JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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1
Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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2
U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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Confrontation
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California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
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5
Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi
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- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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Farmboy
Well, it's Nashville, where some people are made uncomfortable by blacks, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Catholics, and certainly Muslims. Other people there are fine with all of the above. Too bad the first batch were working when these guys got on. If they went through two security screenings as well as questioning...enough is enough even if they were wearing a Bozo the clown outfit. If the security folks need to check that many times, then we need new security folks. Anyone really wanting to cause harm will look and dress like everyone else just to get the job done.
Posted in: 2 Muslim men kicked off flight sue airlines in U.S.
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Farmboy
I would bet Newt wins the nomination, simply because the fundamentalists aren't comfortable with Romney, and the other Republicans don't really like him much better. Newt is bright, in a way, but weird and aggressive, and he has made lots of enemies. Still, there isn't much of a choice, really. The only folks who will be voting for either of these guys are people who can't in good conscience not vote against Obama.
Posted in: Gingrich, Romney begin final campaign pitches
3
Farmboy
Yes, this is the problem. The son has not shown himself to be strong, and that is a further problem, because it may be that he will be advised to do "something strong" in order to unify the country, and to warn neighbors. The other possibility, as I mentioned, is that someone who IS strong, or a group that IS strong (read warlike) will take power. This is problematic in that there are some groups within North Korea who would really like to go to war... war with South Korea, war with Japan, hey, war with the USA. Some of these groups may make Kim seem like a real moderate by comparison. Let's hope for the best.
Posted in: N Korean leader Kim Jong-Il dead at 69
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Farmboy
I do hope that the Soviets will correct their records now that this information has been made available. Also, they might add that his death was heralded in the mourning heavens by an eclipse, and a comet that almost struck the sun. Hey, I could write for these guys, I bet.
Anyway, we don't really know what will happen at this point... could be he was the only thing stopping an ultra right-wing military takeover, or it could be a chance for a different leader to aim for peaceful goals. Time will tell, but I bet we'll know pretty soon.
Posted in: N Korean leader Kim Jong-Il dead at 69
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Farmboy
We should always check Al- qaeda's magazine whenever we have a question about courtesy. The general trend of comments seems to be, "We are always correct in our actions. Other people are not, and should be killed." It's a very crisp and clear view of society, and if carried through to its obvious stopping point would result in a small group of courteous people who agree about how life should be lived. Discourteous people, most of the people on the planet, would be toast. What's not to like?
Posted in: Al-Qaida criticizes Japan, China over how they treat elderly
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Farmboy
If it's a virus, then it's not radiation sickness. That is, if they actually tested for and found a virus.
Posted in: Stomach flu outbreak hits 52 workers at Fukushima nuclear plant
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Farmboy
This seems a bit odd. I don't recall that the news story about Bin Laden itself was all that remarkable. There were conflicting accounts at first, as I remember, and not much discussion. There were much better articles written about other subjects - better writing, and more in-depth coverage. I guess they are evaluating the news value rather than the story value.
Posted in: Killing of bin Laden voted top news story of 2011; March 11 disaster 2nd
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Farmboy
WilliB,
Wikipedia and other sources (there is another link in my post above) pretty much agree that it is not THAT simple a definition:
A reactor is in cold shutdown when, in addition, its coolant system is at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature below 200 degrees Fahrenheit (approx. 95 degrees Celsius).[1] This temperature is low enough that the water cooling the fuel in a light water reactor does not boil even when the reactor coolant system is de-pressurized. It is a misuse of the term to describe a reactor after meltdown as 'in cold shutdown'. As the fuel assembly is destroyed no shutdown is possible. Fuel is melted together and impossible to control directly. Even if pressure and temperature are unalarming momentarily 'cold shutdown' implies complete control which is impossible after meltdown.
Posted in: Noda's declaration on Fukushima met with cynicism
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Farmboy
I would tend to agree. It is likely that there is a great deal of money and diplomatic pressure aimed at getting him to Sweden that has very little to do with the rape charges against him, but have to do with the desire of the USA to get their hands on him for releasing sensitive information.
I have mixed feelings about Assange. I believe in freedom of the press, and I believe he is sincere in his desire to expose wrongdoing by the US and other countries. I also believe that some of the information released has caused harm, not just embarrassment. There is a fine line to be walked in having freedom of the press, and more self-regulation is needed than has been shown.
Still, this article is about a rape charge, not about his other activities, and I think he is correct that the amount of time, money, and legal shenanigans directed against him is not about that charge. It is politically motivated.
Posted in: Assange request for appeal granted; hearing set for Feb 1
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Farmboy
She's married to a 40 year-old hair stylist who treats her like a princess. Ummm... well... whatever... I wish them a happy life.
Article Unavailable
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Farmboy
I understand the desire to have a name for the improved condition of the plant. My understanding, though, is that since the containment vessel has been breached, with water not staying put, and with the condition of the fuel rods in one of the reactors being unknown, the term, "cold shutdown" is not applicable, even if the temperature is being maintained at a proper level.
The following article seems to support this view, and shows that some attempt was made in Japan to have a new term, "cold shutdown condition," as opposed to just "cold shutdown," to define the current state. It remains misleading, though, and I would suggest an entirely different term if they want to put a name to the current state of affairs.
<safetyfirst.nei.org/ask-an-expert/question-what-is-cold-shutdown/>
Posted in: Noda's declaration on Fukushima met with cynicism
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Farmboy
I just don't see a big problem with this, if it's what he wants to do. Cancer is an increased possibility, both because of the radiation and because of his smoking, but the likelihood is that the radiation part of that risk will take 15-20 years to show up, if it does show up, which puts him at 67-72 years-old at least - not so bad. Contrast that with the thought of staying at some shelter in a place he doesn't know with people he doesn't know, and I'm not sure there would be so much improvement in life quality. Also, he has already been exposed to radiation, so if he moved the added risk would still be non-zero. He's probably a bit lonely, and his family is probably worried about him, but he's living the life he wants to live for as long as he can live it ... not such a terrible thing. He ought to go get a cookbook and learn to cook, though. Eating canned food forever WOULD be a terrible thing.
Posted in: Hermit of Fukushima says he's staying put despite risks
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Farmboy
If they really want to know, a DNA test, or possibly even less sophisticated tests, could be used to clear the dogs of any wrongdodoing.
Posted in: Charges filed against Konishiki for alleged assault over dog poo
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Farmboy
This must be a definition of "stable" that I haven't encountered yet... Maybe it's like, "stable - will probably not blow up right away" or something like that.
Posted in: Japan to declare Fukushima nuclear plant in stable condition
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Farmboy
I love these words and phrases that are chosen to chastise without offending.
We are disappointed. We are deeply concerned. This isn't helpful. We wouldn't have advised that move. We would have hoped for a different outcome.
Posted in: U.S., Australia, NZ 'disappointed' over Japan whale hunt
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Farmboy
So Congress would like to send their armed forces to Guam in army surplus rubber dingies? Do the soldiers have to pay for the dinghies as well? Do they have to row them? Cutbacks are fine, but do the move properly, and stop playing games.
The US wants a base in Asia, Tokyo (maybe) wants the base in Okinawa, but the Okinawans, except maybe some of the businesses, want the US out. I have no answer to these conflicts, but if the decision is to move, then funds to make the move need to be there.
Posted in: U.S. Congress cuts funds to move Marines from Okinawa to Guam
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Farmboy
Anyway, this is sad news for sure. People seem to be going crazy all over. .
Posted in: 5 dead, 122 wounded after man with grenades, rifle attacks holiday shoppers in Belgium
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Farmboy
CactusJack is right, I think. I ran it through my Bullpucky-English translation program. It says, "Pay off the fisherman."
Posted in: TEPCO must get fishermen's OK before dumping radioactive water into sea: Edano
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Farmboy
If only the government would hire me to make predictions. I could help with this one. Still, it may be and offensive ploy... an attempt to cause the Iranians to fall into fits of hysterical giggling.
Posted in: Obama requests Iran to give back downed U.S. drone
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Farmboy
Santa isn't so far-fetched...no need to debunk him. He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good.... Kinda like an early Homeland Security/spy satellite/backscatter radiation scanner. Those things exist, though we don't Yet have the technology to put a fat man down a chimney, and all that present-giving may indicate socialist tendencies. Best keep an eye on the guy, and your kids better watch out, too. He evidently has some kind of list...
Posted in: Do you, or did you, encourage your young children to believe in Santa Claus?