aedfed's past comments

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  aedfedJan. 14, 2013 - 11:44PM JST

  First, it would have to be libel because slander involves a spoken statement (unless the question also meant to include podcasts). Second, are there countries where bloggers and tweeters aren't subject to libel laws?

  Posted in: Should bloggers and tweeters be subject to the same libel and slander laws as traditional media outlets?

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  aedfedJan. 01, 2013 - 12:46PM JST

  A lot of the elderly operate on the principle that it's never happened to me, so it's not going to happen. Good luck convincing them otherwise.

  Posted in: Authorities appeal to elderly to be careful when eating 'mochi'

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  aedfedDec. 28, 2012 - 03:59AM JST

  Of course we should always listen to the environmental advice of Hollywood actors because they are such models of lifestyles that have a small environmental footprint - sensibly-sized, low-energy use housing, small eco-friendly cars, and above all, lifestyles that emphatically reject conspicuous consumption.

  Posted in: In fracking culture war, celebs, billionaires and banjos

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  aedfedDec. 24, 2012 - 02:39PM JST

  For those of you interested in reading some research on the risks that widespread firearms present to society in general, (a systematic review by a Harvard researcher, originally published in a peer-reviewed journal), have a look at Hemenway, D. (2011). Risks and Benefits of a Gun in the Home. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 5(6), 502-511. There's a free version online here http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/753058

  His conclusions - For most contemporary Americans, scientific studies indicate that the health risk of a gun in the home is greater than the benefit. The evidence is overwhelming for the fact that a gun in the home is a risk factor for completed suicide and that gun accidents are most likely to occur in homes with guns. There is compelling evidence that a gun in the home is a risk factor for intimidation and for killing women in their homes. On the benefit side, there are fewer studies, and there is no credible evidence of a deterrent effect of firearms or that a gun in the home reduces the likelihood or severity of injury during an altercation or break-in.

  Posted in: NRA chief defends call for armed guards at schools

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  aedfedOct. 26, 2012 - 02:31PM JST

  The good news is he's 80, so he won't be around too much longer. The bad news is that senile dementia doesn't seem to be an impediment in Japanese politics.

  Posted in: Ishihara resigns as Tokyo governor to launch new political party

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  aedfedOct. 01, 2012 - 01:41PM JST

  I always thought it was one of the more architecturally interesting stations in Japan, especially compared to that architectural abomination masquerading as Kyoto Station, so I'm glad they've restored it instead of tearing it down.

  Posted in: Renovated Tokyo Station Building opens

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  aedfedOct. 01, 2012 - 01:37PM JST

  Sounds just like the first year of my life in Japan - just change English to Japanese and vice-versa - and add "I can never find any baked goods without anko."

  Posted in: Japanese tourists share impressions of traveling abroad with limited English ability

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  aedfedOct. 01, 2012 - 01:25PM JST

  Went sailing after a typhoon once. 6-8 metre waves made it a lot more exciting than Splash Mountain. We had the mainsail reefed down to about the size of a tablecloth.

  Posted in: Storm speeds away from Japan after injuring 145

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  aedfedOct. 01, 2012 - 01:20PM JST

  Time to ramp up toilet training!

  Posted in: Himeji chemical plant blast threatens diaper supply

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  aedfedSep. 17, 2012 - 11:33PM JST

  The most effective way to rein in the paparrazzi would be if the British government used one of their security agencies to put out hits on a couple of them. Not likely going to happen, though . . .

  Posted in: British royals start criminal proceedings over topless pics

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  aedfedSep. 14, 2012 - 12:25PM JST

  Why not just make a new "miracle tree" out of concrete? Cheaper and more durable.

  Posted in: Tsunami 'miracle pine' cut down as part of project to preserve it

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  aedfedSep. 07, 2012 - 09:47PM JST

  I had a Japanese friend who said, "I prefer the French way of kissing" by which she meant brushing cheeks. The rest of us had a good laugh.

  Posted in: The state of kissing in Japan

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  aedfedAug. 24, 2012 - 09:43AM JST

  So is this payback for all the Japanese movies that have been ripped off by the West over the years?

  Posted in: Clint Eastwood western 'Unforgiven' to be remade in Japan with Ken Watanabe in main role

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  aedfedAug. 23, 2012 - 12:49PM JST

  The only thing that surprises me is that it took as long as it did for something like this to happen.

  Posted in: Nude photos of Prince Harry are genuine: palace

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  aedfedAug. 12, 2012 - 01:26PM JST

  @Bertie

  I'm not sure what your beef is with the survey. If it's reasonably well designed (although we can't tell from the article how it's designed) then 7,770 should be an adequate sample to draw some conclusions. Even if not all of the respondents are completely truthful, the results should still be reliable enough to be useful for comparing results from one survey to another to identify trends.

  Posted in: Young Japanese women becoming less interested in sex, survey says

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  aedfedAug. 12, 2012 - 12:54PM JST

  Yawn. The bronze medal game was much more entertaining.

  Posted in: U.S. women beat France for fifth basketball gold in a row

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  aedfedAug. 11, 2012 - 08:32AM JST

  The men mailed that one in. I assume they'll be carrying the bags for the women's team on the flight home.

  Posted in: S Korea beats Japan 2-0 to win soccer bronze

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  aedfedAug. 08, 2012 - 11:13AM JST

  Note that the "Rune Pedersen" who is defending the ref with such enthusiasm also happens to be her father.

  Brings to mind the advice of a Japanese friend who said, "Never choose a doctor here whose father was also a doctor" implying that chances were he'd bought his son's way into medical school.

  Posted in: Canadians accuse referee of bias after soccer defeat by U.S.

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  aedfedAug. 08, 2012 - 08:06AM JST

  @bass4funk How many times have you seen a goalkeeper called for this, at any time in the game and at any level of play (let along in a tight game in the Olympics)?

  I'm thinking never, right?

  Posted in: Canadians accuse referee of bias after soccer defeat by U.S.

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  aedfedAug. 08, 2012 - 07:27AM JST

  Actually, more interesting than the Brazil-Mexico final is the Japan-Korea bronze medal game. I'm thinking there might be a bit of passion there.

  Posted in: Mexico beats Japan 3-1 to set up men's soccer final clash with Brazil