shawnth comments

Posted in: Retired cop kills moviegoer for texting in Florida theater See in context

I think this is a clear argument for gun control. I don't buy the argument that its the person's fault not the weapon's so leave the gun control debate aside. No matter what country you are in or what nationality you are, there are going to be people who have anger management issues. Nobody aside from a few edge cases has any business carrying around a concealed weapon would it be a gun, knife or home made device made to explode. Okay there is likely no excuse for carrying the last one in that list.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan's defeat in WWII not only due to atomic bombs, says China See in context

Japan surrendered because Russia invaded. Had nothing to do with the bombs being dropped or the so called peace loving people of the world. And definitely had nothing to do with China.

-14 ( +17 / -31 )

Posted in: A Japanese perspective on traveling in the U.S. See in context

Bland american food. And the fact that even the common foods.. steak, cheese burgers and pizza you'll be hard pressed to find done decently in the US.

-13 ( +13 / -26 )

Posted in: In Japan, women, not men, throng stores to buy Valentine's chocolates See in context

Right because Valentine's and Christmas hasn't been completely commercialized everywhere else in the world (rolls eyes). I think you guys are being a bit closed minded thinking just because things are done in this country differently from back home that its wrong or against the true spirit of the holiday. I for one when I moved to this country have worked out with my wife to celebrate it both ways (she makes me chocolate / I take her out to dinner). Either way I look at it, its still a day to enjoy w/ your spouse (or significant other) and not to be taken too seriously. Presuming the haters on this board are simply bitter single folks (yeah you can reply back and say you aren't but deep inside we both know its easy to lie on these boards).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: In Japan, would-be sushi chefs suffer for their art See in context

I think its a combination of several things. No denying that no matter how talented you are, if you have low quality fish you can't hope to serve good sushi. But to say majority of what makes good sushi is the freshness and quality of the fish just speaks to your ignorance. From my experience eating out and cutting fish at home.

Cutting raw fish is extremely difficult to get right, you'll be amazed how difficult it is even with expensive specialized knives sold for this purpose in Tsukiji. I can definitely tell the difference when eating at a restaurant between people who cut fish well and people who shouldn't be cutting it to begin with. Making the rice ball isn't as easy as you think. There are machines specialized for this that are used in the sushi bento sold at markets.. but anybody beyond a 2 year sushi trainee can do better. One important aspect I think not mentioned in this article is its almost as crucial for the sushi chef (or buyer if its a large restaurant) to have a good eye for picking fish to buy. Again you can't hope to serve good sushi w/o good ingredients.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Squeezing into a capsule hotel room in Japan See in context

"At 5 foot 10 and 175 pounds (about 1.8 meters tall and 70 kilograms), I am almost exactly average size for an American. But in Japan, I felt oafishly big"

I think the author thinks a little bit too good about himself. I'm 5 foot 10 and only feel average size here in terms of height.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Posted in: It’s time for some real British food and drink in Tokyo See in context

The only way British food will work is if they open up a flashy restaurant in Omotesando, buy out lots of TV time on shows like Oosama Brunch. And finally cook up French food and just call it British food and hope people can't tell. It should work because the people that can spot the difference know how horrible real British food is and wouldn't go no matter how hyped up a place is.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Posted in: China loses by not attending IMF, World Bank meetings: Lagarde See in context

Hopefully China by not attending the IMF meetings are at least focusing on their people. They may have the 2nd largest economy in the world but in terms of standard of living of the average joe they are way way way behind. I agree they should cease export, close up all the sweat shops and start focusing on human rights of all the under paid Chinese. Oh right no they won't its a friggen 3rd world country. You can't reason with them.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Posted in: WikiLeaks says British threat to raid Ecuador embassy 'hostile, extreme' See in context

UK should let the guy rot in the embassy... with his mobility capped he's essentially in a prison anyways. His judgement day well come eventually when he tries to make a run for it.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Posted in: Japan to deport 14 detained Chinese activists See in context

Unfortunately these guys will probably only be deported. The appropriate action would be:

Fine these guys as anybody else who breaks the law and is jailed is. Confiscate their boat (if not already), this shouldn't get returned. Deport

This from JP perspective sends the right message to China that this our territory, don't F around. That is what other countries do, but I have a feeling Japan will lack the backbone to come through with this.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Posted in: Ideals, reality clash at Olympic badminton See in context

So to summarise a needlessly long article.

The folks who were disqualified had it coming to them. Good riddance. Olympics is not all about the athletes, its is for the enjoyment of the rest of the world who are enjoying viewing the competitions. Part of the blame falls on the new rules, should hopefully get amended next time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Japanese appeal bantamweight defeat See in context

I wouldn't call it whining. It's only logical to appeal decisions which look wrong, and I'm glad Japan has the backbone to raise these when they feel decisions were unjust. They are simply looking out for their athletes who have trained all their life for this event. I would expect other countries are doing the same.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Great white shark 'protected' status questioned after fatal attack off Australia See in context

Let the shark finning begin woohoo. I'm dieing for some soup!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Posted in: EU votes down Greenland whaling See in context

Samsing even insisted that Greenland had the right—theoretically—to kill whales with baseball bats if it so decided.

Completely agree, given the inhumane conditions at slaughter houses in the US don't see how members of IWC opposing whaling have any case.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: New tensions as Japan pushes whaling See in context

Minke whales aren't endangered, it makes no sense to restrict hunting as long as catches are sensibly monitored. This frankly is the west trying to instill their local ideals.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Posted in: Stabbing suspect should have killed himself, Osaka governor says See in context

There is something seriously wrong with the politicians in Osaka. First Hashimoto w/ his dumb tattoo thing and now this guy. Although the offender in question here deserves whatever he has coming to him I would never have come up with the sick thought that he should've just committed suicide. Also given Japan has a high suicide rate, makes comments like this from government officials completely inappropriate. It sends the wrong message.. no this guy shouldn't have committed suicide instead of killing random people. He should've seeked professional help instead.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Ritz-Carlton opens Okinawa resort See in context

Okinawa vs other Asia beaches to me at least is time vs money. If I have a week I'll definitely go to a beach resort in Malaysia or Thai... if I had only 3 - 4 days though Okinawa is so much more accessible. Taking a look at the rates its at least within the same price range of some of the other nicer hotels in Naha.. although lack of pictures on their website makes it hard to see what you are getting yourself into

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: 4 workers confirmed dead in Niigata tunnel explosion See in context

smithinjapan, you sure like to guess a lot.

RIP to the poor souls, however I expect like any other project whether it goes on or not will be balanced against the original need. Doesn't make too much sense to attack the project, the managers etc w/o knowing more details which in this case clearly you don't know (since you are just guessing).

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: bills 'best breakfast in the world' restaurant opens in Omotesando/Harajuku See in context

Having ate at Bills at the odaiba store last year I just don't understand its popularity. Its not good food people....

For weekends I feel too lazy to cook and willing to overpay for my breakfast I rather make reservations at either Beacon or Lauderdale. The former is probably more expensive than Bills however but worth it.

Ted: Eggs N Things is pretty good value (at least by TKO standards). Portions are big and prices reasonable.. love the macademia nut pancakes. I luckily went once when the lineup was only 30 mins.. haven't been back ever since given the lineup usually wraps around the corner on the weekends.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Ford asks steep price for Japan to join TPP talks See in context

I have no idea how good American cars are these days but like others on this forum I have bad memories growing up where my parent's car constantly broke down. Its therefore not too surprising that people in their 20s - 40s who had similar experiences growing up would shy away from US cars (first impressions are important). Secondly.. take a look at ford's Japan web site to see what sort of selection of cars they offer in Japan. They only offer 4 models and 2 are SUVs. Which is consistent w/ their US strategy of many years back which went south when gas prices sky rocketed and people decided they can't afford big cars.

Ford should really focus on more compact cars and possibly even those qualifying as 軽車 which make up a significant percentage of car sales here.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Noda defends use of death penalty See in context

I'm not sure what is so controversial here. Assuming these folks on death row are beyond reforming to be put back into the society they betrayed. Why keep them around endlessly taking up tax payer's money when there is no future for them anyways. I say the real atrocity here is we don't purge the death row queue at a faster rate.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: What do you think are the good and bad points about the subway systems in Japan's cities? See in context

1) More escalators. 2) More garbage cans.

4 ( +5 / -2 )

Posted in: Airlines face EU pollution bill from New Year See in context

I wonder if the effects are so easy to determine. One can hope this will also give incentive for carriers to purchase planes that pollute less and therefore force companies like Airbus and Boeing to spend more time and effort to product fuel efficient planes. I think EU is doing what they can, try to influence such a direction in the private sector through policy. The US and China being one of the worst polluters of the world really should be supporting this or at least be making suggestions on a more effective policy if they see issues with it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Police to get tough on sidewalk cyclists See in context

I think these rules are quite reasonable actually. As a person who drives however I can say though the biggest problem is a lot of people who ride bikes on the street don't follow the rules of the road. Too often do I see people riding their bike against traffic (frightful when streets are so narrow here) and people who weave in and out of lanes and sidewalks disregarding traffic lights and stop signs.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan beats France on three-star restaurants, Michelin says See in context

Some things having ate at several of these places in TKO and Paris. 1) You'll observe equally high cost in the Paris 3 stars if not more. Hoping people aren't assuming its only TKO. 2) The rating takes into account quality of food, service and atmosphere (duh). These places do tend to have different atmosphere from those nice cozy local places.. I enjoy both, I can appreciate others may not. 3) Not all the 3 stars in Tokyo are Japanese (if people bothered to take a look at the list). Actually this is where Tokyo stands out, I think people here definitely appreciate the food of other cultures and its evident by the fact that so many of the chefs here go abroad to study their craft. I'm not talking about pizza hut's ebi mayo pizza here.... 4) Price performance is not always there (personal opinion) but for people looking for a place to eat to celebrate some occasion these places are a safe bet. Don't knock people who can afford it.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Ozawa, Hatoyama meet to discuss who to back for PM See in context

What right does a has been (Hatoyama) or politician who is suspected of corruption (Ozawa) have any right to discuss who should become the next prime minister. These are the same idiots who tried to destabilize leadership in Japan right after the earth quake when nobody in this country wanted it. These guys and the peons who follow them is what holds this great country back.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Taxi of tomorrow See in context

Nice.. now it'll be great if the taxi's in Tokyo also got an uplift. Why is it that other than the odd ball Prius taxi that most taxi's in Tokyo seem outdated by like 10 - 20 years.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: BIN LADEN BURIED AT SEA AFTER BEING KILLED IN FIREFIGHT WITH U.S. FORCES See in context

This is great news. Well it stop all terrorist attacks, of course not and nobody is making any such claims. It's worthwhile for the US to take a moment to breath a sigh of relief, pat themselves on the back and then move on. If it were up to me I would've left the corpse on the side of the road for the vultures... but kudos to the US to respect rules of the Islamic culture.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Ice rivals See in context

Mmm why does crying make somebody a sore loser ? We see it all the time right in athletes performing at this high level. Take a look at the Japanese High School Championships (Koushien).. both losing / winning teams cry all the time. And those are guys. I think these athletes just have so much at stake that when they see their efforts come to fruit (or in this case fall apart) mentally its hard to control.

btw don't get me wrong, I'm actually glad Kim Yuna got a kick in the butt. And agree good to see its not Mao Asada.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Hypersonic missiles could challenge U.S. naval supremacy See in context

You don't understand, we need these for when the aliens attack the planet! No point talking to each other since no Earthling can speak Martian.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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