[Buddha-l] Re: Greetings from Oviedo

[Stephen Hodge]

Dear Dan,

> Stephen, as is well known, the Japanese have engaged in very creative
> rewriting of the history of the War years.

Of course -- though "non-writing" would be more accurate.  I am well aware 
of this too, so you could have saved your breath.  But do you honestly 
believe that the Allied account of their actions is 100% accurate and 
objective ?   For example, you say that Japanese soldiers never surrendered, 
but fought to the death.  This is largely true.  But you must be aware that 
US forces often shot unarmed Japanese prisoners -- this is well documented 
with accounts from those who actually participated who say that this was 
done with full knowledge and encouragement from their commanders (there also 
seems to have been a strong racist undercurrent at work at the time). 
Deplorable though this is, it happens in all wars -- it was common in Europe 
too during both WW I and II.   But then all victors try to conceal this and 
portray themselves as upright, chivalrous and squeeky clean.

Best wishes,
Stephen Hodge