Alphaape comments

Posted in: One Canadian woman’s journey to adopting in Japan: Part II -- How they did it See in context

This is turning out to be a very informative series.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Cracks emerge in Trump's campaign promise on immigration See in context

Ignorance from the bubble knows no bounds.

Interesting that the editor of the NYT has come out and said that they were showing a bias towards Trump during the process, and that he wants to take the paper back to reporting the news and not trying to set an agenda. Yet as others have said, elections are not over a week old and he is getting more negative press. By the way, why aren't the press really highlighting the riots in cities on his election?

What is silly about those is that in places like Portland and LA and Oakland, Hillary won the vote. So those rioters are causing traffic problems and destruction of property to people in areas who were "with her" during the election.

Even as people begin to trot out the "racist" themes about Trump, I don't remember large scale riots in "red states" when Obama was elected, twice. Sure there were some who didn't like him, some because of his color I will say. But they may have had protests, but not like we are seeing now. So much for the GOP being the party of bigotry and hatred and the DEMS being the one willing to "give peace a chance."

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Posted in: Cracks emerge in Trump's campaign promise on immigration See in context

I find it interesting that when he proposes compromises, the left jumps up and down and says he is breaking campaign promises. He has stated just today that the 3-4 million criminal illegal aliens, who are sitting in jails or awaiting court dates would be the first to go. Never said anything about mass rounding up of persons to be deported, but more along the lines of making it harder to be in the country illegally by following the existing rules on the books like not being eligible for welfare, and other benefits and cracking down on employees who hire them.

But people get up in a tizzy on how he supposedly is going to separate families. So tell me, when people from Central America send children alone to the US border over the past couple of years to get the proposed amnesty, wouldn't that be a tragedy? Yet, we are told that if we do the exact same thing send them back with their parents we are the bad guys. Also, not to be too flippant, but if someone can make it from Central America to the USA border broke, no money but with the clothes on their back, and wind up getting a job in the USA sometimes not knowing the language, I am pretty sure that if they had to go back to their home countries, they would be able to make it on their own by self deporting.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Posted in: One Canadian woman’s journey to adopting in Japan: Part I -- Deciding to adopt See in context

I had a friend who adopted their two kids from Japan. The looks the mother received from other Japanese who asked her whose kids she was baby sitting and when she told them that they were hers were interesting. Some of our Japanese friends who met them insisted that the kids must have been mixed Korean, but having helped with the translation of the documents, they were told that they were full Japanese.

I often find it interesting the Japanese thoughts on adoption. We hear that family line is important, yet sometimes they will let the kids be raised in an orphanage than adopt them into their homes. Or, I have heard the "we didn't adopt because we didn't want to take the chance that the child we adopted would turn out to be a bad influence on society" to which all I can say is that you take that chance with everyone.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Posted in: Employee of regional taxation bureau arrested for indecent exposure See in context

He could just say that he was showing his own "tax symbol" to represent his work. Ever look closely at the design of the emblem of the taxation office. Looks like something that's in the pants of a man.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: 19-year-old gets 10-15 years in prison for killing grandparents See in context

his motivation to inherit his grandparents’ assets was ruled as “shortsighted and selfish,”

Curious, does he still get any inheritance? Is there a law that says he shouldn't be able to since he killed off the people he was going to inherit from? It would be sad that after 15 years in prison, he walks out with something.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Democrats sue Trump for alleged voter intimidation in four states See in context

If someone was at the polls intimidating people, they would get arrested. Recently a person was driven away from a polling place for wearing a "Make America Great" hat. With the revelations from the videos of the Dem operatives sending their own people or hiring people to disrupt Trump rallies, and cases of dead voters still voting in some places, makes me think that this is just a ploy to draw some of the heat off of the Hillary campaign. After all, it is the Republicans who have been claiming voter fraud, and surprisingly the polls show people can find it believable or not as unfavorable a comment. Just an attempt to get back some polling numbers I think,

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

Posted in: Japan to conduct first major survey on racism: report See in context

Because nationalism is always a source of pride and encouraged, they can hardly ever fight this brand of racism. This is the complexity of the issue in Japan.

Nationalism doesn't automatically equate to racism. I believe a country has a right to define their borders language and culture. That doesn't mean that just because they have feelings toward their own, that they are racist. For example, America is made up of many different people of different races and creeds. But there is one set of "American cultural norms" or values on what it means to be an American. Because someone has those, doesn't make them a racist right off the bat. True there is prejudice in America and in every nation, but that doesn't automatically equate to nationalism.

Do the Japanese feel that they are unique and special in their own way, I imagine that most do. That is fine. Where the racism comes into play, is denying others opportunities or discriminating based on the racial/ethnic lineage of another.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan to conduct first major survey on racism: report See in context

Easy to do. Just go to the many drinking places that the average Japanese man can go to in a place like Yokosuka that are near the Navy base, but have the "No Foreigners" sign posted outside, or the touts that don't allow us gaijin to enter. Even when we may be fluent in Japanese, still no entry for foreigners.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Posted in: Cumberbatch joins Marvel universe in 'Doctor Strange' See in context

I have always said that Marvel makes better live movies, and DC makes better cartoon films. Can't wait to see this one.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Narita's main stumbling block is its indifference toward travelers See in context

Good article that hits the points. Would love to fly more out of Haneda than Narita, but they keep the airlines at bay in not allowing better departure/arrival times.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Woman arrested for killing landlord See in context

Why not ask the guarantor to pay the overdue rent?

Never understood why as an adult, I would need someone to sign for me to pay my rent if I didn't. What about personal responsibility? But, I guess the actions of this 24 year old prove why this must be.

Sad for the loss of life and injury, but the woman should not have to worry about rent for a long time now since she will get a free room and meals now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: EU launches tough border force to curb migrant crisis See in context

Can you name those "many muslim majority countries"?

@ cleo: Thanks for posting the answer to this question. My question is, why aren't efforts being made by those countries to bring in the Muslims who are being displaced. In some cases, it would be an easier trip there than going to Europe or America. I don't see Saudi Arabia taking on refugees from Northern Ireland during their religious infighting back in the 70's, so why is it Europe or any other country has to take in people who want to bring their own lifestyles without adapting to their new land?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Woman stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend in convenience store in Shizuoka See in context

Police had spoken to his parents as well and concluded that there was “no emergency threat” due to the fact that the two parties had also involved a lawyer in their negotiations.

Probably more of a reason that they should be more concerned since a 40 year old man needed to have "mommy & daddy" involved in his business, tells me that he may not have all of the pieces of the maturity puzzle in one place and he may need to be watched. Wish he would have started off by stabbing himself first instead of this poor woman.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Posted in: By 2030, there will be no full-time employees, report speculates See in context

Change is good, but not all change. There has to be a fine line between rapid automation and jobs. It's fine to automate manufacturing, but if it is done too much, you displace workers. Displaced workers who are only temp employees will have less disposable income to buy luxury items or basic items too. So no one will be buying, or the price will be too high to afford them even though they are easier to make because there isn't enough of a demand.

I read once where an auto company said that they can make a car using all robots replacing the human workers. The auto union rep is said to reply: "I'd like to see a robot buy and drive one." A balance must be maintained or the house of cards will fall.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: 2nd night of violent protests over Charlotte police shooting See in context

I actually wish they would not riot at all

@ Tokyo-Engr: I wish that they wouldn't riot also. It really is a shame. But I think the "powers" behind the rioters are getting a little smarter. Notice they are not in the "Black areas" doing the rioting, but have moved to downtown areas and are affecting big businesses. They should keep this in mind, once you do that, you will get the full wrath of the government down on you since they are stopping commerce from happening statewide. That's not going to fly too well. Also, some of those organizers are professionals, going from state to state causing these types of ruckus'. That is against the law in the US, going across state lines to incite a riot is a Federal offense.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: 2nd night of violent protests over Charlotte police shooting See in context

A black cop shoots a black man and again black protesters are attacking and beating whites.

Also, the police chief of Charlotte is Black too. I wish that they would riot more when there are cases of Black on Black crime shootings not involving the police. Yet, if the police do the shooting suddenly there is rage.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Clinton says Trump gives 'aid, comfort' to ISIS recruiters See in context

declaring his anti-Muslim rhetoric helps groups like ISIS recruit new fighters.

ISIS was doing a pretty good job at getting recruits well before Trump decided to enter the Presidential race. To say that they are motivated to join this group because of his supposed beliefs in radical Islam it to put you hole in the sand and not realize that this group is based on an ideology that goes back centuries. They want to spread their brand of Islam, and will kill us Infidels as well as other Muslims who don't submit to their interpretations. They will get their recruits with or without Trump.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Posted in: Air China removes magazine with offensive article about London See in context

Sadly though it is true. How many times have we read here on JT about Japanese tourists getting seriously hurt or killed by going into the wrong areas of a location and becoming victims of crimes, or how often do we read that the average Japanese tourist isn't necessarily aware of the world around them and thus they venture into areas where they wind up getting hurt, but could have prevented it by avoiding those areas and being more aware of their surroundings.

The only point of contention I would have with the article is that they probably should have included the areas where poor whites and other Eastern European immigrants live. By sticking with the established tourist areas, travelers will probably be safer. But then again, look at a city like San Francisco where even in the tourist areas, the beggars and street people have taken over, and we see cases where tourists are robbed and killed at an alarming rate than before.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Posted in: Half-Indian elephant trainer crowned Miss Japan See in context

“What’s the point of holding a pageant like this now? Zero national characteristics,” grumbled one Twitter user,

I wonder if this user is one of those same people who will be on the side of the teachers who refuse to stand for the National Anthem or decry any other attempts to show Japanese National pride. It seems that some in Japan will say one thing, but then when something comes out a bit different, they get all up in arms.

Good job to her and I hope that she does well.

14 ( +20 / -6 )

Posted in: Trump vows to remove millions living in country illegally See in context

When has a US politician actually laid out a plan as detailed as this? All we have gotten in the past 16 years is a bunch of "smoke and mirrors" of doing one thing, and then not having it being done. The plan is laid out. First ones out, are the criminals behind bars who are in the USA illegally. Return them to their own country. How many times on JT do we hear "Get the American military out of Japan" or "The military should abide by Japanese laws" etc. etc. Same principal. They have been found guilty of a crime, and why should the USA bear the burden of their incarceration? If the country that they come from doesn't want them back (13,000 cases so far) then simple, reduce the numbers of visas from that country. They will soon get the message.

Trump is not proposing any real new laws. The laws he is going to enforce are already on the books. When I had to get my wife's Green card, one of the forms I had to sign along with showing proof of an income and tax returns for the three previous years was a form stating that I would not bring her to America, and then put her on public assistance and that I had the resources to take care of her. Yet, I should have just let her come to the USA and overstay her visa and she would actually be able to get more in terms of public assistance than those who come in legally.

Enforcing the laws on the books, enacted by others doesn't make Trump a racist.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Driver, playing Pokemon Go, hits and kills pedestrian, injures another See in context

A grown man should have enough sense to not operate a car and play a video game at the same time. I love to play Solitaire on my phone, yet I have enough sense to know not to do it when driving.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama vows support for flood-hit Louisiana after the 'cameras leave' See in context

He was on his soap box deriding GW Bush for not going to NO quickly after Katrina; but now, a natural disaster to hit an American city had zero effect on cutting short his vacation; choosing instead to hang out with his celebrity friends and play golf in Martha's Vineyard.

This was the second disaster to hit the state of LA since he has been in office. Remember the BP oil spill? People complained about his lack of an immediate response after that, but he was very quick on the whole we need to get off oil and go "green."

Look, I get that his going there is not going to fix anything, any President going there will not do much of anything. But him taking an active interest sets the tone. The first responders and other emergency personnel as well as those affected will do what they have to do to survive and bounce back. Any visits by elected leaders are at best photo ops, and designed to let the people know that we support them and will do what is right by them to make sure that they can recover. I am not talking about just giving a "participation award" as some would say that we have gone to these days where everyone is a winner, but inspiring people to give a little extra and to let them know that we are all in the situation.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Obama vows support for flood-hit Louisiana after the 'cameras leave' See in context

I find it interesting that back in 2012 when Hurricane Sandy damaged parts of NJ, the President went while things were still in the recovery phase, and the governor of the state (Chris Christie) was blasted by the conservative media for cozying up to Obama and giving him a hug and shaking his hand, basically making Romney look bad for not showing up.

4 years later, we have a similar situation. A Dem. Gov. of a state didn't want to meet with Trump when he arrived, and in fairness he did ask Obama not to come right away, but had that been the case if a Rep. was President he would be singing a different song.

I didn't care back in 2012 about Obama and Christie giving each other a shake and a hug on the tarmac because like it or not, he was the President of all the USA, not just the Dems and he had an obligation to at least try to show some compassion. Romney lost that election well before the hurricane had hit.

Now, Obama doesn't seem to want to show up for some reason. Maybe because the hardest hit areas were not all Black populations like New Orleans after Katrina or that the state may lean GOP in the upcoming election. In any event, shows poor leadership. Same for the Gov. of the state, he should want to big named people to show up, if for anything to keep the story in the news cycle and maybe get a few more people to donate. Yet we have partisan politics standing in the way.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Posted in: Low-income over-40s: How it happens and how they live with it See in context

95,000 yen a month on a 3.5 million salary for a bachelor is not bad at all. I'll be paying 130,000 yen a month for my new house after a 5 million yen down payment.

I was paying at least that much for a rental house in Yokosuka (non SOFA contract). But what will take a toll will be the utilities costs and taxes. How much of that 3.5 million yen does he actually take home after taxes? That is what I have seen drive people into financial issues in Japan (among other issues).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Merkel says refugees didn't bring Islamist terrorism to Germany See in context

What sets Islam apart from every other major religion is that it cannot accept secular, democratic, man-made law should be supreme over the direct and final word of Allah as revealed in the Quran. This is fundamental to Islam. There is no possibility of separating of religious and secular authority in Islam.

A quick lesson in religion and fast food chicken. In the USA there is a fast food chicken chain named Church's Chicken. Though the name is Church's, it has no religious affiliation at all, just a name.

This chain is also international, and they have franchises in the Far East. Let's look at two countries that are close and have them. Singapore and Malaysia. In Singapore, the name is exactly as it in the USA, and the menu is the same also. However, just across the Straits, the same franchise is named 'Texas Chicken" and has the same menu. The only difference is in the name, since to some it would connote a religious (church) name. Singapore is a multicultural country with many different religions living together, and Malaysia is predominantly Muslim, even though more secular than some ME countries, they still have a hard time with naming something like a chicken restaurant with a name that some may find offensive.

For those refuges going into Germany, I would say Merkel would be correct if they came from a place like Singapore, where the people there have managed to somehow get along with others of different religions and are tolerant of others. But, as we have seen they aren't. They are fleeing their countries, and once established, want to live by the same rules as they did in their old country, and not try to assimilate into the local culture.

Sure, a business is out to make money, and a Western fast food chain is able to go into a market, change the name, and sell mostly the same food as they do in the non-Muslim world. That doesn't make them any less a capitalist organization or against their owners religion, whatever it may be even though their name has nothing to do with any particular religion. Yet, somehow out of a million or so refugees, they can't accept the fact that in Germany, women don't have to wear veils or can dress and go as they please.

Not all religions are equal. Note I didn't say that one is better than the other but that they are not all equal. Some may be more tolerant to opposing views than others. Merkel (and other leaders) need to be aware of this, and let this guide their policy decisions. Not saying to discriminate, nor force others to change their religions, but they need to be aware, people may not change their religious views just because they relocate. And you bring masses of those types in, you will have problems. If a chicken restaurant can change a name to sell a product to sell in a Muslim nation, then maybe they can change some of their outlook at others and live in a nation that is not Muslim vice trying to make them change.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Milwaukee leaders blame outside agitators for violence See in context

Same as the Trump supporters - they are ready to burn down their country by electing Trump, due to their frustrations.

electing Trump is not going to burn the country down. In the past, there was a vibrant Black Blue Collar area in Milwaukee where these events are taking place. There were manufacturing jobs and other industries where people could work, and make a decent wage, and of course you had crime, but overall it was a lot less. Then, the jobs started to leave. Under the guise of trade agreements and globalization, jobs moved out. If Trump wants to make a message to the people in the Town Hall meeting tonight from the area, he should first start naming names of companies that pulled out of the area, who left the area without jobs for people. Then, he should start naming the parties (Dem and Rep) hacks who made this happen, and simply explain if given the chance, he would try to bring back those jobs to areas like this one and not just sell the people out.

People are frustrated because these so called elected officials are getting rich off selling off the American industrial base. Why is it that in places where the jobs have gone to (Mexico, China, PI, etc) you don't see as much rioting and problems as we seem to be seeing here in the USA? Because of two reasons, 1) they are developing an industrial base of middle class (by their standards) workers, and 2) whomever doesn't get into those jobs, they can send them to the USA to rely on our social services to send remittances back home, leaving the over burdened US taxpayer to foot the bill.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Police say black man shot in Milwaukee had a gun in his hand See in context

What do any of your comments have to do with the truths I'm speaking? None of them show anything I said to be wrong.

The guys father even said that it was more his fault than the cops, since he failed as a father showing his son right from wrong by going in and out of jail. So the old narrative of he was a person who had decided to "turn his life around" doesn't work in this case.

Also @ Strangeland you say cops should only shoot to just maim, and not kill. Then shouldn't the criminals also shoot that way too? Or do they get the right to defend themselves to the max by shooting to kill. Not sure if you have ever fired a gun, but even hitting a stationary target takes some skill (look at the recent Olympic competitions), now you add this with chasing someone at night and not knowing what their true intent is, you are not going to easily shoot at a leg and stop them. You try to shoot for body center mass. Don't want to get shot by cops, don't run away from the police run pulled over for a traffic stop.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Police say black man shot in Milwaukee had a gun in his hand See in context

Not at the cost of the lives of the people they have volunteered to protect.

"To protect and serve", not "To protect and serve ourselves".

Police have a duty to the taxpayers to do their job correctly, and that means in this case to be the one to come home alive. The taxpayers of Milwaukee have paid a significant investment in this cops training, which includes him being taught the right to defend himself. To just have him get shot for the "benefit of the doubt" so that some people will not be upset is ridiculous at best. He has a duty to return home. Just as he has a duty to act in a manner that does not bring discredit to his city and department. Those who do need to be dealt with. But, you are fleeing after a person, and they turn around with a gun in their hands, your first priority is to save yourself. We talk about what happens after these things and lets take a look.

The guy had a long criminal record, maybe the cop didn't know it at the time but that still means that this guy was trouble. The suspect had a weapon with 23 rounds loaded, that's more than what the cop was loaded with. So you want to be the one to take a chance on being out gunned?

What does burning your own community solve. @ Strangeland are you willing to get a loan from a bank, invest in a business in this area, and watch it go up in smoke because some people are upset about a known criminal in the act of a crime getting killed? The same guy who was charged with intimidating a witness before. But, if you are, I guess forking over the loan payments on your burned out business is well worth the price of you giving back (that's being sarcastic). Burning down ones home does not bring any sympathy to your cause.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Back to the past See in context

I say let them go. It's part of Japan's history even if it is bad.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Recent Comments

Popular

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites


©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.