a gut laughing at the way you described the little episode on the balcony and your Mum's window washing! Funny as heck. We are all going to miss your blogs when you finally get home. I've read every one of them after a few different friends put me onto them. You have a way of writing that is interesting and COMICAL. No---noone is getting tired of these blogs! Actually, we miss them when there is a big gap. Keep on having those hard days at the beach!! Have fun and take care.
Pandas Yesssss Thank you sooooo much for sharing the panda pictures. I have been in love with these bear cats since 1988 and I have always wanted to go to china and visit them there. I am so glad i ran across your blog and was able to see your pictures... Thank you for sharing!! If you can smuggle one of them home that would be cool LOL J/K i have a whole room dedicated to Pandas with pictures I have taken and stuff people have given me. I love em! ok I will shut up now Have a great journey and thank you again for sharing Jackie
Fiona and I started this blog in September 2004 when we decided to take a break from our jobs to go tour some of the world with a bag on our back and some money in our pockets.
We had an incredible time, seeing some beautiful places and meetings some nice people along the way, we started in San Francisco and our last destination was Bangkok, in between we visited Hawaii, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam and Laos.
We were armed with a 1.2 megapixel camera at the time, no mobiles, no WiFi, just good old fashioned books and the occasional internet cafe. The trip w... full info
karley
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2006 premiers
yay the eagles are 2006 premiers yay 1 point ova sydney!!! woohoo