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RIP Barbara. Your show was and will always remain a classic. It was so telling of the times when "dysfunctional" meant Beaver forgetting to wash his hands and getting in innocent bouts of mischief; and the most serious topics were alcoholism and divorce. Oh how I long for the good ole days.

I wish Hawaii learned to treat their tourists with more respect.

I know what you mean. I guess it all becomes relative having lived in Japan for so long. I remember living in the U.S. and not thinking too much about the rudeness because it seemed normal to me. Then having come to Japan and experiencing how polite and service-oriented people are, I get a reverse culture shock of rudeness back home. The service at immigration and restaurants are not the same.

The immigration officers in Hawaii are so rude with no respect for anyone that comes to Hawaii.

You think it's bad there, you've never gone through L.A. immigration. They are crass and rude and smell bad.

Why the delay for this place?

IvanCoughalot: Well, to be fair, foreign movies to other countries often get the same treatment. It all depends on how long it takes for movie studios to make contracts with international distributors. Look how long it took for the U.S. to get "Sen-to-Chihiro" (or "Spirited Away" as it was called in the U.S.); and it looks as if that film is a lot better than this Tom Cruise flick. I also remember it took a lot longer for "The House of Flying Daggers" (excellent top-notch film) and "Red Cliff" to get released in the U.S. than in Japan.

We have laws governing gun ownership.

True, there are gun laws in the U.S. Unfortunately the "enforcement" of those laws are so lax that it's just way too easy for nutters to get a hold of one.

This is why I no longer believe in Christianity anymore.

Well, I always had little respect for any religion that allows for a simple confession as a way to wipe away your sins and crimes (no matter how serious it may be) and allow you to enter heaven. The fact that it allows you to burn holy books is simply another reason to frown at the people like this doofus Pastor Jones who further take away any respect his religion has left.

To add, Enoshima beach is not nice because the sand is black, there are too many people, and it is dirty. However, if you are describing Enoshima island, then I guess you could use the word "nice".

You have to get out of Tokyo more if you think Enoshima is nice.

Is Enoshima a part of Tokyo? I thought Enoshima is in Kanagawa.

Agreed. Enoshima is "interesting" and "fun", but not "nice".

It hasn't been proven yet, and is "alleged", just like the "alleged" overage players from Texas.

Hotbox: I think there were more overage players on the Georgia team than the Texas one. As for Texas, they looked as if they should be more accused about stealing signs than being overage. I remember seeing how desperate they were to get any runs in their final game against Taipei. Sure enough, a kid gets on base and did some kind of funny move. Next thing you know, that Beau kid launches a two-run homer. Dirty, if you ask me.

This Japanese team does not belong on this tournament and should be kicked out for the future.

sfjp330: The same could be said about the Texas and Georgia teams. They played downright dirty tactics. How can they allow that in the little league systeam?

Great win for Japan, but also a good effort on the part of the local boyz from Waipahu. Waipahu, the quaint little town with the nicest people, long history of sugar cane plantations and broke-da-mouth poke. You wen give um good!

american bengoshi: I've flown both JAL and American Airlines. The coach seats for both are the same size. Coach seats for all planes are small. No difference whatsoever in size. As for service, that is another matter.

Paris Hilton: The poster child of stupidity.

Yay! Hawaii is in the final. It's just too bad that many redneck mainlanders often diss Hawaii and forget that it is a part of America too. Remember that Hawaii has been a state since 1959! Good luck Hawaii!

“This should never have happened and hopefully won’t happen again,” Bloomberg said. “Hopefully, people will understand that we can have a discourse. That’s what the First Amendment is all about. That’s what America is all about.”

The First Amendment is such a tricky issue. We pride ourselves with our freedoms, but often paint ourselves in a corner with exceptions to the rule. We have the freedom to practice any religion, as long as .... (and the list of rules and exceptions is long). We can speak freely, as long as ... etc. etc. etc. Politicians like Bloomberg likes to espouse such rhetoric, without realizing that instead of living in the "land of the free", we live in the "land of the free, for some and not for others". After all, Mr. Enright seemed to believe that it was his right to stab Mr. Sharif, because it was not Mr. Sharif's right to be a Muslim in America.

Most Americans couldn’t meet the 35-inch (90-centimeter) limit—the average U.S. adult waistline is 39.7 inches (101 centimeters) for men and 37 inches (94 centimeters) for women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

LOL. Frightening to think, but so true.

I pray that they will dig these miners out soon.

I miss about Japan are the TV shows, music and convenience stores Everything that is wrong with Japan, really.

I have to agree that TV shows and music are not that great in Japan. However, the convenience stores are very good. Had a bit of a shock going back to the U.S. convenience stores and finding a lot of food that is old and crusty on the shelves. In Japan at least they restock at least twice a day. And selection? At least in Japan there is a wide range of food (lunch boxes, sandwiches, hot meals, etc.) and drinks (100% fruit juice, teas, coffees, bottled water, etc.) to choose from. I can see why Ms. Hara misses the combinis.

Now if iPhone could only come out with a smaller version that fits in the pocket of my jeans without getting damaged and scratched up, and doesn't mind getting a bit wet. It's always a pain to have to carry an iPhone in a bulky bag or manpurse. Till then, I will stick to my nifty waterproof G-shock cellphone with clear reception even though I'm calling from underground and in a subway.

The very rich who have nothing to lose and everything to gain,or the uninformed and ignorant are the ones that are bitching.

Also, only the families and friends of women raped or assaulted by military forces are bitching, as well as those Okinawans who have tried out for a job in the U.S. military or on the military base itself, but were turned down are bitching, since they would then see no benefit for having them there.

but no one wants to hear of a re-militarized Japan

True, but in any case, a militarized Japan of today would look vastly different than the one 60-70 years ago. I highly doubt that the weak Japanese boys of today would strike fear as they once did. Bottom line is that a foreign military presence in Japan is unnecessary. People who use the "threat of an invasion from China because of revenge" reasoning are living in the past and still feel that the state of the world is like it was 60 years ago. The world is completely different now. China and Japan know they need each other. They both have so much to lose if they go down that road.

But, I can understand that for people who don't live in Okinawa, having bases there is no big deal (since we don't have to directly deal with it on a daily basis). Yet, I can imagine if I did live near a base everyday, then it could be a nuisance, especially after hearing cases where girls were raped and other crimes committed by serviceman living there. If they want the bases to stay, the U.S. military needs to do more to earn the respect and confidence in them from the Okinawan community. It seems to me that the final straw was reached when this was not done, and the community got fed up with it and thus simply want them out, especially after the PM promised to do so.

Yes, instant noodles is unhealthy (if you eat it regularly), but I can't see how eating it occasionally could kill you. Like anything, moderation is the key. I eat it a few times a month, but have no health problems due to eating it. Get my health checked yearly and my cholesterol and blood pressure levels are always very low (as it always has been for my whole life). If anything, my blood pressure is too low, as indicated in my last health check. But of course, it's probably because good health isn't only about watching what you eat, but also getting enough exercise (e.g. jogging everyday as I do) enough sleep (6-8 hours a day), and following proper hygiene such as brushing and flossing everyday. It also helps that I don't smoke, and hardly ever drink alcohol. Good health is also a bit genetic as some people are blessed with high metabolisms which help to burn the food they eat quickly, thus keeping them slim no matter how much they eat. This helps since being overly obese makes one's heart has to work even harder to keep them alive.

Europeans were complaining that the airport workers will not even loan them blankets while they are stuck in the airport.

At least the airport is opened in Japan. Was reading reports of several European airports completely closing down, leaving passengers stranded OUTSIDE airports. Airport officials have been criticizing European governments for their lack of leadership, as well as lack of information. In other words, no one knows exactly when they would be able to leave.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-ap-eu-iceland-volcano,0,1670826.story

Also, according to: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Europe's_airline_chaos:_in_depth

Even countries as far away as Japan were affected by the ash clouds. A correspondent for the BBC, in Tokyo's Narita Airport, says that many travellers en route to Europe had to spend the night in the departure lounge because their flights were cancelled: "Airlines have handed out sleeping bags and blankets but there have been complaints there aren't enough to go round. The longer the airports are closed the longer the backlog of passengers builds up," he reports.

I can't see how China will do better, as all it does is copy what others have drawn or written anyway. There are so many "pakuri" or imitation labels and products in China already. Once, I saw what appeared to be Doraemon in Beijing, but upon closer inspection found out it was a cheap imitation of it. They even have this amusement park where the characters are all cheap imitations of Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, etc.

Congratulations Daisuke: World Champion! Even though a couple of skaters did not compete, it doesn't take away anything from this accomplishment. To say so would be a slap in the face to the other great skaters like Joubert and Chan, who were also phenomenal.

I do not understand how Takahashi and Chan could be ahead of Joubert when Joubert performed a combination qith a quad. Strange sport.

Well, the Vancouver Olympics ice skating results proved that you don't have to have a quad routine in your program to do well in the scoring.

there are faithful men who understand the value of commitment and know that infidelity cannot be kept secret from those who matter

So true, Bento. I wonder why is it that people like Tiger Woods, who are unfaithful to their wives, whom they've sworn an oath under God to remain truthful to, get more attention than the many men who are faithful. Is it because people in general are drawn to scandal? I mean famous men like a Tom Cruise, or Will Smith, or Hugh Jackman are decent enough to remain faithful to their wives, or at least divorce their previous one before getting deeply involved in another relationship. To put Tiger Woods on a pedestal and say that he is equal to that of any law-abiding, kind, and decent man who is true and faithful to their wives is wrong IMO. I would've thought more highly of him had he come out and told his wife the truth a lot earlier (after all, he had been cheating for over two years).

I feel that there are two Tigers: Tiger Woods the golfer and Tiger Woods the person. Tiger Woods the golfer still has an air of invincibility on the golf course and will continue to be a good golfer. Tiger Woods the person has no such thing and has lost a lot of respect because he was weak. It's easier to sleep with the sure things in life than to remain faithful to the one you love (or maybe he doesn't really love his wife of 5 years?). Sure, there are so many famous and rich men who have strayed, but there are also many who have not. So, being rich and famous doesn't excuse people from cheating.

I think his golf and his personal issues should be kept separate

I totally agree. In golf magazines and on the fairway, we should only talk about Tiger Woods the golfer. Outside of golf, we should talk about Tiger Woods the person. The two should be separate. In any case, I'm sure he now can't condemn his children if they ever grow up to be adulterers and sex maniacs.

Why do these people ever get married in the first place? If they're gonna have sex with other people and it is okay to do so, what is the meaning of marriage in the first place? Wasn't there at one point in time some form of sanctity in the concept of marriage? I guess there is no such thing as "till death do us part" anymore.

The people of Taiji should build a factory or something to make money and sustain their economy. The government should use the taxpayer's money in order to think of an alternative industry for this town. It would be well-spent and thus get rid of this cruelty to the dolphins.

It is a scary thought that there could be a lot of people like that out there thinking in the same way.

haoushokuhaki: I'm surprised that you are surprised that people there think that way. I could've seen it coming a mile away.

Seems to me that the world wouldn't be so up in arms, if only the people of Taiji would carry out their killing of dolphins in a quicker and more humane way, which I hope they soon realize (but I guess I'd be holding my breath over nothing).

As for the argument about mercury poisoning, yes, dolphins have been known to contain trace levels of mercury because they often eat fish such as king mackerel that contain the substance. Then again, there are other seafood that contains trace levels of mercury as well, including shrimp, tilapia, salmon, and sardines. This is why there have been cases of people getting it by eating raw fish and sushi.

Although it is possible to contract mercury poisoning from consuming these fish, the chances are still less than getting it through say working in a coal or gold mine, because believe it or not, you can breathe the stuff in as well. There have also been several incidents of laboratory accidents involving mercury where technicians have experienced mercury-related symptoms.

In addition, contrary to what one poster above said about Japanese people having crooked teeth and atopy (which is often tabbed as being a hereditary disease); these are NOT symptoms of mercury poisoning. You may suffer from "loss of teeth", but not "crooked teeth". Other symptoms of course are muscle weakness, kidney failure, skin discoloration, and insomnia.

In any case, while we have no right to tell cultures what they can or cannot eat, we have a right to monitor how they go about procuring said food.

Another earthquake? Oh my. Armageddon is just around the corner.