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Google didn't support SOPA or PIPA. Last year Google and Verizon wanted to have a separate…
Posted in: Apple dethrones Google as company with most respected image in eyes of consumers
Good idea. But... Off the coast of Fukushima? Isn't quite a bit of the coast within…
Posted in: Firms plan to build floating wind farm off Fukushima coast
Stricter laws first make more law-breakers for the annoyance of majority. Instead, increasing tobacco taxes (at…
Posted in: Smoke-free laws lead to less smoking at home
Unfortunately its just business. I know, it is just not the kind of business I want…
Posted in: Remembering
Scrote: "It's interesting that minister Edano sent his family to Singapore shortly after the nuclear disaster."…
Posted in: Official defends secrecy over worst-case nuclear disaster scenario
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Hotbox08
actually, Pukey2, there is debate in Japan about the killing of whales. You obviously don't know about the Japan branch of PETA. In fact, musician Masami Akita (aka Merzbow), and PETA activist, made an album called "Dolphin Sonar" as a form of protest against these killings in Taiji. There is also a Japanese branch of Greenpeace which I've donated to in the past. They even mail a newsletter when you donate.
Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary
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Hotbox08
In my opinion, it is because it wouldn't make for a good dramatic movie. If they covered all places where whale or dolphin slaughter was going on, it would seem more like a Discovery Channel or PBS documentary, and thus wouldn't merit a chance at an Academy award.
Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary
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Hotbox08
This film touches on the whole picture, which is to say that not only are the people of Taiji responsible for the slaughter of these dolphins, but so too are the people involved in the senseless capture of whales and dolphins for the mere pleasure of entertainment in theme parks all over the world. This film is good in that it makes us think about the overall picture: slaughtering animals (not only dolphins) is wrong. It is good that this film is bringing to light the plight of not only dolphins, but other animals.
Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary
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Hotbox08
stevecpfc: Of course. I totally agree with you. I think killing dolphins is cruel, just like many other acts of cruelty, which I have written down. My point in raising other examples was a hope that this Academy award win would shed more light on not only the plight of these dolphins, but on animals everywhere. It's just that people like you make cruelty to dolphins as the number one form of cruelty to animals; which is not true. It is sad that the dolphin is made to be the "poster child" of animal cruelty.
Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary
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Hotbox08
Having pros play in the Olympics worked this time since it was held in Vancouver. However, I worry about Sochi in 2014. How will the travel time and amount of minutes played affect NHLers coming back to play an NHL game the very next day? Even now, teams vying for a playoff spot will be questioning themselves if they should play those Olympic stars right away, or have them slowly get back into the rigors of an NHL playoff push.
Between now and then, something will have to be worked out between the Olympic Committee and the NHL. Will the NHL have to shorten the season even more to take into account the two weeks of playing time the Olympics demands? Should they shift the NHL season? Of course fans may not mind since they still get to see their stars in the Olympics play (or maybe they do care since they are the ones paying season tickets for games).
Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold
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Hotbox08
The big deal is that a fine bunch of NHLers won against another fine bunch of NHLers. It was the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby vs. the Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler; both of which scored goals in this game. Having these Olympics gave a lot of other NHL players some much needed time off.
Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold
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Hotbox08
BPoint: True, it was a fluke albeit a very thrilling one. Sorry to say, I was a little to young to experience the '72 Summit Series you mention, but I'm sure it must have been great as well. Bet the Soviets were as stunned as they were in the 1980 game. Those were the days of the old "Jason Voorhees" type of goalie mask.
Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold
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Hotbox08
It must have been hard if you were both an American and a Pittsburgh Penquins fan, trying to root for Crosby to lose. Or maybe a Candian and Canucks fan rooting for Ryan Kesler to lose. LOL
Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold
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Hotbox08
Congratulations Canada for a well-played game. Also congrats to the U.S. for providing some great action. Although it was an exciting game to watch and it was a good game, it kind of didn't seem any different than watching an good NHL game. Yes, each were playing for their country, but it lacked the drama that the 1980 "miracle on ice" had where the U.S team made of amateur and collegiate players took on the heavily favored Soviet Union team. Oh, how I long for the good ole days. By the same token, I guess watching basketball in the Summer Games is like watching a typical NBA game.
Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold
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Hotbox08
I was surprised that countries like Great Britain, Finland, and Italy (home of the great Alberto Tomba) and other typical cold weather countries like Denmark, didn't do much better.
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Hotbox08
herefornow: It depends on who you talk to. Sure there is the average Japanese who thinks this way, but most I've met just enjoy the spirit of the games and watching the competitions. The thing is, that this attitude of just winning medals happens everywhere. After all, it is the reason why they started to allow professionals to compete in the first place. All nations wanted to send their very best in order to get the most medals.
As for Japan winning 5 medals; it was an improvement over Torino and Salt Lake City. There are areas that have shown improvement, such as the speedskating events. Then there was a big disappointment with the skiing.
Posted in: Japan won 5 medals at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. How would you assess the results?
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Hotbox08
I agree that the scope of this question needs to be narrowed a bit. In terms of computer graphics quality, I would have to say Hollywood produces better movies, like "Shrek" and "Toy Story". However, I am a big fan of good old-fashioned hand-drawn films like Hayao Miyazaki's "Sen to Chihiro". I also love "Appleseed" and "Akira". For story alone, Japanese anime wins hands down. Anime series like "Monster" and "Deathnote" are top notch.
Posted in: Are American animated films better than Japanese ones in terms of quality?
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Hotbox08
That is true, smithinjapan. Each country has their share of heroes who ended up fulfilling their expectations and not. The JOC did make a goal of 10 medals, and to be fair, getting 5 is nothing bad. I really don't think they went in having an attitude that they DESERVE it, but that they felt that IT WAS POSSIBLE TO ACHEIVE IT. After all, there was no campaign signs or commercials posted touting this message. I remember in a press conference before the Olympics began that they promised to do better than in Torino, and I guess they have. But then again, they didn't have anywhere but to go up after Torino's results.
In any case I do agree that many country's media, Japan included, often puts high expectations on some of their athletes and in the end become disappointed.
Posted in: Canada tops Olympic standings in record gold rush
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Hotbox08
smithinjapan: You are correct. You do own the podium. I'd like to apologize for bringing up Canada's "Own the Podium" program again and again. I was just reacting in an irrational way to several posts you made about complaining that Japan's Olympic committee was the only one that made goals about how many medals they were going to win. I felt that this was not true, and that all countries did this (some countries met their goals, some came close, some fifty-fifty, some not so close, and others way off), and so concentrating on one country was not fair in IMHO. In any case, I humbly apologize for that. Anyway, congratulations to Canada and actually to all countries and their athletes for a wonderful Olympic experience. As with all Olympics, it is good to see athletes (amateur and professional) from all countries come together and promote the true spirit of the Games.
Posted in: Canada tops Olympic standings in record gold rush
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Hotbox08
Well Putin, that's what you get for promising 40 medals at these games. You were bound to fall short of your expectations.
Posted in: Putin upset with Russia's Olympic performance
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Hotbox08
Spot on, VG877! Kim Yuna deserved the gold, Mao the silver, and Joannie the bronze. Kim Yuna skated perfectly, Mao didn't, but had a difficult enough program to place her second with no falls, Joannie had a slightly less difficult program than Mao's and was not perfect thus was third. Mirai and Miki had even less difficult routines than the top three and thus scored as 4th and 5th respectively even though they had no falls. Both of their routines looked great albeit some lower GOEs, but too many double jumps, and slow step routines. Makes a big difference.
Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd
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Hotbox08
Just like with Evan Lysacek's score. Smells fishy. Daisuke Takahashi's and Plushenko's scores also took a lot longer to calculate after Lysacek's. If there is going to be an investigation into the ladies program, then it's only fair there should be one into the mens.
Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd
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Hotbox08
HumbleCat: The difference is that these are the Olympics. Other sports are played by athletes who are paid for playing. There is a BIG difference.
Posted in: IOC to look into celebrations by women hockey team
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Hotbox08
That's right, and Canada needs just 13 to meet their target. I think Russia needs about 27 to meet thei target.
Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd
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Hotbox08
Sad sad sad ....
Posted in: IOC to look into celebrations by women hockey team