(no subject)
Here's something I dont get...
A midget submarine, carrying 2 Japanese sailors in WWII, travels into Sydney Harbour in 1942 armed with two torpedoes. They attack, and miss their target (USS Chicago). Instead, the torpedoes detonated under the converted ferry Kuttabul which was moored at Garden Island. It sank and killed 19 Australian and 2 British sailors.
Sub-Lt Ban and PO Ashibe came into Sydney Harbour on a mission... to kill. They knew it was more than likely going to be a suicide mission and their main aim was to take as many casualties as possible. Theyre in midget submarines for gods sake. Most of them were made for suicide missions!
It was World War II... and they were the enemy. They were not shooting torpedoes into our Harbour to restore peace, but to gain the upper hand and ultimately win the war (eventually).
Here is what I dont understand. WHY, 65 years later, are we HONOURING these murderers? Why is travelling into Sydney Harbout in a midget submarine in order to KILL an "incredible feat"? Why are they brave now? Why do they get a service and a parade (yes, a parade) for killing 21 people? In the news they were said to be "inspirational"... WTF?!
I understand the need to keep international relationships and all that jazz but seriously... This is pathetic. If the Jewish community suddenly feels as though their relationship with Germans is in jeopardy, are they going to praise Hitler's efforts? If the USA needs to make alliances with countries in the middle east, are they going to have a parade for Osama? Or Sudam Hussein? I dont think so. If Japan suddenly needs something from us, are they going to congradulate us, as allies of the USA, on our success at Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Hell no!
I do appreciate and understand the historical significance of finding the midget submarine after so long. Remember the efforts of our fallen soldiers and allies, not the enemy. Am I the only one who finds this odd? If I'm wrong, please, i encourage you to present your point of view. Im no historian, it just seems crazy.