bfg4987 comments

Posted in: What do you think of Japan’s school education system? See in context

Many fantastic teachers crippled by an awful system.

Abolish mandatory club activities.13 year olds don't need to be in school from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and they shouldn't be.

Make consequences for futoukou kids. Not showing up to school a single day of the year yet still graduating at the end is beyond stupid.

Make grades matter. A kid getting an average of 50% or less in all subjects should not be moving on, they clearly haven't learned the current year's material.

However, I have to say that if anything needs to be changed, its the parents. A good parent can make up for a bad teacher. A good teacher cannot make up for a bad parent, and there are a LOT of bad parents.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Posted in: LDP panel proposes new teacher recruitment system See in context

The teachers are fine, fix the parents.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Posted in: Fair pay sought for fast food workers See in context

a Japanese person working at McDonalds will always be regarded more highly than an English

I guess you've never been chilling at an Izakaya at 11:00 at night while all the truck drivers, fast food workers, gas station attendants, etc. buy you drinks in exchange for having a conversation (in Japanese) and asking you about America, things they've never seen or will be able to see, things they've never done or never will be able to do.

You really don't know anything about the Japanese people, do you?

Even ¥1500 is still very few.

If you have trouble with 1500 per hour, you have a spending problem, not an income problem.

2 ( +5 / -2 )

Posted in: Fair pay sought for fast food workers See in context

You seem to think that an English teacher in Japan has more status in Japanese society than a Japanese person working at McDonalds...?

An English teacher in Japan must:

Leave their home country Adapt to a new culture Be a good teacher Learn a new language (though admittedly, many fight this.) Be good at working with people

An employee at a fast food restaurant must:

Be awake Have at least mostly functioning brains and limbs

Also, between the two professions, only one results in being addressed by a title when speaking to your coworkers.

For this reason, I would never accept my pay to be anything close to a regular worker at a fast food restaurant.

1 ( +5 / -3 )

Posted in: Fair pay sought for fast food workers See in context

True. But very few English teachers in Japan speak fluent Japanese. As such, they are less skilled than the average Japanese person working at a McDonalds; so the McDonalds workers should indeed get more money than an English teacher.

I kept trying to think of a really witty way to counter this, but in the end I feel the most fitting way to do so is to simply say that your logic is laughable.

0 ( +3 / -2 )

Posted in: Sudan judge orders pregnant Christian woman to hang for apostasy See in context

@Luca

The Koran states, very clearly and without any kind of prevarication:

"O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this, their [final] year. And if you fear privation, Allah will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise.

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.

The Jews say, "Ezra is the son of Allah "; and the Christians say, "The Messiah is the son of Allah ." That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?

They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah , and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.

They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.

O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah . And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment.

The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and seared therewith will be their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, [it will be said], "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard."

Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]."

2 ( +5 / -2 )

Posted in: Fair pay sought for fast food workers See in context

The average starting salary for a salaried worker (snip)

Yeah, if they increased McDonald's pay to 1500¥ per hour.....Well, I'd quit my job as a teacher and do that, because that's more than I make right now. You would have to have a proportionate increase in wages across all fields, because there are next to no fields requiring fewer skills than working in a fast food restaurant. I honestly can't think of one off the top of my head.

An increase to 900? That's somewhat more reasonable, but I'd still want a raise if that happened.

-2 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: Sudan judge orders pregnant Christian woman to hang for apostasy See in context

The outrage it would be if something similar would happen in the west. All muslims would be up in arms.

That's just the thing, according to Islam, they are correct and everyone else is an infidel worthy of death.

7 ( +10 / -2 )

Posted in: China says U.S. must be objective about Asia tensions See in context

And he said that “some neighboring countries” are using America’s so-called pivot to Asia as an opportunity that has “stirred up some of the problems which actually make the South China Sea and East China Sea not so calm as before.”

Fang went on to say that he is "disgusted that these countries which formerly accepted our ever-expanding unilateral territorial claims are now starting to stand up for themselves," a trend he says cannot continue if China is to continue to exercise undue authority in Asia.

27 ( +29 / -1 )

Posted in: U.S. indicts Kadena base worker for sex with under-age girl See in context

Why does just about any article about the US military in Japan on JT, no matter what the subject, always have to bring up past offenses or have some sort of anti-base spin/mention the anti-base crowd?

Because, even though U.S. military members actually have a lower crime rate than Japanese people in Japan, they're right and everyone else is dumb.

-3 ( +0 / -2 )

Posted in: Tokyo to ban sales of incest comic to minors See in context

Where are the parents views in all this in Japan?

It seems to me that most people in Japan just assume that males will read porn, and do so frequently, so there isn't too much shock when it's found.

The fact that most shops have plastic seals on the mags in most combinis was a huge move years ago,

And the next step is to install flip-down plastic covers in front of them, and finally to move them to where they belong, the 18+ sections of bookstores.

The problem is, though, that porn (or, at least nudity) is in EVERYTHING here. I can't count the number of times I've opened a seemingly benign magazine only to find myself face to face with several women in compromising positions. I distinctly remember an advertisement for some kind of coffee which was, literally, ONLY a topless 40-something women against a gray background. That's it. Just a topless 40-something woman and their tag line. "Drink our coffee, cuz we got a topless lady around your age right here for ya."

-2 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Wakata, 2 crewmates return to Earth after 6 months on space station See in context

What is your point ?

That I was right and you were wrong.

doesn't affect on international cooperation between Russian Space Agency and say, JAXA.

HA, at the rate Russia is going, do you honestly think anyone other than China is going to want to have anything to do with Russia?

-3 ( +0 / -2 )

Posted in: Abe says Japan will stick to peaceful path but security policy must change See in context

Again? Haven't the right wingers been claiming that Japan's previous overseas exploits been carried out in self defense?

No, that's a malicious misinterpretation of the stance of many based on the malicious history denial of the EXTREME few. It's like calling all white people racist because the KKK exists.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Posted in: Wakata, 2 crewmates return to Earth after 6 months on space station See in context

http://government.ru/en/news/12363

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-space-program-gets-52bln-boost/500157.html

There ya go.

-2 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: What you'll be wearing next fall-winter See in context

To be fair, an XL size shirt in the US these days is advertised as 'a tent' in most other countries.

Actually, as along-time purchaser of XL size shirts, they have changed quite considerablyover the years. In the early and late nineties, they were pretty short length-wise, but big in the gut. In the early 2000s, they were equally as big in the gut, but got quite a bit longer. Now, they're about the same length as they were in the early 2000s, but with a substantially reduced waist size. I'm 6'8" and would probably be considered skinny, and they fit me really well.

Japanese sizes are just too small. Large? HAH, please. That's tiny.

-1 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Wakata, 2 crewmates return to Earth after 6 months on space station See in context

Anyway, I am glad that Russia supports principles of international cooperation in manned space flights, staying way aside of stupid political intrigues and clashes.

Hahahahaha, nope.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/russia-to-close-space-station-in-2020/

Russia is throwing a tantrum and saying "Oh yeah? Well I'm taking MY toys and going home."

-2 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Japanese World Cup visitors warned about crimes in Brazil See in context

Being mugged is very unpleasant, but there's an element of risk in any worthwhile human activity.

Yes, but there's a significantly large risk of getting mugged by going to Brazil.

The irony seems to be that these countries would have been better off just flying under the radar rather that putting themselves in the limelight by hosting these events.

Maybe FIFA is, in a strange, roundabout way, trying to expose the problems in these countries that have been flying under the global radar?

Probably not, haha.

-1 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Japanese World Cup visitors warned about crimes in Brazil See in context

I've lived in Brazil. Sure, it's not the safest place in the world, but if you keep your wits about you, you'll be okay. Wear casual/scruffy clothes, don't wear jewellery, and don' t carry too much cash. And if someone demands your wallet, for God's sake hand it over. With a smile ; )

Do you really think it's a good idea to hold such an event in a place where these kinds of warnings are necessary? The Brazilian government is even making pamphlets in multiple languages instructing tourists how to respond to a mugging, making it seem like more of an inevitability than a 'what-if' situation.

2 ( +9 / -6 )

Posted in: What you'll be wearing next fall-winter See in context

If only people in my neck-of-the-Japanese-woods worse something remotely as fashionable.

I prefer to spend time with people who don't obsess over wearing 'trendy (for now)' clothing. There are far better things to spend money on.

1 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Abe to pitch security policy change to divided voters See in context

would draw criticism from China, ties with which have been damaged by a territorial row and the legacy of Japan’s past aggression.

Well, of course it would draw criticism from China. They don't want countries to actually stand up against them.

0 ( +7 / -6 )

Posted in: Google’s three most-searched Japanese foods in other countries surprises Japan See in context

but it appears that the numerous tweaks that Japan has made to the Chinese dish over the generations have resulted in it becoming their own, at least in Westerners’ eyes.

This is the same thing I say to Japanese people when they are surprised when I answer their question "What Japanese food do you like?" with curry. Japanese curry is different from Indian curry, Thai curry, basically any other form of curry. And I love it. Curry, like ramen, is definitely a Japanese food.

-3 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: 9 reasons why Japanese men hesitate to say 'I love you' See in context

Maybe non-Japanese put more emphasis on verbal communication than non-verbal.

That might be true, but the opposite is definitely not true for the Japanese. Just ask every couple who lives in different cities from eachother.

I mean, I will never forget the time when me and my gaijin friend had to, literally, force our Japanese friend into buying a small, inexpensive, fun present for his girlfriend for no reason other than that he loves her. When he finally did, he was SHOCKED by the results, how happy it made her. The thought had never even come to him.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Tokyo to ban sales of incest comic to minors See in context

I do not support creating "a crime with no victim" here.

I'm not entirely convinced there's no victim, here.

These magazines sexually glorify incestuous (OFTEN involving minors, the Japanese do love their little sister fantasies) situations. When your audience is sexually frustrated and probably have no experience in what they're reading, all you're doing is adding fuel to the fire of their pent up frustrations. They gain from their reading the idea that incestuous situations (again, USUALLY involving minors, and specifically young girls) are sexually exciting.

I know this is a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenarion, but the Japanese porn industry is either causing or reinforcing the epidemic of sexual frustrations and train molestations.

Manga is not representation of a child, but a representation of an imagination.

That seems pretty straw-graspy to me.

In all honesty, I'm not even sure it should be illegal. In fact, I would go as far as to say it probably shouldn't be illegal. HOWEVER, it DOES need to be less readily available and advertised in every conbini in the country. I mean, good God, they might as well have glowing neon signs saying "HEY! HEY! HEY EVERYBODY! THIS IS PORN! YEAH, WE GOT PORN HERE!"

These things need to be limited to the 18+ sections of manga shops. Which, by the way, are JOKES. Almost every one I've been to has had nearly no covering, no door, hardly any walls. It's way, way, way too available, to a point where it's unhealthy.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: Tokyo to ban sales of incest comic to minors See in context

I swear, Japan is one of the most sexually frustrated nations on the planet. They have one of the most open porn cultures in the world: It's NOT covered up, it's NOT hidden in the stores, and people will frequently stand there and read it as if they were reading the newspaper. The virginity rate in Japan is crazy high compared to other countries. Then, when these people go out into society, it's like they can't control themselves. I don't really know of any other country where being molested on the train is a daily concern for young schoolgirls.

17 ( +26 / -9 )

Posted in: West Antarctic ice sheet collapse unstoppable, says NASA See in context

WE DIDN'T LISTEN

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: While an overall population reduction cannot be avoided, the country should work toward preventing an extreme population concentration in Tokyo. See in context

Moving companies out of Tokyo to places where the cost of living is much lower, and there is more room, would do a lot to encourage people to have children and raise families.

I live right next door to an old high school no longer in use that would make for a PERFECT office building. It already has all of the infrastructure built in, water, electric, etc., the only thing they would need to do is move. My city is about a 40 minute drive away from the nearest shinkansen station, too.

The inaka aint so bad.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Hundreds of Chinese families seek wartime compensation from Japan See in context

No surprise there, we all saw this coming when Mitsui O.S.K. calmly agreed to pay paid $28 mil for their ship.

Yep. From that, the Chinese learned that yes, you CAN blackmail Japan, and these people are just in for a piece of the pie.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Posted in: Foxy lady See in context

Foxy lady.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Rebels in east Ukraine claim landslide vote for independence See in context

I ask again, how can the vote itself be illegal?

Lol semantics

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Republicans dust off old scandals ahead of mid-term elections See in context

Gramm-Leach-Bliley allowed once-conservative and staid commercial banks to operate more like casinos

If you want to frame it that way, ok. But the banks were already allowed to behave like casinos in practice before GLB. The Citibank and Traveler's group merger was essentially finalized a year before the bill was signed into law.

The commercial bankers sought greater returns that operating as the old solid, boring, conservative institution with all its restrictions, denied them.

So, once again, explain why the commercial banks which took advantage of the bill and diversified (Citigroup, Bank of America, etc.) came out of the financial crisis in relatively good shape compared to the investment banks that did not, and crumbled (Bear Stearns, Lehman).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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