(Iris Cohen) wrote in message ...
The story of the cherry trees as a gift of friendship from Japan was
overblown as I posted previously. The Japanese destroyed any American-Japanese
friendship less then thirty years after the trees were planted.

True, but fortunately WWII is long gone. As a gift for our Bicentennial in
1976, the Japanese gave a magnificent bonsai collection to the National
Arboretum, forming the nucleus of our National Bonsai and Penjing Museum.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)



WWII might be long gone but distrust and dissatisfaction remain.
American troops still occupy Japan, which has become a sore point with
many Japanese.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2...200311161.html

I doubt either Presidential candidate would endorse removing all our
troops and military bases from Japan and allowing them to expand their
military as much as they desired.

One thing that struck me was the FDR memorial, which is in the midst
of the cherry tree plantings on the Washington D.C. Tidal Basin. FDR's
famous quote, "A day that will live in infamy." is prominent on a rock
wall. Close by are many cherry trees.