Japan get's an asterisk among the 'willing'

[Steve Bildermann]

It is true indeed that 'the willing' makes strange bedfellows. I wonder how willing Korea and Afghanistan are?

The United States says it has 30 countries included in its "coalition of the willing" to use military force to topple Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq.

Japan seems to be willing but maybe not as much as the rest.

Afghanistan
Albania
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bulgaria
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
El Salvador
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Georgia
Hungary
Italy
* Japan (post-war)
Korea
Latvia
Lithuania
Macedonia
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Slovakia
Spain
Turkey
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan

[Taro Toporific]

It is true indeed that 'the willing' makes strange bedfellows.
... * Japan (post-war)...

Perhaps Japan wants the post-war reconstruction contracts for concrete.

[Marvin Feltcher]

Steve Bildermann, you are a savior!
I was sitting in my car this morning wondering where on earth I could get a list of the "Coalition of the Willing" and couldn't for the life of me think of where. I come to FG and you've done it for me! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm deeply indebted.

[American Oyaji]

Coatlition of the Willing.

Sounds like some literary prophecy. Like the "Journal of the Whills"
or something.
BAH

[Steve Bildermann]

Steve Bildermann, you are a savior!
I was sitting in my car this morning wondering where on earth I could get a list of the "Coalition of the Willing" and couldn't for the life of me think of where.

I come to FG and you've done it for me! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm deeply indebted.

It's an honor to serve....

[kamome]

Japan ALWAYS has an asterisk by it's name. The world is forced to create a different category for Japan because of its *uniqueness*, with "unique" being a metaphor for a host of issues that explain why Japan cannot function as a true world player.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

Japan ALWAYS has an asterisk by it's name. The world is forced to create a different category for Japan because of its *uniqueness*, with "unique" being a metaphor for a host of issues that explain why Japan cannot function as a true world player.

And in spite of the fact that it is truly annoying to speak of themselves in reverence as the one nation to have renounced war (ahem, that was done for you), I am not sure I ever want them to be any more than an asterisk. A population that for fifty years has no concept of world responsibility could be a dangerous thing.

[kamome]

Japan ALWAYS has an asterisk by it's name. The world is forced to create a different category for Japan because of its *uniqueness*, with "unique" being a metaphor for a host of issues that explain why Japan cannot function as a true world player.

And in spite of the fact that it is truly annoying to speak of themselves in reverence as the one nation to have renounced war (ahem, that was done for you), I am not sure I ever want them to be any more than an asterisk. A population that for fifty years has no concept of world responsibility could be a dangerous thing.

Good point, although a country (USA) that has an overreaching concept of world responsibility is at least as dangerous. Hence all the sniping from the sidelines while Bush cranks up the war effort into high gear.

Something I got in my inbox this morning:

A Letter from Michael Moore to George W. Bush on the Eve of War


George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC


Dear Governor Bush:

So today is what you call "the moment of truth," the day that "France and the rest of world have to show their cards on the table." I'm glad to hear that this day has finally arrived. Because, I gotta tell ya, having survived 440 days of your lying and conniving, I wasn't sure if I could take much more. So I'm glad to hear that today is Truth Day, 'cause I got a few truths I would like to share with you:

1. There is virtually NO ONE in America (talk radio nutters and Fox News aside) who is gung-ho to go to war. Trust me on this one. Walk out of the White House and on to any street in America and try to find five people who are PASSIONATE about wanting to kill Iraqis. YOU WON'T FIND THEM! Why? 'Cause NO Iraqis have ever come here and killed any of us! No Iraqi has even threatened to do that. You see, this is how we average Americans think: If a certain so-and-so is not perceived as a threat to our lives, then, believe it or not, we don't want to kill him! Funny how that works!

2. The majority of Americans -- the ones who never elected you -- are not fooled by your weapons of mass distraction. We know what the real issues are that affect our daily lives -- and none of them begin with I or end in Q. Here's what threatens us: two and a half million jobs lost since you took office, the stock market having become a cruel joke, no one knowing if their retirement funds are going to be there, gas now costs almost two dollars -- the list goes on and on. Bombing Iraq will not make any of this go away. Only you need to go away for things to improve.

3. As Bill Maher said last week, how bad do you have to suck to lose a popularity contest with Saddam Hussein? The whole world is against you, Mr. Bush. Count your fellow Americans among them.

4. The Pope has said this war is wrong, that it is a SIN. The Pope! But even worse, the Dixie Chicks have now come out against you! How bad does it have to get before you realize that you are an army of one on this war? Of course, this is a war you personally won't have to fight. Just like when you went AWOL while the poor were shipped to Vietnam in your place.

5. Of the 535 members of Congress, only ONE (Sen. Johnson of South Dakota) has an enlisted son or daughter in the armed forces! If you really want to stand up for America, please send your twin daughters over to Kuwait right now and let them don their chemical warfare suits. And let's see every member of Congress with a child of military age also sacrifice their kids for this war effort. What's that you say? You don't THINK so? Well, hey, guess what -- we don't think so either!

6. Finally, we love France. Yes, they have pulled some royal screw-ups. Yes, some of them can be pretty damn annoying. But have you forgotten we wouldn't even have this country known as America if it weren't for the French? That it was their help in the Revolutionary War that won it for us? That our greatest thinkers and founding fathers -- Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, etc. -- spent many years in Paris where they refined the concepts that lead to our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution? That it was France who gave us our Statue of Liberty, a Frenchman who built the Chevrolet, and a pair of French brothers who invented the movies? And now they are doing what only a good friend can do -- tell you the truth about yourself, straight, no b.s. Quit pissing on the French and thank them for getting it right for once. You know, you really should have traveled more (like once) before you took over. Your ignorance of the world has not only made you look stupid, it has painted you into a corner you can't get out of.

Well, cheer up -- there IS good news. If you do go through with this war, more than likely it will be over soon because I'm guessing there aren't a lot of Iraqis willing to lay down their lives to protect Saddam Hussein. After you "win" the war, you will enjoy a huge bump in the popularity polls as everyone loves a winner -- and who doesn't like to see a good ass-whoopin' every now and then (especially when it 's some third world ass!). So try your best to ride this victory all the way to next year's election. Of course, that's still a long ways away, so we'll all get to have a good hardy-har-har while we watch the economy sink even further down the toilet!

But, hey, who knows -- maybe you'll find Osama a few days before the election! See, start thinking like THAT! Keep hope alive! Kill Iraqis -- they got our oil!!

Yours,

Michael Moore

My first reaction: Hey, who says we love France???

[Resolute Optimist]

Awww... my boyfriend is french and he's a real sweetheart... And yes he uses soap... and Chanel (hmmmm)

[cstaylor]

Of course, Moore (the great scholar that he is) fails to mention that France wasn't even a Republic when they helped the colonists fight for independence against their "ancient enemy", and that inbetween Marquis de Lafayette's assistance to the rebellion and Chirac's thinly-veiled "ore no seikyu sawaranaide kudasai" there have been, count them, six different French Republics.
My problem with the American Left is that they only look intelligent when compared to the American Right (kind of like watching a battle of wits between a 10 year old and a 13 year old).

[Resolute Optimist]

Does anyone here like France, even just a little bit?
Still, I spend all year fuming about what a bunch of obnoxious brats the french are, and defend them with conviction when I'm in pubs in England... A very confusing state to be in... My BF hates the french and he IS french...

[ramchop]

And here's a list of countries who have helped in the International Contributions to the War on Terror, but are not on the list of 30, standing shoulder to shoulder with America on this one. I guess we can forget about their recent contributions and now label them cowards.

Belgium
Canada
Germany
Djibouti
Egypt
Finland
France
Greece
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
New Zealand
Norway
Pakistan
Portugal
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Slovenia
Sweden
Tajikistan
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Yemen

[Steve Bildermann]

Sep 11 2001.

18 months is a L-O-N-G time in world politics. Pakistan sorts of wakes up each day and says 'check the internet, are we bad or good guys today'

BTW - I thought the notes on these websites were rather ironic

http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/macedonia.htm
http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/kenya.htm
http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/latvia.htm
http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/Tajikistan.htm
http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/yemen.htm
http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/djibouti.htm

Et Etc

[ramchop]

Sep 11 2001.

18 months is a L-O-N-G time in world politics. Pakistan sorts of wakes up each day and says 'check the internet, are we bad or good guys today'

BTW - I thought the notes on these websites were rather ironic

So what's a short time in world politics? Sept 11 is indeed 18 months ago, but that's not when these countries were last active in the fight against terror, many still are.

I loved the irony too.

[omei]

The french are so un-important in this world and they know it. Their uninteresting culture is fading faster than their front line in any recent war.

[ramchop]

The french are so un-important in this world and they know it. Their uninteresting culture is fading faster than their front line in any recent war.

Yes, let's all jump on the childish "I hate France" bandwagon.

The only French thing that really must be squashed is their rugby team in September. They're looking less threatening at the moment, but they pick their moments and it's (sadly) usually against the All Blacks.

[ramchop]

Prior to this grant the government of Japan twice provided similar assistance amounting to 3 billion yen (approx US 25.5 million) and 5 billion yen (approx US $ 39 million) in the last Japanese Fiscal Year, the counterpart fund of which is committed to be used for health and education sectors respectively.

I wonder if nuclear physicists' research projects come under the "education" umbrella.

[Hana_Mizu]

The french are so un-important in this world and they know it. Their uninteresting culture is fading faster than their front line in any recent war.

What? France is, in fact, one of the world's largest food producers with a very large agricultural industry so that right there makes it a VERY important country.

Are you sure? Do have the facts to back this up? French farmers cause the most disruption (economically speaking) in Europe every year! They seem to strike just for the hell of it!
Also, on average, a French person only works a 35 hours week... one of the lowest in Europe! I don't hate the French, I like them as much as I like the Germans

[gomichild]

35 hours a week? Man they've got their shit sorted out...

*packs her bags*

[Hana_Mizu]

As if 35 hours a week wasn't low enough, they were on strike last year for a further reduction in working hours AND A PAY RISE WTF

I'd pack my bags as well, except for the fact that France, well..... it's full of French people

[Hana_Mizu]

encule, va bouffer ta merde Rob Pongi can you read French... thought not!

[Steve Bildermann]

Rob.

There a new J-pop band I saw on MTV called I think IGNOP. They have an album out called "IGNOP live"

Is that how you pronounce their name?

[GuyJean]

Evil Pongi, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL ROB PONGI?

Its... EVIL FRENCH PONGI!

Grab the mayo and run!!!!!

GJ

[GomiGirl]

Rob getting snotty at the "snot meister"..... go Rob!!

[Hana_Mizu]

WELL, what does it mean? or are you still searching the net for the answer?

[Hana_Mizu]

Ahhhh, this is getting stupid. Me thinks my bit of fun has got a bit out of hand. I'll apologise first before any more muck is thrown.

Rob, I sorry if I've offended you in any way.

GomiGirl, what makes you think I'm a snot meister?

[GuyJean]

WELL, what does it mean?

From Babel Fist:
"fuck up the ass, will puff out your shit Rob Pongi"

Sounds cute.

what makes you think I'm a snot meister?

Hana mizu means 'snot', or literally 'nose water'.

GJ

[Hana_Mizu]

Guy,

I thought I wrote f**k you, eat s**t... wrong again

I know what hana mizu means, just thought she meant I was "stuck up" as I'm from the U.K.

[Hana_Mizu]

How long do you think it'll last? I hope it won't drag on! A very good friend of mine is out/over there right now!!! and I'm here moaning about how boring research is. God bless him and return him safe and sound!!!!!

[GuyJean]

I thought I wrote f**k you, eat s**t

I personally like, "fuck up the ass, will puff out your shit."]just thought she meant I was "stuck up" as I'm from the U.K.[/quote]I thought it was the French who were snotty... Doh! Don't kill me, Evil French Pongi!.

GJ