Sep 28 2007
It is a hell beyond any possible imagining.
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“A Letter to Ken Burns about The War: An Intimate History”
By Dr. Suki Falconberg
9/28/07
‘The War,’ Mr. Burns, is the Yokosuka rape queues in August 1945, with GI’s lined up for blocks, two abreast, to get at the Japanese girls enslaved in ‘comfort stations’ for them—with the full cooperation of the American and Japanese authorities. Destitute, vulnerable girls were raped into unconsciousness as the men joked and laughed and jostled in line, waiting their turn. Some girls bled to death. Some committed suicide—that is, the lucky ones who could escape. Not one ‘comfort girl’ has told her story—due to shame. Why did you not tell this particular ‘intimate history’ of ‘The War,’ Mr. Burns? Especially since ‘usage’ of the girls was almost 100%. Why has the small detail that almost every GI in Japan, 1945, was a rapist escaped you? Why his this big ‘dirty secret’ of war never been covered?
‘The War,’ Mr. Burns, is the men who lined up to use the prostitutes on Hotel Street in Honolulu: women were raped 100 times a day—a different man entered the girl every three minutes. Why should I mourn these rapists when they were killed in the attack at Pearl Harbor? They slaughtered the bodies of these women in a fashion far more brutal than any bombing could ever be.
‘The War,’ Mr. Burns, is the widespread rape of French girls by GI’s after they ‘liberated’ Paris. Rape by American soldiers was so common that Eisenhower actually had to acknowledge it was happening, although he did nothing to stop it.
‘The War’ is the public parks in Palermo, where pimps considerately laid out mattresses so the GI’s could fuck starving Italian girls comfortably, for a dollar or two a turn.
‘The War’ is homeless, prostituted girls in Berlin doing it in the rubble for a few cents and agreeing to ‘share’ a GI bed so they would simply have a place to sleep that night. This, after they had already had the insides raped out of them by the invading Russian army and then were labeled ‘whores’ since it was a convenient way for the authorities to deal with these ‘ruined’ women.
The War’ is the village in Okinawa where GI’s raped every woman, girl, and child—the victims were too sick and starving to even try to run from their attackers.
‘The War,’ Mr. Burns, is the starvation prostitution forced upon tens of thousands of European and Japanese girls (some barely into their teens) by the ridiculous conflicts men create to display their phallic brutality. It is also the brothel attached to a military base in Arizona stocked with ‘worn-out whores’ and reserved exclusively for black solders, so that the white GI’s would not have to ‘contaminate’ their penises by raping the same prostitutes. Thousands of black GI’s passed through this brothel daily, and who knows what insane, pathetic creatures they left dead of rape and misery.
‘The War,’ Mr. Burns, is not your blind, masculine-centric vision of it, full of all these lies about valor and sacrifice and courage and nobility. There is little that is noble about the raping, war-making brute we call a soldier.
I was raped and prostituted by the U.S. Military. Why don’t you tell my story, Mr. Burns? It is far more ‘colorful’ than that of these soldiers who raped their way through Europe and Asia Don’t you want to know what it’s like to be mounted by a line of soldiers? It is a hell beyond any possible imagining. It has happened to me.
My PTSD, as it is so fashionably called, is far more intense than that of the men who raped the life and dignity and beauty out of me. The emotional damage to the soldier does not compare to the suffering he inflicts on the women he ravages.
War is never good for women. War sexually enslaves women. Men gain by war. They have the pleasure of rape: they mount starving women, ‘cheap whores,’ and take their pleasure, and the woman is silenced forever by her shame.
What a male abomination is not just your grandiose seven-part, tidy version of ‘The War,’ but PBS as well. You pretend to be enlightened but you are as blind and callous and cruel as the soldier rapists who destroyed the lives and bodies of so many women.
I looked at your so-called ‘companion volume’ to the series. The index carries not one reference to rape, prostitution, military brothels, or the sexual suffering of millions of woman. How can you overlook, ignore, dismiss a ‘fact’ so enormous? As if these women simply never existed.
What a betrayal of our raped bodies is your grand, masculine-centric version of ‘The War.’ Even your title indicates that you own this territory, this war, your war. It is, indeed, your war—since all wars are the product of your male phallic cruelty.
War never ‘liberates’ women. War sexually destroys us. It has never been otherwise. Briseis had no say in her fate as a ‘captive’ woman. No one asked her what she thought of the arrangement. No one has asked the Filipina women trafficked onto the fifty U.S. bases in Iraq what they think of their lot as the GI’s line up for their five-minute shot inside them.
Men make war because they love war. Don’t ask me to feel sorry for the way they ‘suffer.’
Dr. Suki Falconberg, Rape/Prostitution Survivor
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Thank you for this response. If only historians everywhere were forced to confront the real world that their propaganda excludes.
What was the name of that village?Bet you can’t tell me.
Is that a denial queen speaking? If so, why don’t you ask the family of the young girl that was raped and burnt in Iraq?
Iraq was reported and verifed.This has not shown up anywhere.Ijust want more details
of course it hasn’t been reported in the mainstream new sources, this was the great war, the noble war, the last conflict that the us has won of any consequence. we can disregard conflicts involving countries such as grenada, panama, nicaraqua etc,. we entered ww2 to stop the world-wide nazi menace. at least that’s what we were told. how germany could threaten the world, fighting great britain, and russia at the same time, occupying france, trying to keep countries such as poland, yugoslavia, and other eastern european countries in check, is beyond me. hey but that’s what we have been told. i’m ex-military, and i have been throughout the world, the amount of prostitution that is in lock-step with the us military is mind boggling. but this was in peacetime. there is no supervision then and there is none presently for the mostly 18-25 year old soldier. if you don’t think so, look at the statistics concerning sexual assault on female u.s. soldiers. i repeat female u.s. soldiers. all bets are off for women in far off places during a world war. but for the comment from the women above who needs validation you might try reading the work of sociologist j. robert lilly of northern kentucky university. it boggles my mind that you would have to look there. you might want to read stephen lendman’s article called “a culture of violence”.
Hey Bob,I know 6 million people who think Hitler was a menace.
I meant Ken,sorry.
This is no more unbelievable than all the other atrocities. I now know men create wars to acieve what they want. A million or ten million lives are nothing. The living ones left are all traumatised. We can only hope that, thru karma, these poor wretches that were raped til they died, did unspeakable things to other beings in the past. Until then you will only be driven mad by the lack of human justice.
I’d rather raise a question here why I could watch the slaughter when was thirteen and boobs only after reaching eighteen. I have a testosterone and it needs its release one way or another. Seems to me as if my happy and comfortable lovemaking would cut the control over me and profit for the system that comes from it. It’s good to be conscious about it and over with those issues, but how many young man has nobody of opposite sex to help them understand, while they fall into the prepared for them cruel stereotype.
Look Filip. Sexual activity is not a need.
I know that some people’s culture says that it is, and God knows media around here make it look like one of the basics.
And if it is to you, then maybe that’s one of the reasons that God gave you your own two hands. If you can’t find a lover that wants you on your terms, then that’s always an option.
Did you read the above? It and other writings on prostitution show that the profession does not offer “comfortable lovemaking” to the female involved.
In fact, since the business is normally controlled by others than the young women doing the work, the “comfort women” involved usually not only do not receive comfort, but usually not enough money or even food , decent clothing, and shelter to make it worthwhile except in desperate necessity. And note from the article above the abusive rate involved.
In many countries the women are actually forced into slavery for the prostitution trade. That should point out how bad a deal it is that the bosses can’t actually get enough ‘workers’ on their own volition, even though women may have more difficulty than men making money in other professions.
BTW, Do we have to go into the kinds of diseases and other abuse prostitutes are faced with from their customers and bosses?
Look Lenner,
I’m talking about social reasons why it is easier for a young man to become a prostitute customer than a lover. Seems to me more important to heal the reason than the cause.
Your choice not to leave my sexual life a private matter didn’t help you in getting bigger picture. Don’t worry, you are not and never will be in my bed nor I’m interested in tracing your exposed on me complexes any further.
I hope that you can get the wider perspective of things than only chosing a side for a fight itself. Try a trip to Eurpe, folks know how to chill out around here.
Be happy
I wish someone would take the time to present these truths in a peaceable rather than hateful manner to Mr. Burns. Perhaps a plea for justice would entice Mr. Burns to make a film about these atrocities. Perhaps giving Mr. Burns the benefit of the doubt rather than attacking him would further entice Mr. Burns to make a film about these atrocities. My comment is spoken with love. Please do not attack me; it’s just that I’ve found that gentle words often make a more powerful statement.
God damn but you’re ignorant you Americans. And proud of it too, aren’t you? Ignorant, and loathed. Refusing to be educated about your history, clinging to your corn pone version even when the truth is laid out right in front of you.
Hey Friend? If your theory had any validity, dummies like lauraJ wouldn’t be posting this trash.
most peoples of the world arent fully awares of the untold — many millions of atrociyties committed during each war –in every war !!!! as far - back as might be recorded pre -roman times until today! millions and millions of– countless and vicioous atrocities were committed against humanity!!!!!!!
most peoples of the world arent fully awares of the untold horrors– many millions of atrocities committed during each war –in every war !!!! we are all in ignorance too 1 degree or another !!!!!!!!! as far - back as might be recorded–from pre -roman times until today! millions and millions of– countless and vicioous atrocities were committed against humanity!!!!!!! and worst yet- continue to be committed against many innocent peoples world wide!!!!!!!the spanish ,the germans , the roman empire, the italians,the chinese empire- thru communist china –much sad history there!!-,the japanese ,and yes also the americans, and the cambodians,are all guilty as charged!!!!!!!!!!!!! and even now also many various rouge militarys and maltias have been running crazy, and without much if any restraint all across the african continent for decades -committing un told of -==and unspeakable atrocities against humanity =numbering in the millions now!!!!!!!!!! almost every countries that have ever had a large military/ naval complex–= have at 1 time or another committed war crimes / and or crimes against humanity!!!!!!! well instead of all types of critisisms–= why dont you take the time and see how each 1 of you/us might make a difference 2 affect the world stuation at hand 4 the better????? what are you doing 4 the bennift of all humanity ?? seriously people !!!!!!!!!! we all need 2 do more works 4 the good of humanity!!!!!!!! and the earth it self !!!!!!!!!!!!!! let go of the past and work now towards a better today and tommorrow!!!!!!!! if not 4 our sake- than for all the children of the worlds sake!!!!!!!!! pull your heads out of the sands of critisisms and ignorance and do some thing profound ,amazing,meaninngfull and wonderfull and selfless 4 the sake of many if not all!!!!!!!! i am begging you too take this suggestions 2 heart and act upon now!!!!! or we can look forward 2 nuclear winters and sooo much worse war crimes 2 come !!!!!!!!!!!
Dummy,excuse me?
Hey friend.I wonder how many here watched the war last night when they showed the bodies of the people in the camps and the ones who lived.
War is hell, that’s why sensible people avoid it as long as possible.
Hate to say, but most of the harassment complaints that I see from the military women are along the lines of “we were drinking, and he wouldn’t leave when I told him to…”
Sorry, ladies. In case you didn’t listen to your mama, if you don’t get into those situations, you won’t be wondering why you couldn’t get back out of them.
I’m sure many men were guilty of taking revenge with their penises. It isn’t anything new, after all.
But I might suggest that one’s status as a putative rape survivor colors one’s perception of the available information.
oh—and one further item: I asked my son, stationed in Iraq, point-blank about Filapina women trucked onto base to be used as prostitutes. Sorry, dear, but this didn’t happen. Quite a few perfectly nice men exist in this world, they might just be soldiers, sailors, or Marines—-and they don’t go around raping women. Point in fact, they die to keep people safe from rapists, people with guns and often idiotic pacifists.
Exactly what do you think would happen if we as a country gave up war? Are you prepared to speak Chinese, maybe? Or wear a burka?
I did know that before the Rape of Nanking, the Japanese army actually ‘recruited’ their own women for their use as well. …and the possible collaboration of Chinese officials in setting up ‘prostitution street’ in Hong Kong, after the Japanese occupiers explained that it was the only way to ‘prevent rape’ (upon the masses).
I didn’t know about the rape camps set up by the Americans, they usually seem much less obvious about it.
The rotten apple batch. Men of the patriarchy. I hope that I could find a decent husband, and if we have a son I could at least raise /him/ free of this contamination.
…and lisa is either a man, or some man’s puppet. For one thing, women in /Iraq/ don’t wear even headscarves before the war.
I have no sympathies for these rapists, and I wish they had been dealt with accordingly; with a pair of pruning shears.
no, I’m female.
Not a puppet of any man—but neither am I a puppet of the common viewpoint of women, that all men are horrible. Rather, we are all children of God, and each of us, be we male or female, have an obligation to choose wisely.
Doubting, in feminist circles, the popular belief that all men rape, is not a common viewpoint—akin, perhaps, to doubting the view of the more misogynistic that all women whore…..few absolutes are true.
If we as a nation decide to abandon war, then we will be overrun by those nations which have not. Swords into plowshares hasn’t happened yet, and if the lamb wishes to lay down with the lion, well….all I have to say is that the lion best not be hungry.
The women in fundimentalist Muslim countries wear burkhas, AND are often stoned for speaking to the wrong men, showing an ankle, etc.
Would be interested in this Mr. Burns’ reply, if he has given one.
Lisa,I am glad we went to war with Hitler.,I am disabled,he got rid of people like me before he started with the Jews.
Christ on a cracker, these trolls are amazing:
lauraj:
“Lisa,I am glad we went to war with Hitler.”
Duh. Getting rid of him was good. What we did in the process was absolutely terrible and should be criticized and exposed to the light of day. It should never happen again. Hitler shouldn’t have done what he did, and we shouldn’t have done what we did to get rid of him.
Lisa:
“Hate to say, but most of the harassment complaints that I see from the military women are along the lines of “we were drinking, and he wouldn’t leave when I told him to…”
Sorry, ladies. In case you didn’t listen to your mama, if you don’t get into those situations, you won’t be wondering why you couldn’t get back out of them.”
This is just another variation of the same old tired “she was asking for it” excuse. You’re basically saying that women are responsible if men harass them. Yes, you are. You said that women should expect to be harassed if they go out drinking and there are men present. But the men are the ones doing wrong. Why should women get the blame?
Lisa:
“I asked my son, stationed in Iraq, point-blank about Filapina women trucked onto base to be used as prostitutes. Sorry, dear, but this didn’t happen.”
Yes, because of course your son was (1) telling you the truth or (2) would know about this sort of thing if it is happening. I don’t know your son, so I have no idea how honest he is or what sort of person he is… and since when does asking one person over the phone if something is happening equal “it’s just not happening.”
Lisa:
“Doubting, in feminist circles, the popular belief that all men rape, is not a common viewpoint”
And you have apparently not met many feminists. There are some women who hold this view, but it is very, very much the minority in feminist circles. I’ve been following about 3 or 4 well-travelled feminist blogs for two years now and have seen this argument in the comments maybe half a dozen times–and usually by the same 1 or 2 people.
Sorry for feeding them everyone… couldn’t help it. They’re just amazing.
This site is crack whore, and should be nuked from space just to be sure.
Amen, Bolo!
I don’t understand why it’s so much to ask for an “intimate history” to include exposure of the many horrific travesties committed against women on a large scale.
It’s a valid criticism, and an important issue.
lisa, give me a break- as if your son would admit to his mother being privy to prostitution in Iraq. It is ridiculous to argue that it ‘isn’t happening” simply because one soldier says so.
In the first place, if I were fool enough to get drunk with a male, who was also drinking, then yes, I suspect I would deserve to get what happened. Just as if I were playing around with a loaded weapon, and got shot, I wouldn’t be surprised either. Nor would I blame either the male, or the weapon, for my own idiocy. At the end of the day, I am responsible for my own safety, by not doing foolish things. Drunken people are not logical, reasonable, or responsible people. They are not often capable of control. Therefore, women drinking with men, who may therefore both lose inhibitions, are more than foolish if they think they can tell the men to stop.
War is hell. Yes. But I think it is quite funny that one who dares to challenge your worldview is immediately labelled as a troll. I would, for example, offer that the person claiming widespread rape is finding some perverse comfort in the fact that it happened to others as well as herself.
This is a “forgotten” horror war story that needs to be told, but when Dr. Falconberg says, “Why did you not tell this particular ‘intimate history’ of ‘The War,’ Mr. Burns? Especially since ‘usage’ of the girls was almost 100%. Why has the small detail that almost every GI in Japan, 1945, was a rapist escaped you? Why his this big ‘dirty secret’ of war never been covered?” She says “100%” and that “almost every GI was a rapist.” This begs for verification. It would be interesting to see Mr. Burn’s and PBS’s response. Did the author send a copy of this article to them?
In the first place, if I were fool enough to get drunk with a male, who was also drinking, then yes, I suspect I would deserve to get what happened. Just as if I were playing around with a loaded weapon, and got shot, I wouldn’t be surprised either.
So, you’re saying that men are inanimate objects who are incapable of thought, rationality, or choice, and their only function is to propel semen through their penis?
So men’s penises are loaded weapons? Male or female, you are a fucking moron lisa for upholding the notion that men have no responsibility over their own damn dicks. If they can’t help themselves then maybe they should be castrated before getting drunk, you know, just in case they can’t help themselves.
I can’t help but notice that much of what has been discussed here are second hand observations, the most opinionated threads seem to be anyway. I am female and I have been employed recently in a combat zone in the war on terror or whatever you would like to call it (that is an opinion for another day and discussion.) The only women engaging in sexual favors on base were not those forced to do it. They were female contractors who thought they were being savvy businesswomen while making a few extra bucks on the side…capitalizing on what is a captive market. When caught, they were fired and sent home. I will also say that not every Soldier behaves honorably while deployed from home, nothing excuses this behavior. While women are oppressed in the Middle East it is well known that many cultures there believe women are to be ‘used’ only for child bearing. Instead, the men take their sexual frustrations out on children, little boys to be exact, I believe it is once they start to show facial hair. Also quite despicable behavior. Unless you have experienced these things first hand any and all conversations about it are speculation. I agree with only one of the postings much earlier on in the thread, make a difference going forward, it is the only one you can make.
shall we get everyone to-gether to go out for a drink? lighten up on each other at the end of the day i don’t think a single person who has posted isn’t against it. this is a very emotive subject and cannot be fairly discussed by people trying to get a handle on someone just by reading one poorly composed post that does’nt put a lot across about who they are. with ibod catooga excepted. its nothing short of horrific what some people experience in they’re lives it does happen, and not often enough do the facts come to light. this subject of any needs to be treated respectfully and also thoroughly because it should not happen. would lisas son be able to stop a group of troops from raping someone if he discovered it happening. what protocols are there for him to be able to do something about it without getting himself killed. i think that this is a good starting point if you want to know that you can put your mind at ease from knowing there is something that can be done. personally i think its the worst thing one person can do to another, worse than killing them. a lot of rape victims wish they WERE dead.