Wednesday February 15, 2012

ilcub76's past comments

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    ilcub76

    “People can feel safe driving in the current situation,”

    Only if you're not driving a Toyota!

    Posted in: Toyota's recall fix clears U.S. regulators

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    ilcub76

    Let the anti-US military protests begin!

    Posted in: Minister cautions U.S. military after part falls from U.S. Navy jet, hitting house

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    ilcub76

    I've never really understood the fascination by the Japanese with this man. But it sounds like his estate is in for a big payday!

    Posted in: Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' DVD rakes in Y1.6 billion in one day

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    ilcub76

    jerseyboy -

    thanks for the comment! I once worked for a supplier of Toyota and saw first-hand how the quality has fallen. Toyota has a habit of telling suppliers to cut the price of their products, resulting in a fall in quality. Cars like the Corolla, Tacoma, and Camry are produced in massive numbers (Camry -- 2000 per day), so companies send them anything and everything because they know Toyota won't look at it closely.

    To gaijintraveller - Don't forget about Europe. They're selling the same cars over there as well.

    Posted in: Dealers swamped by worried Toyota drivers in U.S.

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    ilcub76

    Long ago, Toyota was a good brand. But they decided to try to take over the world, and quantity now outpaces quality.

    Posted in: Dealers swamped by worried Toyota drivers in U.S.

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    ilcub76

    I can feel very little sympathy for South Korea after the public comment by Defense Minister Kim, saying that the South should conduct a pre-emptive strike on the North in the case of an eminent (possible) nuclear attack. Just as NK is extending olive branches, to make this kind of statement is utterly crazy.

    Posted in: N Korea, S Korea exchange fire near disputed border

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    ilcub76

    When I was young, I watched reruns of "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Bewitched" after I came home from school. Those have to be the best shows.... nice clean humor!

    Posted in: What are your most fondly remembered TV shows?

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    ilcub76

    Just a few years late -- how long has Brita been on the market?

    Posted in: Water filter pot

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    ilcub76

    My next door neighbor's grandson was crying all night (baba wouldn't turn on the air or even close the windows), so I stopped by the local koban to ask if the police could do something about it. Before the young cop answered my question, he kept asking me why my Japanese was so good. He ended up telling me that there was no "disturbing the peace" statutes, so officially he couldn't do anything, but he did offer to knock on her door and ask her to keep the noise down.

    As far as the gaijin card checks, I've lived in smaller towns in Fukuoka prefecture for 8 years now, and never once been stopped, even when I go into the city. I also travel several times a year throughout Japan, and have never had the privilege of being stopped.

    On the other hand, when I went through Narita Airport Customs last week, the lady asked me in English how long I would be in Japan, and when I showed her my gaijin card, she apologized and let me right through.

    Posted in: Tell us about any encounters, either good or bad, you have had with Japanese police.

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    ilcub76

    These days, unruly passenger = looking at the flight attendandt the wrong way.

    Making "interference with the performance and duties of a flight crew member or attendant" a federal crime gives way too much leeway to the crabby old hags known as flight attendants on domestic flights in the US.

    Posted in: Unruly passengers cause 2 flights to change course in U.S.

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    ilcub76

    Japanese airports seem to be very lax on security compared to the US. PET bottles, alcoholic beverages, etc. are allowed through security with no checks as to what is in them.

    The TSA workers' attitudes in the US has really changed since Obama took office. They used to scream and bark at everyone in line, but now speak to passengers as if they're human. I almost forgot to take my shoes off, and a nice officer reminded me. I told him I hadn't been back to the US for two years, and he laughed and said he understood.

    As for blvtzpk's comment about the police checks on foreigners, I cannot say that I've had the same experience. In the eight years I have lived here, I have never been stopped and questioned. I fly in and out of Japan several times a year and travel domestically to various locations. Guess I must be lucky.

    Posted in: What do you think of the level of security at airports you have been to recently?

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    ilcub76

    japan is always 'special case'

    You've got that right, nylex -- Japan is always playing the victim card. Japan will whine and moan until the IOC gives in, and if they don't give in, they'll scream bloody murder.

    Posted in: Hiroshima, Nagasaki mayors to ask IOC to accept joint bid

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    ilcub76

    This is great, but does not apply to international airlines, only US based ones.

    Now if the Obama administration would take it a step further and enact a full Passenger Bill of Rights, maybe flying would become a little more enjoyable.

    Posted in: U.S. gov't imposes 3-hour limit on tarmac strandings

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    ilcub76

    Sorry lady, but this ain't Burger King, and you can't have it your way.

    Posted in: SDP leader wants U.S. base off Okinawa

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    ilcub76

    This is fine and dandy, but first you need a Burger King. No news for us out here in the country.

    Posted in: Bourbon Whopper

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    ilcub76

    Maybe President Obama heard that Kim was feeling a little ronery.

    Posted in: Obama writes letter to North Korean leader

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    ilcub76

    I love the onsen -- I try to go once a week if I have time.

    The author forgot the doro-yu or mud bath. There are only about 13 natural mud baths around Japan, but if you get the chance, try it! It feels slimy at first, but your skin feels much better after you get out. My favorite place is Beppu, in Oita.

    Posted in: Bathing: much more than washing off

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    ilcub76

    What is fine on an international flight is banned on domestic routes? Those of us who pack ceramics, glass, etc. in our hand luggage are being penalized. Either pay 10,000 yen to take it on board.... or risk it being broken.... or send it via Japan Post, which costs a fortune to send to the US. This will end when someone blows up at the "security officer".

    Posted in: Domestic airlines unify rules for size of carry-on bags

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    ilcub76

    Banned from your own country? You would think that the Chinese would let him in, then arrest him on a trumped-up charge.

    Posted in: Chinese activist camps out at Narita airport

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    ilcub76

    The Emperor IS living history. Growing up in the imperial palace during war time must have been difficult, especially being the target of US bombs.

    I read different versions of this article on other websites, and both the Emperor and Empress try to connect with the common person. At a disaster relief center, they sat on the floor and talked with victims, holding the victims' hands at the surprise of the Imperial Household Agency and those around the Imperial couple.

    As for his father's role in World War II, historians are still divided as to whether Hirohito (Showa) started many of the problems, or if he was the fall guy for the politicans and military leaders of the time. When Hirohito (Showa) was young, he went to the battlefields of World War I (Verdun) and saw what war could do.

    I believe the Emperor when he talks about his father and how he felt. None of us (or the Japanese) really know how Hirohito (Showa) felt about war and peace. The only one who really knows is his son.

    Posted in: Emperor, on 20th anniversary of accession, concerned young people forgetting history

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