Wednesday February 15, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

SimondB's past comments

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SimondBMar. 11, 2011 - 11:39AM JST

This fight has a long way to go yet. Incredible in this day and age in the land of the free (sort off) laws are being passed to deny workers the right to sit down with their employer and discuss wages and conditions of work. US workers fought this battle one hundred years ago. At this stage it is about state employees but it is a short step to saying all employees should have the "right" to negotiate individually and to help things along laws will be passed saying collective bargaining is illegal. Yet one ofthe most powerful unions in the country - any country - are the employer associations.

Unionised workers, through their collective actions earn higher wages. Take away the ability to negotiate collectively and workers will earn higher or lower wages? Worth remembering that America is one of the last few countries in the world to refuse to ratify the UN convention on child labour.

It is essential that workers around the world support their brothers and sisters in Wincosin because if not this despicable legistlation will spread through America and then around the world.

Read a very interesting article from Bob Herbet the other day where he said we are applauding Egypt fighting for democracy but we have all but lost it in America where decisions are made by big business for big business.

Bring back the Wobblies. And as so many right wingers want every one to have arms - give the Wobblies guns!

Posted in: Wisconsin approves anti-union measure
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SimondBNov. 20, 2010 - 03:12PM JST

Amongst the supposed stark raving mad AQ personell are a few cool heads. Does anyone else think that they may be saying "yup, we did the 9-11 thing but we ain't going to be doing that one any time soon"?

So, how about 10 "terrorists" getting on 10 trains with luggage loaded with timed bombs and getting off a few stops later? Or buses?

Amrica, an empire in decline. So terribly desperate to save what no-one else wants. And sad because there are so many fine Americans.

Flying from Brazil to NY on AA - which is like being in a prison - I was asked at check in questions like: are you carrying explosives?

Are Americans willing to have your bodies x-rayed and your children touched up just so you can get on a plane? If the answer is yes, as it seems to be from some posters, then you are a very, very sad society because the rest of the world deoesn't buy into this.

America used to be a leader...............but now????

Posted in: Scanners and pat-downs upset airline passengers in U.S.
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SimondBNov. 09, 2010 - 05:46PM JST

In the bigure picture, is stealing womens panties such a big crime?

And come on, you have to give it to the guy - THREE THOUSAND PAIRS OF PANTIES!!! try collecting three thousand baseball cards. This guy was the master, the best that Japan has produced in pantie collections. And there has been a few.

Move over up pantie snappers - here we have a proffesional. 3000 panties. Helll, just try to store them! He has to have a TV program dedicated to him. Or possibbly a channel. This guy is not sick. Someone who can collect threeee thousaaaaand panties undetected has something going for him.

Just needs to be pointed in the rigt direction.

Posted in: 3,000 pairs of stolen panties found in home of underwear thief
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SimondBNov. 09, 2010 - 01:18PM JST

What I love about these stories is the way the police lay out the "Haul" as though they had busted a major drug ring or an international arms smuggling cartel.

But that aside think about the scale of the escapade. Assuming that he only steals from level 1 properties and factor in that he has to case the place to be sure he won't be caught, it is only two or three panties a night (unless the owner washes her smalls once a week). Yet he got 3,000!!! My wife reliably tells me the average price of a good pair of panties (why do we say a pair when only one item? Pair of socks I can understand) is about Y1000 - 1500. So this does have a financial aspect to it.

Did someone earlier ask why steal used panties? Well, assuming the alleged offender has a thing about womens panties then surely knowing that they have been worn by a woman - who he may have also checked out - must give more satisfaction. Apart from the fact that he would be unlikely to steal 3000 pairs from a shop without being detected, fresh from the factories of China probably does not have the same fantasy factor as last worn by Takako, Hiroko or whoever.

Posted in: 3,000 pairs of stolen panties found in home of underwear thief
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SimondBSep. 04, 2010 - 12:44PM JST

I lived in Japan for 9 years and about three years ago we decided to go for the easier life and move to Christchurch. Felt a goodly number of earthquakes in JP but nothing like what hit us the early hours this morning. And CHC has very few earthquakes. We awoke to this violent shaking and terrible noise. And then it just got worse and we could hear things crashing and falling all over the house. Power was off so we were struggling in darkness. Fortunately we brought a modern new brick town house that survived with no damage structualy. But anything built pre-70 has copped it bad. The inner city has many old historic buildings which sadly have been destroyed. I went to the local corner shop early this morning to get extra batteries. But the shop and the five adjoining shops were totally destroyed. Also came across an old brick two story house which had lost all its walls but was amazingly still standing. The front of the lovely Ethiopian Church on Edgeware street had completely fallen away. And yet today is a glorious spring day with clear skies and bright sun. It seems very surreal, like last night was a dream. But if I look out of my window from where I write this I see one neighbour has a collapsed roof and another is on his roof covering up the hole where his chimney collapsed. The incredible thing is, and you would have had to experience the earthquake to understand and witness the damage to realise how incredible it is, no one died.

An act of God followed by an act of passion from the same guy.

If the moderater wants to give an email address I'd be happy to send a few pics although there are already thousands on the web.

Posted in: 7.1 quake hits New Zealand's South Island
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SimondBJan. 07, 2010 - 09:54AM JST

How many of thousands of flights take off each day? Marshalls on all of them? Guy goes to the toilet and detonates himself and the marshall does what. Some clown earlier said the marshall should sit next to the suspect...duhhhhh.... maybe not let suspect on the plane?

So, dinner plates are cleared away, half the plane heads for the toilets, you see one of the heads appearing above the seats as as possible suspect so you open fire? On a packed plane?

The chances of an air marshall on one of many thousands of flights needing to first identify and then eliminate a "terrorist" are so incredibly small it does not warrant consideration. Where does the air marshall sit? Row 37 E? how is he able from his seat decide who is a threat 25 rows up? And does he get air points?

Posted in: Do you think it is a good idea to have armed guards on planes as an anti-terrorism measure?
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SimondBNov. 25, 2009 - 01:02PM JST

8 years of war. And let us not forget that the Taliban (who GWB thought was a rock band)offered to hand over OBL to the Saudi's after 9-11. But oh no, George wanted his war. And here we are 8 years later. Thanks George for your wise and thoughtful decision.

Posted in: Obama promises to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan
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SimondBNov. 25, 2009 - 12:44PM JST

If I recall correctly back in 2006 a couple wanted to get married on the iceberg that came close - well a about 150km - to NZ but were not allowed because it was not a public place.

Posted in: Icebergs head from Antarctica toward New Zealand
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SimondBNov. 24, 2009 - 02:55PM JST

Oh my goodness! I'm glad the man is okay, but he really should have had the dog on a leash maybe.

For those posters who have not been to Aussie should know that a phrase such as "Arthurs Creek, north of Melbourne" indicates the wilds. People do not walk dogs on a leash in this enviroment. And I have never, ever seen a Blue Heeler on a leash, anywhere. A blue heeler is a cattle dog. 5 foot is not so big for a Kangaroo. Try taking on a western Australia Red! Now they are BIG!

Posted in: Kangaroo tries to drown dog; attacks owner
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SimondBNov. 21, 2009 - 09:42AM JST

Okada confident Japan can reach World Cup semifinals........where they will dramaticaly lose to New Zealand on penalties after a thrilling 5 - 5 draw

Posted in: Okada confident Japan can reach World Cup semifinals
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SimondBAug. 31, 2009 - 05:05PM JST

Can't help not being so impressed by this. A multi-billlion war been going on for so long, like 8 years and 30 dead makes the news. And how many of those were "terrroists". Think WW1 and 115,000 dead in a day.

The war in Afghanistan is like mice nibbling at cheese. Eventually the USA and the UK will leaqve with nice words and tribal rule will once again prevail in Afghanistan as it always has. They will have "democratic" elections and the same war lords will always remain.

Posted in: Pakistan army says 30 Taliban killed in Swat battles
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SimondBAug. 25, 2009 - 04:30PM JST

Come on people get realistic. He is in a highly techno train that can operate probably for the whole journey without the driver never mind the few seconds he takes out to shoot photos of two women (what was their problem anyway).

Think about flying across the ocean to your home land. Really think that your pilot is staring steadidly out of the window to avoid collisions?

Posted in: JR West driver took photos of 2 women passengers while operating train at 120 kph
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SimondBJul. 30, 2009 - 05:12PM JST

Renting in Japan is the pits. Got turned down in a place in Hiroo because I was a foreinger - problems with putting out the rubbish on the right day etc. Other places they wanted my (Japanese) wife to supply details of her Fathers position in his company etc.

Key money is the biggest rip off in Japanese rental market. It derives from the time right after the war when accomodation was at a shortage and landlords made people pay an exobriant price just to get in the door. that this custom should still continue in this day and age is an outrage.

Last place I had in Yokohama I could tell when I walked in that he had not let it for a while. Wanted two months Key Money. Told him I was not interested he called me and reduced to one month. Said no and eventually he said OK no key money. He needed me more than I needed him.

Likewise with "renewal fees". What the hell are you renewing? Tell your land lord that thanks, but I'll move on. He is then faced with replacing a regular paying tenant who caused no problems (and put the rubbish out on the right day) and going through the key money scenario again.

Perhaps, and maybe more than perhaps, renters should form a mass organisation that agreed that no-one in the organisation would pay key money or renewal fees. Surely it would have to grow - nobody could lose. Except exploitave land owners.

just say NO!

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SimondBJul. 30, 2009 - 04:43PM JST

I recall reading a book by a leading detective in the US and he said think of the most horrific crime you can imagine and someone has done it.

This storey proves his case.

Posted in: Baby taken from slain mom's womb found in New Hampshire
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SimondBJul. 28, 2009 - 05:58PM JST

I'm with toecutter on this one. If the Japanese system is that you must show remorse, regret an importantly understanding of what you have done, then surely a date when execution will take place willl help focus the mind. If I am not wrong I understand that some people have been on death row for many years - 20 plus - before waking up one morning and being dragged to the gallows and hung. And the family is not told. No time for goodbyes or the guy in question to come to terms with what he has done or what is to happen to him (or her I guess). It would seem to me that once one knew their fate that a true understanding of what they had done would bring greater remorse. And if nothing else a murderer might go to his deeath accepting the pain he had caused and expressing true remose.

Tell me I am to be hung in 3 weeks time or six months time I can not only prepare myself but really consider the reasons I am on the way out. If emminent death does not focus the mind what does?

Living every day not knowing whether you will be swinging or not is a punishment beyond reason. Do the fsamilies victims get relief from this? If they believe the death penalty will give them closure then surely they want it administered quickly.

It is like a slow mental torture. Like killing a mad dog by cutting off one leg a year. If the dog is mad, put it down.

Posted in: 3 death row inmates executed
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SimondBJul. 21, 2009 - 04:19PM JST

Has any western power ever defeated Afghanistan? I think not. Those in Afghanistan fighting the coalition do not think in nightly news soundbites. If the war takes fifty years then for themm so be it. Are the americans and British willing to stay for the long haul? I think not. The public of those countries will not tolerate it. Big headlines and lots of soul searching when 4, 5 or 8 die in a day. How would they cope if fifty died in a day? The coalition will not be victorious in Afghanistan. Better I feel, to withdraw and try to contain. And let's be honest, america is not under threat of attack from Afghanistan should they withdraw. No airforce or navy - and before someone mentions 911 - they were Saudis. Good friends of america. If afghanistan ends up a religious nutcase country then so be it.

Posted in: 4 U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan
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SimondBJun. 23, 2009 - 03:44PM JST

As I sometimes jokingly say: Quitting smoking is easy - I do it all the time. Obama is like the majority of smokers. He knows it is bad, he knows it grabs the young and holds them for life, he hates the ashtrays, the smell on his hands and in his clothes. Yet when you are craving for a ciggie not much smells better then someones smoke drifting your way and you really want maybe just a couple off puffs. Difference is Obama can make change. If, for example I was US president, or better still ruler of the world, I would ban all tobbacco products outright.

After stashing away a couple of emergency cartons.

Posted in: Obama signs strongest anti-smoking bill ever
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SimondBJun. 16, 2009 - 12:07PM JST

The reason they are looking so glum is because they are sitting in a typical Japanese "park". Behind them is a dark grey concrete wall which probably ends some ten meters above them. Underfoot will be more concrete or gravel. Not a blade of grass in sight in this "park". No doubt somewhere in this park will be a cat crap filled sandpit. It's enough to bring anyone down. And a crap place to take photos.

Posted in: Photo ops
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SimondBJun. 14, 2009 - 06:22AM JST

The winner of the worst flight attendants, by a country mile, are American Airlines. They look and act more like prison guards. Aggresive, rude, scowling and ugly. I can honestly say the flight from Narita to New York was the most unpleasant flight experience I have ever had. Coming in second would be Air Italia. 5 hours into a flight to Rome I dared to press my arm rest button to requst a beer only to be told 'no you can't, it's not drinking time yet'.

The best would for me would have to be Singapore Airlines followed closely by JAL. Smiling, pretty andnothing is ever to much.

Posted in: In your experience, which airline has the best flight attendants and which one has the worst?
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SimondBJun. 02, 2009 - 05:58PM JST

Back on topic. people in Japan in summer need a dish dryer like fish need an union organiser.

Or a hook salesman.

At my highest peak in Japan I lived in Azabujuban with a three ring stove (and then spiralled down to a two ring stove in Yokohama). Table dishwasher maybe - a dish dryer for what? How many dishes can you create in an inner city kitchen that need drying? And where would you put it? And how long doesa it take dishes to dry? Just leave them overnight. Or put them in the magic dish washer and wait for the wife to come home.

That is what I am doing.

Posted in: Whose turn to dry the dishes?