Posted on 06/06/2016 2:47:09 PM PDT by BBell
U.S. Navy sailors in Japan can say goodbye to their sake.
Following an alleged drunk driving incident by a 21-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Aimee Mejia, the Navy announced Monday that drinking alcohol would be banned for all 19,000 personnel in Japan.
Imbibing will be banned both on and off base, and sailors will no longer be able to freely leave their bases. Leaving base grounds will be allowed only for running necessary errands, or commuting from an off-base home.
"These measures are not taken lightly," said Rear Adm. Matthew Carter. "For decades, we have enjoyed a strong relationship with the people of Japan. It is imperative that each sailor understand how our actions affect that relationship, and the U.S.-Japan alliance as a whole."
Mejia’s vehicle allegedly crossed the center line on a freeway on the island of Okinawa before striking two other vehicles. She was not injured in the crash, but two people in the other cars were.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
Hey, we just defend freedom ! We don’t get any for ourselves.
“Great, what do we get out of it?”
Uh, the end of WWII.”
Is that a joke?
“Germany and Japan were highly restricted after WWII regarding military.”
And rightfully so.
“The US has been keeping them safe (and the world safe from their aggression as well - What country started WWI?).”
Yeah, and so, WHAT DO WE GET FOR IT?
“We need Japan as an ally and Japan needs US as an ally.”
We do? For what? What has Japan ever done for us?
“Fair enough?”
I’m not trying to be argumentative, but I believe most Americans are like me and don’t see the point of defending Japan or SK anymore.
Especially given the rapid decline of our own country.
Voice of reason. You are absolutely correct in this case.
This will be a temporary ban to show the Japanese that we respect their country after what one idiot in the service did.
“Does Japan pay us?”
Not enough for Trump...but they do pay our way there, at least that’s what I last read a while ago.
Aimee Mejia=blanket party.
I could be wrong...
5.56mm
There is a widespread misperception that Japan pays us nothing.
They pay NOTHING DIRECTLY to our troops, of course, however it’s true that Home Base Support from Japan is higher than almost any other country.
They pay about HALF of all US expenditures.
I Looooooooove Trump, but here is a warning:
Japanese faith in the truth of US promises about protection is maybe lower than it has ever been, for pretty good reasons.
It is my very wild guess, but I’d say if Trump suddenly commands Japan to pay ALL..?
There might be a good chance they’d ask the US to leave completely. NOT as punishment, but simply cuz they’d want to have *TOTAL* faith in whatever defenses that followed.
Japan does not DESERVE armed US defense —I absolutely don’t view it as a RIGHT of any non-US country— but I don’t think they appreciate the view, repeated VERY often recently, that they PAY NOTHING.
They do not pay nothing, and for some reason our people DO periodically rape and kill theirs.
We’d be super pissed, too and we NEED to get through this cuz I think a shooting war in the Pacific with China is somewhat likely in the next 5 or so years.
Without US help Japan miiiight lose that war, and without Japan’s help there is little reason for such an active USN patrolling presence so close to China.
No squids got ****faced in Yokosuka hardly NEVER!!!
do I detect heavy sarcasm? LOL
why are we in japan?
maybe because of china and n korea, maybe because of russia.
just a guess.
“Not enough for Trump...”
Not enough for me neither.
Hehe, yeah, Geronimo is a fun little place sometimes. I go there maybe once a year or less. I hate the Roppongi district. Kabukicho is much better. The bars district that caters to sailors around Yokosuka will be the hardest hit, but it was already extremely dead when I was there a few Sunday’s ago.
There’s a lot of anti-US-military sentiment in Japan because of many past incidents (rapes, assaults, etc.). Some movies have even been made there to include the topic.
“Japan does not DESERVE armed US defense —I absolutely don’t view it as a RIGHT of any non-US country— but I don’t think they appreciate the view, repeated VERY often recently, that they PAY NOTHING.”
Fine, so they pay some of the cost.
From now on, they have to pay for everything, plus a little extra for all our trouble.
And guess what? Sailors drink, and get rowdy on Saturday nights. That’s part of the cost.
If that’s not acceptable, then we leave.
Forward deployment bases in China’s and NK’s back yard. Bases which have allowed us to monitor the Soviets and now the Russians and Chinese. We have gotten a lot.
Apparently they do pay for somethings so my “not one yen” statement was in error. That said they and others need to pay more or we should walk.
The Japanese are pretty resourceful when they have to be. I was on Okinawa when the NORKs fired a missile that went over Okinawa, 98 I think. It took everyone by surprise and the Japanese realized they could not relay on the US for intelligence on China Or the Norks. With in a very short period of time the Japanese launched their own spy satellites.
As to why she had a car, cars are cheap and insurance is cheap as well on Okinawa. The speed limits are low and there are not many accident and very few road deaths. As an E-5 she rated a car if she wanted one. She may have been married with kids, I don't know.
I will say that it is nice having a car on Okinawa. It is a small island but it seems bigger than what it is. There are soo many neat little nook and crannies to explore on the Island and you are not going to find them taking a bus.
I liked Okinawa better than Hawaii. The people are pretty friendly and helpful and the crime rate is low on Okinawa. They have some beautiful parks and the public play grounds are cool, the best I have ever seen.
Active Duty ping.
Hmm.. they must have changed that. Back when I was in, the Navy was the tranportation wing of the United States Marine Corps.
:)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.