New Chapter in Japan

Hello. I am Tony writing from Osaka Japan where I would like to get an EAB chapter going. Apart from voting, I have never taken part in any kind of political action in any way, shape or form before so I really do not have a clue as to where to start. If I can get together with some like-minded people, I am sure we can think of something though.

I have always voted Republican and am far from a pacifist, but the pig-headed, arrogant stupidity of the current administration and what I have seen it do to America and its image abroad is breaking my heart. We owe it to our country, future and our young people on the ground in Iraq now to get some sanity back into the White House.

Too many Americans have become too wrapped up in blind, unquestioning patriotism caused by 9/11 to see through Bush’s lies and see how he is actually damaging American security. As expats, I think we can offer a unique perspective that so many of our countrymen are not exposed to.

Anyway, I want to contribute to the cause and look forward to hearing from others with the same feelings.

Comments

[Sarah Forrester]

Hi Tony,
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for taking the initiative and time to start an EAB group! Hopefully your stepping up will encourage others, and we can work toward getting all 6 million of us Expats to vote next year. Regards from London!

[Luke]

Hi Tony,

I too would obviously like to say thank you for stepping up to the plate here. Good effort!

-Luke

[Chrish]

Tony,

Not being completely convinced of either sides arguments, positions, nor statements and also being a Democrat myself neither Conservative and definitely not Liberal I do wish to applaud your courage, conviction, and determination to express yourselves like Luke and his group have done.
While I do disagree with some of the sentiments, positions, and arguments posted on Lukes site I do respect and admire their courage and conviction to state them.

I'm sure as time passes you're going to be getting a lot of shouting and name calling from those who completely disagree with your position and statements but, would hope that you know not all of us who may disagree with you do not engage in those kinds of antics but, will engage in, hopefully, some serious dialogue and debate. Hopefully, to all of our betterment and understanding of the issues and sides positions on those issues.

Best of luck to you Tony, and hopefully some good will come out all of this that lends itself to reason and common sense.

Well done sir, and the very best of luck to you.

[Harmony]

Way to go, Tony!

I would like to set up a similar chapter here in Norway.

[mary macvicar]

Good for you - wish I were there to join in, but
we are doing what we can in the USA. We wish you
the best - and although I WAS a republican, I had
read too much about the bush family to trust them.
Guess I was right. GOOD LUCK

[Tony]

Thank you all for your comments. You seem like people that will be good to work with. I do not think we should make too much of Democrat-Republican differences. I could go on for until next November with reasons all Americans should be disgusted with Bush.

However, the straw that really broke the camels back and pushed me well over the edge so to speak was the Iraq war. War is supposed to be the last resort. When you have a president that does it as a first, you know we have serious problems. There was never any reliable evidence of WMD (let alone any evidence Saddam wanted to give them to radical Islamic enemies), no links between Saddam and 9/11 (in fact, Osama hated secular Saddam) and every reason to expect that Iraq would turn into a costly quagmire. Add to that Bush’s arrogant diplomacy, lack of planning and incompetent administration of Iraq, and it is a small miracle that the military has managed to avoid a far worse disaster so far.

I suppose I am preaching to the chore here. I will try to get some more Japan-specific info for the next time.

Until then
Tony

[Karla]

Tony, I'm an ex-Texan in Japan. I am so excited by the existence of this site! I'll definitely be back here. Best of luck!!

[Heather in Tokyo]

Tony,

Thanks for starting this group. I'm just a shinkansen away if you need anything. I also run an Expats for Dean site (click my name). Of course I'll vote for whomever the eventual Dem nominee is. We're all in this together.

Cheers,
Heather

[Marc]

Tony,

Being stationed here in Yokosuka Japan I would be happy take advantage of helping my thousdands of fellow Americans who are also stationed here with making a well advised and informed choice about our up coming election. Count me in if you get something going that's worth sharing. Lets do this!

[Arthur O'Keefe]

Here's an interesting recent Bush quote:

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country, and neither do we."
George H.W. Bush
August 5, 2004, Washington D

http://news.independent.co.uk/worlds/americas/story.jsp?story=548356

Who says he never tells the truth?

[Arthur O'Keefe]

How ironic that in noting a Bush gaffe, I got his initials wrong! In my previous comment, it should read "George W. Bush", NOT "George H.W. Bush". I just typed it in in a hurrry without thinking. No excuse! My sincere apologies to the elder Mr. Bush for my error.

As for the missing "C" in "DC" , I could have sworn it was there when I posted it! Oh, well.