This is one question that should be forefront in the foriegn policy minds of both the LDP and DPJ.
Why?
Obviously because there will be a serious dearth of oil coming out of the Middle East when the straits are closed as well as the "pirate policing" of the Japanese navy which would then be caught up in the middle of a war which would not be limited to Israel and Iran.
Will Israel strike Iran? It's probably an even bet. Will America support it? Of course not, ... BUT
What do YOU think?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
181,470 Children Abducted in Japan Each Year!?
THE CRC OF JAPAN ESTIMATES CUMULATIVE CASES OF INTERNATIONALLY ABDUCTED CHILDREN IN JAPAN TO NUMBER IN THE THOUSANDS--
The Japan Times Herald is doing a series on international abducted children (japantherald.blogspot.com) but this seems to be just the tip of the iceberg.
If the CRC (crcjapan.com) report is to be believed, it seems that child abduction is a time honored tradition in Japan.
In the JTH article of July 24, Cmdr. Paul Toland, USN stated "... the State Department's Japan Desk explained to me that ... the Japan Child Abduction issue had been on Deputy Secretary Steinberg's agenda ..."
Of course it was, you just missed the double speak irony: the Japan Child Abduction (by North Korea) issue was on his schedule.
If this issue is to be solved, the foriegn victims of abduction must unite with the overwhelming number of native victims. If Japan were to recognize the foriegn victims, the native Japanese victims would scream, "what about us?" THAT would cause a natonal dilemma.
This is NOT a can of worms they want to open.
.
The Japan Times Herald is doing a series on international abducted children (japantherald.blogspot.com) but this seems to be just the tip of the iceberg.
If the CRC (crcjapan.com) report is to be believed, it seems that child abduction is a time honored tradition in Japan.
In the JTH article of July 24, Cmdr. Paul Toland, USN stated "... the State Department's Japan Desk explained to me that ... the Japan Child Abduction issue had been on Deputy Secretary Steinberg's agenda ..."
Of course it was, you just missed the double speak irony: the Japan Child Abduction (by North Korea) issue was on his schedule.
If this issue is to be solved, the foriegn victims of abduction must unite with the overwhelming number of native victims. If Japan were to recognize the foriegn victims, the native Japanese victims would scream, "what about us?" THAT would cause a natonal dilemma.
This is NOT a can of worms they want to open.
.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Rio Tinto arrests of 'great concern'
Businesses may get the perception that when they are dealing with China they are not negotiating on normal internationally recognized commercial terms and if China doesn't like the way the negotiations are going they may be thrown in jail for endangering China's national security and economic interests.
Considering China's history, this may not be a misguided perception.
Considering China's history, this may not be a misguided perception.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
DPJ the New LDP
"DPJ to drop pledge against Indian Ocean fuel mission"
The DPJ decided to change their position against joining the world to stop pirate activity for "practical reasons"
Now, as much as I disagreed with the DPJ stand against the fuel mission, I have to wonder about this. They are changing their position for practical reasons. Not because they had a change of heart. Not because they realized that joining together was the best way to accomplish a goal. They changed for practical reasons.
This is where my basic premis regarding the DPJ seems to be confirmed. Hatoyama's boys will end up being just like the good old boys of the LDP. They will follow a path, not because they believe it is the correct way to go, but because it is expediant and practical. One grandson of a political dynasty replacing the old grandson of a political dynasty.
Make no mistake, the strips on this tiger are orange and black rather than black and orange.
.
The DPJ decided to change their position against joining the world to stop pirate activity for "practical reasons"
Now, as much as I disagreed with the DPJ stand against the fuel mission, I have to wonder about this. They are changing their position for practical reasons. Not because they had a change of heart. Not because they realized that joining together was the best way to accomplish a goal. They changed for practical reasons.
This is where my basic premis regarding the DPJ seems to be confirmed. Hatoyama's boys will end up being just like the good old boys of the LDP. They will follow a path, not because they believe it is the correct way to go, but because it is expediant and practical. One grandson of a political dynasty replacing the old grandson of a political dynasty.
Make no mistake, the strips on this tiger are orange and black rather than black and orange.
.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tokyo Practices for October or September or August ...
May the best candidates (if any) win:
LDP - The thieves and corrupt good old boys (and their grandchildren) we know
DPJ - Not ready for prime time wannabes who get caught practicing to be LDP
Komeitō - LDP's Sōka Gakkai bed partners
JCP - Communists with a laid back approach
Happiness - If they aren't on crack we should be
Independents - Seriously folks, this is Japan
Tokyo Life Network - Rei want a cracker? No, they are not safety. (safe in real English)
.
LDP - The thieves and corrupt good old boys (and their grandchildren) we know
DPJ - Not ready for prime time wannabes who get caught practicing to be LDP
Komeitō - LDP's Sōka Gakkai bed partners
JCP - Communists with a laid back approach
Happiness - If they aren't on crack we should be
Independents - Seriously folks, this is Japan
Tokyo Life Network - Rei want a cracker? No, they are not safety. (safe in real English)
.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Biden: "The truth is, we ... misread the economy"
.
Really?
Is it actually possible that one man who has risen to as high a position as Mr Biden, COULD BE THAT STUPID?
The man lives so constantly with his foot in his mouth, I have to wonder if it is possible that Pres. Obama selected Biden to be VP in order to have a comic relief lightening rod around him to deflect criticism.
This week alone he ...
Gives terrorists a green light in Iraq by saying violence could drive the US out;
Seems to give Israel the go ahead to attack Iran and
THEN he tells the ABC lapdog that the administration misread the economy.
Certainly "everyone" did not misread the economy; with people like Geithner and other foaming at the mouth "throw money at the problem" money managers in charge I honestly believe they didn't misread anything. In their voodoo economic plan to solve the problem, they are rabid social engineers who are steering the economy into, if not a soviet style state managed economy, then a state beholding one where major sections of prime industry and services must lick the fingers of political leaders to survive - though not likely prosper.
It is really too bad that between the greedy, self serving, Gordon Gekko imitators and Bud Fox wannabes, Wall Street Harvard Business school relative ethics idiots like Madoff and his ilke on one side and the politicians like Dodd and Rangel and boyfriend screwing Freddy & Fanny on the other, it's an economic perfect storm for the fall of the dollar and impoverishment of America.
I wonder what Ayn Rand would say?
.
Really?
Is it actually possible that one man who has risen to as high a position as Mr Biden, COULD BE THAT STUPID?
The man lives so constantly with his foot in his mouth, I have to wonder if it is possible that Pres. Obama selected Biden to be VP in order to have a comic relief lightening rod around him to deflect criticism.
This week alone he ...
Gives terrorists a green light in Iraq by saying violence could drive the US out;
Seems to give Israel the go ahead to attack Iran and
THEN he tells the ABC lapdog that the administration misread the economy.
Certainly "everyone" did not misread the economy; with people like Geithner and other foaming at the mouth "throw money at the problem" money managers in charge I honestly believe they didn't misread anything. In their voodoo economic plan to solve the problem, they are rabid social engineers who are steering the economy into, if not a soviet style state managed economy, then a state beholding one where major sections of prime industry and services must lick the fingers of political leaders to survive - though not likely prosper.
It is really too bad that between the greedy, self serving, Gordon Gekko imitators and Bud Fox wannabes, Wall Street Harvard Business school relative ethics idiots like Madoff and his ilke on one side and the politicians like Dodd and Rangel and boyfriend screwing Freddy & Fanny on the other, it's an economic perfect storm for the fall of the dollar and impoverishment of America.
I wonder what Ayn Rand would say?
.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Canada Day!
Cangrats and condolances to all my Canadian friends.
I congratulate all those who made it to a real life in civilization (USA , eh!)
And condolances to those who didn't realize what direction California was in and ended up still on the periphery, but this time in Japan.
Suck it up and find something red to hug.
.
The Carrot and Stick: Paying Kids to Learn
One man said, "we shouldn't be paying kids to do
what they are supposed to do." And a professional
educator commented that instead of dangling goodies
we should show respect to the students. The next time
that professional is up for a raise, I think we
should give him lots of respect - and no goodies
(money)
If kids shouldn't be paid to do what their supposed
to do, I wonder how many kids would not get
allowances for doing the chores they are supposed to
do.
We finally have a school administrator that
understands the concept that has driven society,
like forever: "Effort gets rewarded" or "You get
what you pay for."
If you want your child to succeed how do you
motivate them? Praises and gifts right? Why is this
such a novel concept? If you do well at work you get
praise and a raise, a promotion, right? Shouldn't we
expect our children - who emulate us in every way
since birth, to value the same reward system? Good
grades are a great reward, as is praise from your boss -
but it's the money you bring home that does the trick isn't it?
The DC experiment will likely succeed big time. I am
sure it will be gradual since kids on the bottom
rung are so far behind, but I have hope that what
motivates their parents will motivate them - its the
money honey.
One problem that I see is the potential conflict
between The Teacher's Union supporting mediocre
teachers vs students who want and have the ability
to get higher grades, ergo more money. The kids will
no doubt start to complain of poor teaching skills
or lack of motivation on the part of teachers. This
will really see an upswing in the rush to get into
the best teacher's classrooms and empty classrooms for
mediocre teachers.
There are many stories of bottom rung students
suceeding through the effort and imagination of
teachers - like the Hispanic math teacher in LA who
took his students to national prominance.
There is no doubt that the kids aren't stupid - but
they are bored and seriously unmotivated by inept
and sadly lacking teachers protected by an
incompetant and corrupt union system. If the kids
are paid to learn, they will force the teachers to
teach better and this may actually decrease crime
in schools and save money.
Congratuations to Michelle Rhee!
.
what they are supposed to do." And a professional
educator commented that instead of dangling goodies
we should show respect to the students. The next time
that professional is up for a raise, I think we
should give him lots of respect - and no goodies
(money)
If kids shouldn't be paid to do what their supposed
to do, I wonder how many kids would not get
allowances for doing the chores they are supposed to
do.
We finally have a school administrator that
understands the concept that has driven society,
like forever: "Effort gets rewarded" or "You get
what you pay for."
If you want your child to succeed how do you
motivate them? Praises and gifts right? Why is this
such a novel concept? If you do well at work you get
praise and a raise, a promotion, right? Shouldn't we
expect our children - who emulate us in every way
since birth, to value the same reward system? Good
grades are a great reward, as is praise from your boss -
but it's the money you bring home that does the trick isn't it?
The DC experiment will likely succeed big time. I am
sure it will be gradual since kids on the bottom
rung are so far behind, but I have hope that what
motivates their parents will motivate them - its the
money honey.
One problem that I see is the potential conflict
between The Teacher's Union supporting mediocre
teachers vs students who want and have the ability
to get higher grades, ergo more money. The kids will
no doubt start to complain of poor teaching skills
or lack of motivation on the part of teachers. This
will really see an upswing in the rush to get into
the best teacher's classrooms and empty classrooms for
mediocre teachers.
There are many stories of bottom rung students
suceeding through the effort and imagination of
teachers - like the Hispanic math teacher in LA who
took his students to national prominance.
There is no doubt that the kids aren't stupid - but
they are bored and seriously unmotivated by inept
and sadly lacking teachers protected by an
incompetant and corrupt union system. If the kids
are paid to learn, they will force the teachers to
teach better and this may actually decrease crime
in schools and save money.
Congratuations to Michelle Rhee!
.
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