LOS ANGELES -- Settling old scores is the characteristic of small minds; moving forward is the stuff of vision and leadership. Despite the growing trade among China, Japan and South Korea, much political activity appears to focus on the settlement of grudges.
Lecturing Asian leaders about what to do probably won't get anyone very far, but here goes anyhow: Please be careful about what you say in public.
There is no telling where Asia will wind up in the end, if everyone keeps shouting at each other to even old scores or to make domestic political debating points. What could happen? How about a serious regional economic downturn caused by juvenile political bickering? Rank national protectionism? Or, worst of all, war?