JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Corporate Business English Trainers
- ACT Systems, Inc.（株式会社アクト・システムズ）, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥269,500 ~ ¥280,000 / Month
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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TheQuestion
I can't account for the motivations or drives of others. My parents fed and sheltered me until I was 16, from there I made my own way. I worked for pay and I paid for education. There are people in my field that have done even more with less than what I had. Why do you want to strip people of what they've earned?
And those ideals were meant to be voluntary. There is nothing about a free market system that requires you to be wealthy; it doesn't require that you do anything. I don't feel people should be forced to support others, they should want to do so by their own volition. Christ didn't avdocate forced conversion and what is socialism if not a forced conversion to the religion that is the state?
Posted in: A hot issue on the U.S. campaign trail: theology
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TheQuestion
Good, freer markets benefit those who bring a product or service to the largest number of people. The farmer that produces the best food for the lowest prices will do better than the one that charges more for the same product. I've lived in areas where water drilling services did the same. All people have different needs and motivations, free structures allow them the greatest mobility in that regard.
Blame the driver not the car the system exists for voulentary exchange. I paid my professors for their time in my time at college so how is that taking advantage of them? My public school days were a years of being shuffled from one grade to another with all my actual learning done on my own time, its more like they were taking advantage of me than the reverse.
Posted in: A hot issue on the U.S. campaign trail: theology
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TheQuestion
I don't think Jesus preached any specific economic system or that he would support any in current existence. Socialism and Communism, while well intended, are systems based on coercion. Capitalism is a system of voluntary exchange that lacks coercion but often results in exploitation.
The argument of compatibility can be made in any number of directions.
Capitalism is a system of mays. You may live as you please, you may keep what you earn, you may give what you want, and you may live as rich or as humble as you want. By contrast socialism and communism are systems of musts. You must give a portion of your earnings to the common cause, you must sacrifice for others, you must support the poor, you must not expect to be rewarded by exceeding your peers, and you must never place your own needs ahead of that of others. I think there is more merit in giving when I need not than giving because I'm forced to.
Thank God and science that we can beam today’s headlines 8 years back in time right?
Posted in: A hot issue on the U.S. campaign trail: theology
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TheQuestion
And your assessment of the situation in Israel fails to take context into account. What few bloodless coups there have been were only orchestrated under very specific circumstances in which a weak unpopular minority government was removed from power by the nations majority.
What none of these coups had was a stable government with majority rule which is what Israel has. Have relatively bloodless coups happened? Yes. Could one occur in Israel? No. Not the idea of the majority Jewish population of Israel subjugated by the minority of Hamas supporters doesn't sound oh so lovely. And considering how many have been killed in bombings and rocket attacks on both sides I'm pretty sure that violates one of the big prerequisites for a bloodless coup.
Materials and shipments are assessed on a case by case basis. And concrete is actually on the list of allowed building materials so there were likely other factors involved.
The stated and obvious goal is to withhold materials that could be used by militants to launch attacks against Israel. As long as the rocket attacks and bombings continue I see no reason why the blockade should be lifted.
Posted in: Turkey expels Israel ambassador over flotilla raid
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TheQuestion
When was the last time a fully functioning stable democracy collapsed in a way that was bloodless and resulted in a more fair and just system of law and governance? Not that Hamas hasn't been a guiding beacon of nonviolent resistance...just as long as you ignore the rocket attacks, assassinations, and bombings.
Huh, the way I read it the blockade was meant to keep weapons out of the hands of militants and that the vast majority of ships have been allowed through. Boarding and inspection is a routine procedure and the list of banned goods is available for anybody that intends to send aid, but don't let that get in the way of your ranting.
Posted in: Turkey expels Israel ambassador over flotilla raid
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TheQuestion
I tend to count the grandstanding and abuse of his station among the many aforementioned reasons I wouldn't vote for him. I’m fine with politicians being candid about themselves but I can tell a political gambit when I see one.
Classy. Because if you believe X you're stupid, I'm so glad you've clarified that. How enlightening.
Posted in: A hot issue on the U.S. campaign trail: theology
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TheQuestion
And expression of regret for loss of life and an agreement to pay reparations should have been sufficient. As the blockade has been deemed legal by the UN Israel was operating within international maritime law.
Because, you know nations dissolve all the time without bloodshed.
Posted in: Turkey expels Israel ambassador over flotilla raid
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TheQuestion
@Asagao
Frankly I wish more put more thought into matters of faith, doubt is a test meant to be weathered not hated. Many use faith to disguise their own feelings of inadequacy and personal failure. I consider it a burden gladly borne and that I am expected to live up to certain higher standards beyond mere common courtesy. If used right faith gives strength and guidance to stare down our failings and become better people, but when it is used incorrectly (as it is in more cases than I'd like) its used to cover up those failings behind a veil of forced piety.
Posted in: A hot issue on the U.S. campaign trail: theology
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TheQuestion
It will always be an issue. Whether people here want to admit it or not every aspect of a person plays a role in their decision making from their childhood, to their education, to their religion. The religion of a candidate adds some insight but it should only serve as one part of the many factors to consider when voting.
For all the reasons I wouldn't vote for Rick Perry at this moment in time his religion isn't one of them.
@plasticmonkey
Odd, I've gotten through life without ridiculing anyone's faith or lack thereof. Why anybody should feel the need to is simply beyond me. It’s a funny little hypocrisy that many feel the need to state, quite correctly, that religion should not be forced upon them and then in the same breath condemns all faithful as ignorant or deserving of ridicule. Astonishing.
Posted in: A hot issue on the U.S. campaign trail: theology
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TheQuestion
It actually makes a lot of sense. GE and other companies on this list receive so many tax credits and deductions that they pay pennies on the dollar. I only mention GE because their production model for renewable is basically a tax shelter. For every dollar that is spent making wind turbines the government fronts 40 cents of it and then gives the company a tax credit and contracts to boot.
After the deductions the janitors at many of these companies likely make more than the company pays in taxes. If you're really that fed up with it remove the subsidies and the tax credits and let companies and products stand on their on merits in the market.
I always feel the need to correct people on this matter. They are no loopholes in the tax code, only credits that modify the tax base. Credits exist to promote certain values put forth by congress such as charitable donations, paying medical bills, and owning a home. The companies listed above are merely using these credits to make otherwise unprofitable ventures (like alternative energy, organic food production, and pollution control) more palatable.
Pay me enough money and give me enough time and I could probably have you paying virtually nothing in taxes as well.
Posted in: CEO pay exceeds taxes at 25 U.S. firms: study
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TheQuestion
Revamp the system. If its become that much of a problem set up a dedicated courthouse for death row inmates to relieve congestion then start scheduling death dates.
Also, hanging is an art but those who still implement it fail to grasp that concept. You'd need a full time professional with medical training to do it right and frankly I haven't seen that level of commitment. If you're not going to do it right use some other means.
Posted in: Death row population at highest level ever
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TheQuestion
Could have made a worse pick but I still don't like Krueger. Between his articals for Times and his work on the EK curve Krueger and others like him seem to take the mainstream view that economies work like machines rather than as organic markets subject to fears, cultural norms, and limitations of the people who drive them.
It's not a misstep but his selection isn't putting us in the kind of direction I'd like to see.
Posted in: Obama picks jobs expert as top adviser
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TheQuestion
Chile is one of the strongest, fastest growing South American nations because of the high level of privatization. Of all the companies I've worked for the only South American nationals that I've ever seen hired with any level of consistency were those educated in Chile. Higher standards, higher expectations, better workers.
Posted in: Violence mars 2nd day of Chile's nationwide strike
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TheQuestion
Of all the fast food I've eaten the Whopper stands out as an oddity. It tastes the exact same no matter where in the world it's served.
No more so than a bad local chain. It's all relative anyway, I keep enough condiments in the company car to make anything paletable.
Posted in: Burger King retires mascot "The King"
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TheQuestion
Welcome to the geopolitical landscape, it's been here for a while now.
We offered them an alternative rout to avoid armed conflict and they elected to ignore it.
Posted in: Terrorist attacks a universal television event
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TheQuestion
Nope, already answered.
Worse. But thats to be expected. With pesudo-governmental agencies in control of the housing market and an utterly incompetent oversight board coupled with a failed education system and medicare abuse in the billions what exactly did you expect?
Less in some places, more in others. Strip away the patriot act and they're about the same really. The wiretapping needs to go but gun legislation has gotten more lax and I'm the proud owner of a destructive device permit. In the end most of it balances out.
More or less the same, they're just louder now.
2,583 coalition deaths in Afghanistan 3529 enemy fire deaths in Iraq.
What is depressing is people's tendency to over simplify issues to the point that they all blend together. Economics, politics, geopolitical struggles, and war are complex matters that need to be viewed individually and analyzed. While it's important to keep in mind the greater context if we allow these issues to appear monolithic we become unable to address the hundreds of solvable smaller problems that its made of. It serves no purpose.
Posted in: Terrorist attacks a universal television event
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TheQuestion
Hope he gets stuck in solitary for a couple decades. Don't let him near the general prison population though, that just makes them more dangerous.
Posted in: Tampa school bomb plot aimed for mass casualties
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TheQuestion
Thats not extradition. Thats moving and their behavior up until that point indicated that they were stalling rather than putting any serious consideration into handing him over to anybody and considering OBL had fled shortly after those weak offers seems to indicate that they were not made in ernest in any event.
The comparison doesn't work. In this instance it would be more like an aggressive little twerp trying to impress his friends by sucker-punching the biggest kid in school, true to form the coward hides behind someone else. The Taliban in Afghanistan, simply put, picked the wrong friends and OBL left them out to dry.
Nope, but thats not the point of war. However, if we're talking in terms of U.S actions across the board I'd say most are quite happy with the results of U.S intervention in Kosavo, Desert Storm, it's international aid, and its use of its navy to secure and protect international seaways.
Questioning the reasons behind a war is one thing but that's just funny. NATO without U.S leadership? For Gods sake, they ran out of munitions in Lybia and had to ask the U.S to buy more for them! And last I recall weren't there something like several thousand sexual assaults a week within a mile of the UN camps in Africa?
Posted in: Terrorist attacks a universal television event
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TheQuestion
Thats not extradition. Thats moving and their behavior up until that point indicated that they were stalling rather than putting any serious consideration into handing him over to anybody and considering OBL had fled shortly after those weak offers seems to indicate that they were not made in ernest in any event.
The comparison doesn't work. In this instance it would be more like an aggressive little twerp trying to impress his friends by sucker-punching the biggest kid in school, true to form the coward hides behind someone else. The Taliban in Afghanistan, simply put, picked the wrong friends and OBL left them out to dry.
Nope, but thats not the point of war. However, if we're talking in terms of U.S actions across the board I'd say most are quite happy with the results of U.S intervention in Kosavo, Desert Storm, it's international aid, and its use of its navy to secure and protect international seaways.
Questioning the reasons behind a war is one thing but that's just funny. NATO without U.S leadership? For Gods sake, they ran out of munitions in Lybia and had to ask the U.S to buy more for them! And last I recall weren't there something like several thousand sexual assaults a week within a mile of the UN camps in Africa?
Posted in: Terrorist attacks a universal television event
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TheQuestion
A problem arises when the leadership of the country in question supports or is supported by the named parties. Afghanistan explicitly stated that it would not give up the named subjects. Weeks went by, the answer remained no. The attacks were an act of war and the perpetrators indicated that they intended to conduct more attacks.
The U.S exhausted conventional channels for extradition. Military action was the stated outcome of non-cooperation and we followed through.
And why would that be. Now, I've read Osama's Fatawa which seems to spell out his reasons quite clearly but if you have some deeper insight into why the attacks were deemed necessary please do share.
Posted in: Terrorist attacks a universal television event