imacat said...

imacat at 10:57 PM JST - 4th April

The Gusto program hasn't just been Gusto. They've been doing a different restaurant or izakaya each week as far as I can make out. Last week or the week before it was Watami.

It really is a banal program but in some ways it epitomizes Japanese TV. Firstly, it's about…

Posted in Is television going the way of other obsolete media? at 10:57 PM JST - 4th April
imacat at 08:02 PM JST - 2nd April

Maybe it's time to take another look at communism...

Posted in Where is it all going to end? at 08:02 PM JST - 2nd April
imacat at 12:24 AM JST - 2nd April

Orafarm tank bred clownfish from Florida have been available for years. I've even seen them in my local tropical fish shop here in Japan.

I would have thought that clownfish are unlikely to be endangered except on a very localized basis.

This museum would do better by educating marine aquarium…

Posted in Aquarium-bred clownfish put on sale to curb reckless fishing at 12:24 AM JST - 2nd April
imacat at 01:41 AM JST - 1st April

When smacking is used as a 'last resort' kids quickly learn how far they can go before the parent becomes physical, and will push up to the limit; parent counters by shortening the limit, and after a while the smack becomes the first resort, not the last.

You present this…

Posted in What are your views on parents hitting their children as a means of discipline? at 01:41 AM JST - 1st April
imacat at 05:49 PM JST - 31st March

Right. They think, 'Oh, so that's how I get someone smaller than me to do what I want.'

I think there is no evidence for this and it's just not true. As I said, bullies are usually the kids who have never been disciplined themselves. I have observed this when…

Posted in What are your views on parents hitting their children as a means of discipline? at 05:49 PM JST - 31st March
imacat at 12:08 PM JST - 31st March

The act of discipline by smacking a child on his/her posterior is actually an act of love, to produce in the child a better personality in the future so that he/she will not be a pain in the ass to everyone else for the rest of his/her life.

Well said.…

Posted in What are your views on parents hitting their children as a means of discipline? at 12:08 PM JST - 31st March
imacat at 12:04 PM JST - 31st March

I think this "hitting kids turns them into bullies" line of argument is nonsense. From my observations, the bullies are the ones who have never been disciplined.

When I was a kid if I got a slap on the head I didn't think "Oh I've been slapped so that means…

Posted in What are your views on parents hitting their children as a means of discipline? at 12:04 PM JST - 31st March
imacat at 11:35 PM JST - 24th March

your points are moot. When you get on the field and you are getting paid millions, let me know.

Comments like this are unfathomable to non-Americans.

A simple thing like taking pride in playing for your country's national team... has that become too much for American sportsmen? Are they content…

Posted in Ichiro delivers as Japan beats South Korea 5-3 to win WBC title at 11:35 PM JST - 24th March
imacat at 05:38 PM JST - 24th March

Wouldn't this have been better translated as "The fundamental strength of our country...", in which case it's the kind of comment politicians make in every country in the world... certainly in mine.

Posted in Aso says WBC win reaffirms Japan's power at 05:38 PM JST - 24th March
imacat at 05:18 PM JST - 24th March

This is the end of the tournament and, after congratulating both Japan and Korea for their excellent attitude and prowess I am making some salient points about America's poor participation.

Posted in Ichiro delivers as Japan beats South Korea 5-3 to win WBC title at 05:18 PM JST - 24th March