Hotbox08 comments

Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary See in context

Please don't mistake me for one - I'll be in Taiji on 1st September along with a lot of other people. Why not come down and meet us?

Well, good luck to you Tigerlily4. After you succeed, then maybe you can help me take up the fight against marine parks and sea worlds across the globe. They should be made to set their animals free where they should be, rather than to be kept in small fish tanks that are often cleaned irregularly, and trained to do unnatural tricks. Down with cruelty to animals all over the world.

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Posted in: Anger and defiance in Taiji after 'Cove' wins Oscar See in context

It was also used for school lunches for many years

Where? I've worked in the Japanese public school system for several years and have yet to come across anything looking or tasting anything remotely close to whale meat or dolphin meat. I've seen a lot of yakizakana on the menu, but no whale meat, (unless they've somehow disguised it by painting it pinkish red to look like salmon).

In any case, I do agree with you that killing whales and dolphins are unnecessary, but so is the other senseless killing of other animals. In fact, dolphins are made to be the "poster child" of cruelty because they are cute.

Of course, I understand that the dangers of eating mercury is real, just like the shrinking ozone problem is real. I guess that governments throughout the world don't act when something kills you over a long period of time, like eating oily foods, living in highly toxic areas, obesity, etc.

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Posted in: Anger and defiance in Taiji after 'Cove' wins Oscar See in context

The Japanese, of course! It's just defiant stupidity!

Disillusioned, you mean the people in Taiji, right? Because the Japanese families I know don't even eat whale or dolphin meat. To say that all Japanese give it to their children is incorrect. Do you know any Japanese people personally who eat whale or dolphin meat?

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Posted in: Anger and defiance in Taiji after 'Cove' wins Oscar See in context

That is EXACTLY where Japan fails all the time: no criticism within the country. Only outward criticism. You can do anything here, just call it culture and you can get away with it.

sarcasm123, you are correct and that it is sad and terrible that this kind of failure and lack of action happens around the world. That is why I am saying that all countries, including Japan need to look at themselves and in their own backyards, sea parks, etc. We all need to make tough choices and stop cruelty to all living things. The world is full of good people, and it is sad that the few bad ones spoil it for the rest of the world's people.

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Posted in: Anger and defiance in Taiji after 'Cove' wins Oscar See in context

Of course, we must all remember the saying: Think globally, act locally. It's all fine and dandy to start throwing stones at those way over on the other side of the fence, but to do nothing about the travesties within your own backyard? That's another crime in itself. I am all for letting the Taiji know that they should tone down their killing of dolphins, or at least do it in a more humane way. But at the same time it would be hypocritical of me and everyone else to continue to allow sea parks all over the world to keep marine animals in their fish tanks as mere forms of entertainment. It is unnecessary and cruel, and a worldwide epidemic.

The word 'stupid' should be reserved for use to describe the people who say the whales and dolphins are stupid just because they don't understand them. The people who say it's OK to hack animals to pieces in a frenzy, just so long as 'they're not endangered' are beyond stupid.

Excellent point, cleo! To say that animals are stupid is wrong. Even cows are not stupid and should be treated more humanely when being butchered.

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Posted in: Anger and defiance in Taiji after 'Cove' wins Oscar See in context

What is the measure of intelligence? I mean, how is that different than the so called "stupid" dolphins and whales that get themselves mysteriously beached on shores all over the world? Even though a lot of dogooders try to push those said dolphins and whales back to see, they still end up beaching themselves somehow. Seems like a stupid thing to do to me.

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Posted in: Anger and defiance in Taiji after 'Cove' wins Oscar See in context

The truth is a bitter pill to swallow.

Exactly! The truth is that we humans have tough choices to make and must take responsibility in some way or form. I myself have stopped going to sea parks in an effort to curtail the need for dolphins and whales at those places. You stop the need, you end the killing.

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Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary See in context

As most years, I watched the Oscars distractedly, not really caring for the rich and the mighty, the entertainments of millions. The real issues, the real problems are rooted in the soul, in the heart that is not caring enough.

Well, I guess then nothing has really changed. This year's Oscars were pretty much the same.

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Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary See in context

If you take your kids to see these dolphin shows you are part responsible too

Good point, qazwsx, and well put. The true message in the film is that this is the tip of a deeper and larger problem in which we all share a bit of responsibility for. Without the need and demand, there wouldn't be the people to fulfill that. It is something that we as humans will have to look deep into ourselves to overcome.

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Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary See in context

at least the Americans are concerned and there's a lot of debate.

actually, Pukey2, there is debate in Japan about the killing of whales. You obviously don't know about the Japan branch of PETA. In fact, musician Masami Akita (aka Merzbow), and PETA activist, made an album called "Dolphin Sonar" as a form of protest against these killings in Taiji. There is also a Japanese branch of Greenpeace which I've donated to in the past. They even mail a newsletter when you donate.

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Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary See in context

I find it a bit strange that the Cove never mentioned dolphin slaugher in Europe or in other parts of the world.

In my opinion, it is because it wouldn't make for a good dramatic movie. If they covered all places where whale or dolphin slaughter was going on, it would seem more like a Discovery Channel or PBS documentary, and thus wouldn't merit a chance at an Academy award.

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Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary See in context

This film touches on the whole picture, which is to say that not only are the people of Taiji responsible for the slaughter of these dolphins, but so too are the people involved in the senseless capture of whales and dolphins for the mere pleasure of entertainment in theme parks all over the world. This film is good in that it makes us think about the overall picture: slaughtering animals (not only dolphins) is wrong. It is good that this film is bringing to light the plight of not only dolphins, but other animals.

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Posted in: 'The Cove' wins Oscar for Best Documentary See in context

Compating to other acts of cruelty is a form of justification and it is wrong. 2 wrongs don`t make a right.

stevecpfc: Of course. I totally agree with you. I think killing dolphins is cruel, just like many other acts of cruelty, which I have written down. My point in raising other examples was a hope that this Academy award win would shed more light on not only the plight of these dolphins, but on animals everywhere. It's just that people like you make cruelty to dolphins as the number one form of cruelty to animals; which is not true. It is sad that the dolphin is made to be the "poster child" of animal cruelty.

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Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold See in context

Having pros play in the Olympics worked this time since it was held in Vancouver. However, I worry about Sochi in 2014. How will the travel time and amount of minutes played affect NHLers coming back to play an NHL game the very next day? Even now, teams vying for a playoff spot will be questioning themselves if they should play those Olympic stars right away, or have them slowly get back into the rigors of an NHL playoff push.

Between now and then, something will have to be worked out between the Olympic Committee and the NHL. Will the NHL have to shorten the season even more to take into account the two weeks of playing time the Olympics demands? Should they shift the NHL season? Of course fans may not mind since they still get to see their stars in the Olympics play (or maybe they do care since they are the ones paying season tickets for games).

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Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold See in context

Don't know what the big deal is here.

The big deal is that a fine bunch of NHLers won against another fine bunch of NHLers. It was the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby vs. the Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler; both of which scored goals in this game. Having these Olympics gave a lot of other NHL players some much needed time off.

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Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold See in context

BPoint: True, it was a fluke albeit a very thrilling one. Sorry to say, I was a little to young to experience the '72 Summit Series you mention, but I'm sure it must have been great as well. Bet the Soviets were as stunned as they were in the 1980 game. Those were the days of the old "Jason Voorhees" type of goalie mask.

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Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold See in context

It must have been hard if you were both an American and a Pittsburgh Penquins fan, trying to root for Crosby to lose. Or maybe a Candian and Canucks fan rooting for Ryan Kesler to lose. LOL

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Posted in: Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in overtime to claim ice hockey gold See in context

Congratulations Canada for a well-played game. Also congrats to the U.S. for providing some great action. Although it was an exciting game to watch and it was a good game, it kind of didn't seem any different than watching an good NHL game. Yes, each were playing for their country, but it lacked the drama that the 1980 "miracle on ice" had where the U.S team made of amateur and collegiate players took on the heavily favored Soviet Union team. Oh, how I long for the good ole days. By the same token, I guess watching basketball in the Summer Games is like watching a typical NBA game.

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Posted in: Closing ceremony See in context

I was surprised that countries like Great Britain, Finland, and Italy (home of the great Alberto Tomba) and other typical cold weather countries like Denmark, didn't do much better.

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Posted in: Japan won 5 medals at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. How would you assess the results? See in context

The problem is Japan loses sight of the Olympic spirit that the winning is in the effort, training, etc. and gets fixated on just how many medals they won.

herefornow: It depends on who you talk to. Sure there is the average Japanese who thinks this way, but most I've met just enjoy the spirit of the games and watching the competitions. The thing is, that this attitude of just winning medals happens everywhere. After all, it is the reason why they started to allow professionals to compete in the first place. All nations wanted to send their very best in order to get the most medals.

As for Japan winning 5 medals; it was an improvement over Torino and Salt Lake City. There are areas that have shown improvement, such as the speedskating events. Then there was a big disappointment with the skiing.

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Posted in: Canada tops Olympic standings in record gold rush See in context

All countries to an extent portray their own as heroes and winners way before the fact;

That is true, smithinjapan. Each country has their share of heroes who ended up fulfilling their expectations and not. The JOC did make a goal of 10 medals, and to be fair, getting 5 is nothing bad. I really don't think they went in having an attitude that they DESERVE it, but that they felt that IT WAS POSSIBLE TO ACHEIVE IT. After all, there was no campaign signs or commercials posted touting this message. I remember in a press conference before the Olympics began that they promised to do better than in Torino, and I guess they have. But then again, they didn't have anywhere but to go up after Torino's results.

In any case I do agree that many country's media, Japan included, often puts high expectations on some of their athletes and in the end become disappointed.

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Posted in: Canada tops Olympic standings in record gold rush See in context

We DO own the podium

smithinjapan: You are correct. You do own the podium. I'd like to apologize for bringing up Canada's "Own the Podium" program again and again. I was just reacting in an irrational way to several posts you made about complaining that Japan's Olympic committee was the only one that made goals about how many medals they were going to win. I felt that this was not true, and that all countries did this (some countries met their goals, some came close, some fifty-fifty, some not so close, and others way off), and so concentrating on one country was not fair in IMHO. In any case, I humbly apologize for that. Anyway, congratulations to Canada and actually to all countries and their athletes for a wonderful Olympic experience. As with all Olympics, it is good to see athletes (amateur and professional) from all countries come together and promote the true spirit of the Games.

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Posted in: Putin upset with Russia's Olympic performance See in context

Well Putin, that's what you get for promising 40 medals at these games. You were bound to fall short of your expectations.

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Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd See in context

I pity those of you who believe the the scores were fixed. Truly pitiful of you.

Spot on, VG877! Kim Yuna deserved the gold, Mao the silver, and Joannie the bronze. Kim Yuna skated perfectly, Mao didn't, but had a difficult enough program to place her second with no falls, Joannie had a slightly less difficult program than Mao's and was not perfect thus was third. Mirai and Miki had even less difficult routines than the top three and thus scored as 4th and 5th respectively even though they had no falls. Both of their routines looked great albeit some lower GOEs, but too many double jumps, and slow step routines. Makes a big difference.

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Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd See in context

Anyone else notice that Nagasu's scores seemed to take forever to come up ? Sorry folks- I don't buy it ! Somethings amiss.

Just like with Evan Lysacek's score. Smells fishy. Daisuke Takahashi's and Plushenko's scores also took a lot longer to calculate after Lysacek's. If there is going to be an investigation into the ladies program, then it's only fair there should be one into the mens.

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Posted in: IOC to look into celebrations by women hockey team See in context

Honestly, IOC. Who bloody cares?

HumbleCat: The difference is that these are the Olympics. Other sports are played by athletes who are paid for playing. There is a BIG difference.

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Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd See in context

Now, with this one medal (silver) Japan needs just six more to meet the target !

That's right, and Canada needs just 13 to meet their target. I think Russia needs about 27 to meet thei target.

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Posted in: IOC to look into celebrations by women hockey team See in context

Sad sad sad ....

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Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd See in context

In NO WAY do I think the media needs to apply more pressure.

smithinjapan: Agreed. The media puts way too much pressure on Mao Asada. I also feel the coach does this too. After all a good coach instills confidence; not fear. Her coach always looks scary and mean.

In any case, congratulations should go out to not only Yu Na Kim for her skills, but also to her coach Brian Orser for recognizing the type of coaching she needed and utilizing her talents to their fullest. The figure skating routines perfectly matched her personality and abilities. Excellent teamwork!

Tarasova does not have any time for Mao at all.

Love USA: I have to agree with you on that one. Mao Asada should have a coach that would actually be able to instruct her "on the ice" with her. And Mao has to do more lighthearted and upbeat numbers, rather than the dark tragedy pieces she does. This is obviously a case where Mao's talents are being underutilized.

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Posted in: Kim Yu-na wins figure skating gold with record score; Asada 2nd See in context

Congratulations to all! Great routines all around and a great finish by Kim Yu Na, Mao Asada, and Joannie Rochette. Kim Yu Na is the talk of the town now and I see on Nippon Tele that they are showing her whole life story. I didn't know that Kim Yu Na has an older sister who also used to skate, but since it costs a lot of money and they found out that Kim Yu Na is the better skater, they ended up investing all of their time and money into her (feel sorry for the older sister though). Kim Yu Na's father ended up quitting his job and doing the housework. Very devoted family.

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