commentaries

The White House response could be as simple as saying that US presidents do not have the power to censor statements like this. Don't even engage in conversation abot this attempt to rewrite history.

Apparently the signers of this petition don't understand the States' rights clauses in the Constitution. Whether the monument is right or wrong, the president nor Congress have any authority to make a New Jersey county remove it.

Japan had better realize that they were not held responsible for most of the atrocities they committed. There are a number of similar memorials that could go up all over Asia. Bataan, Burma, Nanking, Unit 731. The list is huge and they're worried about saving face on this one event? Get over yourselves. You did it.

Hey, Japan: Tell us about the American prisoners you murdered on Chi Jima, the small island next to Iwo. Anyone who wants to learn more about Japanese atrocities, including cannibalism, should read "Unbroken" or "The Flyboys."

I can understand why the Japanese might feel offended, but most (if not all) countries has committed war crimes and the victims should be remembered. I certainly don't equate today's Germany with Hitler, but millions died. The US massacred hundreds of unarmed civilians at My Lai in Vietnam, yet I think (hope) we can remember the victims and be a better country for it. Neither do I think of today's Japan in terms of their WWII atrocities. This is a small memorial that seems important to many who were forced into sexual slavery. And it's still going on today, all over the world!

How can people who are not residents of the USA be counted as petitioners of the President of the USA? Throw out the non-resident signatures and then deal with the citizens of the USA. Would/Does a foreign country respond to petitions from US residents, when they won't even respond to petitions from the US government?

China's National Population and Family Planning Commission has announced that it will continue its one-child policy through 2015. This has led China to imbalance which now has 32 million more males than females under the age of 20. My With 32-million males hanging around with no partner my guess is that China, in the near future is going to turn Japan into one huge comfort station.

65-years after the end of WWII they nuked themselves at Fukishima. Any Japanese law makers talking that up?

WhyZata beat me to the punch in mentioning Unit 731.

ooperdooper said: "my guess is that China, in the near future is going to turn Japan into one huge comfort station." With Japan's declining birthrate and aging population, that may be very difficult.