Doug Bandow - The Japan Times

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Doug Bandow

For Doug Bandow's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMENTARY

Jan 19, 2010

Military spending — for what?

WASHINGTON — The United States dominates the globe militarily. The threats facing America pale compared to its capabilities. Why, then, is Washington spending so much on the military?

COMMENTARY

Jul 25, 2007

The death of Iraq's Christian community

WASHINGTON — Although Islam long has been in the ascendancy in Iraq, the so-called Assyrians, who speak a neo-Aramaic language, predate the rise of Islam. Today, however, the Iraqi Christian community faces possible extermination.

COMMENTARY

Apr 5, 2007

The immorality of the minimum wage

WASHINGTON -- Both houses of the Democratic Congress have approved a minimum wage increase and even many Republicans signed on to the bill. Even the White House has signed on. The hike will soon become law.

COMMENTARY

Mar 3, 2007

America's budget black hole

WASHINGTON -- The Iraq war continues to consume lives, both American and Iraqi. The conflict also is burning mountains of cash.

COMMENTARY

Sep 8, 2006

A faux debate to justify aggressive war

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush has faced surprisingly little serious opposition to his disastrous foreign policy. The left was divided over Iraq and many of those who opposed Bush did so for partisan or even personal reasons. Unfortunately, little has changed.

COMMENTARY

Jul 6, 2006

Bush's Iraq dreams are turning to dust

WASHINGTON -- It appears to be the season for second thoughts about American intervention in Iraq. Periodic public-relations offensives after endless "turning points" have failed to halt the Bush administration's long-term slide in popular support. The misbegotten war in Iraq does more than discredit...

COMMENTARY

Jun 3, 2006

America's next enemy is . . .

WASHINGTON -- Peace is boring. How else to explain America's seemingly incessant search for a new enemy?

COMMENTARY

Dec 15, 2005

Iraq has been and will be a U.S. problem

WASHINGTON -- The debate in Washington over policy in Iraq remains contentious and even ugly, but one fact is certain: The United States will remain essentially alone. American policy must reflect the fact that no one is going to help Washington resolve the conflict into which it has blundered.

COMMENTARY

Nov 27, 2005

Seoul not the ally that Washington deserves

WASHINGTON -- During his Asian trip, U.S. President George W. Bush met with South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun to highlight the two nations' alliance. The next day Roh's government announced that it was withdrawing a third of its soldiers from Iraq. Never mind.

COMMENTARY

Nov 11, 2005

Is capitalism key to peace?

WASHINGTON -- In a world that seems constantly aflame, one naturally asks: What causes peace? Many people, including U.S. President George W. Bush, hope that spreading democracy will discourage war.

COMMENTARY

Nov 4, 2005

Bush's intolerance showing

WASHINGTON -- The White House seems to breed arrogance. President Richard Nixon had his enemies list. President Bill Clinton's personal irresponsibility almost ruined his presidency. Now vice presidential aide "Scooter" Libby has been indicted as a result of his efforts to discredit an administration...

COMMENTARY

Oct 18, 2005

Miers pick reflects Bush's flaky nature

WASHINGTON -- For most men who hold the office of America's president, government is serious business. For George W. Bush it apparently is a hobby. That's the only explanation for his "trust me" nomination of Harriet Miers to the U.S. Supreme Court.

COMMENTARY

Oct 7, 2005

Why not a nonlawyer on the high court?

WASHINGTON -- For the first time in more than 30 years, an American president has nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court someone without prior judicial experience. It's too bad that President George W. Bush didn't go further and choose a nonlawyer.

COMMENTARY

Oct 2, 2005

Katrina relief wrings contributors dry

WASHINGTON -- Americans are proving yet again that they are a generous people. They have contributed more than $1.2 billion to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

COMMENTARY

Sep 15, 2005

Opting out of a misguided war

WASHINGTON -- For the first time in six years the U.S. Army is likely to miss its annual recruiting goals. The Army National Guard is facing its worst personnel shortages in a decade. An unnecessary and badly managed war based on false claims is sapping the willingness of young Americans to enlist.

COMMENTARY

Sep 8, 2005

Bush's response to disaster all too typical

WASHINGTON -- Is George W. Bush a serious person? It's not a question to ask lightly of a decent man who holds the U.S. presidency, an office worthy of respect. But it must be asked.

COMMENTARY

Aug 27, 2005

Beware the green terrorists among us

WASHINGTON -- Political terrorism, exemplified by 9/11 and most recently in London, may pose the greatest security threat facing most nations. But other terrorists also lurk among us, mostly in the guise of animal rights and environmental activists.

COMMENTARY

Aug 19, 2005

Tolerance can't be coerced

WASHINGTON -- For some, the Iraq constitution-writing process has called to mind the founding of America or other democracies. But whether the Iraqi doc ument -- for which the original Aug. 15 deadline has been extended a week -- will deliver liberty remains tragically uncertain.

COMMENTARY

Aug 12, 2005

Dreams drive the nightmare

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel is again pushing legislation to reintroduce a draft in America. He first did so in 2003 to slow the Bush administration's rush to war. Now he says conscription is necessary to provide the bodies necessary for Iraq's occupation.

COMMENTARY

Jul 8, 2005

Deceits enervate an Iraq exit

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush's latest attempt to justify his Iraq policy with a televised address to America comes as more evidence emerges that the invasion of Iraq was a war of choice. In arguing that the United States must persevere because Iraq has become "a central front in the war on...

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.

How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan

By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

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