General Jones's bad joke [Our American Cousin]
Dear Shoji,
.
Last week, General James Jones made a faux-pas last week, which might ultimately have repercussions for the Okinawa issue. He was speaking at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (one of many pro-Israel "think tanks") and he opened his remarks with a joke involving a Jewish merchant and a Muslim terrorist..
Of course, it was a mistake for an important diplomat to tell ANY ethnic joke--always risky. But his joke was interpreted by many Jewish listeners as anti-Semitic. There is no bigger land-mine in American politics than the label of anti-Semitic. General Jones may survive the wave of criticism, but his influence MAY be diminished..
Since he seems to represent the Marines' interests in the Futenma controversy, it is possible that some other, more diplomatic, representative will lead the final negotiations over this problem. The problem is already complex, but this event might make the American position more uncertain. Of course, any change away from Jones's position would probably be a good change..
Regards,
Mike 2010-04-28
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ぼくあずさのComment
下記の2つのリンクを参照下さい。
National Security Advisor
General James L. Jones, USMC (Ret)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc/nsa/
TIME Jones' Jewish Joke: No Laughing Matter
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1984994,00.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%tion+%28TIME%3A+Top+Nation+Stories%29
Dear Mike
Could you tell me more about his comment which might influence the isuue?
Our Prime Minister made his own move finally yesterday by contacting an influential ex-MP and implying his intention of visiting Okinawa for the first time. It is too late now. These
moves are taken as just a jesture by many people. I think he will be forced to step down. However I wonder who else will be able to solve this entangled issue.
T.Takayama
高山 武久（４－２９－１０）
by Takehisa Takayama (2010-04-29 10:45)