Dear People of the World (formerly Dear Americans)

Japan is one of the most democratic nations in the world.

In mid-May, Japanese naval self-defense force (actually Navy) guarded Japan's NGO, PEACE BOAT's cruise ship in Somali coastal areas.

This NGO is run by peace activist group and manages voyages on chartered ship.

This time their ship was on voyage of round-the-world trip. They had asked the Navy to protect their ship while it passed Somali coast.

Strangely, they protest Japanese government's decision to dispatch the navy to the Somali coast.

They publicly announced the opposition. They say they can protect themselves, otherwise Japan's coast guard should protect them.

 

But the travel agency which managed this voyage asked the Defense Ministry to guard the ship for the safety of the passengers.

Then the NGO met public criticism because their publicly announced stance and what they actually chose to do was different.

The organization has always been criticized by conservatives because their activity is too idealistic like defending Article 9 of the constitution which bans the state's possessing of military force. They have done a big campaign of "Protect Article 9" like religious organization's convention.   

They believe Article 9 can protect themselves from bad militias. They believe they can always make peace by negotiation.

No arm force on the earth. But the reality was they were just hypocrite. They were like travel agent group which uses PEACE as ad copy.

 

Well, I know they have the right to be protected by the navy. The passengers are Japanese citizens. That is the navy's duty.

I am very proud of our navy which does that. Japan is democratic nation so even those who oppose the government decision can have the right to be protected.

Thanks for PEACE BOAT, it was proved how our country is democratic nation.

We are in a free society. We can say whatever we want, and can go wherever we want with the protection of the government.

Of course we can. We are tax payers. The sovereignty resides in the people.

And we are a rich country, too. This round-world vovage cost 1.5 million yen (11,000 euros, 10,000 US$) or even cheaper if you got board on it as volunteer staff.

The passengers could have great time having parties, enjoying fashion shows, singing, and discussion of the world peace while being protected by the navy, whom they don't like. They are protected from the pirates they think the consequence of the poverty rich nations caused and whom they think should be helped by their government's aid rather than the navy.

 

How lucky I am to be born as Japanese citizen!    

Miss Japan for this year's "Miss Universe" competition was selected, 24 year-old fashion model.

In 2007 Miss Japan won Miss Universe Crown. Was that good news?

Actually, I did not care and even despise the praise people were making.

This pageant should be criticised for its sexist and racist aspects.

Contenstants were expected to be gentle and cheerful girl. They have to be neutral in the sense of politics.

That is why Miss California was said to have lost the crown of Miss America because of her remark on the same sex marriage.

Women are evaluated based on skin deep and appearance by swim suits and evening gown. Not by their character or ability.

That is a traditional role of women in the society. Poor girls, they still want to be loved by playing such old-fashioned woman.

 

The standard of beauty for the pageant is western measure, not universal. It is myth of universalism.

Always a white woman won. Otherwise a woman who looked like white woman who suits high-heels, dress, and tiara did. Skinny and lighter skin color is recommended.  

 

In some parts of the world, like in Southern Pacific islands or Calibu, fat women are considered attractive. Very different from western world.

Why is "Miss Universe" winner considered the queen of the world? No. They cannot represent the world's beauty.

There are numerous standards of woman's beauty. The pageant is very imperialistic thing.

By showing the pageant globally, the people of the world are brainwashed to believe western beauty is the only beauty of the world.

Nonsense and racist. We are not so dumb any more.  

Such an event is unfitted to 21st century. Anti-feminist and anti-multi-culturalism.

The pageant should be abolished to ban discrimination.

 

A woman named Hester lived in a small Puritan Village in 17th century had been accused of adultfully. She had to wear scarlet letter "A" all the time because of the sin she committed. She and her daughter, Pearl were always harrassed by the villagers.

 

Local villagers and its headman wanted to know who was the father of Pearl. At last the villagers found who he was and got shocked.

 

It seemed that the film revealed the true nature of America. The origin of America was Puritans. Puritans were exiles from England.

They lived under the faith of God because of fear they experienced in England. They created a very closed society with very strict rules. As a result they became hypocrits.

In last scene of the film, Hester and Pearl ran away from the land of hypocrisy, not freedom.

 

That represents feeling I have right now. I am losing interest in America and growing contempt for it.

American is not a dream country to me any more since 911, war in Iraq, deployment of USS George Washington in Yokosuka, and financial crisis.  

Good-bye, America! A country of Hypocrisy!

 

Now I wonder where I am heading. The film gave me a hint.

The film was produced by Germans. It was all German version although the story took place in America.

It is just like holocaust films in English version made by Hollywood.

 

I am now studying German and getting more interested in Germany than ever.