Wednesday February 15, 2012

dontpanic's past comments

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    dontpanic

    Wolfpack - "Compassion for an adversary that seeks only to destroy you is indeed naive and idiotic"

    "Releasing this man not only hurts the Scots and the UK in general (including those fighting in Afghanistan) but all countries that oppose tyranical religeous fanatics like the Taliban"

    Whats naive is to think that any of the conflicts with Islamic extremists are going to be solved by military power. The terrorists arent going away, the military can only hope to contain them at best. Unless attitudes change, the US will abandon the fight long before any negotiated settlement can be reached.

    The US president is already finding it hard to garner support to maintain numbers Afghanistan. Wrecking its relationship with its staunchest supporter over this issue would indeed be idiotic. Time for calmer heads to prevail I think.

    Posted in: Scottish government defends Lockerbie bomber's release

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    dontpanic

    SuperLib - "So Gadaffi admitted to executing of these innocents, managed to get his guy released from jail, gave him a proud welcome when he promised not to, then openly admitted that the release was discussed along with lucrative financial deals for the UK knowing full well that disclosing that information would cause major embarrassment for the UK government. And the end result? Some Brits are talking about how proud they are.

    I can't say I'm a fan of Gadaffi, but you do have to respect his ability to bend the UK over a barrel, then send them home with smiles on their faces."

    You should be a politician. Youve pretty much managed to pervert that whole statement.

    Posted in: Scottish government defends Lockerbie bomber's release

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    dontpanic

    Wolfpack - "Islamic extremists see this as weakness and they are right".

    This is your opinion. I dont think you know anything of Islamic extremists, or the Scots for that matter. I think if you spoke to the Taliban that meet the Scots every day in Aghanistan you might get a different response.

    The Scots may have been naive, guilty at most of thinking they might get some support from their allies. I dont have to agree with al-Megrahi's release to believe it was done out of compassion in accordance with the law. This is a strength.

    Posted in: Scottish government defends Lockerbie bomber's release

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    dontpanic

    molenir - "You must not know much about history. If there is a public scheme, within just a few years, there won't be a private one any more. Happened just that way in Canada"

    I'll admit I dont know much about the way health care works in Canada, but I do know a bit about how it works in the UK. Since 1948 there has been both an excellent public system and a thriving private system there.

    I guess the private system collapsed in Canada after failing to offer something the public system couldnt.

    Posted in: White House appears ready to drop 'public option' on health care

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    dontpanic

    SuperLib - "there is a very, very large chunk of the population that will probably see reduced quality at a higher price"

    If you mean those that can afford the best insurance and the best of care, they could still do that with a public healthcare system by continuing to pay for a private scheme. Yes it would cost them a bit more, but if they can afford it why not?

    As for the binge drinking kids in the UK, I couldnt say much more than 'stupid kids' could I? Except that Im proud of the fact that when they end up in hospital after a fight, or when theyve ruined their livers, they can get great care and possibly an opportunity to turn things round.

    Posted in: White House appears ready to drop 'public option' on health care

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    dontpanic

    Dont know why the US doesnt opt for a public health system, for all its faults the NHS in the UK has managed to continually improve UK life expectancy, you cant say that for the US system. There is excellence in the US system but not for everyone and for a country with egalitarian ideals thats a shame.

    Wonder what SuperLib would have done in his twenties if in a moments loss of concentration he'd crashed his motorbike, or stepped in front of a bus? I have no doubt he would have received emergency treatment but what about afterward and at what cost? Unthinkable in the UK.

    Posted in: White House appears ready to drop 'public option' on health care

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    dontpanic

    JoeBigs - "Does it matter if the court was a Democracy, Theocracy, Monarchy, Autocracy or a Constitutional monarchy"

    Well first of all, it isnt the court thats a democracy, its the system of government. In Australia the courts operate independantly of the government of the day to enforce laws passed by representatives elected by its people. So yes, it does matter.

    "No he was not, what he was charged with was; Blasphemy, a charge that carried the death penalty"

    So by linking Tobens incitement of racial hatred, oppression and subsequent breach of the court order to the trial of Jesus, you are somehow saying they are both acts of supression of open dialogue? I think youre very misguided. Racial hatred and oppression is a crime against the person, not an ideal. Would you next suggest that the Police, by stopping two people fighting in the street are censoring free expression?

    Engaging in open honest dialogue and safely exchanging ideas and opinions is free speech. Attempts to marginalise or suppress someone on the basis of race, gender, or religion is an attack on the person and is quite rightly a crime. Toben was told to stop and he didnt, so he's paying the price. Justice has been done.

    Posted in: Holocaust denier begins jail term in Australia

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    dontpanic

    JoeBigs - "Was that right? Was it right to arrest someone because of what he said? The government at the time thought it was"

    If I remember correctly Jesus wasnt inciting racial hatred, oppression, or denying the greatest crime the world has ever seen.

    Your example is a nonsense, the Sanhedrin Trial wasnt conducted by an independant court under a democracy, rather it was an impromptue religious court predesposed to handing Jesus over to a despotic foreign occupier. How is that relevent to what happened in Australia?

    Remember Toben broke laws passed by a democratically elected government, operating within its constitution, enforced by the court. Sometimes words are not harmless and Toben is finding out he is responsible for what he has said.

    Posted in: Holocaust denier begins jail term in Australia

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    dontpanic

    sfjp330 - "In 1995, average GM cars were over $50,000 in Japan.......New York Times 2/20/95. Regardless of the quality, give me a explantion to above"

    I have in country experience during the time mentioned, let me tell you how. I would suggest your information, if correct, indicates that GM were shipping fully loaded cars (at the time Japanese customers were not buying poverty spec cars) to their main importer and distributor, Yanase. US product for the most part was shipped in very low volume and would likely have through single vehicle type approval (the same as for kit cars and self buids), this is an expensive process. Add to that shipping and the extensive preparation required to make the cars at least saleable in country bumps the price up. Add then Yanase's margin, at the time dealers were looking for 15-20% and you have an expensive but still relatively poor quality car.

    Other GM product, such as that from Europe, could generate volume and justify standard type approval.

    Chrysler's Neon and the GM Saturn at the time went through standard type approval and were priced on a par with local product, but still failed miserably. See my previous post for the reasons why, but suffice to say the US makers attitude hasnt changed in the intervening years.

    Posted in: Japanese automakers object to U.S. 'cash-for-clunkers' program

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    dontpanic

    "I see more youngsters riding Harleys than 'old farts'"

    You must be properly mature then?

    At last this article debunks the theory that US products are rejected by Japanese dirty tricks and restrictive practices. I dont like the bikes much myself but they are an icon.

    Posted in: Harley-Davidson gains popularity in Japan

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    dontpanic

    Triumvere - "And who determines what are lies and what is the truth? Where is the line between "inciting hatred" and legitimate criticism? Would you hand this power to the government?"

    Nope, governments are collections of vested interests, thats why democracies have an independant judiciary. Let the courts decide, as they did in the Toben case.

    Posted in: Holocaust denier begins jail term in Australia

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    dontpanic

    "By the way, in 1996, at one point the exchange rate was 79 yen per dollar. But I still don't understand why in the 90's, to buy American car in Tokyo, it cost twice as much as in the states"

    I did some work for Chrysler in Japan at the time, when they launched the Neon. In its class it wasnt expensive, very much priced on a par with local product. But it was still uncompetitive. The smallest engine was a 2 litre petrol, it came with a three speed auto, very very poor use of trim materials, panel gaps that you could fit a finger into, lumps of crap in the paint and each car required rectification work to the jacking points and headlamps to be legal for sale.

    When all the market specific problems were reported in person to production engineers in Chicago, they couldnt understand as the car was a success in the US. Nothing was done and the car failed in Japan to the usual chorus of "unfair trade practices".

    The point Im trying to make is that US designed and built cars dont do well in Japan because they arent good enough. Maybe now the industry is on its knees that fact will be accepted.

    The cash for clunkers programme will help tide the industry over, but only a change of attitude and a little humility will save it.

    Posted in: Japanese automakers object to U.S. 'cash-for-clunkers' program

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    dontpanic

    JoeBigs - There cant be complete freedom of speech when what is said incites hatred, or violence, or perpetuates lies. Thats why Toben was barred from publishing his materials in the first place. Thats not the state suppressing free speech, its good policing.

    Posted in: Holocaust denier begins jail term in Australia

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    dontpanic

    "Wow this is a real big surprise. I am one of those who thinks ,"freedom of speech not matter what is said"."

    So its ok to insight violence, or riots, or to abuse people, or to lie? Words have consequences. In the name of freedom of speech these groups will use any method they can to convince the thick, uneducated or disaffected. Holocaust deniers would see the whole thing happen again.

    Posted in: Holocaust denier begins jail term in Australia

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    dontpanic

    Noborito - "The American stimulus is for America not Japan or other countries. Buy American"

    It is, its helping maintain manufacturing, dealer, roadside assistance and bodyshop businesses in the US. Buy in America and youre helping your neighbor, never mind where the perceived profits, if any, go. look beyond your prejudice and see that expanding the programme helps everyone by generating some cashflow.

    Posted in: Japanese automakers object to U.S. 'cash-for-clunkers' program

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    dontpanic

    "Japan together with Australia are the only nations that have succeeded in raising Bluefin Tuna in captivity from eggs"

    They need to get an awful lot better if they want to maintain supplies. In light of impendinding bans a good investment.

    Bans are a blunt edged tool but if face of ignored quotas and poor supervision an enforced ban in trade is likely the only way Bluefin will get time to recover.

    Posted in: Is banning international trade in fish such as bluefin tuna the most effective way to protect marine resources?

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    dontpanic

    nandakandamanda, this is your opportunity to inform us all of the pitfalls.

    Posted in: Going, going, sold! - A glimpse into world of car auctions

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    dontpanic

    If the GNP get the deregulation they want, perhaps they could put these sessions on Saturday evening on Sky Sports. Its a winner!

    Posted in: Brawl breaks out in South Korean parliament

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    dontpanic

    Theres a lot of criticism here re Japanese workers and unpaid overtime. Whether the overtime offered is paid or not, when it comes to keeping your job in the current climate, maybe theres something to be said for being flexible? I dont see Chrysler and GM putting on any extra hours.

    Posted in: Honda bringing back overtime at Japan plants

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    dontpanic

    "now the US has to finish the original war"

    Tell that to all the other nations who have lost heroes fighting the Taliban.

    Posted in: July is deadliest month for U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan

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