I am a frequent skimmer of your blog Ampotan.
You have, shall we say, a rather defiant--shall we say, Nippon Kaigiesque--take upon every issue.
For example, I cannot help but recall a post you wrote on April 29, 2007, regarding Prime Minister Abe Shinzō's visit to Washington.
Permit me to quote from it, if will you:
Democratic Rep. Mike Honda, a sponsor of a nonbinding congressional resolution demanding that Japan formally apologize for its role in coercing women into sexual slavery, said he was heartened by Abe's apology.That'll happen when shrimp learn to whistle, Mike. You just got the brushoff by a master and you didn't even realize it.
“The logical extension of Mr. Abe's remarks is now for the government of Japan to endorse the prime minister's personal sentiments in a formal, official and unambiguous fashion,” Honda said in a statement.
Indeed, the congressman seems to think the Earth moved under his feet. After a taste of celebrity, it's understandable that he would be tempted to take a turn on stage as an important player in international diplomacy. To milk 15 minutes out of it, at the very least.
Instead, here's what will likely happen—by the Fourth of July, Mike Honda will have returned to being the same congressional cipher that he was this time last year. And any nonbinding congressional resolution will be lining the fish crates in Tsukiji Market.
Well, Mr. Sakovich, guess what?
U.S. committee to vote on "comfort women" resolution next week
The Asahi Shimbun
WASHINGTON--The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs will vote June 26 on a resolution demanding that Japan accept historical responsibility and apologize for the "comfort women" issue, a committee official said Monday.
The resolution, submitted by Mike Honda, a California Democrat of Japanese descent, on Jan. 31, is expected to be passed. Tom Lantos, chairman of the committee, has indicated he would support the resolution.
It is unclear if the resolution, which demands an official apology from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will be passed by the House of Representatives. But support for the resolution is gaining momentum, in part because of an advertisement that appeared in The Washington Post defending Japan's stance on the issue.
So far, 140 lawmakers, including both Democrats and Republicans, of the 435-member House of Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the resolution...
Just in case you think The Asahi Shimbun is pulling your leg, or that the article has been mistranslated, here is a Tokyo Shimbun article that lays out the whole sordid back story in Nihongo.
What is that Oliver Cromwell quote I wanted to pass on to you?
Oh, yes, here it is.
"I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."
Good post - I said countless times that it would come to vote and never pass. But I might have to eat those words, thanks to that ridiculous Washington Post ad, which seems sure to ensure the passage of the bill.
ReplyDeleteMan are they good at shooting their feet.