I’m not in denial of anything. I understand and fully recognise what went on. Why on earth would you think otherwise?

Some of the things you mentioned earlier gave that impression; in particular about how and what current generations learn of the actions taken by their military in WW2. You personally seem to have a grasp of things as is evidenced in this thread; but you can’t really speak for a nation, can you?

I think you need to look a little further into your claim that there have been NO apologies. It is clearly not the case.

I’ve not said there were NO apologies. In fact there have been numerous to various groups. They are all the same though. A neat little statement saying that the current government feels sympathy and remorse. Then all the little caveats pointing out that there’s no direct evidence of military involvement etc. It cheapens it, you know? But then again that’s governments for you… and it’s not just Japan that needs to learn to apologise sincerely.

But, as said before now, given the enormity and complexity of the subject I don’t think anything will ever be truly adequate, will it?

I think you’re right. I don’t think it will. A relative of mine was a POW on the Burma-Siam railway, he wouldn’t talk of it and didn’t like the Japanese… I don’t think he was a minority either.

Regards,

Rich

You state that Japan has made no admission or apology, but this is clearly not the case. There have been many official admissions and apologies by successive Japanese governments. Even one made before the United Nations. I’m afraid that people just don’t want to accept, or don’t even want to hear.

You are so blinkered!! No doubt you’ll be insisting Unit 731 didn’t exist next.

Whatever happens at home.. whatever is told.. if it is not first hand, comes from texts. From information – all of which was heavily censored until as late as 1995. So what will this generation have learned from – given that they weren’t there to actually witness it, and the written histories are lacking in content? They will learn and perpetuate a lie.

The apology to the UN was in 1998 regarding “Comfort Women”… the blatant forced prostitution of women from Korea, China, Japan and Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, amongst others in military brothels. It was so worded that it was acknowledged by the Japanese government; but even the it was flat denied that it was the military that had been responsible for it. Later it was retracted.

Therefore, it is NOT an apology.

It is not that people don’t want to hear an apology. The repeated attempts by Japan to word them in such a way to avoid confronting their own shame makes them virtually worthless.

Rich

My personal experience is that there is understanding and acknowledgement – on a personal level – of much that occurred. Children in Japan – trying not to generalise – in my experience often are taught about that period, but not just about the atrocities of their own side.

Really? So the Japanese authorities have started putting back the bits they conveniently removed from history textbooks (regarding Nanking and other atrocities) immediately post-war then?

As to one of your other points; a country speaks as an entity to other countries through its leaders. So far there hasn’t been an admission or an apology from Japan for any of the evil done; in fact in recent times “they” (the leaders) have sought to retract previous attempts at apologies or admissions of wrong doing.

Hardly an attempt at understanding or acknowledging things.

As to not knowing what to do to apologise? A simple statement of apology from the Japanese government would be a good starting point.

Rich

Today I am swearing as I have a cold. It’s making slacking… sorry, working, even more difficult than usual.

My head feels as though somebody has squirted expanding foam up my left nostril while I slept, resulting in a woolly headed feeling. It’s also had some kind of weird effect on my balance, and now instead of my usual confident stride, I find myself meandering about like Captain Jack Sparrow.

In between downing awful concoctions from Beechams and other sadists that are supposed to get rid of the symptoms, I’m using the computer to try to find out why my body finds it necessary to try and drown me in my own snot.

In short I feel like ****. It’s got to be man-flu or something… no cold is as bad as this.

I think I might be dying.

but then it can be legitamably debated if the bombing of dresden was a necessary act too !!

Go read Frederick Taylor’s book on Dresden. Then come back with an informed opinion.

Rich

More Jaguar inspired swearing coming from the Woods household.

Little brother has just bought an XJ6 in an attempt to emulate me. Unforunately his needs a bit of mechanical attention. I believe the technical term for a car like this is “shagged”.

One of the most awful jobs is the handbrake; or rather the continued lack of.

If you’ve ever driven an XJ6 series 1 – 3, you’ll know just how pitiful this is when it works correctly. It’s supposed to hold two tons of fat cat on a 1 in 3 slope… and it never does. Ever. Even when they were new, all this pathetic umbrella handle strapped to the floor did was make a little red light on the dash come on.

I have several theories on this:

1. That stupid umbrella shaped handbrake lever. The only way you are going to get any kind of handbrake effort is by bracing your feet against what left of the toeboard and pulling until your vertebrae pop out and the veins on your forehead resemble a relief map of the himalayas. Why couldn’t they put a proper mans handbrake lever on it instead of this half-arsed little effort?

2. The handbrake cable is attached to something solid near the diff, with a big bolt (in a size and thread nobody’s ever heard of) and was never meant to work. Jaguar couldn’t figure it out either, and British Leyland wouldn’t put up the cash to sort it, preferring to spend it on biscuits for the strikers that week.

Legend has it when Ford took over Jaguar in the late 1980’s there was a convrsation in the design office that went something like this:

(Ford guy) “So where’s the brakes…?”

(Jag guy… pointing into the oily darkness) “In there somewhere…. I forget exactly where.”

(F) “Pardon…?”

(J) “Well, once we did send a guy in to see if he could find a handbrake, but he didn’t make it back. It was awful we had to phone his wife and let her know. He had a kid too…..”

(F Looking under car) “So the handbrake’s in there?!”

(J Sheepish) “Sort of…”

(F) “Sod that. Somebody fetch me some paper, some crayons and a five year old. We’ll design a proper one.”

So I spent yesterday under the car trying to sort it out. Armed with a set of pads that are about the same size as those on an average sized mountain bike, a new handbrake cable, copper grease, and a good supply of tea, I began.

One hour later after a nice fight, and losing only two knuckles I had the handbrake calipers on the floor. This in itself is no mean feat, as Jaguar put it all in a nice little cage, with the discs near on the diff and the handbrake sat in the middle of all this mess.

New pads are fitted, and after another fight the calipers are back where they should be. The cable and all the springs are put in, losing anothe knuckle to the exhaust hangers that are fighting for space wit the drive shafts and brakes.

I take the car to a suitable hill, and with the brakes on, pull on the handbrake, and slip it into neutral. I gently release the brakes…. and I roll backwards, swearing. The light on the dash lies like a government minister on fuel pricing, and I swear I heard somebody laughing at me..

So that’s it. I’m now investigating new ideas to make a handbrake on a Jag… one of which involves moving the brakes out board and using other bits. Failing that the local pub has a great big ships anchor outside and we’ll use that on the end of a rope.

If it persists in defying me, I can see it getting the Basil Fawlty treatment before long.

Rich

Its been a combined service in all but name for years.

Most stuff is “Tri-Service” or “Joint Services” wherever you look. While part of me likes the traditional aspect of it all, if it works out they can get a saving by bringing it all under one banner yet not cut back on already stretched resorces for the troops then I’m with it all the way.

I wasn’t a great supporter of the coalition government; but at least they seem to be telling it straight. Unfortunately, it seems to be that the country is more screwed financially than we all got told a few months ago.

Regards,

Rich

Hey… I said navy friends! Not me!

I get seasick on a rowing boat.. if man were meant to play about in deep water he would have gills!