OneForAll comments

It saddens my heart to read this. People petitioning God for help and getting killed and mained. God forbid. In the end there are four things. Death, Judgment, heaven and hell. Those responsible have some answering to do. They may be in for a surprise. Hell.

Tongue in cheek: Just take the islands and claim the Sakhalin peninsula as well. Historically they both could be under Japanese dominion. In the end give back the sakhalin peninsula and all would be happy. Better, negotiate the use of the resourses and let freedom reign for the people of both countries. A free zone.

A compassionate conservative. Does it exist? That is what I hope the people in power do, be it Democrats or Republicans. Can hardly tell the difference between the two. I think that we should just get some good hearted older people in there that just make good decisions because they are just good. By the way, that is a definition of a Christian regardless of religion.

Elections are around the corner. Please Vote.

I think that one should serve regardless of whatever. There is a natural law over and above all others. One is to give dignity and respect to all people. However, our fragile human nature, when it errors, should never be enshrined as something desireable. Let it be that each one handle his own failings. DADT policy works and should not be over turned. I think that this is common sense. When there is no moral compass, things fall apart. There are many many traditional people in America, from all backgrounds, who support the natural law. Look, we were created male and female. It is self evident. But, let me repeat, ALL should be treated with dignity and respect. We are all children of God.

Truth is inexhaustable. Meaning, everyone has a right to explain things as they see it. Through dialog with others we can actually help each other to walk towards the light. We must listen to each other. No one has a monopoly on truth. Truth exists and this gentleman has found a path. A bit myoptic perhaps but he is on a secure path if he remains open to others. Unfortunately, some use the Bible as blinders and fail to see that reason is here for a purpose. A cosmic event includes the cosmos and Shindo may be awed by this fact. Logos is reason and the reason is love. Peace.

IS in good hands.

"in fact pointless to ask about what is; we can only ask ourselves what we are able to do with things. The issue is not truth, but praxis, the domination of things for our needs. In the face of such an apparently enlightened limitation of human thought, the question naturally arises: What really is useful to us? Why is it useful? Why do we exist? One who observes carefully will see that the modern attitude reveals at the same time a false humility and a false presumption, a false humility that does not recognize in the human person the capacity for the truth; a false presumption, by which one places oneself above things, above truth itself, while, at the same time, making the extension of one's power, one's domination over things, the objective of one's thought." Ratzinger

Truth not judgement is our goal in life. That is all. I say also God Bless this individual. The Universe IS is good hands.

"are they making a monkey out of you"

Rights exist with other and other's rights. Dialog is necessary to come to some negotiated outcome. As with any negotiations it is a give and take in trying to understand the others position. It may not be an ideal solution but one that all can live with. There never is the ultimate solution and we must always work to promote the good and mitigate the negative as we go forward. Let the two sides sit down and come to some understanding. Show the world how reason can prevail by two parties with good intentions.

SezWho2 - If what you say is correct about the people of New York then so be it. I hope it is not only the political elite. For me, it is all about "Respecting the families of those who have lost loved ones" and New Yorkers. Their wish (rights as well) I would respect. That is all. There are many rights and the interplay of them are always interesting, with not always an easy answer. Peace.

People need to do what is right for their neighbor whatever economic system you call it. Corruption in any system will destroy it. Without morals (remember we might no longer make judgements based on a common morality as judge Walker stated) one cannot stand. It will be a free for all. However, Judge Walkers reasons for his judgement is being questioned (not the conclusion) because there is a common good. Isn't there? Natural law must stand to keep America's democracy because it reflects man himself. The crazy rest is just democracy in action. God bless it. I hope China follows for we need them and it will be easier to live with each other.

sf2k - Sounds like a liberal Jeff Beck only without humor nor talent. His rhetoric makes me even more convinced of the right of the people of New York to show their respect to their dead as they wish to. It is not even close to what this gentleman (to be polite to someone who hates america) has said. Let time and good will heal the wound for it was a terrible thing to have happened. sf2k, if it was your sister or brother that had to jump off the WTC, you might have a different opinion. Respect the families of those who have lost love ones. That is what it is all about. Only that. In fact, it would be a very good for the Islamic faith to backdown. It would show a great maturity and understanding of the people who follow this way to "holiness". There are other places to build with no problems. Let the New Yorkers mourn their dead in Peace, it is a good thing for the Religion of "Peace".

knews - In theory yes. In practice we have the WTC. Let time heal the wounds. No Mosque at this time, in my humble opinion. It really does not bother me if there is one, but I am not from NYC. Being at ground zero might make me think differently. I respect the will of the majority of New Yorkers. The Mosque can be built somewhere else for now. Later perhaps when bombs stop going off in market places around the world and such practices are condemned by all. Then we can work together.

Thank God. How can a society mix up the definition of marriage? It is between the opposite sexes. As for rights for other people who are dependent on each other, I am all for it. Orientation is a non-issue.

HonestDictator has some very good points.

"In the end, it sounds like the only untried option left. It would not be the first time violence was necessary to do what was right over the heads of those in favor of oppression." MistWizard

You would force the moral majority to act to protect themselves. They have been very tolerant. That could change through violence of any kind. Looking like the victim is the better route.

"The parts don't fit", "Don't mix up my skin with your sin.", Nature's way is visible for all to see. C'est tout. However, it is not my business what goes on between two consenting adults. Let God be the judge. Any people dependent on each other should be able to have some kind of claim to benefits be it marriage (just a group of platonic folks is fine by me) or whatever. You should not have to be homo or hetero to apply.

Perhaps the traditional family is unique after all, right children? We can at least help the children as a people because they ARE dependent on us and really are the most vulnerable. I think we can all agree on this point. How big is this pot of benefits anyway? Where is my slice? I personally prefer that the children have their needs taken care of first by helping the traditional family...it is normal for most of the world's peoples. Something to keep in mind...Children first.

WHen we find out we married real people, warts and all, we all begin to wonder how they compare to the hollywood ideal. Well, another will just have their warts and all. We have our own. I say get over it, let your love grow for that warty person and the warts may disappear. I think Japanese do hang in there for the long run. I have and am thankful and would never have it any other way. We are a family thru good times and bad. We help each other even though at times we have our disagreements. Shogunai. I love my wife and children.

I have been thinking about my post and I do not think I got it right. Certainly Buddhism had some impact on Japanese culture. But I missed the biggy. Confucianism: http://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/main.html. You should read that short page. Here is a bit "...Few people can attain this ideal; the central virtue is, of course, jen. a. Personal relationships come before anything else (i.e., before thinking, reasoning, studying). b. The five virtues come from within the impersonal ego: (1) kindness, (2) rectitude, (3) decorum, (4) wisdom, and (5) sincerity. "

The critics have some truth in what they say about the Education system in Japan. I will point out that Japanese society does not have the gang banger problem of youth as in the US. Drugs are almost non existant and there is a healthy sense of traditional values. They succeed in doing some great things. I applaud this success. There are some very gentle people here.

BTW : "...the courage to search for the truth and the humility to accept one's ridiculousness, enables man to maintain the right mean between truthless cynicism and self-righteous fanaticism." R. Guardini

If you are Japanese, what are your options? None. Is the oneness a product of buddhism? An individual does not exist, whereas in Christianity perception and freedom is intrinsic in God himself. Just different philosophies. Which is correct? I'll take each with their own perception and freedom as truth. And being truth, the average Japanese knows this and has it. We have our myths as well, like there is no natural law even though we all believe in the rights of man. Many times I will take the conservative, loving Japnanese over truthless cynicism or fundamental self-righteousness of others in the world.

'O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear before you after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life, and protect us against a sudden and unprovided death. Let us remember our frailty and mortality, that we may always live in the ways of your commandments. Teach us to "watch and pray" (Lk 21:36), that when your summons comes for our departure from this world, we may go forth to meet you, experience a merciful judgment, and rejoice in everlasting happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.'

My father at 90 had a happy death. Sounds like a contradiction but he was able to have his affairs in order and say goodbye to everyone until we all meet again.

Maybe there are no deaths due to not being buckled in in Japan. I do not believe in a police state but do believe in growing towards truth as a culture. If there are children killed because of a lack of being buckled in, it is the responsibility of the authorities to drill this into the population's heads. The Japanese will follow but only as a group. BTW a friend of mine lost a 4th grader due to not being buckled in. Broke her neck on the windshield in a crash that was not too fast. Very sad and it cannot be undone. I also am very concerned about the airbags that can take a childs head off in the front seat in the case of an accident, even at low speeds. I hope the authorities take heed and educate the population to proper safety for children.

quest - perhaps many quotes are taken out of context. People do the same with the Bible, which is also honored by Islam. The people of the Book. Cheers, for your comments do make the followers of Islam more peaceful just to prove you wrong. Christian have their bad apples as well, just look at what "members" of the Catholic church have done. I call them infiltrators rather then members for those criminals do not belong to the church. Anyway, most of the Islamic countries live peacefully. A lot of very good people who wish peace on Earth for their children as well.

kodimirpal at 07:57 PM JST - 26th May - This is a November 20th article. Let us say that in the pursuit of Truth, Righteousness and Love, violence is never an answer. We must always work to mitigate the effects of harmful laws and get good laws passed, peacefully. It is in the interest of all. All people of good will, throughout the world, must work together towards the just world you speak of. One with freedom and an openness to the future out of the goodness of man's heart. There will always be ups and downs, with new insights from new generations. C'est la vie. La joi de la vie. Enjoy being good to one another and do not let the media nor propaganda get us down. We can make the world a little nicer just around ourselves and maybe it will spread through countless generations. This is my hope for all of us. You are part of us and we you. Your pain we also feel. One humanity. I liked this quote you quoted: " God has created you into nations, clans and tribes so that you recognise each other, and in the sight of God the one closest to God is one who is righteous" Peace.

"On Capitol Hill, the third-ranking House Republican promised unified GOP opposition to lifting the ban. “The American people don’t want the American military to be used to advance a liberal political agenda. And House Republicans will stand on that principle,” said Mike Pence, R-Ind."

There are Democrats that will take this stand as well. Why wire a house with a technology that is not proven? Finish the study first. I am glad they are moving prudently because it really is a complex issue. No easy answers.

Bad idea. The generals would be removed if they did not agree with Obama. Gates too. All fired. Don't ask, don't tell is a good policy. It fits America with its diversity in religions and ethnicities. States have also spoken on these issues with support for traditional values. Americans are basically conservative but tolerant to a degree. Remember we are at war with someone who thinks we are already decadent. Going down Taka's path would only add fuel to the fire. This action, if approved at this time, puts all in greater danger. It is a private matter anyway. Peace.

Maybe the father was on a packed train and tried to protect his child from getting crushed? Maybe he had trouble getting on the train because everyone shoved their way in. Maybe it was crowded and it was difficult to move. Maybe he complained to his wife who was just tired of hearing it. Maybe she yelled at him. Who knows what actually happened. Anyway, public spats always look bad. Hope the two made up and little johnny was conceived. Happy endings.

Very well written sailwind. Agree.

JTodayIsCowards, Please do not mixup people's comments with dolphins. BTW, I would not show the cove here without some sort of intro, where the producer is stated to have put in some Hollywood/story telling effects, for effect. It is just a town that might consider doing thing differently. People have a tendency to generalize to populations, as we often see here in Japan about foreigners. Is it a balanced documentary?

“They’ve used the Pacific Ocean as a great defense to producing documents,” said Graham Esdale, a lawyer in Montgomery, Alabama, who has sued Toyota. “If Ford or General Motors tells you something and you don’t believe that it’s right, you can get a court order to go get access to the documents instead of relying on them. We can just go there and start poring through documents. We don’t have that with the Japanese manufacturers.” Why? Should be the first thing required to do business in another country.