slands. Each mini-crisis like this is in itself a mini-example of blowback.(BLOWBACK, p50) The way in which these events are handled reflects upon the American Government and its policies. This also affects the attitude of the Japanese towards Americans. In recognition to the previous arguments that America needs to shape up its foreign policies, I somewhat agree with Chalmers Johnson. I believe that we do not necessarily need as many military bases on foreign soil, and I believe that we should take more responsibility for our actions when negligence is to blame. Johnson persuaded me to agree with him, when he discusses crimes such as rape, and hit and run accidents due to drunkenness. I believe that our government should punish anyone who is convicted of rape, military personnel or civilian, accordingly. I feel that the military should take more action in policing its own people, and regulate substance induced criminal behavior. I believe that it is in our nations best interest to secure peace with friendly countries and gain respect from them not based on fear, but based on the fact that we are just and dependable, as well as sensible. Our military should punish those responsible for crimes on and off the bases, and we should stand behind our word. When a marine killed three women who were walking on the sidewalk, with her car, the United States agreed to pay a solatium to the family for their loss. The military paid a total of forty percent of what they said they would, and made the grieving family sign a document giving up all claims against the United States. This affects our relation with Japan since paying a solatium is a Japanese custom and the government of Japan ended up paying the difference to the family. This is not good foreign policy. (BLOWBACK, p45)On the other hand, I agree with the current situation where neither Japanese courts nor police have jurisdiction over our bases on their soil. I do feel that we are helping to...
