JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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ca1ic0cat
It's posturing but I'm not sure it's completely pointless. The debate might produce some improvements. Then again, given how Washington works, I doubt it.
Posted in: U.S. House votes to repeal Obama's health care law
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ca1ic0cat
That's OK, Harry Reid just called Hu a dictator on the floor of the Senate plus Schumer, et. al., are pushing a bill that would allow the state department more room to punish China for currency manipulation. Welcome to dinner, Mr. Hu.
Posted in: Obama holding first White House dinner for China in 13 years
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ca1ic0cat
There are two explanations for Palin's mouth. Gross stupidity and an overarching lust for fame and money.
I'm not in agreement with the press trashing Palin for the shootings, that's just stupid and vindictive as well. But Palin has really put her foot in it this time.
The result is that, at this rate, she won't get nominated for president. The media might have done the Republicans a huge favor.
Posted in: Palin explains 'blood libel' comment
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ca1ic0cat
I've found that, when it come to issues of spirituality and God, that humans are probably the worst possible authority available. If this explosion were a religiously motivated incident we would have another sad example of the same. Or, to paraphrase, the religion of pieces strikes again.
Posted in: Explosion on bus in Pakistan kills at least 15
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ca1ic0cat
I remember a few years ago when fools were piling gravel on the lines in the Atsugi area. There was real concern that a train could be derailed. Seems that the deranged idiots are at it again.
1kg = 2.2pounds, roughly. If the train was at speed - 200kph? Then F=ma and you're accelerating (well, decellerating) a 1kg mass almost instantly. Somebody do the math. Probably like getting hit with a hammer. That would hurt. The perps deserve to be caned like they do in Singapore.
Posted in: Stone thrown at moving Seibu Shinjuku line train; two passengers hurt
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ca1ic0cat
Because the web is anonymous and so people can spout drivel without losing friends. It's the same with bad behaviour on trains or driving in cars. Who cares if you flip off the guy who cut you off; you'll never see him again. It's not likely that cleo and I will ever sit down for a beer. It makes it easy to insult someone because they are unimportant to you. In other words, we don't value the people around us unless they are a physical and persistant presence. Guess we're all a bunch of pretentious slobs - or behave like one when we spout off at fellow posters.
Posted in: Why are so many people unable to debate contentious issues such as whaling, gun control, politics and so on without getting acrimonious?
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ca1ic0cat
Maglev, I think NK would be a threat even without the US around. The leadership is a bunch of loons and they have spent so much on "juche" for the military that they have very few economic options except to make threats in exchange for aid. There is very little to cooperate with NK. On the other hand China will want a stable economy to continue it's gains. Attacking Taiwan or anybody else will upset the economy and provide almost no benefit. I'm sure the Chinese are going to build a military that ensures that they aren't pushed around again. The question is, will they then use that military to push issues such as the Spratly Islands? In that case the US military presence and SK-Japan cooperation makes a lot of sense.
Posted in: Gates touts role of U.S. forces in Japan in dealing with N Korea, China
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ca1ic0cat
I guess it proves that sex sells - just about anything!
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ca1ic0cat
Obama's speech was good in that it paid respect, tried to encourage and avoided partisan politics of pretty much any sort. While I applaud the call to "civilize" political discourse I'm not hopeful. If you look at the history of politics you'll see that the kind of vile lies and calls to bad behaviour goes all the way back through Roman times and probably through Egyptian history too. So fingers crossed but I'm not holding my breath.
I am hopeful that Ms. Giffords will make a good recovery and even goes back to Washington.
Posted in: Obama, at Arizona memorial service, says polarized nation needs healing
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ca1ic0cat
I think the smokestacks could be photoshopped out but then the pic wouldn't match reality. The juxtaposition of Fuji and industry is interesting.
Posted in: Fuji sunset
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ca1ic0cat
Gun control will solve murder the same way prohibition of alcohol in the US solved drinking. About as well as the prohibition of drugs works if you want the modern example. People need to give up on the idea that the US is like Europe or Asia - the average citizen in the US isn't going to agree that the government is in control the way you have in the EU or Japan. The majority of Americans are not sheeple to be led to and fro. They engage in whatever behaviours they want and the government be damned. Some behaviours are destructive. That is a tragedy but it is also human nature. Gun control will not change people. The elites may wish they had absolut power and tout gun control as reasonable; the foolish will agree that they will sacrifice rights for security. But as Franklin said, those who give up their rights to gain security will have neither. There is a difference between the US and the rest of the world. You all have to get over it. If you want "security" provided by the government (as long as the government remains benign) and you are willing to give up the standard of living and upward mobility available in the US then live in Japan or the EU. If you are willing to take some risk and responsibility in return for a shot at greatness (where else would Obama have risen from a broken home to the presidency in a peaceful election?) then the give the US a try. But you need to understand that it really is different here.
Posted in: Arizona shooting once again ignites gun control debate
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ca1ic0cat
I guess it's time to watch "Dr. Strangelove" a few more times. There will be a stealth aircraft gap, then a missile gap. Heck, there's already a gap in the size of the Chinese army.
The best way to deal with China is to work with them and integrate them into the world economy. Right now it seems that the Chinese leadership thinks that for China to advance others must decline. That is not necessarily the case. For an example, look at Europe after Germany and France were forced to cooperate rather than fight. Improvements in the Chinese standard of living is not at odds with the same improvements in, say, India. The Chinese leadership has to be coaxed into realizing that this is the case.
Posted in: U.S. defense secretary says China moving fast on new weapons
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ca1ic0cat
I'm sure that some in SK will think that this is similar to "colonization" by Japan again but it is really a shot at NK and nothing more. I wonder what Yonhap is going to come out with. It will be very interesting to see what China thinks. NK is digging China into a very deep hole. How will they get out?
Posted in: S Korea, Japan discuss first-ever military pact
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ca1ic0cat
It would seem he will be found guilty based on what the article says. The only question is will he apologize to the court and get off easy or will he insist on going down in flames. I would prefer the latter; given his actions he might be unhinged enough to do so.
Posted in: 23-yr-old student held for allegedly molesting 4-yr-old girl in Shiga games arcade
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ca1ic0cat
Reminds me of when we had to delay launch of a product because the computer had arbitrarily assigned a product prefix code of FU2 to the thing. Nobody cared until one person started to complain and sent memos all over saying that it was offensive. Cost a bundle to rework all the nameplates, documentation, etc. But that's how it goes when an outsider who doesn't understand how things are done gets their nose out of joint.
The irony is that, on the way home on the day of the decision, I saw a license plate on the car in front of me: FU2-1234. Go figure.
Is it any wonder that people walk on eggs when any misconstrued statement could end your career? I agree that the Enterprise is going to be a joyless, timid place where everybody is looking over their shoulder before they say a word. Great for morale.
Posted in: U.S. Navy commander loses carrier job over lewd videos
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ca1ic0cat
Yeah, overpriced and it doesn't work as advertised. Apple is loosing it's mojo. IMHO, of course.
Posted in: 2011 starts with a glitch for some iPhone users
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ca1ic0cat
elbud, I'm sure the majority of NK people would love to just relax. But if they do they get sent to a gulag or worse. I wish them all a Merry Christmas and, hopefully, a happier new year.
Posted in: S Korean Christmas tree sign of new propaganda war
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ca1ic0cat
I agree with Yong. This is a good treaty with a country that is serious about reducing the number of nukes in the world. Since so many from different political stripes are willing to endorse it the time for petty political bickering is over.
Posted in: Obama gets Republican votes for arms control treaty with Russia
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ca1ic0cat
Maybe Kan wants Hakuho-san to help him sort out the problem of Ozawa refusing to do the right thing?
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ca1ic0cat
Then you have no expectation of privacy. That's a personal choice. If wikileaks finds out something embarrassing about you, true or not, it gets published. Now your privacy is being trampled. The NSA is putting together lists of "suspicious" people based on spending habits, websites viewed, etc? Where is the line?
When you have trouble booking a flight, renting a car, or getting a hotel reservation without a credit card and you can be tracked by the credit card use and all that is available to hackers of governments - now you have a huge problem.
Posted in: In view of what has been happening with WikiLeaks and various file-sharing software, is privacy a lost cause?