"Iraq deja vu Vietnam"
http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=1914&mode=thread&order=0
-----------------------------
By David Antoon, Colonel, USAF Ret.
YellowTimes.org Guest Columnist (United States)

(YellowTimes.org) �EWhen I was an innocent and na�Ee young man, I served three tours of duty in Vietnam, an immoral war that left some fifty thousand Americans and three million Vietnamese dead. Each of these deaths, both American and Vietnamese, represented the loss of a relative -- grandparent, parent, son, daughter, brother, or sister -- and left a void only known by those families who have suffered such losses. Today, Vietnamese children suffer birth mutations, cancers, and untimely deaths from the Agent Orange that was deposited in their ground water by America decades ago.

And now a misguided America is using its war machine with the same horrible results in another fraudulently manipulated war. Depleted uranium (with a half-life of 1.5 million years) has replaced Agent Orange as the contaminant of choice. Iraqis and Afghanis have become the victims instead of Vietnamese. AC-130 gunships are again raining down indiscriminate death in Iraqi cities as they did three decades ago on Vietnamese villages. And young innocent Americans (“fungible�Eunits as described by Rumsfeld in one of his jocular press briefings) are vainly dying again at the hands of a misguided, mendacious and immoral administration. American, Iraqi and Afghani families are experiencing a void that we all hope to never know.

With Vietnam, the falsified Gulf of Tonkin incident was used to “buy�EAmerica’s support for war. The objective of that war became a moving “goal post;�E“domino theory;�E“democratization;�Ethe fraudulent and morbid score of body counts and finally to “avoid defeat.�EThis time, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice fraudulently acquired American support with false claims about Iraq’s capability and intent to manufacture and use nuclear weapons. These claims, along with Colin Powell’s Oscar-winning performance before the United Nations Security Council describing vast quantities of chemical and biological “WMDs�Ewere all false. In less than a year, the goal posts have moved from WMDs to regime change to “freedom�Eand now to “smoke out�Ethe terrorists while avoiding language that depicts U.S. terrorism inflicted upon Iraqis clearly manifested in the siege of Fallujah. In response to the chaos in the besieged city of Fallujah, the military commentators are now talking about “avoiding defeat,�Einstead of outright victory. The goal posts won’t stand still.

Three decades ago, Colin Powell, in his first tour of duty in Vietnam, did search and destroy missions. During his second tour of duty, Major Powell was assigned to investigate the My Lai massacre where he dismissed the reports of the real heroes in this atrocity, those who reported the crime. He has again demonstrated in his position with the current administration that he is still a “dutiful soldier.�EAt the beginning of the war in Iraq, Secretary of State Powell stated that the numbers of Iraqi casualties was of no concern to him or his government. The U.S. government has done no accounting, but NCOs estimate the number of innocent Iraqis killed in Iraq to exceed 17,000 thus far. Human carnage at the expense of moral courage and truth seems to follow Powell wherever he goes. His lack of accounting does not make him or this administration unaccountable for the deaths of thousands of innocent people.

As in Vietnam, the killing of the “enemy�Eis so much easier if soldiers are “desensitized�Eand the “enemy�Eis “dehumanized.�EToday, BBC reported that an American general and her soldiers were responsible for Iraqi prisoners being forced into naked, sexual poses where they were photographed with American troops in uniform. They were even tortured with electrical wires attached to their genitals. Beatings led to deaths. It appears these war crimes were not isolated, but endemic. Interviews with American snipers on NPR describe shooting Iraqis as sport. Apparently, the “dehumanization�Eof the “enemy�Ehas been successful as evidenced by these “desensitized�Etransgressions. Contrast this treatment of Iraqi prisoners with the humane and life-saving treatment Jessica Lynch received from her captors.

This month, the Toledo Blade was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for their reporting on the Tiger Force atrocities in Vietnam, including the killing and torturing of innocent Vietnamese, and the wearing of body parts of their victims as “necklaces.�ETiger Force was recently reactivated in Iraq to shoot and kill, from over a mile away, any Iraqi approaching the oil pipelines. It doesn’t matter if they are innocent bystanders or not. It’s another way to endear our occupation to the Iraqi people.

Al Jazeera has reported and documented over 450 innocent, elderly men, women, and children killed and buried in the Fallujah city soccer field now being used as a makeshift grave. They report that American forces are shooting at anybody who moves and have also prevented the injured from being transported to hospitals for emergency care. Even Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, reports that the American military has bombed Al Jazeera offices, and persecuted and killed its reporters and cameramen. Al Jazeera’s crime was providing truthful reporting and images to the outside world, news that has been suppressed by American forces.

Senator John McCain has lashed out at his colleagues in the Senate who have referred to the war in Iraq as another “Vietnam.�EMany, if not most Vietnam veterans, would strongly disagree with Senator McCain. Large numbers have joined forces in the organization, Vietnam Veterans Against War. It should be noted that more Americans have died in the first year of the Iraq war than died in the first year of the Vietnam War. Senator McCain is only correct in the observation that the consequences of this misadventure will be far, far graver than they were in Vietnam.

I am no longer innocent and na�Ee. I consider writing this letter more patriotic than anything I did during my thirty years in uniform. I confess that I am a humanitarian who does read newspapers and books and history. As the American war machine continues its horrors in Iraq, a country without WMDs, without infrastructure and civil order, and now without a popular government, the world easily sees the war’s real purpose -- control of natural resources and protection of our lone “ally�Ein the region. Most of the world, and even now many Americans, realize this war, too, is a mistake. Military occupation in Vietnam (French and then the U.S.), Iraq (British and now the U.S.), Afghanistan (Russia and now the U.S.), Palestine (funded by the U.S.), Algeria (French), or Chechnya (Russia) is, and always has been, doomed to failure at extreme cost to both the occupied and the occupier. History has shown us that installing a government of the occupier’s choosing, and not of the occupied, is doomed to failure.

How many human beings, American, Iraqi, or Afghani must be killed or destroyed? How much of our national treasure must be expended before the misguided officials in Washington are willing to admit their mistake? Must the draft be reinstated, as is now being planned, to feed this military monster? Must our campuses again burn as young people refuse to become the “fungible�Efodder of this administration?

A decade from now, will we again be building a granite monument to our thousands of brave military soldiers who died in vain? Two or three decades from now will a senior member of this administration write a book and say, “the Iraq war was a mistake?"

Yes, this is deja vu Vietnam. The only question now is, “When will it end?�Ebr>
[David Antoon is a Vietnam veteran and retired U.S. Air Force officer, a devoted husband and father who worries about what kind of world his children, and all children, will inherit. He fears the damage to America's reputation and credibility due to hypocritical, immoral, and illegal foreign policy supporting the military occupation of Palestine, and now the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, will not be repaired in his lifetime.]

In Japan, pension non-payment became the big issue.

Particulerly for Komeito which has been reputed as clean party.

13 Komeito congressmen including party leaders have been found that they hadn't paid the national pension fee for certain period of time. This angered Japanese public particularly Komei supporters.

The reason behind Japanese people's such anger lies in that fact that politicians are going to amend national pension system that might cause the more payment for the public while the pension they would receive might decrease.

http://www.asahi.com/english/politics/TKY200405130206.html

From my recent post on Soka Gakkai International yahoo group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SokaGakkaiInternational/?yguid=147296909

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

I've watched the hearing R. Rumsfeld testified before over television with anger.
The Vatican criticizes this stupid case, as saying "a crime against God." So, what a God blesses those who is against Himself? It is nonsense. The God only CURSES!!!
Neo-cons will receive the bad carma not only by the rule of buddhism, but by the God, Neo-Cons pray before.

As a peace loving Japanese I am truly angry at anyone who kidnap
innocent civilians for their political cause. We have just witnessed
the abduction case of a number of Japanese by North Korean
government. We are truly sensitive on that sort of incidents.

Japanese public opinion just splits into the two extremes. Some
severely criticize Japanese government that made the decision to
dispatch Self Defence Forces. Many who opposed said Japanese in Iraq
would be the target of terrorism. And it came true. Others just
flatly supports the government and fears terrorism. Actually fear of
terrorism just strengthens the support of Japanese government's hard-
line policy. This incident will also give the government's chance
of the lifetime opportunity to amend Japanese constituiton.

We have also witnessed that Japanese public and Iranian public are
not that far apart; they both hate violence. It is actually Hard-
Power vs Soft Power. We need to choose soft-power. Iraqi people
became truly free to voice their opinion because of Sadam Hussein's
demise. Soft-power users need to give peace loving people around the
world the truth. Only the propagation of truth can move the public
and drive away politicians who either lie to public or withhold what
they should have explained to public.

Many of the government dispatched their forces under strong
opposition from the public. Japan is no exception. Without strong
opposition Japanese government might have chosen more toward
logistical support to US forces. Their activity were nearly limited
to humaritarian cause due to Japanese public opinion. Japan faces
upper house election this July. Soft power users should appeal to
ordinary Japanese public and tell the truth about Iraqi situation.

We live in democtatic society. If the politicians lose public trust
they lose election. That's the way Japanese peace constitution works
and we are proud of that. We hate to be intruded by terrorism which
might drive us into more militaristic state. We do not want that to
happen.

So let the democracy find a way and let lying politicians and
terrorists go away by the power of the people.

Susumu

(from my April 16 post on Islam Awareness Club)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamawarenessclub/?yguid=147296909

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

Japanese Government Might Seek Compensation To The Three Hostages

Japanese government officials criticizes three hostages and some
officials mention of compensation for all the expenses Japanese
government used for saving hostages. OUR government should praise
not criticize them.

Susumu

(Taken from my April 16 post on Islam Awareness Club)

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

I accuse those who maltreated Iraqi prisoners in prisons of Iraq. Their behaviors are of untalkable shame. I pray for the Iraqis who're humiliated. May justice and equivalent punishment be on the US/UK sadists!!!

Howdy People,

Useful information about March 16th for your meetings can be found at the below links�Ebr>
Regards, Chris Wheeler

http://website.lineone.net/~jinzainet/archives/Mar16/mar16x1.html

http://www.sgi-siliconvalley.org/archive/svweb/archive/wpd99/wpd_history.html

http://public.fotki.com/theboweevil/

March 1 st , 2004 marks the 50 th anniversary of the 1954 US "Bravo" hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands that unexpectedly turned out to be the largest US nuclear test ever exploded. "Bravo" gouged a crater about a mile wide in the reef of Bikini Atoll. Within seconds of the blast, the fireball was nearly three miles in diameter. On Rongerik, an island 135 miles east of the blast, the illumination from "Bravo" was visible for almost one minute. Physicist Marshall Rosenbluth, located on a ship about 30 miles away, stated that the fireball "just kept rising and rising, and spreading.it looked to me like what you might imagine a diseased brain, or a brain of some mad man would look like on the surface.and the air started getting filled with this gray stuff, which I guess was somewhat radioactive coral."


Human Fallibility


"Bravo" brought to light the consequences of human fallibility with regards to nuclear weapons. In preparing for the test, Los Alamos scientists missed an important fusion reaction and grossly underestimated the size of the explosion. The scientists expected that the test would yield the equivalent of five million tons of TNT, but instead "Bravo" yielded 15 megatons - making the destructive force three times larger than expected and more than 1,000 times greater than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima that caused a total of some 135,000 casualties.
Human Consequences


Some 80 miles east of Bikini , a snow-like substance began raining down on 23 fishermen onboard a Japanese tuna fishing vessel called the Lucky Dragon. The fishermen had no idea that the ash was fallout from the hydrogen bomb test. When they returned to their home port of Yaizu in Shizuoka prefecture on 14 March, all of the fisherman were suffering from severe radiation sickness. In September 1954, the radio telegraph operator on the Lucky Dragon died. The incident raised interest and concern both in Japan and around the world. Following extended negotiations, the US made a payment of $2 million to the Japanese government in January 1955, without legal liability, to compensate for all injuries and damages caused as a result of the five nuclear tests it had conducted in the Marshall Islands . Marshall Islanders on Rongelap and Utirik atolls (about 100 miles east of Bikini ) were also exposed to the fallout. An Islander on Rongelap recalls, "[There was] a loud explosion and within minutes the ground began to shake. A few hours later, the radioactive fallout began to drop on the people, into the drinking water, and on the food. The children played in the colorful ash-like powder. They did not know what it was." While 28 US Service Personnel located on Rongerik (about 135 east of Bikini ) were evacuated within 34 hours of the test, Rongelap and Utirik islanders exposed to the fallout were not evacuated for another day. By this time, many of the Rongelap islanders had severe burns, lesions and were beginning to lose their hair. The Marshall Islands became a United Nations Trust Territory of the US after World War II. While "Bravo" is a well-known test, the US conducted a total of 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands alone from 1946 to 1958. The total yield of the 67 tests was 108 megatons, equivalent to the destructive force of more than 7,000 Hiroshima bombs. In 1988, the Marshall Islands Nuclear Claims Tribunal was established to g rant compensation to Marshall Islanders for personal injury deemed to have been caused by nuclear testing.


Although some $270 million was provided to victims between 1986 and 2001, half a century later, islanders are still waiting on a stalled bid for compensation. During a visit to the Marshall Islands in January 2004, Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA), who chairs the House Resources Committee which oversees funding to the Marshall Islands , admitted that Washington 's obligations have not ended. Pombo stated, "Obviously, the United States has an ongoing liability (for the nuclear test legacy). This issue is 50 years old. At some point we need to find closure."


Historical Lesson Lost?


Despite fallibility in the history of US nuclear testing, Congress authorized the US Department of Energy (DoE) $34 million in its Fiscal Year 2004 budget to improve the Nevada Test Site. In addition, the FY 2004 budget authorized $25 million for enhanced test site readiness, which decreased the preparation time to resume nuclear testing from 24-36 months to 24 months.


The DoE's FY 2005 budget recommendation submitted to Congress includes a funding request to ensure that the Nevada Test Site could execute an underground nuclear weapons test within 18 months of receiving orders by the President. According to the DoE's budget documents, the Nevada Test Site would receive a 14% increase in its "science campaign," with some of the money improving test readiness by "maintaining critical personnel, equipment and infrastructure."


While the present US administration insists that it will not end the worldwide test moratorium that has been in place since 1992, increased funding for enhanced readiness of the Nevada Test Site appears to be part of a well-coordinated effort to resume production of nuclear weapons, including new and untested weapons. Resumption of US full-scale underground nuclear testing would undoubtedly lead other countries to resume testing, essentially defeating any chance for near or long-term US ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Neither the US nor the rest of the world can afford the nuclear arms race that would be caused by resuming nuclear testing.


Take Action
1. Voice your concerns to your elected officials. Call, email, fax or write the President and your Congressional representatives, asking them to maintain the current moratorium on nuclear testing and reject any funding for nuclear weapons testing or enhanced readiness of the Nevada Test Site.
Here is a sample letter that you can modify and email or print and fax to the President.
To find contact information for your Congressional Representatives, visit www.congress.org and simply enter your zip code. Click here to download a sample letter that you can modify and send.


2. Find out more about "Bravo." For more information on those affected by US nuclear testing and to take further action, please visit: http://www.bikiniatoll.com/home.html

David Krieger
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
http://www.wagingpeace.org
-------------------------------------------------------

#This article is given permission to use here
by David Krieger.

Susumu

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

Hi, I'd like to offer anyone interested a couple of different things. First a link to my SGI picture site at http://public.fotki.com/theboweevil/ and second I just put together a pretty informative report about the meaning and significance of the SGI prayer beads which I will be happy to send anyone a copy of. Just send a request to my email at theboweevil2003@yahoo.com

Have a good day!

http://public.fotki.com/theboweevil/

Sensei's poem 'To My Friends' on November 25, 2003, reads:

The development of kosen-rufu
equals the development of one's own life.
Let's tap and pull forth from our lives
the power of fortune and victory.

So many of you are dedicated to the world peace movement, which is the SGI goal. I salute you!

As Buddhism teaches that everyone has unique strength and mission, and thereby, contributes to the welfare of the humanity in one's unique way, I am hosting a personal website www.happyjeanny.com where I share my megar understanding and experiences in the practical application of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

Besides English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and Chinese languages, the site has just completed the construction of the first phase of the Japanese Pages.

I hope it will be somewhat helpful for your endeavor of personal advancement that enhances the strength and result of your wonderful quest for world peace!

http://www.happyjeanny.com

DearJeanny:

I congratulate you on the completion of a Japanese page of you.
The SGI has succeeded thought understanding of Soka Gakkai rather than Japan.
Please link to my page from a Japanese page by all means.
I welcome.

Yours,

Jonathan

New Komeito jumps on the constitutional bandwagon
The Asahi Shimbun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------The party is worried about being left behind in debate.

Concerned at being eclipsed by two much larger parties in debate over constitutional revision, New Komeito says it will reassess all aspects of the highest law of the land, including pacifist Article 9.

New Komeito leader Takenori Kanzaki outlined the party's stance on altering the Constitution during a meeting Wednesday.

``I hope for discussion based on flexible thinking and from all perspectives, without taboos,'' Kanzaki told the party's research commission on the Constitution.

New Komeito's desire to get into the ring on this touchy issue follows pledges by its coalition partner, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and the main opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) to come up with revision proposals over the next two years.

Research commissions on the Constitution in the two houses of the Diet are also expected to compile their final reports by year-end.

While New Komeito intends to look at each clause in the Constitution, that does not automatically mean the party envisages drastic changes to war-renouncing Article 9.

``I myself am of the position that Article 9 should be left as it is,'' Kanzaki told reporters. ``However, there are those in the party who favor clarifying wording, including the right to self-defense and the need for international contributions.''

The party agreed in its November 2002 convention to maintain Article 9 in its present form. Its main supporter, Soka Gakkai-the nation's largest lay Buddhist organization with about 8 million households as members-strongly opposes tinkering with Article 9.

However, some in the party want inclusion of wording that clearly states the existence and purpose of the Self-Defense Forces.

New Komeito's research commission on the Constitution will likely meet about once a week in putting together a position paper in time for the next party convention this fall. Consensus within the commission is to not recognize the exercise of the right to collective self-defense.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi instructed LDP officials to come up with a revision proposal by 2005 to mark the 50th anniversary of the party's formation. Koizumi has also made clear to Minshuto that he is not adverse to working with the rival party in making revisions to the Constitution.

Since the LDP and Minshuto together control more than two-thirds of seats in both houses of the Diet-the minimum for a revision proposal to be submitted to a national referendum-New Komeito by itself cannot stop changes being made to the Constitution.

More hawkish members of the LDP are already calling for constitutional revision as a tool to keep New Komeito in its place.

``The cooperative relationship should be allowed to collapse if it becomes a major hurdle to achieving what is a core element of the very formation of the LDP,'' said Yasuhiro Nakasone, 85, a former prime minister who argued throughout his long political career for constitutional change.

New Komeito has no intention of falling behind the LDP and Minshuto, though.

``We at least should enter the arena for debating constitutional revision,'' said a party executive.

This puts New Komeito in the difficult position of wanting to debate revision, while trying to avoid being the catalyst that leads to actual rewriting the document, especially if it involves drastic alterations to Article 9.

The party has proposed adding new provisions, including a right to privacy and environmental guarantees, but as long as Article 9 is left alone.

Demonstrating the sensitive nature of the issue, various New Komeito officials offered conflicting interpretations of what the November 2002 convention agreement to maintain Article 9 actually means.

Akihiro Ota, chairman of the party research commission on the Constitution, insisted the wording of Article 9 could not be changed.

However, Masao Akamatsu, a member of the Lower House research commission, said the convention agreement did not rule out adding new phrases to Article 9.(IHT/Asahi: January 31,2004) (01/31)

About a U.S. empire.
The American mass-destruction weapon search party pulled up long ago. It was reported by overseas media.
It is as understanding such a thing from the beginning.
U.S. air force had not flown any airplane at the time of September 11.
This also has investigation.
It is consent enough that ARUKAIDA does CIA.
I hear that it tended to secure Middle Eastern rights even by having sacrificed its own country people for the military-industrial complex of the fearful United States.
This will not be a deed of a devilish king but what is?
Bin Laden's site is known long ago, and as Hussein was caught, I think that a possibility of coming having caught just before a presidential election is high.

Although this talk is retail of the person who was investigating such a thing, if it thinks, a SGI proposal will regard the stance of Mr. Ikeda who is going to fight with this U.S. empire head-on as not being reflected enough from such a viewpoint.
People of SGI currently oppressed by the U.S. empire seem to be dear.
But since it is making the pupil free by a Mr. Ikeda's permission, a SGI proposal is prized.
However, a Mr. Ikeda does not adopt such the way of writing that assumed airs.
I think that the SGI proposal after the Afghanistan invasion flatters the United States.
Although there is a word of "killing the heart to kill", this will be the language which is not in Buddhist literature but the scholar considered freely, if it asks a researcher.
A text as if it applied this even to man in the pompous style thinks that just it has killed the heart of Mahayana, and a Mr. Ikeda's heart.
A person splendid by a Mr. Ikeda's responsibility for the wording of an article is in large numbers in others. If things are seen only at a U.S. view of the world and a view of the world of Japan, Kousenrufu does not progress.

Jonathan,
I should agree...agree to your way of Kosenrufu from a view of a kind of cosmopolitan. Let us deepen and widen ourselves more step by step toward the peace in its real meaning. Wishing your taking care of your health anyhow.
Regards. K

Thank you for agreement.
Movement of this peace wants to extend and go to the whole SGI.
Set in the meaning which improves the starting point of Gakkai.
Regards.

People which could consent to the signature here and there which carried out the signature activities which are deeds of a valuable bodhisattva,thank you very much.

By five persons, the signatures was sent to Koumei party headquarters, and the pattern was reported by TV and the newspaper partys.

Mr.Hank and Mr.Zensin, thank you for your work.
The public began to move.

Dear Jonathan,

Thank you for your efforts with Soka-Zakura. It is a little step, but a 1,000 miles journey must start with one step. I collected 25 signatures and faxed it to Komei-to headquaters and Mr. Koizumi (some reason, I could not fax it to Unbush-san. Real enemy is the power base of the militaly-industry complex. We can not forget that.

Yours,

Hank

Hi Susumu,
Following is the address:
http://groups.msn.com/BuddhistAnti-WarActionAlliance/homepage

If you can up load information regarding the Article 9 issue, I really appreciate. If you have any problem to get into the site, please do not hesitate to contact me.

May peace be with you,

Hank

Thanks, Hank-san. I became a new member. As I see it it is for Japanese members. And language is set as Japanese. To attract viewers from all over the world. You need to create board for English language or use another messageboard service I think.

Susumu

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

Dear Friends,

Now you can signe the petition directly in the home page.

Address:http://voo.to/wcrw/

May peace be with you

As anti-war Iraq did, we need to have our own forum.
Hank-san. Would you open discussion group or mail list for WCRW international?

Susumu

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

Dear Susumu,

It's a good idea! Many Americans to whom I talk, really did not know the Japanses constitution and the Article 9. However, as soon as they found out what the Japanese constitution represent, they are very happy to sign the petition. I am hoping to let more and more people know regarding the Constitution.

I have a MSN group called "Buddhist Anti-War Action Alliance." Is this group work? Currently, I posted petition. But, I would like let people know the Japanese situation in terms of its constitution.

Yours,

Hank

Thanks, Hank. Would you show me the URL?

Peace

Susumu

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

Coalition parties to set Jan. 16 for first GSDF dispatch to Iraq
The Asahi Shimbun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The first dispatch of ground troops to Iraq is expected on Jan. 16 to prepare for the main contingent of 500 soldiers in the reconstruction of the war-torn country, sources said Tuesday.

Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba will issue the dispatch order for the advance unit of the Ground Self-Defense Force as early as Friday, the sources said.

The schedule is based on discussions Tuesday between government officials and the secretaries-general of the ruling coalition partners, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.

New Komeito Secretary-General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba will present the party's position on the GSDF deployment to LDP Secretary-General Shinzo Abe by Thursday, the sources said. New Komeito, which earlier expressed concerns about the safety of ground troops in Iraq, is now expected to approve the dispatch. Party leader Takenori Kanzaki conducted a three-hour inspection trip of Samawah in southern Iraq in December and described the area as relatively safe.

The advance unit of about 30 GSDF members will prepare for the eventual deployment of about 500 ground troops who will support humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

Some members of the advance unit will stay in the country for about a week before returning to Japan to report on the security situation.

Foreign Ministry officials will accompany the advance unit to determine whether to use official development assistance funds to hire Iraqis for the GSDF's activities.

The decision to dispatch the main contingent will be made after the security report is submitted to government officials. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has promised to consult with Kanzaki before deciding to send the main contingent.

The advance unit will fly to Iraq via Kuwait aboard a commercial flight. They will hook up with Dutch troops already in and around Samawah to check on the security situation as well as select and prepare a site for the GSDF base.

Eight light personnel carriers to be used by the advance unit will be flown to Iraq via Kuwait aboard a Russian transport plane.(IHT/Asahi: January 7,2004) (01/07)

Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shirine in Tokyo that made uproars from both Japanese and people concerning about the return of Japanese militarism.

Komeito and Soka Gakkai both showed concerns on koizumi's visit to the shirine saying that the prime minister's visit might be unconstitutional because that act might be taken as advocating one particular religion from the politicians having the strong influence on Japanese people that the Japanese constitution forbids.

Komeito has been ushering the plan to avoid such uproars. That is building national cemetary with no particular religions involved.

When visiting Yasukuni Shrine, all of the politicians say in unisom " to pray for peace". But that is such vacant words to mislead the public. Because Yasukuni Shirine played pivotal part in National Shintoism that propelled their Japanese military invasion during the second world war. And it must also be noted that all of the politicians visiting the shirine seek for peace constitution amendment making Japan "ordinary state" that can make war when it is necessary.

I walked past the shirine when I was in college. Yasukuni Shrine is the shirine that feeds the sentiment of pre-peace constition Japan back. In that shirine cannons are placed like some of the things to be worshiped. Japanese war heroes are things to be respected there.
It is obvious that it should not be the place to pray for peace.

Happy new year.


Susumu

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

What do they think of our founder, Makiguchi's death? Is it more important to hold political power than protect spirits of Nichiren-Buddhism?

Hank

Happy New Year! Hank.

Are you saying that Komeito party and Soka Gakkai should be more angry on that?

If so, I entirely agree with you.

Susumu

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

Dear Friends,

Those who concerned about legitimacy of World Citizens Renouncing War:

Address: 1640 Bohland Ave., St. Paul, MN 55116 USA
Contact: H. Henry Fukui
e-mail: fukuihh@hotmail.com

Dear Friends,

If you agree with the below petition, please name and addess by e-mail to:

wcrcjp@yahoo.co.jp

Thank you for your corporation.

Hank

Preface

The Japanese constitution, which came into effect on November 3rd, 1946, is a sincere expression of the Japanese people’s determination to construct a new Japan based on democracy and pacifism.

Especially, the 9th article of the constitution actualizes the Japanese people’s commitment to pacifism, which is expressed in the preface of the constitution, by denying the sovereign rights of belligerency.

The preface, in part, reads, “We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship and we have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world.�Ebr>
The 9th article reads, “Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. 2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.�Ebr>
We, the world citizens who seek peace, see that the Japanese constitution is an expression of the hope of humanity for ever lasting peace. Its spirit is a direct historical descendent and further development of the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 and the constitution of Philippine of 1935. Therefore, we believe that internationally spreading this spirit of the Japanese people as an important step to build ever lasting peace in the world.

However, the spirit of article 9 is in danger. The Japanese Government is willing to destroy it in spite of the will of the majority of Japanese people.

The Japanese government and a coalition majority in its Diet, under tremendous pressure from the Bush administration, have approved the deployment plan for Self Defense Forces to Iraq. Since the Iraqi people and the United States military are in armed conflict, it is highly probable that deployed troops will be a target of the Iraqi opposition. At that moment when the Japanese troops open fire in self defense, the 9th article and its spirit will be forever lost without the consent of the Japanese people.

We are facing grave danger not only for Japan, but also for world citizens who sincerely seek world peace.

Now is the time for world citizens to act to stop this dangerous situation of world wide expansion of militarism!! We, the world citizens, sincerely hope that the Japanese government and people seek an alternative, non-violent and nonkilling way to aid the Iraqi peoples�Eefforts to rebuild their country: ways that only a sovereign state and its people who renounced war as a means to solve international conflicts could do.

To express our solidarity and support to those citizens who are courageously fighting to protect the 9th article in Japan, We, World Citizens Renouncing War, request that everyone sign the following petition.

Sincerely Yours and May peace be with you,

Executive Committee
World Citizens Renouncing War*

*World Citizens Renouncing War was established by concerned members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a world wide lay practitioner’s organization of Nichiren Buddhism, to seek ever lasting world peace by working together with those citizens who are fighting to protect the spirit of Article 9 of Japanese constitution and propagate its spirit around the world.

Petition

TO:

Junichiro Koizumi
Prime Ministor of Japan

Takenori Kanzaki
Chairman, New Komeito Party

We, world citizens who seek peace, firmly believe that internationally propagating the spirit of the 9th Article of the Japanese constitution, which renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation, is an important step to the realization of world peace.

AND,

We, world citizens who seek peace, recognize that the Japanese government’s current plan to deploy its Self Defense Forces to Iraq violates the 9th Article. It is likely that the deployed troops will be involved in the armed conflict between the United States and the Iraqi people resulting in the use of their weapons.

AND,

We, world citizens who seek peace, sincerely concern that the moment when the Japanese troops would open fire for self defense, the historic efforts of the Japanese people for the past 57 years to build ever lasting world peace based on democracy and pacifism would be forever lost against its people’s concensus.

AND,

We, world citizens who seek peace, believe that the rebuilding of Iraq should be conducted by the Iraqi people themselves and that world wide humanistic support for those efforts must be done by unarmed citizen. Furthermore, the Japanese government and its people seek ways that only a sovereign state and its people who renounce war as a means to solve international conflicts could do.


THEREFORE,

We, world citizens who seek peace, demand that Japanese Government abandon immediately the current deployment plan of its Self Defense Forces to Iraq.

Name:

Address:

Making the time the same with the start of the Iraq war, SGI managements began strange instruction.
It is "the founder president Makiguchi did not appealed about 'anti-war and peace' and did not die for that in prison. He fought with the military-authorities government and died only of a reason for religious."
This is different instruction from president Ikeda and instruction of former Gakkai clearly.
It is necessary to correct about this mistake instruction.
Please refer to the site of Institute of Oriental Philosophy.
http://www.iop.or.jp/　

Current debate over Komeito may be noted as one of the example of clash between secular vs religious intersts many of the religious or religion-inspired parties around the world has been facing.

Komeito and Soka Gakkai acted differently on sending
Self Defence Forces to Iraq. Einosuke Akiya, the president of Soka Gakkai expressed deep concern of current Japanese government's action of sending ground forces to Iraq. Soka Gakkai's concern is deep-seated because Soka Gakkai's main objective is the world peace and they have opposed any wars. Since Komeito joined LDP to form the coalition, Soka Gakkai's very
founding philosophy might have challenged by the most unlikely political party, Komeito which received devoted support from Soka Gakkai members who want no wars around the world.

Komeito consequently upheld sending gound forces to Iraq voicing security concerns while the plan to send self defence forces itself kept intact. They are trying to have the balance of secular vs religious decision. It is not sure, however, their supporters
understand and support their decision. Some members are adamantly against their decision.

Nichiren on the dignity of life

“Life is the most precious of all treasures. Even one extra day of life is worth more than ten million ryo of gold.�E(On Prolonging One's Life Span, WND 955pp)

“One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of the major world system.�E(On Prolonging One's Life Span, WND 955pp)

“A single life is worth more than the major world system.�E(On Prolonging One's Life Span, WND 955pp)

“And the Buddha says that life is something that cannot be purchased even for the price of an entire major world system.�E(King Rinda, WND 983pp)

“The reason is that ‘even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one's body and life,�Ewhich means that even the jewels and treasures that fill the major world system are no substitute for life.�E(Letter to Akimoto, WND 1019pp)

“Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one's body and life.�E(The Gift of Rice, WND 1125pp)

“The first of the five precepts is not to take life, and the first of the six paramitas is that of almsgiving. The ten good precepts, the two hundred and fifty precepts, the ten major precepts, and all the other rules of conduct begin with the prohibition against the taking of life. Every being, from the highest sage on down to the smallest mosquito or gnat, holds life to be its most precious possession. To deprive a being of life is to commit the gravest kind of sin. When the Thus Come One appeared in this world, he made compassion for living things his basis. And as an expression of compassion for life, to refrain from taking life and to provide sustenance for living beings are the most important precepts.�E(The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra, WND 667pp)

“The precept against the killing of living beings is the first among all the various precepts. The five precepts begin with the precept against taking life, and the eight precepts, the ten precepts, the two hundred and fifty precepts, the five hundred precepts, the ten major precepts of the Brahma Net Sutra, the ten inexhaustible precepts of the Flower Garland Sutra, and the ten precepts of the Jeweled Necklace Sutra, all begin with the precept against killing.�E(Letter to Akimoto, WND 1019)

Thanks, Hank-san. I am now studying English version of Gosho and your contribution helps me a lot to find corresponding Gosho parts. I look forward to another of Gosho contribution.

Susumu

Dear Susumu,

If you are interested in the particular Gosho, please let me know. I might be able to help you.

Yours,

Hank

WND 579pp. - The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra

WND 765pp. - Selection of the Time

“Even if it seems that, because I was born in the ruler’s domain, I follow him in my action, I will never follow him in my heart�E(WND 579pp.)

“If you quail before the threats of the ruler of this little island country [and abandon your faith], how will you face the even more terrible anger of Yama, the load of hell?�E(WND 765pp.)

I am a 28 yo japansese who often visits Japanese version of this site. I am now traveling S. Korea and staying a Hotel in Gwngju.
I have been depressive for years and off the office for half a year. Bullying from the boss and one of my senior colleagues made me depressive so badly that I had lost my weight 10kg from this April to June.
I moved from Incheon International Airport to Gwngju today by bus. It was for me a long way and exhausting trip. But when I see the farms spreading endlessly from the bus on the expressway, I thought of the scourge of wars and supression that struck just some decades ago on this peninsula. I then prayed not only on my recovery from the depression but the happiness those who live on this land and the Kosen-Rufu of there.
Ikeda Sensei often stresses how important the realization of the peace is, in particularly on this peninsula. Every January 26, he proposes the concrete way for that. Chanting Daimoku in my mind and heart I thought the same way as Sensei do.
I will move to Seoul coming Wednesday, stay till this Thursday and will come back to japan on Friday. I hope if I could visit SGI-Korea`s Hall in Seoul.
Thanx.

Hi All;

I'm new to this group so I just wanted to say hello.

I'm a singer/songwriter and I've just released my first CD and I'm giving away free copies. Just go to: www.joshuaedenmusic.com and see if you like the music....if you do, just
e-mail me your address and i'll send you one.

thanks,
Joshua

http://www.joshuaedenmusic.com

Hello.Joshua.
It is very fine music. I was pleased. Thanks.

Ever since I have been a member of Soka Gakkai I almost always voted and supported for Komeito, the party Sensei created for fulfillment of social welfare, protection of constitutional human rights. This time I chose not to vote because they no longer strive what should be done. They no longer deserve organized support from Soka Gakkai. Since they joined Liberal Democratic Party to form a coalition, Japanese government supported two wars, against Afganistan and Iraq with Komeito's approval. Sensei, however, opposed both wars but these anti-war messages are neglected.
It is very sad, some of the members criticize those members who will not vote for Komeito as " not deciple of Sensei" or "against Soka Gakkai's teaching" which are not true. Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is for any people around the world not just for particular political party. During 1950s Japanese members fought for constitutional rights to vote and support for Komeito when labor unions forced gakkai members to vote for the party labor unions are supporting. Now it seems that some members have to fight for constitutional right not to vote or support.

Dear you all,

My name is Hank and am a SGI-USA mamber. Following is an article written by Dr. Paige, Founder/President of Center for Global Nonviolence in Hawaii. He is also professor emeritus of University of Hawaii and Honorary Professor of Soka University. Among other things, he introduced Dr. Gultang to President Ikeda. In my opinion dialogue between Ikeda and Gultong (resulted in a book 'Choose Pease') is one of the most significant dialogue conducted by Pres. Ikeda. Follosing Dr. Paige introduce us a politician who fought for non-violence political reform.

<the article starts>

June 2, 2003

LEGACY OF A NONVIOLENT POLITICAL LEADER
GOVERNOR GULLIERMO GAVIRIA OF COLOMBIA

By Glenn D. Paige

The killing of Antioquia state Governor Guillermo Gaviria Correa on May 5, 2003, among ten hostages massacred by FARC guerrillas in reaction to a military rescue attempt, deprived Colombia and the world of a nonviolent political leader whose legacy is no less significant than those of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

He was born in Medellú‹ in 1962, eldest son of a family prominent in politics, publishing and business. A mining management specialist by training at the Colorado School of Mines, after a decade of innovative public service including as Antioquian Secretary of Mines and General Director of the Colombian Roads Institute he campaigned for "A New Antioquia" in 2000 and was overwhelmingly elected Governor by 600,000 of six million people in Colombia's most populous state.

Gaviria's brief but dynamic governorship was profoundly rooted in the principles and practices of nonviolence derived from his Christian faith and serious study of the legacies of Gandhi and King. He explained, "Nonviolence was born with Jesus Christ; it was followed in the past century by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, and in this century it will be the light to guide the people of Antioquia."

He understood Colombia's violence to be the result of "imbalanced" political and socioeconomic conditions and saw participatory nonviolence as a way to bring about needed structural change. "Nonviolence is more than simply no aggression and is more than putting an end to terrorist attacks, kidnappings, threats, and blackmail. Nonviolence aims to break silence and rise up out of passiveness to build a balanced society of justice and social well-being." He wanted all Antioquians to be educated in nonviolence and trained in skills of putting it into practice.

Unlike Gandhi and King, Gaviria as Governor was able to combine the powers of government with those of popular political leadership. He engaged more than 5,000 leaders in a process to clarify Antioquia's priority problems and to suggest solutions for them. This produced a Strategic Plan of Action and a Congruent Peace Plan. Personally leading marches and caravans, together with First Lady Dr. Yolanda Pinto de Gaviria, he awakened citizen participation for implementing action.

The most dramatic of these was the thousand person March of Reconciliation and Solidarity to Caicedo, a mountain coffee growing town 85 miles from the capital Medellú‹, undertaken over five days from April 17 to 21, 2002. The March was intended to express solidarity with the FARC-threatened people of Caicedo who had declared themselves a nonviolent community and to seek reconciliation with the guerrillas. The Governor had ordered the police and army not to protect the March and not to rescue him or retaliate if he were kidnapped or killed. He had disagreed with Colombian President Andrés Pastrana's February 23 decision to terminate peace talks with the FARC.

On April 21, just short of Caicedo, the March was stopped by the FARC. The Governor embraced his wife, both knowing he might be kidnapped or killed, and went forward with three companions to talk with the guerrillas. Six hours later two returned with the news that the Governor and his Peace Commissioner, former defense minister Gilberto Echeverri Mejia, had been kidnapped. During his year in captivity, the Governor expressed in messages to his wife even greater commitment to nonviolence and said that when free he intended to resume the March to Caicedo.

Gaviria's tragic death on May 5, together with his Peace Commissioner and eight captive soldiers, resulted from the clash of two lethal ideologies. Righteous state violence and righteous revolutionary violence. If either side had understood his nonviolent message all ten would be alive.

Guillermo Gaviria's unique legacy is that a democratically elected political leader can courageously work for nonviolent social justice from the "top down." It is no less important than the courageous legacies of Gandhi and King seeking freedom and justice from the "bottom up." The convergence of these legacies offers the best hope for the survival and well-being of humanity. Transcending death, Gaviria's legacy continues to challenge Colombia and the world in the slogan of the March to Caicedo. " Sú¡Hay un camino: la Noviolencia." Yes. . . There is a way: Nonviolence.

This contribution sentence of Mr. Hank appeared in Seikyou sinbun by help of a certain writer!

I read it on Seikyo Shinbun. Thanks for well-wished people who made this article aware to Japanese members.

Abolition 2000 peace movement to eliminate nuclear weapons is now raising awareness of facilities related weapon of mass destruction in the U.S.
Ikeda sensei raised this very issue in peace proposal this year. I am glad there are lots of well-minded citizens pursuing peace around the globe including Japan. It is also important for people living in Japan to bring this movement into wide public attention because Japanese media has such enormous influence.

http://www.motherearth.org/nuke/inspection.php

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

My younger brother-in-law permitted my nephew's admission to Soka Gakkai. By faith, he said "Raise a son." My family was glad to feel safe very much by his words. The nephew for after-the-birth four months will register in this August as a Gakkai member. Furthermore, we are wishing that a younger brother-in-law wakes up to piety from the bottom of our heart.

A nephew joined SokaGakkai on August 24 (the admission memorial day of President Ikeda) today! You who sent encouragement, thank you!

Gosho in English is one of the next chapters of my webpage. I can somehow understand some of the Gosho and its corresponding parts in Japanese. The most difficult part is that English Gosho and Japanese Gosho is differently arranged. I still do not have the commonly used English Gosho SGI members use.

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

I do not have the English version Gosho.
But,It is good in referring to the site of Mr. Will Kallander linked from my site.

Hi, Jonathan. I am glad that I can join the english board. On June 13 kanbukai meeting Sensei mentioned on leadership of Zhuge Liang, most acclaimed strategist in Shu in 3rd century China.
I like the romance of three kingdoms but I heard Toda sensei used this epic to teach youths the leadership.
I just wanted hear more from this. What Ikeda Sensei tried to say by referring to Zhuge Liang...

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

Thank you for contribution.
It seems that you very like the Mikuni mind.
I read in my university days.
Zhuge Liang is symbolic existence of the great leader.
He has the place which greatly sympathizes with the way as human, although only a place excellent in the strategy is conspicuous.
Please continue research of the Mikuni mind.

One of the most memorable Zhuge Liang story is the execution of Ma Su. He is clever but Liu Bei in his deathbed told Zhuge Liang never to use him in important positions because Liu Bei said that he is clever only in theory but not in practice. According to a three kingdoms fan I know, Zhuge Liang cried not bacause of Ma Su but for wrong judgement of his own for using him despite Liu Bei's warning. This story has been made into an oft-used Japanese proverb used when an organization punishes high-ranked person.

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

the proverb based on Execution of Masu is used when an organization get an ax at high-ranking person.

http://asia.geocities.com/susumu6/charts/

The document with a problem is flowing now on the net.
This document is contained from contents as if it made the brain principle consider.
Also scientifically the contents are bases ambiguous in Buddhism study, and, moreover, have many errors.
It is camouflaged in the name of much famous Gakkai executives, and is distributed to SGI each country.
The false fact is written to this document about the relation between a United States psychology association and Gakkai.
By the name of the famous scientist of Gakkai, if the contents of this falsehood touch the eyes of the member of United States psychology, they may develop into a certain problem.
The biggest problem of this document is it.
The person who poured this document is checking by Gakkai. I contacted by telephone of an executive.
If such a document flows if you please, please confirm to a person detailed in Buddhism study or science.
After that, please, you use mail document in a meeting.

Ikeda sennsei showed the face at last in the "highest conference" on the third yesterday.A little more than one month after a state out of condition.
Speaking to the people of my branch, and my old friend of Soka University, it prayed and felt relieved for the time being.
although it thinks that it was easy to participate since it was a few meeting of the member,Sensei can it stand or not at Honkan (satellite broadcasting) ?
It is only praying prizing the body. We want to pray one point of "health" of　Ikeda sensei firmly from now on.

Since it was strange English when seeing anew, the upper report was rewritten.

We were able to see fine President Ikeda by Honkan (satellite broadcasting) the other day！
He admired the member at the maximum.We got energy in comfort very much!

Although I sent mail of 20 or more copies to Webmasters of SGI on the other day, there is also no reply of mail and there is also no contribution to BBS this time.
In the state where there are no special English contents and a dialog is not performed now, either, it may be what it is hard to contribute.
I will link the famous sites of "Indrasnet" which contributed to below from this site at any rate,I think that it is in a very good state and is functioning.
The member of SGI who understands the feature of this site well, let's talk some! (^^;　
First of all, let's begin from there!
Please give me cooperation. m(__)m

Happiness Central at http://www.happyjeanny.com offers experiences and thoughts on specific, detailed and practical applications of Nichiren Buddhism for the reference of all who are striving to live happy lives.

This is a multi-lingual website. The translation from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Dutch and Chinese languages are made possible by compassionate and committed SGI members from all over the world.

http://www.happyjeanny.com

"Happiness Central" is a great name.
Experience is translated into much language. It is surprise.
At least one English, I suffer troubles very much and am writing (smile).
Would you also register my site into the link page? I think that the Japanese who is there is very glad.

It is good to be in touch with a fellow SGI member and one across the globe. This is what Kosen-rufu is all about. I hope that you will stay in touch. Toni

http://www.tonidunlap.com/altar.htm

Thank you for contribution. Of course, the following poetry put and wrote the wish to Kosen-rufu.
Your site is sufficient as Mr. Toni's Japanese lover, and it has appeared (smile).
Although it is the "Japanese garden" affair of a wish, it is still under reference. Please wait a little.
It may be quicker to ask this Bord to everybody who is visiting to this site, since idle talk is also a welcome.

There are hundreds of experience of SGI members from all over the world at:
http://www.gakkaionline.net/Experiences/index.html

Some of these experiences have been translated into French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

http://www.gakkaionline.net/Experiences/index.html

Really many experiences are collected and it is wonderful.
In Japan, the problem of the copyright on a net is not fixed legally yet.
The view of a "Seikyo newspaper" is also a form of current law observance, and is in the state where permission is not getting down.
It seems that there is now no accumulation of experiences although the information dispatch site of the "SOKA NET" was carried out and it became new.
I think that the scarcity value of the site in which much experience was brought together is large.
Although it thinks that an input has difficulties, I want to expect that existence of your site serves as a place of a trigger of many people.

There is a whisper of a scream.
The way which is not noticed wholly is carried out in the West town.
It is shined on the moon, and it is the blues of the town to the valley of the buildings which sleeps in the pain.
There is a whisper of a scream.
War continues and tears are shed in the East town.
Happiness passed in the town in the world.
Everyone wants to only share the heart.

Can you feel my heart beat?
Even light melts into darkness.
The future which comes soon is too sad in today's continuation.

There is a whisper of a scream.
People are troubled by oppression and hunger in the North town.
The shadow of low clouds which extended wings. Brightness of the ground which breathes under the rain.
There is a whisper of a scream.
Raw and death are next to each other in the Southern town.
Happiness passed in the town in the world.
Everyone wants to only share the heart.

Can you feel my heart beat?
Even light melts into darkness.
The future which comes soon is too sad in today's continuation.

Can you feel my heart beat?
.
.
.