Friday, March 11, 2011

A remarkably silly U.S. diplomat



Diplomats just don't say such things normally. And to call any Japanese lazy is really stretching it
"A senior U.S. diplomat supervising Japan affairs has been replaced for allegedly making disparaging comments about the inhabitants of a southern Japanese island where U.S. troops are based, the U.S. Embassy and an assistant secretary of state said Thursday.

Kevin Maher caused an uproar by reportedly telling a group of American University students in December that Okinawans were lazy and used their hosting of U.S. bases to extort benefits from Tokyo.

The comments have been widely reported in the Japanese media, and Japan's foreign minister called them hurtful and deeply regrettable.

Maher has been replaced by Rust Deming, the deputy chief of mission in Tokyo, as director of the State Department's Office of Japan Affairs, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. Maher will continue to work for the State Department.

Okinawa hosts tens of thousands of U.S. Marines and other troops, more than any other part of Japan. Okinawans have often complained that they bear too much of the burden for Japan's security alliance with Washington.

Source

It is argued here that the "lazy" reputation of Okinawans began as a result of their passive resistance to U.S. occupation and that Okinawans going about their own business outdo Americans as hard workers. More details here also.

And apparently the guy has a Japanese wife and half-Japanese children -- who will never now be welcome back in Japan. Really smart! Feel sorry for his family

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

So much for free speech.

Anonymous said...

Not a free speech issue... His job was to be a diplomat in a foreign country. He said something that was insulting to that country. Hence he failed at his job and he was replaced.

Anonymous said...

Replacing him is not enugh. He should be fired forthwith, and his boss, saggy-faced Hitlary, should also go. The Japanese have an ancient society that still values it's history and traditions, something we're not smart enough (or strong enough) to do. To a great extent, their society is what ours was at one time. No, they're not perfect, but they're a lot closer to it than we are. We would be a whole lot better-off as a nation if we spent more time emulating them, and not insulting them.

At the same time, i again ask the question that no one seems able to answer. Why do we still have troops there?

Anonymous said...

Yeah but BO's guy didn't even mention North Korea as a threat! Or any middle-eastern country or group either, for that matter.

Anonymous said...

Obama insults my country damn near every time he opens his mouth. Hence he failed at his job and he will be replaced. Stormewaters

Spurwing Plover said...

A closed mouth gathers no foot

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:45 is right, he should be fired. For a diplomat to cause such an embarassment for our country by insulting our allies is just not acceptable.

Anonymous said...

"A closed mouth gathers no foot"

Birdbrain speaks!

Spurwing Plover said...

Dont make me angry annon i get violent when im angry i will peck out eyes