7solace9 comments

The J-cops' procedures and carefulness are admirable. I hope the wounded cop is given sufficient time for total recovery.

That is a beautiful TV.

@ Wait for it...

Good eye. If you download the top image from JT and look at the right hand side, you will notice that the texture on the wall unnaturally changes and that the lady's dress has an odd shape on the right. It is digital editing. Also then, you can image search the smaller alternate photo on JT, the one with the missing feet, and then search for larger versions with a search engine. In a larger, 1024x780 photo, you can see one of the lady's feet but there is some odd obfuscation in that area. You can also notice that the wall on the right does not match with the wall on the left at the bottom though it does match at the top. Instead the brown wall is aligned with the TV's bottom. So both photos have been edited digitally, probably to block out another company's display, by placing a fake wall that was misaligned at the bottom to the TV instead of the real wall which is just sloppy, not to mention the oddity with the feet again. I would have passed this over, if you had not mentioned it. Very interesting.

Kobe beef has a nice niche. But, the best beef that I have ever had was in Colorado, USA. With as much land and cows as they have, it also happened to be inexpensive. Speak of the worst beef and China comes to mind. Gristle beef if you are lucky; road kill if you are unlucky. The chef decides.

Allah is specifically the name of the moon god, Sin, in the polytheistic Egyptian religion which was latter monotheized to create Islam of today. So, let Muslims keep the name "Allah" exclusively because it is certainly theirs and no one else's. The history is obscure, so many people do not understand this.

Their faith is that Allah is God and Jesus only his apostle. As for me, YHWH/Elohim is God from whom Jesus came as the Christ as He claimed of Himself.

It'S ME

Pacifism is the leading position. It does not mean that Japan is the only one in that position. In other words, someone says 'leading position' and you think pyramid while I think trapezoid in relation to those in that position. Also, there is a spectrum of beliefs about what pacifism is. As it happens, I hold the definition that disputes should be resolved peacefully, but that military institutions should be maintained. There is also a spectrum of definitions for "belligerence" by which I was thinking of aggressive hostility. I might also add that normalization is not meant in anyway that would detract from the US alliance with out which Japan would easily be abused by China. Definitions have such a spectrum to them these days that a list of definitions would be helpful, but that would just be tedious and legalistic for a blog post. Interesting pointer though. Thanks.

'The military is limited to self-defense under Japan s pacifist constitution... a restriction Abe would like to change.'

All militaries should be limited to self defense, and all nations should have a pacifist constitution. Japan leads the way in this. It seems right to say that the military is not a political tool for any belligerence of the State but an extension of the justice system for self defense of the State against active threats. Consequently, the idea of normalization might be best realized in a gradual move towards dignity of the State in making a more realistic construction and broader interpretation of the pacifist constitution. Presently, the constitution contradicts reality (SDF) and is interpreted narrowly. So match its construction to the present reality and interpret it as widely as necessary, but keep it pacifist. Such a jewel is not to be tossed aside to become like other nations which would be a step back from Japan's leading position in this respect.

An updated and more robust set of tools for self defense is good to see.

These refinements look promising in achieving a better balance for the US's free society.

'Biden told Chinese youngsters... that American children are rewarded rather than punished for challenging the status quo.' -AP

I like what V.P. Biden is arguing for which is constitutional. Yet from my personal experience, the way it actually works is that you can express your ideas all you like, but if they have too much influence and some strata of politicians does not like it, then some part of the government goes homicidal. If they go for a kill but only wound you, then they data rape you behind your back and oppress your life with a special glass ceiling hand crafted in the U.S.A. Still, the U.S. has a stronger stance on freedom of the individual than China, and I think that they will continue to improve their stance because they must know the economic worth of freely circulating ideas in a well educated populace and its worth to human rights too.

That makes for a bit of a bad start. At least he corrected not long after.

Possible, but maybe too many liabilities for it to be profitable. A couple big challenges: weather and people.

That is so clean and discreet.

In the near future: algae? In the far future: Shimizu Corporation's Luna Ring?

This was covered in the U.S. a few years back. It seemed like a good idea, but then there was little else that was heard of it. It is nice to see it pop up in resource scarce Japan. Greater energy independence would mean a lower possibility of unwanted influence from any unsavory suppliers.

Conquest of another nation's territory is criminal. Given the concerns over the Senkakus, Japan can more easily recognize this as true and more easily empathize with their neighbors. But then, it is not very likeable when historical salt is thrown at current-gen Japan for the sins of men two generations back. Likely, SK and China are doing it for nationalism, solidarity and market shares, but that is like doing something bad to gain good which is the practical definition of a pathology.

'If Japan sends warplanes to -intercept- China s jet fighters, Beijing s armed forces will be bound to adopt defensive emergency measures' - Global Times

Right, so it is possible to just ignore the Chinese calls. Or one could answer their call, give them the information they want and then politely ask them to leave Japanese air space. That would technically prevent aggravation of the Chinese air zone procedures while reenforcing Japan's stance despite the mind game that is being played by China. Either way, in the end, just calmly wait at the door with a big stick and if Chinese make a first attack, kindly whack them back because that would then be the information that they need. And if China chooses to escalate afterwards, then the U.S. would walk over from next door with a couple big sticks of their own to help out. It is sad to see China play this game, but conflict rests in their hands and nothing else really changes.

'I love people like this, who are so pure and determined.' -Naite

Some men are hidden from evil by God resting them in the grave. It makes one wonder whether JFK was one of those who was so pure.

It is not about a few "goats and rocks;" it is about upholding preceding law in defense of an ally's valid interests. And whether a military skirmish breaks out or not is entirely in China's hands, in the first place, because they would have to fire a first shot. While one might not be a huge fan of all things Chinese, they tend towards peace, and their new map is likely more cleverness than threat.

China is so full of itself. This law will sit in the books or they will get spanked in the field.

In government, it is transparency that matters more than secrecy. It prevents internal corruption which is more dangerous than external threats.

Excellent. Thrust the sword of justice into that dragon's heart.

Being cultured is taking up the best of other cultures, not the worst. Say no to Casinos. They do not need people sitting in clouds of smoke, pulling levers, sipping alcohol and listening to their money disappear with eyes glazed over. They might rather invest in education, research, technology, infrastructure, arts, sports, horticulture...something that improves quality of life more than a money funnel.

Those produce a lovely texture and atmosphere. The blue in the photo must be white on the cool setting.

Yes, one would hope that "innocent until proven guilty" is being fairly applied, but the practical reality is that it depends on the quality of those running and supervising the system. As it is, sometimes convicts get better treatment than "suspects" in some aspects of some cases. There are people in power who think "constitution" and "law" are misnomers, if their actions mean anything. It would be great if they were all as straight laced as Snowden. And yet finally, it is good to see that those at the top are in close discussion to seek better ways now. It is all very interesting and important to future quality of life.

Do not trust China. They will get away with whatever they think they can, even to rule you.

Actually, this is probably a very good service in Japan. When legally reluctant parents see the hard evidence of their child getting abused they would probably become interested in pursuing legal forms of recourse instead of hushing it up in preference of something else. It bridges traditional social tendencies to legal solutions.

Good, the US needs to get spanked or the corruption will continue. And the later would not go well for the world since the US is still the lone superpower and would make for one big bully. It would be better if Americans were keeping their own government in check, but apparently they are too sedated by their wealth and insulated by their military to care much and prefer to buy Snowden, the whistle blower, as the fall guy for their own government's oversteps. Please, spank them EU.

There is nothing Tibetan about the Uighurs. The later subscribe to a violently disrespectful religion.

Graceful and star struck meet.

Strangely, it does feel really good when stepping on a surface like that after a shower. I wonder how long its absorption lasts.