solohoh@yahoo.com comments

I am thinking about the recent autopsy reports that indicate some of the children had died just before they were taken out of the ferry. If some of these children were alive all this time (the thought is unbearable) it means that South Korean officials refused proximate help that would have made a difference from the worlds's second largest navy.

Japan needs to show good faith here because respect for international law is essential with China and Russia throwing their weight around. North Korea is a creation of China and a preview of the future if there is no rule of law.

So far it looks like the skipper left the scene and didn't get back to the same spot in time. Running out of gas is much worse than bad planning -- it's unforgivable. None of the divers who were underwater during the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake/tsunami died. I've had a few scares being too far from the boat when resurfacing.

Some basic training in rock climbing and a few simple, inexpensive pieces of equipment would save a lot of pain and problems.

Germany is 4500 miles from China, that's a safe distance from which to give advice.

This pattern of behavior can be traced since the 1940s. China invaded Tibet, Korea, Russia, India, Vietnam and now Japan when the USA was weak, distracted or just plain stupid and immoral. Now again China is seizing the moment to expand her borders. Napoleon warned us over 200 years ago: "China is a sleeping giant, don't wake her up or she will rule the world." There is nothing unusual about this, every country is eager to create or explore a vacuum to expand its boundaries in proportion to its population growth. The difference now is that China has the power and the wealth and the USA has lost its virtue and is bankrupt (see "The March of Folly" p. 374). Hillary Clinton recently said "how can you argue with your banker?" This is a life or death struggle for water, oil and other limited resources that is evolving and China is positioning herself in a superior position to take what it needs.

Too heavy handed and harsh if the evidence shows they are not causing more accidents. They would be causing more accidents and traffic jams if they used their cars instead. This is another example of unfairness to a harmless, innocent minority. Try riding a bike for a while and you will lose your prejudices.

I side with and speak for the bear, this guy was trespassing on his territory and was a menace. If that guy comes around my home with a gun I will bite him too.

Patience, patience. China is a historically violent country with unstable ethnic groups, ignore her and let history repeat itself.

Stop the ancient rivalries! The past is past. Saving face is for immature children and bullies. Move this confrontation to the International World Court.