JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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TPOJ
It's not harmless, but it's not nearly as harmful as general perception has it. I don't smoke it, mostly because I have serious dependency issues...I can't even force myself to quit caffeine, last thing I need is to start up with something that, reportedly, makes music sound better (I'm a music journalist...if pot does indeed make music sound better, I'd never get anything done.)
The question isn't really fair, since it ignores the real question: how does it rank with other forms of self abuse? NOTHING is harmless. But, from what I've seen, pot's a LOT less damaging to both physical health and life in general than most legal drugs. I can't think of a single person who has had their life torn apart by pot (slowed down to the point of unacceptability, perhaps, but not anything that can't be cleaned up eventually.) Alcohol? I could name ten people off the top of my head who have suffered major losses, catastrophes, etc. as a direct consequence of alcohol.
Of course smoking pot is not harmless. Witness the ridiculous posts by a certain JT poster who has admitted he's been smoking pot for 20 years.
So, Sarge, what are you on? It clearly needs to be banned immediately.
Posted in: Is smoking pot harmless?
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TPOJ
Based on what you wrote here, I'm making the assumption that you are definitely not conservative. It doesn't take long to figure out that there really is a bias in the news media.
My perception that complaints of liberal bias are overblown means I'm not a conservative?
Define "conservative." I fail to see how perception of the media plays into a conservative ideology one way or the other. You think there's an "obvious" bias, I think it's ridiculously overstated, and used as a distraction. So...now I can't believe in small government? Care to explain that one?
Posted in: Conservatives lost more than an election
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TPOJ
Nah, we love the U.S. too much to leave to the likes of Barack Obama. We'll stay and fight for what's right for America.
Cute slogan, Sarge. Got anything of substance? Like, say, something longer than a bumper sticker?
Posted in: Conservatives lost more than an election
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TPOJ
Leave it to TPOJ to put a damper on a positive statement.
Sarge, it's the truth, and it's not my job to be a cheerleader. You were trying to spin a statement from the article that had a valid point (that you misinterpreted, by the way...they were saying that the current GOP is done, not that the right is done in general.) This isn't a pep rally. You don't fix problems by putting a smiley face on them, and you are not entitled to good vibes because your wonderful opinions are such a treasure.
If you are truly a conservative, why would you praise Obama, who will be the most liberal president in our history?
Did I praise his policy? His ideology? His liberal tendencies? I praised him for not stooping to the level his opponents did. Are you suggesting his ideology means it's irresponsible to praise him for praiseworthy things he's done?
Obama acts his age? If he was acting his age, he'd do something to help his poor half-brother and his poor aunt.
First off, that's an awfully liberal thing to say. Second, didn't his aunt refuse help? And third, what the Hell does that have to do with "acting his age?"
And...hey, you're whining about the left again! I do believe I covered this already:
It's been a tactic to respond to criticisms of the right with a criticism of the left, a logical fallacy so blatant that it's use alone would have been enough to make me lose faith in the intelligence of the right (and don't whine to me about losing faith in the intelligence of the left...I lost that decades ago.)
I know JT frowns on personal posts, but Sarge, I think you personally embody what this article is rightfully decrying. The right, as it stands now, has been defined by partisan politics, obfuscation, and bare assertions. Obama, for his many flaws, ideological and otherwise, has not engaged in this behavior. Your insistence in refocusing on Obama in a article and thread dedicated to examining the flaws of the right is a perfect example of why America doesn't trust us anymore.
Stop saying "hey! Over there!" and deal with YOUR problems, OK?
Posted in: Conservatives lost more than an election
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TPOJ
It's an exaggeration to say we're back to the sweatshops.
Unfortunately, it's not nearly as much of an exaggeration as it could be. The physical work conditions may be better than the 20s and 30s, but the attitude towards workers is very much the same.
Posted in: Modern working conditions a throwback to '20s, '30s
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TPOJ
The Republicans have won five of the last eight presidential elections.
Yes, by ever decreasing numbers. OK, there was a slight bump in 2004, but I think that had more to do with the fact that Bush was running against a chainsaw sculpture in a wig.
I am a conservative, and I hope to be able to call myself a Republican again someday. I don't now simply because the word contains too many implications that I not only agree with, but which nauseate me.
Frankly, the behavior many of my former "fellow" Republicans has been the one thing that has, however briefly, made me ashamed to be American. They have embraced childishness, shown a staggering disregard for logic, and have attempted to substitute arrogance for hard worn knowledge. They have mistaken opinion for fact, treated rhetorical tactics as truth, and behaved with the emotional maturity of pre teens.
McCain's audience booing him during his concession speech turned my stomach, but was anyone surprised?
It's been a tactic to respond to criticisms of the right with a criticism of the left, a logical fallacy so blatant that it's use alone would have been enough to make me lose faith in the intelligence of the right (and don't whine to me about losing faith in the intelligence of the left...I lost that decades ago.)
During Bush's terms, the right BECAME what the left was during Reagan's term: blaming everything on the all powerful media, painting themselves as common people fighting for what was right while ignoring their representatives tendencies towards corruption, and generally bed wetting in self pity and fear every time one of their buttons get pushed. I'll say it again: those have become right wing talking points f, but when I was in college, they were VERY much of the left. Not only were they of the left, they DEFINED the left in their opponents' eyes. And the current crop of right wingers are too clueless, too arrogant, too quick to shift the focus on some other (left wing) thing, to understand the irony.
I am not anti right. I am not anti left. I AM anti whiner. I AM anti hypocrite. I AM anti crybaby. Which is why I poke at a certain small group of posters in pretty much every forum I frequent (I think we can all guess who I'm referring to for this particular forum.)
In no small way, America rejected this behavior. The only way for them to do this was to vote Democrat this time around. That may change soon, and it may well be that in 2012 (or even in 2010,) they will reject this behavior by voting the other way.
Say what you will about Obama, but he at least acts with poise. He acts his age. Anyone who would say the same for the right in this past election is lying, stupid, willfully ignorant, or all three. God Bless America.
Posted in: Conservatives lost more than an election
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TPOJ
Isn't this standard behavior? So far as the White House changing hands during wartime for the first time in four decades, well, I think that has a lot more to do with the complete boneheaded handling of this war. For cryin' out loud, he started it in his FIRST TERM.
For which country?
You ain't seen nuthin' yet.
You guys have a lot of cute one liners and bare assertions (look it up,) but if you think anyone does anything but roll their eyes at you, it would speak volumes at how, uh, surprised you were at the election. Seriously, what kind of track record do you guys think you have, prediction wise? Yeah, we get it: you're "right." But your cute little theories have to play out in the real world somewhere, otherwise you're just another delusional gasbag.
I hope Bush is more mature than his supporters.
Posted in: Bush, Obama to meet on Monday as transition accelerates
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TPOJ
"Becoming"?
The financial situation is starting to mirror the real situation, is all.
Posted in: It is unprecedented to see such a widening income gap in Japan. Our society is definitely becoming a class society.
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TPOJ
I would LOVE to see someone disagree with this.
Actually disagree, not just pull the typical "look! Over there! Other countries!" distraction stuff.
Posted in: The Japanese mainstream media do not have a well-developed 'watchman' ethic, because it colludes closely with those whom it should be watching and holding accountable. As a result, it is in no hurry to enable bloggers -- who in the U.S. have both 'watchman' and 'watching the watchmen' ethics -- by providing free content.
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TPOJ
So, we 've got 7 votes for McCain and 66 votes for Obama on this site. Tells you a lot about this site.
Actually, I would say it tells you a lot about the level of intellect necessary to operate a computer, but you made it on here...
Oh wait, sorry. BIAS BIAS BIAS!!!!!!!
Sarge you, much like the people you support, are going down in flames everywhere except in your imagination.
Posted in: Who do you hope will be the next U.S. president?
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TPOJ
Sarge at 11:26 AM JST - 23rd October "Well that's a rather simple view of things" Unfortunately, that's the view of Democrats/liberals.
Says the guy with the complexity of a popsicle stick.
Sarge, you have utterly failed to notice how miserably your posts fail to persuade even the simple minded on these forums. Yet, somehow, you seem to believe you possess an ability to see the truth the rest of us lack.
Everyone thinks their opinions are "right," that's why they have them. The difference is how they play out in the real world. Explaining your position in an adult manner, as well as being able to persuade those you engage in to your viewpoint, are ways of showing validity.
How's that working for ya?
Posted in: Iran: Obama seems more rational than McCain
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TPOJ
When a culture stresses authority and stability over accomplishment and innovation, it will not excel.
Even the "Japanese model" of manufacturing came from an American.
I get that this is a favorite target for Japan bashers, and has therefore lost a lot of its rhetorical impact, but it's a favorite target for a reason. Ego is not integrity.
Posted in: Leaders should train students who have the potential to outshine them, but Japanese leaders tend to reject such students.
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TPOJ
There isn't a word of this I disagree with.
Posted in: There are some men who say, ‘I don’t bring sex into the home, I just do it with other women away from home.’ We shouldn’t allow them to say something like that! Japanese women allow men too much — we need to show more effort and energy.”
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TPOJ
I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment, but I’d like to do my best to find one from now on. I’d like to be married within 10 years. I hope I’ll still be attractive then.
I know the average women in Japan has difficulties getting married over a certain age, but is this really the same for freaking model/celebrities?
I hope I’ll still be attractive then.
Frankly, you'll probably look like you're 22.
Posted in: Maki Horikita looking for boyfriend as she celebrates 20th birthday
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TPOJ
When a visibly angry McCain supporter in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Thursday told the candidate “I’m really mad” because of “socialists taking over the country,” McCain stoked the sentiment. “I think I got the message,” he said. “The gentleman is right.” He went on to talk about Democrats in control of Congress.
This is why I stopped associating myself with the GOP. They're children.
No, I'm not like the ignorant woman who said, "I don't like him. He's an Arab!" I wouldn't vote for Obama because I don't trust him with our national security or to be our CinC, and because I don't want my country to become more socialist than it already is.
Moral relevance being one of the main issues.
"See? I'm not as bad as that complete imbecile! I'm rational! I regurgitate this other, slightly less ludicrous thing!"
Posted in: Raw anger in McCain's crowds as Obama strengthens
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TPOJ
Well so much for those who incessantly complain about how the J cops and society "have it in for the foreigner." Yet again we have a foreigner who not only disgraced himself and his countrymen but also breached a sacred area, face no punishment whatsoever for his stupidity.
Four words: the media was watching.
Posted in: British skinny dipper released into friend's custody
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TPOJ
Yes, thanks for the link.
Can anyone hazard a guess as to why the link wasn't in the actual article??!?!
Posted in: JAL map of Tokyo launched online
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TPOJ
OK, I'll say it.
I was in favor of keeping Saddam in power. Me.
Why? Not because he was a good guy. He wasn't. He was scum.
But it would have been preferable to the situation now.
If he could have been removed without a complete clusterf***, then absolutely, get the scumbag out of power. In fact, if you consult the tooth fairy and Santa Claus, they could have probably helped you out on that score.
Sarge, it doesn't matter how many theories or hypotheticals you throw around. Reality will always trump opinion. "Our removal of Saddam wasn't worth it" is not the same thing as "Saddam was a good guy."
Posted in: Race little altered by 2nd McCain, Obama debate
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TPOJ
How can you refer to me as juvenile with a pedant post such as this? Honestly, this is a case study for politics, I suppose.
That...was childish.
Maybe I'm missing some subtlety in your argument, but did you genuinely just accuse someone defending a rich guy as a liberal? The polar opposite has been my OVERWHELMING experience.
You're not wrong, you just have no room to talk.
Posted in: Residents gripe about billionaire neighbor in Hawaii
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TPOJ
TPOJ, what now you're concerned for the Russians plight? "I don't really have much sympathy for him...smoking weed in JAPAN? Not the sharpest tool in the shed" is what you said a few weeks back.
Didn't read the rest of the post you quoted, did you?
So which carries more weight in your book? Smoking an illegal drug in Japan or your foreigner sensitivities?
Wow. A strawman AND a false dichotomy in one fell swoop.
You are aware we're talking about overarching principals, and not just one isolated situation, right? Both sides are at fault. Both need to pull their respective heads out.
Don't come here and bemoan that it's different then continue to stay.
Says the cranky guy who posts repeatedly.
Posted in: Sumo shows its hypocrisy