Patto said...

Patto at 11:20 AM JST - 13th December

Poor Masako! The word "hen" does come to mind, meaning "bizarre." We all knew it was going to be difficult for her, but this is just ridiculous. The previous Emperor Showa (Hirohito) said Emperorship was very much like a golden cage. As I understand, he was able to escape it…

Posted in Crown Princess Masako also 'deeply hurt' by arguments: official at 11:20 AM JST - 13th December
Patto at 01:08 PM JST - 11th December

Thank you to neverknow2! I laughed so hard I nearly wet myself. I am really glad Jane is pursuing this, and I am shocked to see how little progress has been made with regard to the Japanese police's attitude toward sex crimes. Years back the police suggested I had encouraged…

Posted in Australian rape victim loses case against police for bungling investigation at 01:08 PM JST - 11th December
Patto at 11:22 AM JST - 30th November

Years back, I had the same trouble with Visa, but much better luck with American Express. I have that deducted from my main bank account directly and keep it paid off. The Y20,000/year charge is worth it for the reasons the author notes when travelling--it's essential. I considered one card…

Posted in Try to get a credit card in Japan at 11:22 AM JST - 30th November
Patto at 12:18 PM JST - 27th November

What David Carpenter and Ronald Herberman are taking into account is that where an industry is especially lucrative, they will have money to silence inconvenient findings, create supportive studies and disseminate false rumors in support of business as usual. Anyone who takes the time to look into the matter comes…

Posted in Cell phones and cancer: What's the link? at 12:18 PM JST - 27th November
Patto at 12:02 PM JST - 27th November

So, let's see, that's convenience stores along with cell phone shops and "sarakin" loan shark operations that are doing well in the current economy, judging by the number of them popping up. Any others?

Posted in People who are worried about the economic slowdown visit our stores instead of dining out. at 12:02 PM JST - 27th November
Patto at 11:59 AM JST - 27th November

I agree with tkoind2, though I feel in my heart that Aso would be too clueless to find Texas, even if we flew him there. Japan has a whole class of "throw-away salarymen," who eat on command (even a gaijin cannot get out of "oyatsu" without hurting someone's feelings), drink…

Posted in Aso apologizes for remarks about people with illnesses at 11:59 AM JST - 27th November
Patto at 10:46 AM JST - 17th November

I'd knock the offender silly and, uh, spend the rest of my life in jail, I guess. Pepper spray sounds like a better alternative.

Posted in JR Tokai female staff issued pepper spray for self-defense at 10:46 AM JST - 17th November
Patto at 01:43 PM JST - 15th November

The clearer it becomes what has happened during the last ten years, starting from the Clintons and proceeding under the Bush Administration (the packaging of subprime mortgages and other risky debt and selling them around the world as highly rated financial instruments, which constitutes fraud), the more demand there will…

Posted in So who exactly is running the global show? at 01:43 PM JST - 15th November
Patto at 01:20 PM JST - 8th November

It's a dog's life--getting dressed up and carried around by a fashion-conscious ninny who doesn't actually care about you. Sad, but what is worse is that this is how many people treat their kids.

Posted in What do you think about the way some people pamper their pets? at 01:20 PM JST - 8th November
Patto at 01:47 PM JST - 6th November

Obama has realized for a long time that he has got to placate the Israel lobby. I'd say good choice if that's what you have to do! He's our man!

Posted in Obama begins assembling team at 01:47 PM JST - 6th November