GJP2006 said...

GJP2006 at 03:08 PM JST - 20th June

I don't know that Tokyo is adequately prepared to host the Olympics (or the Special Olympics which typically follow). The continuing lack of access for physically challenged folks is a real issue here and the infrastructure is already bursting at the seams with commuters and improvements have not kept pace…

Posted in Which city would you like to see get the 2016 Olympics? at 03:08 PM JST - 20th June
GJP2006 at 02:12 PM JST - 20th June

timorbordwe - sorry, I just assumed the enthusiasm and intensity this particular year was well understood. I predict we will have an unprecedented turnout - perhaps 65-70% of eligible voters...

Re: McCain - political expediency is what this boils down to. The right thinks that a war hero will trump…

Posted in Obama says he won't take public campaign funds at 02:12 PM JST - 20th June
GJP2006 at 01:40 PM JST - 20th June

seimei's point: Perhaps then the government could use the PUBLIC money for something more important like... say... health care or a couple of hospitals or some new textbooks for schools.

Of course that makes sense. The argument for public financing is to rid the process of special interest group contributions…

Posted in Obama says he won't take public campaign funds at 01:40 PM JST - 20th June
GJP2006 at 01:34 PM JST - 20th June

Real quick question, why are debates about US politics so intense considering the fact that a large part of the population don't vote?

I am not sure I understand your question. Yes, a large percentage (close to 50%) of the voting age population in the US don't bother to vote…

Posted in Obama says he won't take public campaign funds at 01:34 PM JST - 20th June
GJP2006 at 01:28 PM JST - 20th June

I don't think he committed firmly to the issue - or signed any pledge. His campaign staff filled out a form and checked yes indicating that he intended to accept public funding. Now, he is certainly entitled to change his position at this time - he still does believe in…

Posted in Obama says he won't take public campaign funds at 01:28 PM JST - 20th June
GJP2006 at 09:51 AM JST - 20th June

I am not sure that gay and lesbian couples are happier than their straight counterparts. And millions of gay and lesbian families have the same issues with children, assets, etc. when dissolving their unions, no getting around that. Actually, g/l families have more obstacles in their paths because of the…

Posted in What are your views on same-sex marriages? at 09:51 AM JST - 20th June
GJP2006 at 09:37 AM JST - 20th June

marriage is to legitimize children born from the union. Homosexuals by defintion cannot have children. At least not legitimate ones.

I about fell off my chair - is this circa 1950s? ALL children are LEGITIMATE. I cannot believe that doozy - haven't seen anything like that in ages. Still shaking…

Posted in What are your views on same-sex marriages? at 09:37 AM JST - 20th June
GJP2006 at 08:08 PM JST - 19th June

Give us a normal gay person so people can see they are just like everyone else.

I don't know what "normal" is in any context really! Straight or gay. I think it is just shades of "being" and whether that is more feminine - as the stereotype which persists, particularly…

Posted in What are your views on same-sex marriages? at 08:08 PM JST - 19th June
GJP2006 at 09:59 PM JST - 18th June

On the federal immigration question - well, no. You see, immigration is regulated at the federal level and thus far, gays and lesbians are not allowed to sponsor their same sex spouses for immigration purposes. The Defense of Marriage Act was passed in the mid-90s and specifically prohibits the federal…

Posted in Gay, lesbian couples rush to get married in California at 09:59 PM JST - 18th June
GJP2006 at 08:23 PM JST - 18th June

As chardk1 wrote: "The question posed was 'what are your views on same-sex marriage."

It wasn't, "What are your views on polygamy? Or, Would you like to marry your dog?" LOL The prudent course is not to engage these questions because really, they have no relevance to the issue of…

Posted in What are your views on same-sex marriages? at 08:23 PM JST - 18th June