Message from smontano

[Anonymous]

Well, as I am double checking all my entries, I see that the Notehelfer entry didn't make it for some reason.
I was struck by several things:
Notehelfer's passion for his subject, first of all. This was way beyond "I grew up there, so I know about the history." He is incredibly knowledgeable about Japanese history, but he is very obviously respectful of it, as well. I felt that there were no mistakes, that Japan's history, good and sad, had reason for existing, and he understood that. It made sense, after all, thinking about the social development and cultural development.
Also, I thought the history was really rocky, to say the least...they were traditionalists, no, they were pirates, no, they were still feudal, no, they were warriors, no, they were modernists...etc. Coming through all this, is the incredible Japanese ability to take a look around, reflect, and make adjustments - course correct, so to speak.
I witnessed that when I visited there. There are so many very positive things about the culture that have come about on purpose. Because the emperor said this is how things should be, and the people reflected on it and said okay. That's why I have to think the sex trade will be eradicated, eventually. Even though it seems as though the gov't. regards the female (victims) of the sex trade to be the new "stupid people," I still think they will come to terms with the human rights issue.
Which brings me to the bomb. I thought it interesting that people seem to think it was necessary. I guess I still can't agree. Not when I read accounts of people's skin and muscle falling off their hands like gloves, and children floating down the river, dead. No. They could have demonstrated it somewhere relatively harmless, although I can't even think where that might be, given the outrageous testing in the 'barren' Nevada desert.
I don't know. It's kind of useless speculation at this point, anyway.
I know there are several lessons waiting to be used in Notehelfer's material - I just have to go back and scrutinize the notes and his readings.