patkim comments

Well, I believe I’m Jimmy Page, I have the right to believe whatever I want.

So basically what you're saying is that anyone who has an accusation against someone, even if there are no facts to back your accusation up, can be thrown in jail without due process? This is the fundamental problem with Trump and the current GOP. They all feel that they are above the law. They feel that due process, the rule of law, and the Constitution are mere trivialities.

The laughable thing is that if there was discrimination going on, those Jewish who you say were supposedly being discriminated would have every right to protest peacefully because they would be protected to do so under the very same laws in which conservatives have no regard for.

Trump wants to place decisions about education away from the federal government, yet he wants to control what schools teach. Trump wants to control the courts, the media, what people say and do, and what schools teach. It is akin to what authoritarian governments do. Look no further than North Korea, China, and Russia. They are all controlled by the state. They want all their schools to teach exactly the same thing. However, what that thing is, is up to the desires and whims of one person and one person alone, their dear leaders. It is not only morally wrong, but criminally dull.

In any case, grant money going to Harvard has done wonderful things in this world. Without Harvard research, we wouldn't have things like MRI technology or some of the medicines that Trump himself uses to keep him physically healthy. Harvard research also were the ones to make the first organ transplant. And the list of medical and scientific achievements is long.

The world is quickly finding out that dealing with Trump is too volatile. Any deal you make with him anyway is subject to his sudden emotions that seem to change on any given day. They know that even if he makes a deal to stop tariffs, what's to say that he won't come back and slap more tariffs anyway when he thinks it still is unfair? Other countries know that you can't trust Trump to keep his word.

China is playing the game the right way; the way that Trump should've played it. You meet with other countries first. You have negotiations and use diplomacy. You don't just slap universal tariffs on everyone without meeting with them. You don't just shoot first and ask questions later. The enemy of China's enemy becomes their friends. Trump just made the whole world his enemy.

Whenever I think of Trump and Vietnam, I can't help but remember that it was the Vietnam war which Trump dodged based on so-called "bone spurs", even though now his doctor claims he is of perfect health.

He looks pretty sharp in that navy suit jacket, no need for any uproar.

So did Zelensky in his visit at the White House. No need for any uproar then.

Also, Bukele didn't wear a suit. Where is the uproar about that?

"The homegrowns are next" is a very chilling statement. Trump is basically sending the same kind of message that Putin tells his own people. First it starts with the violent ones, then anyone who protests against his policies, then what. Anyone he doesn't like? Trump's method of silencing dissent? But I guess we shouldn't be surprised. He is basically living up to his promise to be a dictator with no oversight.

First he says the tariffs will stay in place, then he says they're negotiable, then he says they are both, fixed and flexible. Only he (and probably his rich inner circle) knows what will happen to the market as he controls it with the power to place or pause tariffs. Invest, or don't invest. Plan to build factories in the U.S., or don't. Business owners are held in a state of flux. Can they get their supplies? Or, should they plan to find them elsewhere? But many business owners can't afford to? What to do?

Let's not forget that Trump's so-called calculation for trade deficits with countries is very suspect. Numerous economists have pointed out that his and Navarro (aka Ron Vara)'s calculations does not account for a number of factors. It is why certain countries that doesn't even impose tariffs on the U.S. have been included. It is why even uninhabited countries have been included. It is why countries where the U.S. has no trade deficit with, is included. Trump just started with a base of 10% for all countries whether or or not the other country has tariffs placed on U.S. imports.

Trump has it all wrong. If he wants to hurt China, it is the electronics market that should be targeted. American small businesses are hurting because of the high tariffs on cheaply made plastic products like toys, kitchen goods, etc. Family-run businesses don't have the funds to pay for the high tariffs, like large corporations do.

Trump should've just gone after China. I'm all for placing strategic tariffs on China. I just don't get why he had to place them on countries like Singapore (who they have a trade surplus with), or even countries in the EU who place almost no tariffs on imports from the U.S., or weaker economies where the U.S. consumers want products to buy from, such as diamonds from Lesotho, or countries where no one even lives, like the Heard Islands. Trump's trade war even punishes weaker economies where their GDP is so low to be able to afford any products from the U.S. anyway.

I wonder how much rent money is being charged America for being allowed to use Greenland's territory. I hope they are getting their fair share, otherwise, Greenlanders are getting ripped off.

blatantly overcharged at a cafe, perpetuator: Japanese Grandma

My advice would be to stay away from those fishy bars in Kabukicho. I've heard several horror stories of bars, cafes, etc. located in areas where yakuza may control, that could scam you into paying enormous amounts of money. I just avoid those areas and thus had no problems in the more reputable cafes or restaurants I frequent.

If the goal is to warn about pickpocketing in crowded areas, why focus on a rare case involving a foreigner, when most such crimes in Japan are committed by Japanese people? That’s not just cherry-picking — it reinforces harmful stereotypes that end up affecting real people, including your friends and family.

Nothing really strange about the reporting. You make it sound as if this site only mentions crimes committed by foreigners. There are a lot of news on this site mentioning crimes committed by Japanese. Also, mentioning the perpetrator's nationality is not uncommon. If you look at news in America for example, they mention the person's nationality if they are a foreigner, or immigrant (either documented or undocumented).

Trump tariff war with everyone is stupid because it has no strategy whatsoever. Tariffs are great if used in the proper way. But by not using the proper economic equation and model to calculate properly the deficit or surplus with other countries, and by attacking every country and every market haphazardly, it forces countries to struggle to respond.

While economically powerful countries, large corporations, and the very wealthy can withstand the repercussions of such actions, smaller countries, small businesses, and the poor, cannot withstand the effects. Even instituting a pause causes uncertainty and puts pressures on small family-run businesses who rely on products and materials from places like China, and rely on that revenue to pay employees. We may be seeing the end of the small business. I can see no more small businesses surviving from the melee.

Any deal that Trump makes is one where you can't trust he will keep. Let's not forget that he made a trade deal with Canada and Mexico, back in 2018. It was made after he had placed a 25% tariff on Canada, and then Canada placed a reciprocal tariff. That deal was called USMCA. There is a clause in it where it is to be in place for 16 years. After 16 years, it can be reviewed for renewal. Withdrawing from that agreement would require proper notification and should be done 6 months before. Seems like Trump has withdrawn from his own trade agreement without following the proper procedures.

I agree. Japan already pays more than its share to America. If Trump demands more, will that money come from our taxes? I already pay enough in Japanese taxes, and don't want to see the money spent to go towards military defense that is unnecessary. That money would be better spent on improving infrastructure, education, and lowering the cost of living.

I can already picture these tech people and corporations coming in, not understanding one thing about the landscape, climate, and culture of Greenland, tearing up the place, doing untold damage to the land and environment. There will probably be clashes with the locals, crimes committed by these immigrants (legal or illegal). If that happens, I think Greenlanders should have the right to round them up and deport them.

The vision for Greenland, one of the people said, could include a hub for artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, space launches, micro nuclear reactors and high-speed rail.

Enough already. The people of Greenland should be left alone. It is their land. They have a right not to be taken advantage of by greedy corporations who will try to mask their true intentions by making it seem like they have the Greenlanders's best interests at heart.

So if these corporations and America's military go there, will they demand that Greenlanders' will have to foot the bill? Will Trump complain that America is being taken advantage of by Greenlanders not paying their fair share?

Maybe it is best that U.S. forces leave Japan entirely. This is 2025. Japan should be able to protect itself from any possible threats. It will save the money that the U.S. spends. Trump says that Japan is taking advantage of them by the U.S. spending too much money, but at the same time, the U.S. is taking advantage of Japan by having its forces placed in such a strategic position. By pulling out, it will be a win-win for both sides.

If I knew one of my kids teacher would do that, we would have words, Kids don't need to hear the personal feelings or opinions of any teacher; it is just wrong and irresponsible.

FYI, I teach university students, so they are adult enough (most of them are over 20 anyway) to make their own decisions. When they ask me for my honest opinions on things, I don't sugarcoat things. They know I say it like it is and thus trust me to be open with them. I honestly point out mistakes they make, and praise them when they deserve it. I think it's just wrong and irresponsible to baby students since they will learn nothing from it.

In any case, before this year, I often encouraged them to go the U.S., but encouraged them to not only be in the touristy areas. I gave them advice on other areas that they could explore and how they should interact, and deal with the tipping system. Now, my opinions are different. I care a lot about my students and it would be a disservice to them, if I didn't warn them of the sheer numbers of dangers now if they go there. As a parent, I would want my child to be warned of what dangers could be faced.

In fact, maybe it would be best that all foreigners not come to America at this point in time. For safety's sake, I would discourage them from going there (not that any of them would want to go there now). It's way to risky that they will be turned away and lose money they saved for that trip, or worse, held in a cell or holding area while their paperwork is processed. I've even heard of Canadians being turned away or held at the border. It's why several countries have already issued travel advisories. Seems like only American citizens going back home might be safe to go into America.

Well, I've already told all of my students not to go to America for their exchange programs. It's way too dangerous and unstable now. They will have their social media accounts and personal lives scrutinized and face the risk of possible deportation. That and the fact that ESTA is a ripoff and even if they did all their proper paperwork, there is not enough workers in the federal government now to do proper checks on them, so they may have to be held for a few days. Oh, and heaven forbid if they have any tattoos on them.

Trump's trade war is so stupid.

Yes, I can see if you want to have a trade war with a country that is of equal economic power as you, like China. That could be seen as unfair.

Trade deficits is not always a bad thing. Having a trade deficit could simply mean that you are doing much better economically than the country you have the deficit with. For instance, it would be common sense and natural that America imports much more diamonds from Lesotho, but the people of Lesotho can't afford American made products since their GDP is much smaller.

Trump wants to bring back manufacturing jobs, and as Trump's advisor Ludwick says "armies of people screwing in screws of iPhones" is the jobs that will be brought back to Americans. Really? Has it come to the point where Americans' would be jumping for joy if they could achieve success in working in factories screwing in screws all day long?

That’s your proof? Seriously? Dear lord…

No, the proof is that Peter Navarro himself conceded that he made the person Ron Vara up. He himself said that it was just in pure fun, even though he ended up using and abusing such a farce to "prove" his so-called "facts".

Never claimed this person existed or not, all I am just saying is, how can we verify these economists' claims? We have to take their word for it? Based on what? I get it, libs see in only one color spectrum, but there are more, believe me.

Uh, it's been proven. An Australian scholar called Harvard University and they said that a Ron Vara was never listed in their records. Then, when it was brought to Peter Navarro's attention, he admitted to it. He conceded that he lied and that it was used purely for "entertainment value".

https://www.thedailybeast.com/weird-reason-musk-called-trumps-trade-guru-peter-navarro-by-bizarre-nickname-ron-revealed/

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/how-an-australian-scholar-uncovered-a-mystifying-act-of-fiction-by-a-top-trump-aide/5e1z38et6

In Peter Navarro's books he repeatedly cites an "expert" named Ron Varra to support his points. There is no such person.

So sad. Make up a source to prove a point. The funny thing is, that it is so easy to spot that the name "Ron Vara" is an anagram for "Navarro". Peter Navarro claims in his book that Ron Vara is a Harvard-educated investor.

The point of this article is to point out that not all supporters of Trump will follow his every whim, no matter how nonsensical and irrational it may be. These three people are just a few examples of people who basically will put country before party. They will not try to resort to fabrications or lies, like the people on Faux News often like to do.

Calling these people Trump “supporters” is quite a stretch.

Typical necon spin. Once a conservative backer of Trump disagrees with him, or complains about his policies, they are labeled a "RINO" or an "activist". Why is it so hard to fathom the possibility that people may regret their vote. It happens on both sides. I'm sure there were several people who regretted voting for BIden in the last election. Yet, it can't be anywhere near the amount who regret voting for Trump now.