JohnBecker said...

JohnBecker at 10:42 PM JST - 18th January

This qualifies as national news? Here in the states, this is an everyday occurrence.

Kudos to the donor and his family for helping to save the lives of others.

Posted in Series of organ transplants from brain-dead donor completed at 10:42 PM JST - 18th January
JohnBecker at 11:41 PM JST - 17th January

The only major economy in the world with a pegged currency (for all practical purposes) is the Chinese yuan. Take away that artificial constraint, and the yuan explodes. That would cause some serious economic problems, but it's something that has to happen sooner or later.

Posted in Would pegged exchange rates stabilize the global economy? at 11:41 PM JST - 17th January
JohnBecker at 02:33 AM JST - 7th January

@USARonin - Anheuser-Busch may be a European owned company, but their Budweiser beer is very much an American beer. Compare it to the real European Budweiser and tell me I'm wrong.

Posted in Chocolate beer at 02:33 AM JST - 7th January
JohnBecker at 02:35 AM JST - 6th January

Over here in the States, Sam Adams Black Lager has overtones of chocolate. They also do a great cherry wheat beer and a cranberry lambic. There's more to beer than (the American version of) Sludgeweiser, thankfully.

Posted in Chocolate beer at 02:35 AM JST - 6th January
JohnBecker at 10:34 PM JST - 4th January

There won't be a snap election. The LDP will drag its feet until the scheduled election in September. I imagine they're hoping for some kind of miracle between now and then.

Posted in Aso won't call general election until passage of FY 2009 budget at 10:34 PM JST - 4th January
JohnBecker at 11:12 PM JST - 20th December

Multi-million Nippon Sumo organization can't absorb exchange difference?

Why would they want to? The yen's strength overseas doesn't change its buying power at home.

Posted in Grand Sumo Tournament in London to be canceled at 11:12 PM JST - 20th December
JohnBecker at 02:42 AM JST - 20th December

What I want to know is, did the owner dispose of this shell properly? Which bin do "munitions" go in?

Police later revealed the shell was cylindrical and about 40 centimeters in length

Oh! It was one of those cylindrical shells!

Posted in Mortar shell found in garbage in Shinjuku at 02:42 AM JST - 20th December
JohnBecker at 02:35 AM JST - 20th December

In addition to Mr. Felt's bravery and patriotism, you have to admire the guy for his shrewdness. If he'd taken this information to a Congressional committee, chances are his shallow grave would never have been found. Going to two young reporters who were still idealistic and too "dumb" to know…

Posted in Mark Felt, Watergate 'Deep Throat,' dies at 95 at 02:35 AM JST - 20th December
JohnBecker at 02:26 AM JST - 20th December

I was thinking it sounds more like the VISTA programs in the U.S. in the '60s and '70s. VISTA was kind of a domestic Peace Corps, sending young people out into poor rural areas to teach and participate in public works projects (something like the CCC and WPA).

Posted in Gov't plans to recruit urban youths to work in rural areas at 02:26 AM JST - 20th December
JohnBecker at 02:16 AM JST - 19th December

When there are only four living people who have held the job you're about to take, I think I'd be listening very carefully to everything said. Even by Dubya.

On the other hand, maybe they're just calling him in for a good hazing. Or to show him where to find…

Posted in Bush to host lunch for Obama, 3 ex-presidents in January at 02:16 AM JST - 19th December