chemgal comments

Posted in: 'Japan's Anatolia' becomes home away from home for Kurds and Turks See in context

Camel's toe under the tent, but less likely from the Kurds....

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Posted in: Easter gifts See in context

My guess is that they are members of the diplomatic corps, who may or may not be Catholic, or Christian. The Pope is the Head of State in the Vatican. Vatican City has its own Dip Ambassadors, because it's technically a sovereign state within Italy, much like San Marino, or Andorra. It is customary in dip circles to do this sort of thing. They are probably representing the Japanese government; note the very formal dress.

The USA has a history of sending dip reps to Vatican City who were Catholic. I am not sure if this is still the case, given the current administration. However, it, along with other non-scary, first-world places has always been a plum, ruling party choice in terms of ambassadors (e.g., Newt Gingrich's wife to the Vatican under Republican leadership, and Caroline Kennedy as Ambassador to Japan under Obama).

The ruling party choice of political ambassadorships has increased mightily over the past 30 years, which has seriously weakened the ability of true ambassadorial function. They are supposed to be not only diplomatic professionals, but truly advancing U.S. policy in the assigned region. Political appointees are rarely capable of this, although there have been exceptions in the past. They are typically far too focused on having a great time overseas, on the taxpayer dime. It is fortunate that most overseas posts with political appointees as Ambos have seriously experienced Consuls, as well as Vice Consuls, who typically perform virtually all jobs that the non-political Ambo should.

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Posted in: Yoshinoya's dilemma: Whether to lower prices or not See in context

Supercub, you are only half right. Deflation indeed does discourage investment, for obvious reasons, and that's what causes the deflationary spiral. But deflation does not lead to recessions. Deflation is the net effect of a severe credit crisis culminating in a depression; Japan has been in a depression now for 20 years. It is the poster boy for why Keynesian economics does not work--in Japan, or elsewhere. Net debt/GDP is currently over 200% in Japan, the highest in the world, and still they keep it up with QE. If it hasn't worked after 20 years, and countless zombie banks, why should it magically work now? A question that both Mr. Obama and Mr. Brown should pose to themselves, if they are at all honest.

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