Azrael comments

Posted in: Major winter storm taking aim at U.S. Midwest See in context

After reading Taka's post, Helter Skelter's post made me laugh so hard my ears got red x___x;;;. Talk about chronicle of a foretold death.

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Posted in: Happy birthday See in context

I don't like Akishino; he gives off a bad vibe.

I like the Emperor, Empress and Naruhito; they seem to be good and well-meaning people. I like Masako, I wish she could heal. The Emperor, Empress and the King and Queen of Spain came to my university last year and I was part of the group to greet them. I like them ever since. The King and Queen of Spain were kind, too.

I wish the Emperor a Happy Birthday.

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Posted in: New book suggests ulterior motive to timing of 1948 executions See in context

Typo: reminder, not reminded.

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Posted in: New book suggests ulterior motive to timing of 1948 executions See in context

Perhaps so, but there is an important difference: the Allied Powers won. They are the victors. They hold the higher ground, Anakin.

I think it wouldn't be far-fetched to see a special significance on the date chosen for the executions; indeed, it is obvious that the date was carefully picked with ulterior motives. As I see it, it could signal a reminded that the Emperor was allowed to remain untouched as an individual whilst the men at his command (yet possibly rebellious to take such commands) were punished with death for their crimes; a trade perhaps that MacArthur didn't want to be forgotten and hence placed the reminder like a Damocles sword over Hirohito's first born.

The ultra-right wingers cannot pick on the date because it would be disrespectful to the Emperor; the date prevents them from having their own holiday and "martyrs" of their efforts to seize control of Asian countries. Nor Hirohito nor his son have ever worshiped at Yasukuni Shrine since the Class A criminals were enshrined there, leaving in the open the fact that they repudiate the Class A criminals. The birthday of the emperor eclipses bad reminders. From a Machiavellian point of view, the choice of date is flawless.

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Posted in: Fort Hood suspect prevented from praying See in context

This lawyer is grasping at straws. No prison guard in his right mind would let a prisoner chat away with someone from outside the jail in a language he does not understand (let alone over the phone!). What if they were not praying but discussing how to spring said prisoner out of jail?

A solution could be, to get a prison guard that speaks Arabic to supervise conversations.

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Posted in: Subfreezing weather batters Europe, causing deaths See in context

The mosquitoes move further north during the summer season. Mosquitoes are seasonal and live only a few days (each). In Europe there is increasing demand for professionals regarding insect plagues and sanitation regarding mosquito plagues; this year the demand was high for the first time (WHO). Mosquito-transmitted diseases considered "tropical" are appearing in Europe and USA (this year news). Mosquitoes are moving up thanks to global warming, which enables them to move deeper into the northern hemisphere thanks to raising temperatures in summer time.

Mosquito larvae can survive dormant through inhospitable seasons till rain returns. Apparently they are doing well in their newly claimed lands.

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Posted in: Subfreezing weather batters Europe, causing deaths See in context

I wonder if this is an issue for high school education standards.

Global warming is not only about getting warmer temperatures, it's about upsetting the climate in general: It's about extreme weather - and that is what the northern and southern regions of the globe are going to get: extra chilling winters, scathing summers and lots of mosquitoes. Forecast for El Niño is looking gloomy, too. Apparently the Caribbean and inter-tropical regions are heading for extra-dry summer and shortages of drinkable water. At least temperatures won't soar as much there as they did last year in Europe.

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Posted in: All five SMAP members attend PR event for new commercial See in context

Hadaka ni natte, nani ga warui! XD! I'll NEVER, EVER forget that. I should have bought a T-shirt with that on Rakuten when it was on sale.

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Posted in: Merry Christmas, happy holidays, season's greetings and anything else I may have missed See in context

Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas! ^0^!

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Posted in: Brazil's top court halts boy's return to U.S. dad See in context

I also think the boy should be with his father. His mother abducted him in the first place, died and now the stepfather is trying to keep him. Maybe there's some anti-Americanism thing at work - or simply a "non-Brazilians are heathens" kind of thing going, like in international abduction cases to Japan.

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Posted in: Stealth boat See in context

OOOoooo o___o; I would love to take a ride on that boat. Batmaaaaan~ XD

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Posted in: A visit to the home of Chiune Sugihara: The Japanese Oskar Schindler See in context

This is wonderful. I would like to see the short film about his deeds.

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Posted in: Tiger Woods to take 'indefinite' leave from golf See in context

Kirakira25> Thanks for your comment! I'm glad your friend and her children are back to health now. Indeed this is an aspect of infidelity many people refuse to consider: the breach of trust is more than just about moral integrity but also about the health of the unfortunate partner that has gotten betrayed.

On a side note, I think if an adulterer gives their spouse something lethal like AIDS for example, the adulterer ought to be prosecuted. I hope Mrs. Woods won't be suffering health issues because of her husband's irresponsible behavior.

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Posted in: Compulsive Internet gaming addiction on the rise See in context

I liked Q'bert c.c;

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Posted in: Tiger Woods to take 'indefinite' leave from golf See in context

Mrs. Woods should have him tested for STDs and include the results in her decision-making. Also if she decides to keep him, she should make him get tested for STDs regularly for life, and if she ever goes to bed with him again always use condoms. He has no right to endanger her health. He could bring home anything from gonorrhea to AIDS any given day.

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Posted in: LED the way See in context

Oooo I thought LED lights only came in blue color ;]. It's a pretty tunnel! I wonder where does it lead to.

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Posted in: Can Cameron deliver Titanic results on 'Avatar?' See in context

When I first heard about Avatar and saw the trailer, I was amazed this movie had been made; I thought it was a fable about the illegal invasion of Iraq (as well as previous US invasions to other countries with a weaker or non-existent military power), the war for oil and clash of civilizations. However I am surprised not one critic has touched that, much preferring to go even further back in time to compare it to... Native American Indians and the conquer of the Wild West! It's amazing in a way, really.

I might see the movie if it ever comes to Japan... or to video. Whichever happens first.

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Posted in: Decorative battledores See in context

That Obama in the picture is not black at all .__.;.

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Posted in: Tiger Woods' troubles widen his distance from blacks See in context

Well, Woods's phenotype is black. All in all for the casual observer, he is black. All this quarter, half, octave whatever-mix-you-are is silly. It's pretty Colonial, actually. As part of all the reading I am doing for my thesis I stumbled upon the blood qualifications required to be a public servant in Spain colonies in the 1700s. The fractions meant the level of "purity" you had (this system was abolished in the 1800s); for example to be a clerk in public office if you were mixed, you needed a certificate making official that you were no less than Octoron (eight parts of 10 white). And so forth. In Mexico City and other royal audience centers there were PAINTINGS (a sort of graphic information for those who could not read well or at all) showing the possible permutations regarding white, black and indian mixes to determinate your racial purity. Your social standing depended on it. Now, discrimination was widely practiced in ALL classifications for example: a mulatto (black/white) wouldn't allow his daughter to marry a zambo (indian/black)... and so on. I found it amusing. "So, how are we doing?" My mother jokingly asked. I told her, "Mom, we are doing quite bad XD."

I find it ridiculous every time on this day and age I find people musing on this sort of things as if they were valid - Yes I do not approve of the Japanese classification of hafu, nikkei, nissei and so forth either. Man, saying he is white-skinned with blue eyes is absurd - but why should he be a permutation of some sort? It's no wonder he had to come up with some strange word to put an end to the discussion, cabliwhatever. Blacks can be quite racist, too. I think it's their problem, not his. Thankfully he doesn't need a purity certificate to play golf.

As for the state of his morals, he lives the life he made for himself let it be fulfilling or shameful. One has to live with the consequences of one's actions, after all.

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Posted in: Yamato shorts See in context

Are they really going to place their backside down over the name of the Yamato maru? o___o;

... Oh okay, it's the name of an anime ship, not the real one.

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Posted in: What do you think is the most recognizable image in the world? See in context

I agree the Coca-Cola sign is a strong contender, but I am not sure it's more famous than the sign of the Red Cross international.

As for traffic signs... How about traffic lights? Even though the colors may vary (at least the green one!).

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Posted in: Reaching for the Universe See in context

I think the one whose head is directly above the purple dress girl's, with something pink around her neck and a bob haircut is the one with most possibilities. Right now she might look like a flight attendant, but I think she is the one with better chances of the whole lot of prospects.

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Posted in: Tiger Woods' troubles widen his distance from blacks See in context

Typo: It should be "Tiger Woods affair" not "Tiger Woods" affair. Could one of the mods please fix it? Thank you.

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Posted in: Tiger Woods' troubles widen his distance from blacks See in context

I find this "Tiger Woods" affair interesting, because it brings to light more than his own attitudes, the attitudes of society around him. It is true that there is a visible tendency of better-off black men to seek white women companions as they reach heights in their careers; it's sort of seeking another trophy mayhaps. I think it's something alike to coveting a seat in a high-class club previously white-men-only. Maybe it's a kind of collective sociological trauma from the days when male black slaves, then former slaves, were forbidden from wooing white females. Black women were abused by slave owners and had children from them (Jefferson anyone?) so for women perhaps the "you can't touch this" trauma is non-existant or very low.

I think there are some similarities on the fetishistic aspect to that of white males that shun white females and exclusively pair with Asian ladies; perhaps this fetish comes from the times of WW2 when the Allies flooded south-east Asia. Asian women were in a vulnerable position then, even enslaved; and as it happens in war zones, many might have seen marrying a white man (soldier) a ticket out of poverty. The dynamics between Asian women and Western men forming fetishistic imagery that endures today may have a background like this.

In Latin America too, in poor areas where the majority is black you hear grandmothers comment about "good hair" and "bad hair" regarding coarse afro hair as "bad" and smooth wavy hair (mulatto type) as "good." So this sort of racial innuendo where marrying a white or at least lighter colored person with better economic standing is seen as desirable still exists. In India, light-skinned brides are actively sought. In Japan, skin-whitening products abound even in supermarket aisles (not even needing to mention surgery to alter features such as eye size and breast augmentation towards a Western standard).

Furthermore, in countries that suffered slavery and or colonization by anglos (or post-war occupation) there are persisting social patterns where for dark-skinned men to marry a light-skinned woman is something of an ambition that may or may not be subconscious. This is what I think.

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Posted in: What do you think is the most recognizable image in the world? See in context

Wikipedia? I don't see where did I mention wiki. I suppose you have been googling things right now to entertain me. Thank you; I appreciate your efforts. Have a wonderful day.

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Posted in: What do you think is the most recognizable image in the world? See in context

CoolCali, yes the Crusaders had a red cross. Everybody knows that - it's not news. I learned that in school. I suggest you get acquainted with the international Red Cross instead - and by the way, the Red Crescent is related to it. Internet is quite a source of useful information, isn't it?

Santa Claus is an American fabrication. The original tradition begins with a bishop, Saint Nicholas. Father Christmas, Papa Noel and other interpretations came later on. Santa Claus (living in the North Pole, wearing a red suit trimmed in white, living with tiny elves and flying reindeer) is an American version popularized by famous Coca-Cola ads.

Here's a start: http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/cokelore_santa.html

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Posted in: What do you think is the most recognizable image in the world? See in context

Why are all options from a single country? I think the logo of the Red Cross is more recognizable than all those in the poll.

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Posted in: American college student sentenced to 26 years in Italy for murder See in context

I may be mistaken, but DNA is always minuscule.

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Posted in: Climategate: The fix is in See in context

Just as a passing observer, I must say that Taka's statements have made you jump high. Don't attack the (professionally prepared) messenger; rather, direct yourselves at facts.

This of course, is only a suggestion.

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Posted in: American college student sentenced to 26 years in Italy for murder See in context

This is no occasion for celebration as the Kerchers said. At least justice has been done. Meredith Kercher met a terrifying end that I do not wish to anyone. One can understand the Knoxes to an extent - a parent will never cease to believe in their child... but wishful thinking cannot exculpate a person. They even hired a PR agency to handle a campaign in the US to paint Amanda innocent, which made reading US news and compare them to international reports quite interesting. I think the Knoxes were off-target in that sense, because what influence may the US have over a sovereign first world nation such as Italy? They should have focused their campaign towards Italy instead. I think Sollecito played the victim yet he was as guilty as Amanda, but in any case, sentence has been passed based on facts. As for Guede, he's already in prison.

I hope Meredith Kercher, the true victim in all this, may rest in peace.

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