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Anthony Bourdain was very negative about US military presence on Okinawa

posted 9 years ago by travelhk
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Why was Anthony Bourdain so negative about the US military presence on Okinawa? He seemed very condescending when referring to the military and portrayed them as a bunch of partying youngsters just out of high school who had no conception of where in the world they were at? Some of his quotes (paraphrased) certainly personified his liberal 70's attitude: "What are the Marines doing here?" or "Stay away from International Blvd. unless you want to run into Americans."and "When the bases eventually leave, they will revert into hotels and golf resorts." It seems ironic for him to take on this tone considering none of the locals he interviewed seemed anti-base or resentful of the US. Infact, when asked about Chinese tourists visiting the island, a young Okinawan woman responded by saying she'd rather stick with the Marines! One should note that the Pentagon considers Okinawa very strategic, especially in regards to China and North Korea, so the US military is there to stay, at least for the near future. Anthony explored what life is like for everyday Okinawans but neglected to take the time to offer a more in depth look as to what is the experience for American service personnel stationed on the "Keystone of the Pacific." A visit to one of the many Marine, Air Force, Army, or Navy bases on Okinawa would have presented or more fair and balanced approach to his travelogue.

[–] rotomato 9 years ago

Why was Anthony Bourdain so negative about the US military presence on Okinawa? He seemed very condescending when referring to the military and portrayed them as a bunch of partying youngsters just out of high school who had no conception of where in the world they were at?

You are intentionally being dishonest if you don't understand why American military personnel are often considered negatively by the general public. Many in America look at the military as Bourdain described - they may succeed in the confines of their bases where rank and order rule but often cause problems in the community. I thought Bourdain was quite reserved in his portrayal actually.

Some of his quotes (paraphrased) certainly personified his liberal 70's attitude: "What are the Marines doing here?" or "Stay away from International Blvd. unless you want to run into Americans."

Liberal '70s attitude. Ha. Hardly specific to decade or strict philosophical leaning. You do know about the history of rapes committed by Marines in Okinawa yes? I'm talking about recent history; '80s to present. I know I know, that 12 year old getting abducted and raped in the mid '90s was isolated and there have been "only" a dozen or so convictions. Sure.

"When the bases eventually leave, they will revert into hotels and golf resorts."

You probably haven't watched past Parts Unknown episodes but Bourdain always asks specifically about future tourism vs the current situation almost verbatim to this episode. He did this in Cuba, Madagascar and Jamaica recently. This question is not targeting the Okinawa Marines.

It seems ironic for him to take on this tone considering none of the locals he interviewed seemed anti-base or resentful of the US. Infact, when asked about Chinese tourists visiting the island, a young Okinawan woman responded by saying she'd rather stick with the Marines!

This should have caused you to praise this episode. If Bourdain really wanted to promote anti-American military sentiment, he could have easily recorded thousands of quotes from Okinawa locals. You must know this. I think the comment by the young lady speaks more to Japan China relations than anything else.

One should note that the Pentagon considers Okinawa very strategic, especially in regards to China and North Korea, so the US military is there to stay, at least for the near future.

So what? Ft. Bragg is critical to overall US military strategy with respect to the world but North Carolina and Fayetteville are stuck with that base because well, NC is part of the Union...Okinawa not so much.

Anthony explored what life is like for everyday Okinawans but neglected to take the time to offer a more in depth look as to what is the experience for American service personnel stationed on the "Keystone of the Pacific." A visit to one of the many Marine, Air Force, Army, or Navy bases on Okinawa would have presented or more fair and balanced approach to his travelogue.

Oh brother. This would have made for a very poor P.U. episode for sure. I'm quite sure you are in a very tiny minority of people who heard that Bourdain had filmed in Okinawa and thought "man, I hope he goes deep in to the American service personnel experience."

[–] travelhk 9 years ago

"You are intentionally being dishonest if you don't understand why American military personnel are often considered negatively by the general public. Many in America look at the military as Bourdain described - they may succeed in the confines of their bases where rank and order rule but often cause problems in the community. I thought Bourdain was quite reserved in his portrayal actually."

Not true. Iceland pleaded for the US not to close the Naval Air Station there. The business, hotel, restaurant, and nightclub industries of Olongapo City, Philippines are championing for the return of US troops to Subic Bay, which is currently in negotiations. The Government of Guam is turning over native Chamorro land to the Marine Corps which will be used to build a new base. Members of the local community in Germany protest outside US military bases in their country- to keep them open!

"Liberal '70s attitude. Ha. Hardly specific to decade or strict philosophical leaning. You do know about the history of rapes committed by Marines in Okinawa yes? I'm talking about recent history; '80s to present. I know I know, that 12 year old getting abducted and raped in the mid '90s was isolated and there have been "only" a dozen or so convictions. Sure. "

Even one rape or abduction is one too many. However, the US military occupies 30% of Okinawa, yet are only involved in less than 1% of the crime on island. On the other hand, local Okinawan communities comprise 70% of the land, and are responsible for the vast majority of offenses.

"You probably haven't watched past Parts Unknown episodes but Bourdain always asks specifically about future tourism vs the current situation almost verbatim to this episode. He did this in Cuba, Madagascar and Jamaica recently. This question is not targeting the Okinawa Marines."

Point well taken!

"This should have caused you to praise this episode. If Bourdain really wanted to promote anti-American military sentiment, he could have easily recorded thousands of quotes from Okinawa locals. You must know this. I think the comment by the young lady speaks more to Japan China relations than anything else. "

Agreed!

"So what? Ft. Bragg is critical to overall US military strategy with respect to the world but North Carolina and Fayetteville are stuck with that base because well, NC is part of the Union...Okinawa not so much."

Bases in Okinawa and Japan came with the victory over the Axis powers in WW2 as part of the treaty of surrender. Same with bases in Germany and Italy. Unless the US agrees to leave, Okinawans are stuck with the military, same as the folks in Fayetteville, NC.

"Oh brother. This would have made for a very poor P.U. episode for sure. I'm quite sure you are in a very tiny minority of people who heard that Bourdain had filmed in Okinawa and thought "man, I hope he goes deep in to the American service personnel experience."

Many Americans have served in Okinawa and would like to see what's going on with their tax dollars which fund the US bases there, haha!

[–] dg-benz 9 years ago

It's a show about the food and culture of the ethnic populations he visits. Why the *beep* would anyone want to see anything about the U.S. Army when he's in Okinawa? What are they going to show, them cooking hot dogs and hamburgers?

Write to your local Representative if you would like to know how your tax dollars are being spent on overseas army bases.

[–] travelhk 9 years ago

Anthony's show is not just a food documentary. It's a travelogue which offers an introspective as to what life is like for all people, not just the locals, who live in a particular place in the world. With the US military occupying 30% of the land on Okinawa, they are the largest minority group, and therefore have a presence and cultural/political impact which cannot be ignored. In fact, intermarriage between Okinawan women and American service personnel is common place. Anthony offered the local's perspective. Now I'd like to hear from the people who serve our country and defend Okinawa as to what their take is about what's going on there.

[–] tonylee-16454 8 years ago

Judging from your posts on the matter, I get the feeling you get all your worldly information from the show and that is sad. Certain topics are taboo for such a light-hearted show as this. Get a clue, I can not even bother to get into any deeper discussion with you.

[–] defcon79 9 years ago

He was in fact very reserved and politically correct. Why do you think he should praise US military presence?

We have hundred of bases in many countries, most of which were established by force and threat (either military or economic), they serve no purpose other than project our strength and threaten the rest of the world.

We have plenty of open space here in the US. How would you feel if China established 20 military bases tomorrow? There be revolt. That's how locals feel, our military and policies are hated everywhere and by a lot of Americans as well.

Did you miss the part about the bases occupying a large part of the island, denying locals the chance for agriculture, disrupt their way of life and contribute nothing. And we're paying for them. It's not our business to police the world by force. And I guess you also missed the universal disdain for the military by everyone he interviewed. And the young woman said she'd choose the tourists because she was afraid of the soldiers with good reason probably.

[–] rotomato 9 years ago

And the young woman said she'd choose the tourists because she was afraid of the soldiers with good reason probably.

Actually, the young lady said she would prefer the base over the Chinese tourists.

[–] travelhk 9 years ago

Anthony should praise the US military and its overseas presence. They are a force for good that protects us around the world. US bases for the most part have been negotiated through leases and defense treaties, not by force. Other than Guantanamo Bay, when asked to leave, we go- remember the Philippines? And when asked to come back, we return- ironically, the US may be coming back to the Philippines! China would never be welcomed to establish a base in the US because they are not an ally. The UK would be welcomed because they are one. Infact, the US uses RAF bases in the UK, and the Singapore Air Force has one of their fighter wings based in the US. In return, the US Navy uses Changi Naval Base in Singapore as its WestPAC ship repair facility. I did view the part about bases overcrowding the island and their impact on agriculture, however, not one person Anthony spoke to was against the US military. BTW, the young woman interviewed said she preferred the Marines over the Chinese tourists.

[–] SwanKong 9 years ago

This has been his mantra throughout his TV career,"U.S. bad!! blah, blah, fricken blah..."
_______________________________________________
Did your parents have any children that lived?

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

He looks down his nose at tourists. Yet he is the ultimate tourist.
I dislike his snobby attitude, but I love the show.

This guy is very fortunate to make his living by traveling all over, eating and seeing the sights. I'm sure hard work goes into it, but it beats sitting at a computer all day. And tonight he's going to hang with Bill Murray. Damn you Bourdain!