One of my favorite stories about that was by Ring Lardner, I think. Perhaps somebody can provide a pointer to it. It goes like this.

A couple arrives in a town and ask an old guy what the town is like as they're considering moving to the area. Old man asks what the town was like where they came from. They say it was full of gossipy, small-minded, petty people who were unfriendly and cold. Old guy says that's a shame because he was sure that they'd discover the people here were much the same. The couple departs in sadness.

Later another couple asks the same question of the old guy and he responds with his same question. Oh, they say, we cried and cried when we left our home. The people were so warm and friendly that they opened their homes and hearts to the couple almost from the first day. Old guy says, Well folks, I am happy to say that I believe you'll find this town is exactly like that, too.

Bot

Yes but their english speaking ability, by and large, is very poor. If you speak to them in english, they will say what they are able to say, not what they want to say.

When you speak their language, they can say whatever is on their mind, especially when they're drunk. And believe me, for about the last 3 1/2 years I lived there, I went out drinking with my co-workers nearly every night.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

True, true. My take on the orientals in general is that they are often much more reserved than we are here. In fact, sometimes, we are considered rude because we speak our mind more than they do. IMO, they seem more concerned with appearances of niceness and politeness than we are.

That might be one way but I for one am very nervous about info got under the influence. I tend to remember what was said or done when I am drunk. So far I haven't done much under the influence that I can't see myself doing sober. At best it is an indication.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_of_Nanking

Not Japan's finest hour thats for sure. I remember reading a newspaper artical at the time about a contest. It seems two Japanese officers were racing to see how many Chinese they could kill with the Katana's. The total's for each were well into the one hundred range.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rabe

However not such dark a day for the Germans, or the Nazi's.
(note I dispute wiki in that regard, from my readings his Nazi credentials helped him, go figure.)

How strange history is.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Oh and why do currant Japanese history books glaze over WW2....hmmm....

As to the stray dog comment, yeah I am happy to be a stray thank you very much.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Why did Dacia leave his homeland?

To get to the other side.

B

Seems like he misses it.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

He who misses is never missed.

but would he miss his missus?

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

More tellingly, would his Missus miss him?

As far as I know, history textbooks in Japanese schools don't even cover WWII. They learn absolutely nothing about the atrocities they committed in China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Phillipines. It's such a shame. At least the Germans have taken an honest look at their history and what they did in WWII.

Just for the record - - I'm not defending Japanese people as a race. Just those that have immigrated to the U.S. and have become Americans. They are as patriotic and love this country as much as the rest of us, and what's more, young Japanese men volunteered to serve in the military and fought bravely in WWII, even when their loved ones were still behind barbed wire in the U.S. One of the camps was Manzanar. Ansel Adams published a book of photography of the camp, which he visited many times.

In fact, part of my thesis in earning my degrees in Japanese and Linguistics involved translating first person interviews of first generation Japanese fathers of what their experience was like in the interment camps. Most of the men interviewed were kept in Manzanar.

Edit:

Just googled Manzanar. It is a National Historic Site. Here's a link:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/manz/home.htm

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Just for point of reference, how long did it take American primary school textbooks to cover the issue of violence and betrayal against First Nation members? Or the treatment of minorities in general? I suppose one day it will cover the issue of the CIA and MI5 in the overthrow of the government of Iran?

Every nation has skeletons in their collective closets, and over time there will be a generation that has the courage to face them and expose them.

My old man, a vet of the Philippines and New Guineau, died in 2000. I was really frustrated in trying to hook him up with some of his buddies from the war back in the mid to late 90s. I'd seen video of veterans reunions and I asked my dad if he'd be up for it -- he said he'd love to.

I spent a lot of time in veterans chat rooms asking if anyone knew anyone who'd served in the 24th ID in WW2. No luck and I certainly don't fault the people running those websites. It's a big ocean to find a certain kind of fish in.

I know the Pentagon has plenty on its hands, but it seems like some sort of database of who served where and current contact info, on a willingly supplied basis of course, would really be a boon for those who served.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Since they are veterans, not active duty, maybe the Veterans Admin would be a better outfit to organize things like that.

It's like this: outfits that have high unit cohesion organize themselves. Units that don't, don't. Why force what doesn't come naturally?

Bot