A GAME OF APOLOGY CHESS

Apology chess has been played for about 60 years; it has always been taken seriously and there have been few winners. Although not required, a move by one side prompts a move by the other. Recently, a former ” knight ” of Japan  came forward and asked forgiveness from the Chinese on the Marco Polo Bridge. He was 91 years old, brave  and the latest to make this move. Some will say that he wasn’t a winner but to many he was a winner and a brave knight . The game of Apology Chess is also  known as ” What If ” and ” Suppose ”

We now move forward.

Japan has never issued a sincere and official apology in 60 years .The 91 year old knight on the bridge knew what was right in the sight of the civilized world and perhaps others beyond. What follows is a summary of the chess board as it appeared in recent months.

1. Many people have suggested that Japan isn’t suited to become a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations unless a proper apology is made.

2. Japan and the United States are purported to be close friends.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a March 19-20, 2005  speech in Tokyo, said that we support Japan , without      reservation , to become a permanent member of the UN  Security Council.

3. For 6 months I have worked on getting an apology from Japan. As nearly as I can tell, all my letters re “apology” were ignored by the ” recipients ” in Congress; not one follow-up letter inviting certain congressman to introduce my bill was answered by him [ or opened ].

4. I now find that all letters to congress never got all the way.

5. A complaint to the President of the Senate  (V P Cheney ) was never answered.

6. Now, letters on getting an apology from Japan get  no attention which means that something called a “reply” seems to be a new concept.

7. Who instituted what appears to be  policy? ( See the problem of communications noted in 1-7 above )? What was and is the purpose of the “policy”?  About this time, a large veterans organization , which was counted on for assistance, suddenly withdrew simply by shutting down communications. Follow-up letters to the veterans org. were disregarded. The “suggestion” that took the veterans org. out of the picture , resembles the edict that directed congress ( See #7 )

8. The outcome of the above is that now I cannot communicate with congressmen or the veterans org. so, effectively, the hope of getting an apology from Japan, seems to have vanished. Now  moves and countermoves may be needed.

9. (a) Under the present circumstance ( politically ) can Congress politically afford to debate the subject of getting an apology from Japan?

    (b) What can happen if the Congress changes it’s mind and decides to listen to its constituents and debate the matter”. On the other hand, what might happen if it doesn’t?

    (c) Has all of this given us a clear picture of : “A government of the people and by the people”?

    (d) What happens if the United Nations requires or suggests an apology be received from Japan before they vote on the matter of a Permanent Seat? What position does the US take because it has already announced its support of Japan as of March 19-20, 2005?

10. Something unanticipated could happen; as it often does.  Suppose veterans and civilians contact their elected Representatives and Senators and literally demand that the matter of an apology be  processed now .Also, the elected officials are reminded that 60 years have passed and waiting much longer would be pure folly. Explaining another 60 years might be difficult.

          CONCLUSIONS

The above is intended to show that a chess match of sorts is underway and a move by one side will affect the other’s move.  In real life, a  bad move in this particular match, conceivably could affect the world. Look at the check board now, it appears that Japan and the United States  have “the edge”. One thing is certain, as time passes, memories grow dimmer and in a few decades, Japan may be ruled “the winner”  I can’t stop this from happening, but we can! I sense that we are left with doing nothing ( an unacceptable option ) or taking a strong political posture and let our elected officials know what we want .That’s the choice. When someone asks what right you have to interfere with Congress , remind them of the words: “A government of the people and by the people” Oh yes: “The First Amendment “. There is one more answer: ” My friend, this is our country and I’m doing my best to keep it that way” 

I’ve tried to keep this on a light note but you recognize this is a serious matter ; The United States of America is at stake.  I continue to think that we need an apology; one way comes to mind (excuse my counseling our President ). When you and Prime Minister Koizumi are enjoying yourselves, go  into a private room , remind him that Japan and the United States are friends and on that basis proceed to ASK him for a sincere and official apology . The rest should be history. An appropriate question now becomes : “What if the prime minister simply rejects the request”?  You say : “Oh, he wouldn’t do that “.  OK, but play the game, “What if he did “? Now it’s your move.

The match isn’t over; China may have the deciding vote in the UN when the time comes, which means, China may have Japan’s destiny in it’s hands. Until Congress reestablishes it’s mail service for constituents, the drive to get an apology is hold.

Additionally, the assistance of a country-wide veterans organization is essential to spread the word. It is perhaps clear that policy has been made by a government with no mail service only when  the subject of a letter is: “Getting An Apology from Japan”. The assumptions in the above were based on as much information available under the circumstances, therefore, the comments are only as good as the ” facts ” we were allowed to gather.

OK VETERANS OF WW-II (& OTHER WARS ) AND ALL AMERICANS WHO LOVE THEIR COUNTRY..IT’S NOW YOUR MOVE.