Hi CB, I am a pacifist (who likes to play Unreal Tournament) and have never gotten myself into a physical fight while growing up. I did so because the majority of my friends were older than I was.
The difference between the American Indians and the folks in Korea and China, vs Japan, is that there is a substantial number of folks in the three countries still looking to get even, with a substantial minority willing to help when called upon, with a majority willing to see what develops. One way or another, given the 'official' Japanese attitude to WWII, this negative energy is so very easily mobilized, channeled, and directed in a manner not for the good of the many. This potential bump down the road, along with its consequences, can only be viewed as a peculiar Japanese construct.
In a very important sense, the geopolitics of Asia is still haunted by WWII, more so than the Korean and Vietnam wars, and when viewing the relationships between Asia ex-Japan, and Japan, the haunting matters, and so far has very successfully jumped the generation gap, thanks to Japan.
This is not nearly as true in Europe, at least not about WWII.
Chugs, Jay |
