Shiningfinger comments

no one seems to get it...the DPRK is a proxy for China. The North koreans will one day fight the south in the attempt to unify the peninsulla. But no one knows when the time will come. They tried 60yrs ago and failed because of the U.S. and Nato. So today, the rhetoric has been fire hot to bait the U.S. into showing their cards if there were to be a real conflict. And sadly the US is showing North Korea and China exactly what to expect and prepare for when the real dance starts.

The North Koreans can't really gather the kind of intel they would need in preparation for an actually conflict so they basically create this situation to get the US to show its hand.i.e. B2 bombers, Cruisers, Radar Equip. Missle defense, THAD,etc. This also shows China what to expect from the US in the region when things get hot. But things won't be really HOT until a few years when the DPRK can actually match all the talk and rhetoric with real proven advancements in missle tech, and nuclear tech.

The true architects of Asia will be Asian nations who hold greater military power in the future. The Taiwan Issue, The North/South Korean Issue, the various Island Issues will not be solved by diplomacy. Although I wish this was not the case. The reality of all this is that nations like China, North Korea etc are preparing for eventual confrontation.

The north koreans have been preparing for the past 50yrs for "unification" of the korean peninsula. Will they attack the US to achieve this goal. Not likely. They don't want to involve unneccessary parties but the U.S. wants to be involved. So they are showing the U.S. what involvement means in a War in Asia. How long can the US police east asia and expect that they won't get rocks thrown at them as they drive by. Real diplomacy has to be started

War in Asia is coming. Within the next 10yrs would be my guess. China economically will be declining from all the rapid growth of previous decades. Demographics will paint a picture of large groups of unemployed young men. And an aging unsustainable aging population that will dependant more on social walfare.

The U.S. economically and militarily will not be in the driver's seat anymore. Sea/land Border disputes, and one-nation policies will be more attractive to govts like china, north korea, and russia.

I think the DPRK is testing the waters early, but this is EXACTLY what they will be doing in the future but with the hopes that the US will take a seat and don't participate in whats to come

Kim Jung-Un is laying the ground work for his undeniable absolute rule of the DPRK. He is now seen inside North Korea as being re-encarnate of his Grandfather Kim il Sung who was widely admired by the north korean people.

Not only does he have a striking resemblance to Kim il sung who also had a chubby apperance. Kim Jung-Un he is also following the same play book used by his father and grandfather. His grandfather also came to power in his 30's and the first thing he did was start a war with South korea. Lets see if history repeats itself. With 30yr old Kim Jung-Un

To simplify this even more so people can understand. Look at prostitution for example. There are some euroopean countries where it has been legalized and their are some countries that it hasn't been made legal. But prostitution in and of itself has been apart of every european culture whether its socially acceptable or not.

But on the other hand, Gay Marriage has not. And i'm not talking about the act of homosexuality i'm talking about the legalized marriage aspect.

@It's Me

Again my question was simple. What culture?

Maybe there are several european countries that have created laws that allow for same sex marriage, but a politically correct law created less than 30yrs ago isn't something that represents their culture.

Marriage exists in all cultures in the world, and has existed throughout human history be it nomads, pagans, ancient hellenes, etc.

Great point! Now can somebody tell me what culture in the world today has established and recognized Gay Marriage with the same rights benifits as a traditional marriage?

Maybe this is "uncharted waters" for the supremem court because this is actually being thought about for the first time in any society in the world today. I think Some people want to redifine something that was never created for them.

Yes, but the Koreans are hardly the same culture and society of Tibet. China really wouldn't want that kind of grudge against them from the Koreans.

I really don't think that if the Chinese cared about grudges they would be doing what they are doing today in regards to land grabs and proclaiming the right to larger borders in Asia based on their view of history. And these type of "grudges" are not new for koreans. Last time I checked they already had a grudge against chinese. also japanese. So in the bigger picture differences in cultures between Tibet and Korea is not that relevant.

If China seriously tries to do that SK is going to be extremely PO'ed and China will be internationally condemned.

But would this be the first time? Aren't people still saying "Free Tibet"??

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/22/china-block-korean-unification-us

China may block Korean unification, says US report

Beijing could assert ancient territorial claims over North Korea if Kim family falls from power, report suggests

A recent report by US Senate Republican staff members warns that China, because of its deepening economic ties with North Korea as well as its ancient claims on Korean land, could attempt to "manage, and conceivably block" an eventual unification between the two Koreas, if ever the Kim family falls from power in Pyongyang.

First off China IS NOT getting tired of NK. The Chinese and the Russians are the biggest backers of the DPRK. Don't be so easily fooled by the smoke and mirrors of north korea playing the rouge regime that has gone wild with nuclear weapons. Last time I checked Chinese companies were manufacturing the trucks for the icbm mobile launch pads and sending them to NK. AP had pics in the last parade they had last year. The chinese and russians need the DPRK wild card. Nations are folding every other month and sovereignty isn't what it use to be with the new educated masses wanting "freedom" and greater economic prosperity. And the US and Europe giving a helping hand.

As for the US going to war with NK. That is looking unlikely. Last time the DPRK attacked the South killing marines, sailors, and civilians the US said although the situation was bad. They are not prepared to fully engage the DPRK and technically it would take about 3months to get the neccessary forces to the peninsula.

Capital punishment, which is irreversible

@Nessie "So is imprisonment, unless you have a time machine."

LOL! hahaha

Good for Japan!! Last time I checked the japanese society had the right to create and adhere to laws created by their society for their society. As do all FREE societies. No other group of people have the right to judge another group because they have a different set of social norms. THis shows the death penalty is socially acceptable in japan. DON"T CRY AbouT IT

this is terrible. animal abuse laws are really needed in japan if they allow cats to be drugged and placed on signs for advertising.

This is apart of why they have PTSD. they develop mental illnesses from being "HEROS"

The majority of all people in the U.S. armed forces believe what they are doing is morally just. Even when the wars are not justified. U.S. soldiers are brainwashed heavily during ROTC enrollment as early as highschool.

If they cared about taking the life of another they would not go on to join the military in a position where they would be taking lives.

Men the U.S. military are pretty much brainwashed during training. They must believe what they are doing is honorable and morally just. Because most can't come to terms with the reality of exactly what they are doing when they kill people because they are following an order. This guy was not an Hero. He indeed lived and died by what he seemed to love. I'm glad most people here understand the difference between an hero and a trained govt. sanctioned murderer. A fire fighter is a hero. A doctor can be a hero. A soldier fighting for another country's resources is NOT a hero. (Oil)"

Yea Probie is brainwashed like all the U.S. military. They must believe what they are doing is honorable and morally just. Because most can't come to terms with the reality of exactly what they are doing when they kill people because they are following an order.

This guy was not an Hero. He indeed lived and died by what he seemed to love.

I'm glad most people here understand the difference between an hero and a trained govt. sanctioned murderer. A fire fighter is a hero. A doctor can be a hero. A soldier fighting for another country's resources is NOT a hero. (Oil)

2.4million dollar worth of drugs...yea granny is gonna hang.

@SamuraiBlue

You're dead right. I think Japan is doing the right thing here by standing firm on this issue. You can't show any weakness at this point. The PRC will be looking for any opening to exploit on any issue now and in the future. No one wants to be seen in the international community as the aggressor or the protagonist in any conflict so land/island disputes can be a good way to generate public support at home and an excuse to others abroad. Even if u are really just looking to grab resource rich areas for economic gain... thats all the chinese are looking to do here and eventually in other areas across asia.

Japan must start preparing for the reality of a armed confrontation either now or later. warning shots today, but tomorrow those shots might be ignored.

GO RAVENS! win it all

SORRY to some Japanese men...You ARE NOT always the Father! anyone who thinks 100% of all children in japanese families belong to the male in the household should now think AGAIN.

EVERYBODY IS MISSING THE BIGGER PICTURE HERE! I read this article and followed many of the posts. 1st I agree the numbers may not be accurate and the percentage of married women who cheat could possible be 2x to 3x times higher than 14.8% But lets for the sake of arguement say its about 20%. thats 1 out of ever 5 housewives that sleep outside of a marriage.

*** NOW of that percentage how many have secretly given birth to a child without 100% certainty of who fathered the child??? Even if it is say 5% of these women. thats 5% of the entire population of married couples and a large number of men who are raising kids that are not their own. That number is possibley thousands in japan. THis is not a new phenom in western countries, with the countless DNA testing centers, talk shows, and divorce courts. But in Eastern countries like Japan, South korea, etc These men are in dark. about something that DOES Happen.

meaning...the clerk said there is no money. and she walks out and he doesnt bother to call anybody. Obviously she wants help

They should charge her with a lesser crime something along the lines of "creating a public disturbance" or "brandishing a weapon in public" I wouldn't charge her with attempted arm robbery for the simple fact that clerk didn't feel threaten at all by her and would most likely testify that he never felt she would do any harm to him. Any decent lawyer would get her charge thrown out. She more than likely has no prior arrest record of any kind. It would be a waste of time to charge someone who without her request wouldn't have been arrested in the first place.

This is a SAD day for the republic of South Korea. Most Koreans are in a state of dispair/shock. half the nation voted for the human rights/lawyer who was serious about social welfare and cleaning up big corporations.

Fact: the majority of people in their 20's 30's 40's educated voters all voted for Moon. The elderly crowd backed this woman. who is simply Unqualified to lead. On National Security, Unqualified Economic issues Unqualified, social/family issues Unqualified. She only started to discuss women's issues 6months ago. She has stated her first mandate is to remove the Independant Prosecutor's Investigative Office. So govt. corruption can have free reign. She isn't a reformer. And Korea needs political reform urgently.

I love my 07 skyline coupe Nissan is simply a work of art. And the VQ35de engine is flawless =)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States

You can count the terms cycles 2 Obama, 2 Bush, 2 Clinton, 1Bush Sr.,.etc since 1940 during FDR. FDR was voted for by the people but was bad for BusinessElites/Congress/Corporations etc.

U.S. elections are NOT REAL 'elections" U.S. democracy is merely the illusion of a choice. But Obama was already choosen to carry out two terms as the "democratic party" president. The 2 parties in America share power. No matter how well they act on camera. It is just an act. Its all a show. The two parties represent two opposing ideologies but in reality they are 1 party and 1 goverment. In the past they actually reversed their ideals.

To sum this up. 8yrs democrat 8yrs Republican is the cycle. its been that way for about 30yrs. But they decided to share power after FDR was elected to 4 terms as president. Hence the 22nd Amendment. which limits Presidential terms but not Congressional terms. Since 1940, there has been exactly 10 Democrat and 10 Republican term cycles since their agreement.

This news story should read 13yr old hero stands up to U.S. Servicemen after a break-in and potential RAPE of any female occupiant. They can't even enforce a curfew! 2 reported incidents of Violations in less than 3weeks.

I said this before, "The Fact of the matter is that no matter how much talk and lip-service they give about how outstanding the servicemen are EVERY YEAR soldiers are arrested for rape,robbery,etc They can't control them outside of base. They can't always control them on Base for that matter."