Wednesday February 15, 2012

tkoind2's past comments

  • -4

    tkoind2

    TakahiroDomingo. Really? Do you really know that about Iran?

    Is their government foolish? Yes, I think they are inviting war needlessly. Are the repressive? Yes! Certainly so. But worst than Hitler? Come on.....

    The west must take responsibility for a lot of how Iran is today. It was our cold war policies that led to the Iranian revolution and the rise of this Islamist state. Likewise the west failed a dozen times in the past to support progress by Iranian's to change the course of their government.

    Add to this the increased radicalization of Iran as a direct result of the US invation of Iraq and you have a climate that has made it impossible for the people of Iran to effect change in their nation.

    The people of Iran have clearly been working for change. Protests and sacrifices by people there demonstrate this. But as long as there is the threat of war with Iran, the government is strengthened and their capacity to repress change increased.

    If you really want to avoid having a nuclear weaponed empowered Iran, then war and further fueling of this conflict is exactly the opposite of what should be happening.

    Posted in: Iran leader says CIA, Mossad behind scientist's murder

  • 2

    tkoind2

    Sadly this is a perfect storm for war.

    1. The allies in the west deeply fear a nuclear armed Islamist state. Nothing is likely to relax these fears.
    2. Iran, in the post Iraq war world, is a center of power and authority in the ME and as such must show a strong face in this environment.
    3. The end of the Iraq war, ongoing economic crisis in Europe and the US also make war an inviting distraction and potential stimulus option.
    4. Iran's leadership has played directly into the hands of the western politicals by failing to take any of a dozen opportunities to defuse this conflict.

    Result = War is not only a risk, but growing rapidly in probability.

    Posted in: What can be done to ease tensions between Iran and Western nations?

  • -2

    tkoind2

    gaijininfo. So all those exotic funds and CDFs were innocent in the problem as well? Certainly the climate of profiteering in lending and realestate were also completely devoid of bank driven greed.

    Regulation is the only way to assure that greed is managed.

    Posted in: Japan says U.S. reforms could force its banks out of Wall Street

  • -1

    tkoind2

    I think this is misguided. US, EU and other regional changes in oil practices will impact price. Even a little worry will impact price. So it seems quite unrealistic to think that this current situation will not have some impact upon pricing.

    We don't expect China to support anything other than their own policies. And India have other considerations including their proximity to a potential war. Their positions are rather obvious.

    Posted in: If the Chinese and maybe the Indians are not going to be abiding by U.S. pressure, then I don't think there will be a major impact on oil prices.

  • 2

    tkoind2

    "Anti-American Sentiment", come on guys, can't you find better reasons to fight this?

    Sadly, anyone who knows Japan and her political culture also knows that anti-anything sentiment in Japan amounts to very little tangible political result. Anti-government sentiment still has not managed to put people in the streets to protest the government's incompetence. And this directly impacts every Japanese family. So why would anti-American sentiment amount to anything more than a line on some survey somewhere.

    We all know that these free trade agreements most often harm working people rather than help them. They certainly help benefit the already rich.

    Now if the DJP want to resist this, why not come after it with stronger arguments to this effect. Engage both Japanese and American working people to make demands for how such a policy would be implemented.

    Threats of "Anti-American Sentiment" in a world filled with countries who genuninely hate the US, Japan being a bit upset will not motivate any change of thinking. It is just a sad reality.

    Posted in: DPJ lawmakers warn U.S. they will fight against TPP talks

  • 3

    tkoind2

    "However, objections have been raised that the use of such cameras constitute a violation of citizens’ privacy."

    Privacy has been under attack for a long time now. No more effectively than in the post 911 world of fear.

    "I have absolutely no problem with this."

    You should. Not only can something like this be used to track criminals, it can be used for repression. In most industrialized nations we are given "rights" which include some degree of privacy, protection from illegal search and the presumption of innocence.

    Yet state run cameras allow people to be monitored most of the day while in public, constitute a form of monitoring and search, and are motivated by the assumption that the public needs to be watched, implying some degree of assumed public guilt.

    The question is, is it legal?

    Sadly it seems so. People who value true liberty should be speaking out. But then again, big brother is indeed watching isn't he.

    Posted in: Big Brother's got eyes everywhere

  • 1

    tkoind2

    I have no way of knowning why this guy died. But if Tepco was smart (Yes I know they have proven otherwise time and again, but we can hope anyway....) they would provide a 3rd party evaluation so as to avoid any controversy and to dispel any concerns.

    They seriously need a good Corporate PR person. But guess that well paying job and the associated contact would have to be signed in blood and have small print regarding the submission of your soul upon death.

    Posted in: Fourth worker at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant dies

  • -3

    tkoind2

    Hide Suzuki, and how do we know that what the whalers say is true? You need to be a little more neutural in evaluating news.

    Mr. Sushi. I think there are many people world wide who hold the same disdain for the whalers and wish their vessils "reigned in" or better still mothballed and scuttled.

    The bottom line is this.

    1. You have two sides in conflict here.
    2. Both believe they are righteous in their actions.
    3. Both seem intent upon continuning their actions.
    4. They mutually agree that the other must be undone.

    So what more would any rational person expect, but for this struggle to continue until one side prevails? May as well get used to this very clear reality.

    I for one am hoping for and betting on the activists. The Japanese whalers are up against greater negative world opinion, declining support in Japan, increasing cost and economic pressure and the likelihood of changes in policy from key nations. Betting on Japan in this conflict is a fool's bet.

    Posted in: Activists hurl stink bombs, paint at Japanese whalers

  • -1

    tkoind2

    Yet another pointless thing to aspire to. I swear there must be a show or award for wearing just about anything here in Japan.

    Japan would do better to offer award shows for something meaningful. Like awards for people who dropped everything and went to support Tohoku. Or people who travel to Afghanistan to do aid work. Or people who fight poverty or help with issues for the elderly.

    Any cute brainless idol can look good in jewelry. Hell, some dogs can pull of a jeweled collar. So why is anyone rewarding someone for something so vacuous, shallow and pointless?

    Posted in: Looking good

  • 0

    tkoind2

    Yawn........

    Can't image seeing this or any of the recent fluffy, silly, pointless Japanese films that are produced these days. In contrast, look at how many globally notable Korean and Chinese films are coming out every year. Japan needs to quit being obsessed with brainless cute idols, and whether they show skin or not, and try making something actually worth watching.

    Posted in: Erika Sawajiri says there will be nude scene in new movie 'Helter Skelter'

  • 0

    tkoind2

    We live in a modern world that is alienating, frightening and filled with unanswered questions. Then there is the entire world of seeking meaning in life and understanding life, existence and death.

    Science, religion and philosophy are all focused around this range of topics with people subscribing to one or a combination of these to define a personal world view. And for most of us, this is enough.

    For some, more vulnerable people suffering from lack of confidence, fear, isolation, alienation, poor self esteem, loneliness or a deep driven desire to belong or fit in, it is not enough to subscribe to these ideas. Some wish to be led and taken in, and these are the primary people at risk for cults.

    As a non-religious person I see very little difference between the subjugation of someone by established vs non-established religion. All seek to manage behavior and rule over the minds of followers to some degree. Perhaps the differentiating factor is the degree of control and freedom and the level of exploitation leveled against the followers. For religion this is often limited to ritual behavior and pleas for money. But for cults it can become a call for absolute devotion and loss of self. But then again religion too has had and continues to have this same power over some.

    Posted in: Why do people join cults?

  • 6

    tkoind2

    Ok.... 1. Is Japan creative? Yes! More so that other nations? Perhaps in some select areas of interest. 2. Is Japan actually cool? Not that I have seen in the many years I have been here.

    Japan needs to be careful about marketing itself as cool. Visitors who pay attention will quickly see that Japan is not cool. It is "Commercial" which is something entirely different than cool.

    Most of what people abroad associate with Japan is commercial, Manga, Anime, Idols, Porn, Cuteness etc... Very little of this actually reflects Japanese life or lifestyle.

    In reality Anime and Manga is escapism for the legions of overworked and socially isolated people here. Idols are production company distractions to help sell products etc... J-pop is fluffy commercial music that has little support outside Japan/Korea and a sparce spattering of Otaku internationally. Kawaii, gets old when you realize there is no depth to it and it wears off too.

    If Japan is serious about becoming "cool" then there are things it can do.

    1. Promote the true creativity of the legions of independent and young artists who do not conform to the commercial pigeon holes. There are so many talented artists, writers, performers, musicians and more that just don't get produced because they don't fit into the narrow markets defined by production companies. Yet this is where Japan is actually very cool and very creative.

    2. Promote something other than kawaii for a change. Let's see a return to the creative Japan of the 60's and 70's when you did not have to be cute to make it in creative fields here. Imagine musicians who can actually sing and play rather than the silly produced kawai projects. Imagine actors that have interesting instead of only cute faces. And imagine art that is honest, edgy and raw instead of produced sticky cuteness.

    Otherwise people will see through this "cool" campaign very soon.

    Posted in: Creating a Vision of Japan: Promoting Cool Japan

  • -1

    tkoind2

    Thank goodness some new faces to contest the silly use of the word "terrorist" in this case. I am happy to see that not everyone bought into the culture of fear that has managed to tag everything non-mainstream as dangerous.

    Wonderful to see you here!!!!

    Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?

  • -1

    tkoind2

    Silly nonsense. Leave it to Japan to think up some separate and complicated system for foreigners. Just discount for anyone, money is money shops.

    Posted in: Japanese stores offering foreigner-only discounts

  • -5

    tkoind2

    It is commercial whaling wish is illegal in the region where they are fishing. What they have is a mandate to do research whaling, which is the cover story they use to mask commercial whaling.

    So why don't you read the law before you post.

    And second. I am not much for following crowds. Especially when they are wrong. So voting or not, I stand my ground friend.

    Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?

  • -1

    tkoind2

    "We need the LDP to save Japan from the likes of Hatoyama, Ozawa and their ilk."

    Seriously? The two main parties here are two sides of the same coin. Both have had ample opportunity to show their support and devotion to ordinary working Japanese. But have either done so? The LDP had over 50 years to do so. And yet......

    The problem is not the party in power J4p... the problem is the political system in Japan that essentially renders it a non-democratic state. Sure people vote and there are elections, but the real power is managed by the party leadership and not by the will of the people. Thus the parties can behave in whatever manner they desire so long as they have adequate votes to maintain power.

    What Japan really needs is leadership that represents the people. And the only way that will happen is with radical reinvention of the political system in Japan. Including, but not limited to, providing direct elections for the country's PM.

    Posted in: Ozawa says he knew nothing of how campaign fund was managed

  • 0

    tkoind2

    "1) Doesn't protesting instead of going to work drive down the nation's GDP?"

    Why on earth would people protesting downgrade GDP? Be serious at least. It would do people here considerable good to take a more active role in their political and economic welfare. Two political parties have consistently failed the people of Japan. The problems are obvious to most, yet movement to resolve these problems is not happening. Rather we have a revolving door policy for PMs that serves no one.

    People can and should protest and raise their voices. They should take up political action, form new parties or whatever it takes to establish governance that works.

    2) Isn't protesting without a permit illegal? You presume that people cannot organize and plan legal demonstrations? Why?

    3) I'm not sure what you mean by "countless waste, graft and useless things." Again, this is silly. Of course I do not mean infinite. But we are well aware of waste in Japan's government. You are welcome to do your own leg work here. But one recent example is the dispersion of relief funds to whaling.

    And I would remind you that Japan's corporate tax policies are a leading reason that jobs are not coming to Japan but instead ending up in other parts of Asia. And yet where are these funds going and to what end?

    Posted in: Unemployment benefits won't be extended to those who lost jobs due to March 11 disaster

  • 1

    tkoind2

    YuriOtani. Shifting to coal is not a solution. With all the fear over nuclear power we have lost sight of an equally dangerous threat to humanity, global warming. Shifting to coal would invite greater slide into that abyss.

    Japanese need to cut back on power use as we did during the post 3/11 period. American's need to build rail systems and stop driving.

    Posted in: Gemba says Japan very concerned over Iran tension

  • -3

    tkoind2

    Nessie. I did not say anything about approving of blowing things up. If you remember your history, the Weathermen blew up a building not intending to harm anyone but actually killed someone. I think it is pretty clear that blowing something up constitues violence, does it not?

    Still I don't see how interfering with the whaling fleet equates to blowing something up. It doesn't. Don't you understand the concept of direct political action? Should we define all direct political action as terroristic?

    And again, I still don't see why you all are such supporters of Japanese illegal whaling. What is it about whaling that makes you so passionate to condemn these activists? Or is it that you just don't like activists?

    Should we call the Occupy movement terrorists? Afterall they obstructed buildings and streets. Or WTO activists as terrorists for chaining themselves to something in protest?

    The FBI definition is too expansive on purpose. It is intended to frighten people away from political activism of any kind.

    Posted in: Do you consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists?

  • 11

    tkoind2

    Rather than spending donation money on whaling, Japan should have spent it on extending benefits.

    Exactly what jobs are these political idiots expecting people to get in communities that are GONE? Not everyone can do construction. Not everyone can move to another city and take up another job, especially in this depressed economy. And this is before we even consider the exclusionary practices of age and sex disrimination in Japan for job seekers.

    j4p4nFTW. Just so you are clear, when these people fall into abject poverty, guess what friend? They end up on a completely different kind of national benefit. So your belief that cutting them off to help public finances lacks any grounding in reality. It just displaces them from one dole to another.

    If you are sincerely worried about Japan's public finances, then you should be in the streets protesting how the government is wasting tax money on countless waste, graft and useless things. But I suppose it is easier to just toss out a few disaster victims than to face of the real problems.

    Posted in: Unemployment benefits won't be extended to those who lost jobs due to March 11 disaster

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