Maruku said...

Maruku at 11:47 PM JST - 18th June

... or raise consumption by 15% but then open the markets to foreign companies to create some competition and ease the burden on consumers.

Posted in Fukuda hints at early sales tax hike at 11:47 PM JST - 18th June
Maruku at 11:44 PM JST - 18th June

I'm with Pat. Up smokes to 4 Euro, petrol by 10 yen/litre, up the retirement age, and tax small dogs ... see how it goes.

Posted in Fukuda hints at early sales tax hike at 11:44 PM JST - 18th June
Maruku at 12:45 PM JST - 15th June

Or how about just "American"?

Posted in Black conservatives conflicted over Obama at 12:45 PM JST - 15th June
Maruku at 11:34 PM JST - 13th June

I don't think McCain's statements were that out of line if you really think about it. They reflect what goes on in Washington. After dropping 3 tril. US dollars no-one walks away (has ever or will ever) and focuses on some other topical issue, say bail-outs by the Fed. This…

Posted in McCain says setting Iraq withdrawal date 'not that important' at 11:34 PM JST - 13th June
Maruku at 09:02 PM JST - 10th June

Sounds like a cool guy! And yes, should totally be commended for making things easier for foreigners.

Posted in Driving lessons available for foreigners at 09:02 PM JST - 10th June
Maruku at 08:55 PM JST - 9th June

Betzee, great post! I suspect getting this through the senate won't be as hard of a sell as you think. Lets put things in perspective ... the Spratleys ... no offense to the good folks folks on this board from there but the Pacific was probably taken care of irrespective…

Posted in Al-Maliki assures Tehran that U.S.-Iraq security pact will not harm Iran at 08:55 PM JST - 9th June
Maruku at 08:13 PM JST - 9th June

Well ... congrats to the US! By hook or by crook, you got what you came for. Military presence next to Iran (like old friends getting together!), a bit of oil, the Iraqis pay the bill from here on in as they do in Germany.

Here's to 100 years in…

Posted in Al-Maliki assures Tehran that U.S.-Iraq security pact will not harm Iran at 08:13 PM JST - 9th June
Maruku at 11:31 PM JST - 21st May

Also interesting how this comes at a time when relations with china are beginning to thaw ...

Posted in U.S. Ambassador Schieffer urges Japan to boost defense outlay at 11:31 PM JST - 21st May
Maruku at 11:19 PM JST - 21st May

Wonder how much of a proponent he'd be if the Japanese bought kit from BAE or from the French ... my guess is that then spending would be bad and Japan was preparing for some post WW2 revival of the military, as opposed to being responsible and a team player.…

Posted in U.S. Ambassador Schieffer urges Japan to boost defense outlay at 11:19 PM JST - 21st May
Maruku at 02:27 PM JST - 18th May

Jambon, you obviously know nothing about Kibbutzm whatsoever. It's a an agricultural/service cooperative, not the Appalachians in the states or Waco (and no one really knows the story about the latter). Betzee, your posts are sound, but as for gay marriage posing a threat to society in terms of what…

Posted in California's top court legalizes gay marriage at 02:27 PM JST - 18th May