SenseNotSoCommon comments

N Korea may be capable of sarin-loaded missile attack: Abe

Trigger the collective amygdala, why don't you.

On a business trip to Europe last year, my flight back to the airline's hub was cancelled for technical reasons. They immediately got everyone onto a third-party flight to another major hub airport, and promptly onward to my original destination for a (now much curtailed) mini city break.

The next afternoon, en route to Narita, I mentioned my plight to the veteran purser, who locked eyes with me over the rim of her reading glasses.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked. Knowing I was chancing my arm, I paused before replying "What are the options?" She gave me her iPad to input my details, saying that she couldn't guarantee anything, but that my case was in the system.

The upshot: 250 Euros credited to my bank account, validating the old adage "Ask and you shall receive."

My meal fix: preorder Asian Vegetarian. Invariably a very healthy, mild curry, perfect for long haul.

A stewardess once frowned, "You're not Asian." I could only reply, "I'm not vegetarian either."

The cops needed a sharp reminder to follow legal procedure,

A custodial penalty would be great. Barring that, fire them.

but that's no reason to let this scum slide off the shovel

Guilty until proven innocent?

Those prosecutors again:

prosecutors claimed that their illegality was “not significant”

It was illegality nonetheless. Who polices the police?

as the GPS use was essential in the investigation and

What other illegality will be deemed essential?

it did not greatly interfere with the defendant’s privacy

It did interfere with his privacy. Illegally.

Throw the case out

It's not rewarding criminality to throw this case out.

We're setting a dangerous precedent otherwise.

Meanwhile White House Press Secretary Sean Sphincter (spelling?) claims that not even Hitler used chemical weapons.

One day in the future, all this poison will be illegal.

Thanks, Big Food! But hey, Big Bucks for Big Pharma.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly beating his one-year-old son about the head, which left the child unconscious and in critical condition, police said.

Isn't that attempted murder?

Oh no! Lois Griffin will be devastated.

The Showa paradigm is dead, and Toshiba must follow.

Sitting on the tarmac for hours at JFK with zero information, and no access to the toilets. Being told an hour out from Europe that the US-bound plane had run out of alcohol. Being scolded in a loud voice like a naughty child "What, you want another beer?" (only my second) on a domestic US flight.

Pipo-kun has the features of a variety of different animals, with a large pair of eyes to see into every nook and corner of society, oversized ears to hear the voices of Tokyo residents, and an antenna to quickly pick up on changes in the public.

transforming from a cute and friendly young boy into a stern-looking, muscly chest-baring man

Orwellian mascot goes to ni-chome? Another inspector?

A potato famine strikes dread into my Irish heart.

I can't believe what I've read. The poor man, poor fellow passengers, and poor employees and police who have been radicalized by a brutal system.

What's next: tasered if you complain?

The absolute worst customer service experiences I've ever had were on US carriers or in the US itself, and this is not in character with the vast bulk of Americans I encounter on this planet.

Now, with visitors now having to endure all sorts of harrowingly invasive practices like interrogation, revealing social media passwords and smartphone PINs, there's no way I would abuse my family by vacationing in the US.

Sorry, America. It's not you. It's the regime.

Thanks, Zichi

So 56% of American households don't have guns, suggesting most are not in favor of them. There's no Electoral College to dismiss this majority.

Of those who do have firearms, how many do so only because there are so many guns in society?

Perhaps @NoLiving (I see the Google Alert is still working a treat) could enlighten us?

My heart goes out to the families and deepest sympathies to them.

We believe you, Donald

Thanks, NRA

While not appetizing, I'll bet they keep you regular.

Isn't fretting over how your chemical-laden, factory-farmed, processed meat is dispatched a bit rich?

Gov't asking Japanese firms to invest in Toshiba's chip unit

Next we'll be reading how big Renesas has suddenly become.

Ruby Off the Rails?

Tessa reminds me of taxi experiences with introverted Swedes: teasing words from my Volvo (driver).

As a father I'm speechless reading this.

Let's persuade humans to be less human.

Good boy!

Saudis elated.

Abe brushes off fears of threats to civil rights by conspiracy bill

“Orthodoxy means not thinking–not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.”

George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four.

another bluff could leave him looking the way he hates most: Weak.

Must be full of self-loathing, then.

Business-as-usual, then.

Ginza tonight?