IN DANGER OF DANCING ON THEIR GRAVES

When Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo visited the Yasukuni Shrine recently, both the Chinese government and the South Koreans reacted by launching tirades of furious rhetoric. Predictably so. Many politicians in those countries have neither hearts nor brains, and are horrendous opportunists.
It is particularly ironic when you consider that this week one of those same countries is celebrating the anniversary of the regrettable birth of the biggest mass-murderer in all of human history, and no, I'm not talking about emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Any rational person would rather honour the spirits of the millions who died in war, both the innocent as well as those guilty of war-crimes, than pay obeisance to a brutal psychopath with a wart on his chin.


[Biggest mass-murderer in history: 那個姓毛的。 Qin Shi Huang: 一個姓嬴或趙的精神病患者也。]


In this blogger's opinion, honouring the ancient war-dead (most of whom were civilians) is a respectable and responsible thing to do. Whereas petulant snippy bloviation about it from Peking and Seoul demonstrates a childishness and vindictiveness that is almost unbelievable.
Abe Shinzo's visit to Yasukuni was a purely internal affair, and merits no condemnation.

Additionally, if the Koreans and Chinese are going to fling rhetorical poo, they should be aware that there is a lot on their side that can be mentioned. China, with such a long history as an imperial power especially, has much to be embarrassed about.

The war in which all three of those nations were involved ended sixty eight years ago. Those who survived it are decrepit or dead now, and most citizens of Japan, Korea, and China, only know it as history that happened before their time. It is senseless to blame people who weren't alive during those years for what was done.
However, many of the criminals responsible for events that happened between 1966 and 1971 are still very much alive. That, certainly, does require a more keenly honed sense of guilt and regret.


打碎舊世界，創立新世界。


It must be noted that Japan has a far longer history as a democracy than either South Korea or China. And there is much in their post-war history that is truly remarkable and admirable. They have flourished, despite the horrendous suffering in the post-war period. Their war criminals were imprisoned and executed, their destroyed industries and cities have been rebuilt, their society has recovered from the destruction that was visited upon them.

Chinese and Korean war-criminals have largely been overlooked, and certainly not held accountable. Many of them enjoyed respect and veneration in the post-war years, and have had contented retirement, lauded by their countries for their service. This is natural -- they were on the victorious side -- but it still leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
There are several graves in Taiwan, Korea, and the mainland that deserve to be pissed on.

Indeed, it IS a shame and profoundly wrong that Japan does not teach their war-history accurately and in detail in their schools. What they did in Shanghai and Nanjing will live forever as monstrous crimes. And it would suit them to admit it; to their neighbors, and to their own new generations.
That remains an issue, and needs correction.
It is right to continue that demand.


But a very Confucian ceremony at a memorial shrine is NOT an odious act. It is, in fact, one of the most honourable things to do.


Sometimes I would appreciate it if the Korean and Chinese political classes stuffed a giant banana into their collective pie-holes.
Instead of vomiting their bile so publicly.




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