Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Don't Ask Rambi -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: nihil who wrote (20606)	4/6/1999 7:58:00 AM
From: Dayuhan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71178

We shall not look upon his like again. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings. We may yet see better. I think that Filipinos criticize less the decision to liberate the Philippines first than the means by which the decision was carried out. Enjoying air and artillery superiority, and understandably tired of fighting face to face, the Americans blasted away at the Japanese with rather more fervor than they would have if white allies were the ones in the crossfire, and caused a ferocious mess. Bombings and shellings were consistently carried out with little or no regard for civilian casualties. Reconstruction aid to the Philippines was virtually nonexistent, in fact the newly independent nation was hobbled with some of the most one-sided economic agreements ever signed by two allegedly sovereign nations. The veterans got the shaft, as did a number of others. Practically the entire country, if truth be told. Are you familiar with the role the US played in the suppression of the Hukbalahap, the most prominent anti-Japanese guerilla group? MacArthur may have loved the Filipinos, but I think they would have rather had a little less of his rather patronizing "little brown brother" love, and a little more respect.

To: nihil who wrote (20606)	4/6/1999 10:08:00 AM
From: BlueCrab	Respond to of 71178

>>I suspect he would have preferred to stay and be captured or killed. He was forbidden to do so.<< No doubt about this. Had been able to ensure the safety of his wife and son, and had the decision been up to him, he would have stayed (to the detriment of the Pacific war effort). One thing that must be said about MacArthur - unlike many Army commanders in the ETO, and virtually all naval officers in the Pacific (WRT Marines), MacArthur made damn sure his troops were provided with the best equipment and provisions.