Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: Haisai, as they say in Okinawa
Hi everyone, i'm just some everyday guy who recently became a grad student in geography. in Okinawa right now.
was thinking of studying about territorial disputes between Japan and China/Russia over energy rich islands.. but such things move slow as molasses and generally go nowhere after decades of dialogue, and ultimately such disputes primarily serve the interest of core powers.
not sure what to study now but because Okinawa is a periphery, and I have an interest in other pacific islands and newly independent countries (like those in Central Asia and Europe) which are all periphery areas.. perhaps i'll take a look at how peak oil could affect them, especially since many of them have economies that are tourism dependent, and thus, dependent on air transportation.
as for me myself.. I have an interest in aviation, ethnicities, politics, pacific stuff military stuff (although ironically i oppose the many bases on Okinawa, as well as the militant history of Japan). kinda wanna do something that combines all these interests
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: Haisai, as they say in Okinawa
Welcome aboard.
I encourage you to read broadly at PeakOil.com.
I have a feeling that, after much reading, you'll find your path. _________________ Massive Human Dieoff must occur as a result of Peak Oil. Many more than half will die. It will occur everywhere, including where you live. If you fail to recognize this, then your odds of living move toward the "going to die" group.
Joined: Jun 13, 2007 Posts: 3346 Location: Minniesotuh
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject: Re: Haisai, as they say in Okinawa
Welcome, Chanpuru. I think that studying the earth is a wise decision. It certainly is going through a lot of changes. _________________ "RRrrruuuunnnn!!!" ~Apocalypto
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: Haisai, as they say in Okinawa
chanpuru, please tell me all about Okinawa. I was there during the Vietnam war for 18 months and loved the island and the people. How is life under Japanese rule? Are US bases still all over the island? I'd really like to know about life there now; thinking about bugging out there soon to escape the approaching US collapse. _________________ Who is John Galt?
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject: Re: Haisai, as they say in Okinawa
mark wrote:
chanpuru, please tell me all about Okinawa. I was there during the Vietnam war for 18 months and loved the island and the people. How is life under Japanese rule? Are US bases still all over the island? I'd really like to know about life there now; thinking about bugging out there soon to escape the approaching US collapse.
Thanks for the warm welcome guys!
to Mark:
its a difficult situation. I'm sure you know from your own experience, there's way too many bases on such a small island. One of them have closed, and it became a new shopping district. But they're thinking about making a new one in Nago.
In general people here don't have positive opinions on the US or Tokyo. The way Japan has treated Okinawa (which was a separate country) has been apalling, especially their refusal to back off from white washing force Japanization of Okinawa, and forced suicides, etc. And of course the long standing issue of America's bayonet/bulldozer policy that stole land from Okinawans to build bases. The biggest problem is Tokyo. Okinawans complain and complain, but Tokyo literally bends over for America.
Not too long ago, one of the land owners of the bases (the land owners are now being compensated).. refused to renew his lease for the base and wanted the base off.. the Tokyo government refused his request.. and asked the Okinawan government to allow the US bases to use the land. the Okinawan governor sided with the owner and refused. End result, Tokyo got rid of the governor, and that land owner still doesnt have power over his land.
then there's still issues about sexual assaults from soldiers, noise pollution from low flying aircraft, etc.
its not to say that everything American is negative. I think by and far, most American soldiers here are actually quite alright.. but of course there are always those horrible disrespectful ones that aggravate an already sensitive situation.
Economically there's some major issues. Much of the economy is linked to the bases (something the US and Tokyo gov't intended) so its hard to simply just kick them all off. It seems that the US also owns stocks in the 3 major banks here too!
Tokyo has been pushing Okinawa to be "Japan's Hawaii". The tourism industry has been growing, but it has its fair share of positives and negatives. Gas here is expensive.
one wonders if the land that the bases occupy could be better used for farming or other things.
Joined: Oct 23, 2005 Posts: 1704 Location: East of Eden
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Haisai, as they say in Okinawa
Hi chanpuru, welcome. I'm curious about your geography degree - what are some of the topics of study for an advanced degree in that subject? _________________ "If a path to the better there be, it begins with a full look at the worst." — Thomas Hardy
Joined: Oct 23, 2005 Posts: 1704 Location: East of Eden
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: Haisai, as they say in Okinawa
Sounds quite interesting, chanpuru. Thanks and welcome. _________________ "If a path to the better there be, it begins with a full look at the worst." — Thomas Hardy
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