Conspiracy against US Forces?

[dex]

I'm not one for conspiracy theories.

But for the life of me I can not unterstand why CNN had this story on their web site tonight.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/25/comfort.women.ap/index.html

Documents: U.S. troops used 'comfort women' after WWII

This was on their homepage.

Why?

The only thing I can think of is piling on against the war in Iraq in some way.

 

[samclem]

Maybe it was another jab at the troops by CNN, but I don't think that was their primary motivation. It is a salacious story about sex, and that's enough for most any network. Sure, it was 60 years ago. Sure, it appears the Japanese authorities did this on their own even before the US arrived, sure the US shut this whole home-grown operation down in less than 7 months----I'm sure the US is entirely to blame.

Maybe they could add a small footnote: "The US occupation of Japan was unprecedented in its benevolence and its effect. The Japanese constitution and the civil structures put into place during that time had no precedent in Japanese history and were entirely alien to Japanese culture. These served to put Japan on a course of economic prosperity and social stability in a turbulent region--a course that continues to this day. Readers are cautioned that this could never happen in any other country, so don't even think of it."

 

[eridanus]

I'm sure it's just the great, nationwide, liberal conspiracy.

Boo! They're everywhere.

 

[bpp]

It is topical in the wake of recent statements by Prime Minister Abe; first asserting that there was no proof that the Japanese government had coerced women into becoming comfort women, followed by, "oops, what I meant to say was that I deeply regret what happened to those women." (Interestingly, when his wife was interviewed on TV last night about his original statements, she responded with a surprised, "He said that?" Apparently they don't discuss work much at home.)

Not everything is about Iraq.

 

[mikew]

The timing is probably because Abe left for the US today.

 

[brewer12345]

Its all Bill Clinton's fault!

 

[Eagle43]

In 1961 I met some of those comfort girls; probably a later version. It was 350 yen to the dollar, as I recall. For a buck, you could buy a lot of comfort.

 

[Jarhead*]

In 1961 I met some of those comfort girls; probably a later version. It was 350 yen to the dollar, as I recall. For a buck, you could buy a lot of comfort.

"Luv you long time, Eagle-San." 8)

 

[REWahoo]

"Luv you long time, Eagle-San." 8)

"You marry Lotus-Flower and take me to land of big PX?"

 

[youbet]

Its all Bill Clinton's fault!

Hee...hee.... Don't think that Bill had anything to do with these events of 60 years ago, but he sure would have enjoyed it! That horny old dog would have been beyond himself with joy at the opportunity to participate!

 

[bright eyed]

i don't think it has to do w/ conspiracy against the troops but the truth about history.

i have met with some grandmas who were comfort women and they still protest every wednesday (have for decades) in front of the japanese embassy in korea for an apology - that is all they want after the suffering they have endured. most of them will go to their grave without the apology and many think the japanese government is just waiting them out.

i don't think it's news that sex work still exists around army bases around the world either.

 

[farmerEd]

Comfort women? that ain't nothing compare to the US POLICY of shooting unarmed civilians during the Korean war:

http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070414/NEWS/204140361/1368/googlesitemapnews

Wonder what will find out about our behavior in Iraq 50 years from now when things start to be declassified....


Mission accomplished.