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© Copyright 2008/9 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.Crown prince heads to Brazil alone; says trip too tough for Masako
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raymech1
I guess she has no say in this all. Ah, the life of a royal prisoner....
semperfi
The monarchy is an anachronism - perhaps Masako's mysterious chronic ailment is symbolic of this institutional malaise.
bebert
Monarchies can be thought of as an insurance plan. If the democracy collapses, you then have a choice between a military government or a monarchy. Probably not a risk for Japan, but for several "at risk" nations in Europe, it might be a card you want to keep on the table.
lipscombe
just as well she didnt become a diplomat then eh, all that flying and dealing with foreigners...pfffft
hoserfella
lipscombe, what's pffffft? Did you just fart? By the way, how many diplomats are hounded night and day, 365 days a year about how to properly wipe their own ass?
lipscombe
pfffft is an noise commonly used to express indifference or disgust. regarding masako's situation...pfffft. your previous post....pfffft
Sarge
"sress-induced ailment"
I know some people with stress-induced ailments. They are in seriously bad shape.
Alphaape
I would think that a chance to get out of the country would be very theraputic for the princess. If I were in that position, since I assume that the IHA doesn't want a divorce on their hands, I would simply tell them to "get bent" I'm the pricess, and if I want to use my position as a Goodwill Ambassador for Japan they can get over it. She is doing nothing now but waisting the Japanese tax payers money, so why not get some return on investment by letting her live a little.
hoserfella
pfffft. I don't know. maybe Im wrong about all this. pfffft. perhaps Masako is being a bit too difficult.pfffft. Perhaps she ows more to the Japanese taxpayers, no matter the problem..pfffft.
semperfi
HOSERFELLA : Perhaps she owes more to the Japanese taxpayers Nahhhhh - - - you think ? ? ? - - - - all the dinner parties she has with ther pals and her parents living in gorgeous estate in Spain - all that at the taxpayers expense .
hoserfella
semperfi- nah, I was just being silly. the woman suffers from a mental ailment. Depression maybe. If you were a boss, would you haul one of your employees out of the loonybin because they're not "working hard enough"? I doubt it.
semperfi
bebert :
There are many viable options of democracies with NO monarchy - that exist today - that don't SUCK money from people for a useless antiquated system of noblisse oblige .
semperfi
Hoserfella: would you haul one of your employees out of the loonybin because they're not "working hard enough"? I doubt it. Ummmmmmmm - yeah - you got a point. EXCEPT, Masako is NOT living in a 'looney bin' ,as the term is loosely defined.
semperfi
If Masako does suffer from some kind of mental illness - I mean a certifiable one with a clinical diagnosis - the public is entitled to know. So, if she has depression- I mean clinical depression - ( and it very possible) she needs to be treated for it. People with with different kindsof mental ilness, clincal depression included - appropriately treate with medication & therapy - continue to make meaningful contributions in their professional and personal lives.
capone
what is it with the japanese and their perceived stress ? does anybody cry so much over so little ?
Tatanka
24 flying hours from Narita to Sao Paulo is tough for anybody. After you land its a two-hour ride to downtown due to the traffic congestion. She is smart to sit this trip out...
SpanishEyez37
It is almost sounds like they have the princess locked up in a tower (or dungeon) somewhere in the palace. Scary.
Then again who wouldn't go ape s**t if you had your movements tracked down 24-7
capone
now's her chance to escape
semperfi
Tatanka:
romulus3
yeah well, who can have fun on the beach in Brazil with a nagging wife hanging around spoiling the fun. I wonder if the Prince will make the same headlines Ronaldo made a few weeks back?
williamsmith
She is a prisoner. No prison-break for her, she cannot leave.
Youdontknow
The princess has done more traveling outside of Japan than the prince by a LONG way!! She hates being the princess and made that clear in the biography about her. I guess chauvinism starts at the top but then again, it's been like that since the times of Amaterasu!
Hughgarse
so, she cannot decide for herself?
A break to Brazil is what she probably needs most of all.. thats just plain dumb!
Nessie
They're worried she might come down with a touch of jungle fever.
raymech1
Maybe she can call on some koga ninja to spring her outta there....
lipscombe
she owes nothing to the taxpayers because her 'job' shouldnt exist. abolish all monarchies. she has no purpose, maybe thats why she feels useless, she IS
usaexpat
Sounds like a great way to mark your 15th anniversary. I have to wonder if Masako is so miserable why she doesn't just leave. I'm sure the household agency wouldn't like it but it would be a good message for women in Japan who are stuck in unhappy marriages.
medievaltimes
Is Japan living in 2008?
VoXman
Wouldn't she be travelling in the very finest of luxury? Could they not stop over some place like Tahiti on the way? Please its ridiculous. I am sure once her husband in Emperor things will change in that household. I am sure he's pretty mad about how his parents have delt with this problem.
flammenwerfer
....snore....
telecasterplayer
..and besides, she might escape.