inkjet comments

Several years ago I flew United to Japan using my ANA mileage, with a connection in SF. The flight from NY was running late so the airline provided a shuttle to get us to the other terminal quickly. It was me (American) and a group of about 30 Japanese passengers. We got dropped off at a side door and were told an airline employee would meet us at the at the head of the stairs to help us get to our gate. So far so good.

Unfortunately there was no employee waiting for us. I scanned the area in a mild panic, we only had minutes to catch our flight. I spotted a gate with Tokyo posted on the board. We all rushed towards it. It was empty except for one UAL employee working at the counter. I tried to explain our situation. The woman said she was not open. I asked her if she could point us to the right gate. She repeated she was not open. I told her I understood but I tried again to get her to appreciate our situation, that we needed assistance. She told me to step away from the counter or she would call the police! That set me off.

I raised my voice in anger and implored her to please call the police. I asked her what she would tell them? That I was demanding customer service. I was livid. All the Japanese passengers stood quietly behind me shocked. I assume at both the lousy customer service but also at my emotional response to being threatened with the police.

At this point my voice got the attention of a supervisor in the back. He came out to inquire. The original Servive agent completely changed her tune and story and tried to make out she was helping us all along. The supervisor took over and figured out by now we had missed our connection. He did bump me up a class which was nice. But I remembered why I only fly ANA to Japan.

Our family moved to Japan when our daughters were 5 and 6. They spoke English and Japanese. They attended regular Japanese school for three years before returning to the USA. In our case, imo, our kids suffered culture shock. We have been dealing with some issues that might be traced to this cultural confusion. But since they are 15 and 16 now it's hard to say. Teenagers being teenagers.

I have come to the conclusion we should have been more aware of the challenge moving presents to kids. Especially between cultures.

@1glenn

And Obama and NATO kept Putin in his place?

Originally the court had an even number of justices. I think an odd number makes the court too powerful. To easy to influence laws. With an easy to reach majority we get the ideological split and it becomes equivalent to the legislature. Politicians competing for seats. It is so politicized. If they stay with an even number the justices will have to convince the other side if they want to over turn a law. Or reinterpret the constitution. What a breath of fresh air that would be.

I hope they fight over this ninth justice for a generation, or until the country learns to cooperate with each other again.

Strangely seductive. I want ramen, now!

I already conceded these are subjective opinions. The only point I am arguing is about the beer. By no credible standard can you say America does not produce good beer. It's like saying you can't get good sushi in Japan. It's just plain wrong.

I guess even facts are subjective!

This seems agood illustration on how useless these 'surveys' are. People have limited perspectives. I know my view of Japan changed dramatically after living there. After many years it's still baffling. I would suggest American is just as complex and baffling.

That would be two continents, north and south. If you want to be a stickler.

The opinions in this article are all very subjective. You can't really argue with them. But stating America makes bad beer is a statement of fact which is patently false. I suggest people who hold this position should educate themselves.

I'm not sure about the rest but....America makes great beer. If you don't know that you are just ignorant. Sorry.

"French culture has always had the gun and bomb within politics."

So you think these attacks are just part of French political tradition?

Maybe you are bending over backwards to avoid facing reality?

New leaders, with different priorities, will be elected in Europe if this continues. And I'm afraid it will continue. It appears the globalist elites are losing control.

Euro governments will likely be helpless to stop these attacks using status quo methods. Elections will probably bring in new governments willing to impose more extreme controls. It could be ugly I'm afraid. It could lead to lots more conflict. Perhaps that is what the terrorist want. Decent people at each other's throats. But something needs to be done. This problem has been looming for many many years in Europe. The powers that be didn't deal with it while it was still manageable.

I'm afraid these attacks will just continue. To grow in frequency and depravity. There are many 'soldiers' waiting for their turn. This boy was born in France but he obviously finds his identity elsewhere.

'The fact is Muslims are suffering because of America more than anyone. But so far they have not been able to get their house in order. Somehow we must separate those who support our societies and values from those looking to destroy us"

I have a suggestion. Instead of being clever why not make your point. Your little transcribing trick doesn't shed much light.

I will try to understand you, I suppose you are blaming America for all political turmoil in the in the Middle East. Is that right?

For argument sake I'll give you that conceit., America is the root cause of all problems in the region. So that means we should therefore not try to isolate the terrorist to protect ourselves? Why? To punish ourselves? And I take it moderate Muslims should seperate themselves from the US because we want to destroy their societies? I suppose the radical terrorist are not the problem we are. Is that right? Ok suppose we are the problem and not radical Islam, how do you suggest the Moderates go about separating from us? To what end? Can you clarify?

Of course mistakes are made. But which choice is the mistake? History might tell us. In the meantime we need answers to a serious problem. The status quo is not working. Next suggestion.

History is filled with examples of temporary measures taken in time of war and disaster. Healthy societies need to do that in its own self interest. Things do return to normal. Those who think it means the Nazis are coming are the paranoid ones.

There is a lot off hand wringing about armbands as a result of Newt's suggestion. Of course that is hyperbole. No one has said anything about arm bands. As distasteful as it may be to some the fact is something more needs to be done. If tactics are failing new tactics will be explored. It's pretty basic stuff if you look at history. People demand peace and security from their leaders.

The fact is Muslims are suffering because of this more than anyone. But so far they have not been able to get their house in order. Somehow we must seperate those who support our societies and values from those looking to destroy us. Using support of Sharia Law as a litmus test is one of the better ideas I've heard. But I'm open to hear others.

And let's remember, this is not just about the US either. Changes will be coming world wide if this continues. And unfortunately it's only escalating.

There are only so many attacks a society will tolerate before a reset kicks in. Unfortunately these attacks will continue till that line is crossed. Elections will bring new governments with more hard line solutions. You may as well start getting used to it.

'The ISIS has lost some 20% of their territory since January, and things aren't looking up for them.'

After Isis then who?

Islamic terrorism has been growing in scope and depth for decades. It gets bigger and more depraved by the day. You cut off its head and ten more grow in its place. There are long term and short term tactics needed. No question the west needs to pull back from the region. That will take time and serious leadership. But containing and isolating the threat is a more immediate concern. The walls have been breached the barbarians are no longer at the gate. It has been opened. Oops.

'Any responsible leader reserves judgement until the facts are in, as making judgement without the facts is irresponsible.'

I believe Hollande quickly commented that the connection to terrorism was clear.

The progressives will quibble about layers of motives and actual connections to real cells etc. This problem has gone past one of organized religious fanatics. Angry Muslims of all stripes are joining the fight because they want to. It's broadening and deepening. We are in for a rough ride. And PC approaches will crumble. Besides the west coast Japanese camps FDR arrested Germans and Italians living in the US. They don't come more progress than FDR. Hold onto your hats.

The world is facing a deadly challenge. An evil ideology is spreading with the aim to bring down societies that oppose it. The Nazis used tanks and uniforms. Later the Communists used more subtle weapons in addition to tanks and uniforms. Now the Shariast (is that the term?) are using terror and the Koran in addition to standard weapons. The good people on this earth must find a way to repel these barbarians. It won't be easy. IMHO we will have to reassess what is politically and morally acceptable. This is war I'm afraid.

A test for Sharia supporters makes some sense. it would not be a religious test but a political one. We need some where to draw the line. That seems a feasible one. We wouldn't take in Nazi sympathizer, why should we accept Sharia sympathizes?

I would say political momentum is not in his favor.

87 and still believes politicians. I guess he will never learn.

'' I believe there should be new world economic order"

I assume you mean an imposed order?

I doubt it. I certainly hope not. The lesson I think we should learn is too many layers of control ultimately collapses. The market should find its own order. The central banks have been trying to push the economy forward through monetary maniplulation and other tricks. Doesn't seem to working too well.

Dreams of globalization are crumbling. The people aren't buying it any more.

In my opinion the EU was doomed from the start. Better to get it over with ASAP. The longer it continues the uglier the break up will be.

Trump is not prepared to be president. Not yet anyway. He was probably as surprised as everyone that he won the nomination. But he won by staking out positions on issues both parties have been failing on.

Out of control border Trade deals which seem to decimate US manufacturing Expensive military adventures Terrorism Out of whack banking/hedge funds

These are powerful issues that have created a huge void in the traditional party system. But it seems clear if he expects to win the general election he has to up his game. As rocky as this month has been the good news for him is the lack of support Hillary is getting. This election is wide ope. It will be interesting to see what his new team will do.

@superlib

"They are fighting for the right to deny homosexuals basic goods and services. They're moving on to healthcare next. It tends to cross my mind when those same people tell us that someone else's religion isn't compatible with our laws."

Who is doing this? Specifics please.

I support a country where individuals are allowed have and express stupid ideas. When those with these stupid ideas start acting out in violent ways I see a problem. When the majority of a country or culture support those crazy ideas I see a very serious problem.

I used to buy into the idea of the overwhelmingly moderate Muslim majority. I'm having serious doubts. Im beginning think it's a myth created by progressives.

I just read the DOJ will release the transcripts from the phone calls made during the attack. They plan on scrubbing any reference to Islam.

Dropping bombs isn't working. Let's trying dropping the truth. See how that works.

I was curious so I googled 'honor killing.' Wikipedia states it cut across cultural lines, it's found in every culture. But running down the examples sited in various countries the names always seem to be Muslim. A Muslim in Norway doesn't make it Norwegian. Sorry.

I don't doubt it occasionally happens in other cultures but it seems to be a big part of Islamic culture. I will continue to research. Since Orlando I have been reassesing the way Islam and terrorism are portrayed in the media and by our cultural elites. I'm beginning to feel the moderate Muslim is scarcer than imagined.