On 29 Sep 2003 20:47:32 GMT, Michel Boucher >
wrote:
>Dans un moment de folie, (j*ni)
>écrivit:
>
>> Did he *really* say "a century-and-a-half"?? Guess WWII
>> slipped his mind. Maybe he's sucking up so they'll forget
>> that 'banquet barf' incident...
>
>Ok, for the last time, the statement is genuine. At least as much as
>any such statement can be genuine. The odd thing is that "half-a-
>century" would be true. Maybe all he needs are glasses so he can read
>the teleprompter. Or maybe he's an idiot, or even both.
In 1853 Admiral Perry sailed into Edo (Tokyo) Bay with the largest fleet
sent abroad by the US to impress upon the Japanese the benefits of open
trade. (The kind of diplomacy I am sure Bush understands and
appreciates). Every since the the US and Japan have been actively
engaged in trade. Now every relationship has its ups and downs, and
there was a brief 3 1/2 yr or so period where we traded bullets and
bombs, but that is no reason to get in the way of a good celebration.
Why even the Japanese are celebrating this momentous anniversary:
http://www.cgj.org/150th/html/homeE.htm