Alan said...

Alan at 08:58 AM JST - 20th November

Children killed and maimed in suicide bombings, schoolgirls sprayed with acid, people kidnapped and executed, women barred from education, genital mutilation of children...these are some of the real blasphemies that Islam needs to address. The key words in this article are "angry mobs." Frankly, I'm not interested in anything "angry…

Posted in Muslim countries seek blasphemy ban at 08:58 AM JST - 20th November
Alan at 11:30 AM JST - 11th November

I hope the Vatican astronomer has a close look at the crater on the dark side of the Moon named after Giordano Bruno, who was tortured for 8 years and then burned alive by the Catholic church for expressing views similar to those quoted in this article in the late…

Posted in Vatican looks to heavens for signs of alien life at 11:30 AM JST - 11th November
Alan at 04:49 AM JST - 11th November

I spent a few years guiding Japanese tour groups around my country in the 1970s. It's easy to get cynical, and there were a few badly behaved people, but for the most part I found Japanese tourists to be polite, friendly and eager to learn about our country. Honeymooners were…

Posted in Veteran tour escort relates travelers' lack of decorum at 04:49 AM JST - 11th November
Alan at 07:30 PM JST - 6th November

All this started because Fiji's Indian population grew to the point that they were beginning to have a significant say in the government, which seemed reasonable since they do most of the work in the sugar and tourism industries. Every act like this latest folly damages the tourism industry and…

Posted in Fiji orders Australian, NZ diplomats out at 07:30 PM JST - 6th November
Alan at 04:41 AM JST - 30th October

Westergaard's cartoons perfectly express the growing Western image of muslims as intolerant, fanatical followers of a rabid death cult with a fondness for high explosives. And worldwide Islamic reaction to the cartoons suggests that his portrayal was accurate. Islam should heed this courageous messenger, not try to kill him.

Posted in Muhammad cartoonist defiant in face of threats at 04:41 AM JST - 30th October
Alan at 10:18 AM JST - 26th October

LOL. Jewish stormtroopers fighting Palestinian neanderthals over onwnership of Mohammed's holy helipad and the world's most sacred demolition site. That place has got way too much religion.

Posted in Violent clashes erupt at Jerusalem's holiest site at 10:18 AM JST - 26th October
Alan at 08:51 AM JST - 26th October

Hellhound raises a good question. I remember back in the early 1980s, the previous emperor was photographed wearing a large Mickey Mouse watch during a state visit to the U.S. It turned out the watch was a personal gift from Walt Disney himself, but many saw the incident as embarassing…

Posted in Rakuten launches website to sell Disney character goods at 08:51 AM JST - 26th October
Alan at 08:36 AM JST - 26th October

The dash for the last train is the quickest way to get sober, though it doesn't prevent hangovers. The problem with Tokyo taxis is not just the expense, but the fact that many of the drivers don't have a clue about finding destinations. But at least they seem to have…

Posted in Last train blues at 08:36 AM JST - 26th October
Alan at 07:41 AM JST - 26th October

147 dead, 721 wounded-- These stark figures don't begin express the pain, the loss, the suffering and the shattering of lives caused by these insane and cowardly attacks. The people affected are not statistics. They are individuals.

Posted in 147 killed in Baghdad suicide car bombings at 07:41 AM JST - 26th October
Alan at 06:36 AM JST - 26th October

It would be tragic if a new technology (like DNA profiling) or new evidence allowed the police to identify the culprit in an old case, only to find that they were unable to prosecute because of the statute of limitations. Where's the benefit to society in that?

Posted in Justice minister to ask legislative panel to discuss statute of limitations at 06:36 AM JST - 26th October