the_sicilian comments

Posted in: As diversity, equity and inclusion comes under legal attack, U.S. companies quietly alter their programs See in context

Desert TortoiseToday 07:03 am JST

For those sad souls who believe DEI is somehow racist

No sadness on my part. Any set aside based on anything other than pure qualifications is racism. When you extol "equity over equality" that is racism. When colleges and universities discriminate when you put "Asian" on a college application because you're "supposed to be smarter" and the school has a higher standard for SAT scores because of this that is racism.

When one group gets a set aside for whatever reason, that is racist. But it's OK in your view because you have some anecdotes about some horrible people and you paint a wide brush against a whole group. That, is racist.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Man arrested for groping teen on train claims he’s done similar acts at least 50 times See in context

As a gaijin, I would be scared to intervene only because I could be blamed for it. But, I could walk over and get right in the guy's face. Make him uncomfortable. That might help. Oh, and call the police.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Posted in: Landfill work resumes at new U.S. military site on Okinawa despite local opposition See in context

Bruce PennyworthToday 08:34 am JST

spineless government, not far off from becoming a us territory if this continues

The relocation was agreed to by the GOJ and the US. This was not exactly unilateral. If Japan wants to rearm their military and take on all adversaries on their own then so be it. Until then, they made an agreement and should stick to it. And the base is in a difficult spot where an accident would be devastating. At least with Kadena, the approach does not go over dense housing and urban sprawl.

Even Tamaki, and all governors before him, love to stand up and shout "Yankee go home", but they then turn around and tell Tokyo, "moto omiyori, kudasai"....

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Posted in: What does weight-inclusive health care mean? See in context

So from the above Form 990:

PROVIDES COMMUNITY WITH ACCESS TO HAES PROFESSIONALS AND ACTIVISTS

What does an "activist" have to do with respect to healthcare? This is more liberal nonsense. If someone is overweight, then a doctor or PA (or the equivalent should prescribe the recommended care that is medically necessary. That would be the proper approach, and telling the patient what they need to do.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Posted in: Escaped passengers recall tense moments in Japan Airlines jet blaze See in context

TamaramaToday 06:39 am JST

> As a non-Japanese, if I had to evacuate a burning plane, I'd much rather do it with a flight full of Japanese that with my fellow countrymen, that's for sure.

This is a great point. I fly a lot to/from Japan to the USA. And some of their airlines have zero criteria to be seated in an exit row. I see it all the time, old, frail, and people that would have a tough time reaching for their shoelace (or see their own shoe), let alone trying to help the crew.

I try to sit in the exit row whenever I can because I am physically fit and able to assist if the other two in the row can not.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Posted in: Japan's 18-year-olds at record-low 1.06 mil on falling births See in context

Of all developed nations, Japan has the lowest birth rate at 6.9 / 1000. The only countries with worse rates are micro states Andorra, Monaco, and Saint Pierre-Miquelon. From Japan, the next countries are South Korea, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, Greece, and lastly Puerto Rico.

I think there is some correlation to this and women wanting less children for various reasons.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: U.S. Marines sets up littoral unit in Okinawa for islands defense See in context

Ken HolcombToday 08:51 am JST

Oh look. The ever present US military bashing has been awakened yet again.

Fine. Send all the US troops back home and let's see how long it takes a Russo-China assault to begin. And then let's see how long it takes all the bathers here to start whining about being left to the wolves........

Exactly. Once the bullets and bombs start coming, they will be begging for help. What I think they are not seeing is China has already stated and shown "ancient maps" that depict the Nansei Shoto string as Chinese. So it may only be a matter of time.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Posted in: Letters from Japan: 'He’s taken' See in context

1glennSep. 4 06:43 pm JST

What is the story behind the Love Hotels? Are they primarily used by singles, cheating married people, or perhaps married people looking to change the scenery, but keeping faithful to each other?

Most Japanese live with their parents until they get married, so Love Hotels were a way to do the deed without the discomfort of bringing in your love interest.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: China maintains bans on food imports from Japan due to safety reasons See in context

kurisupisuJuly 8 06:58 am JST

China has the right to protect its borders the same way Japan has.

I receive scores of opened and resealed parcels from abroad but I accept that customs in Japan has a right to do so -same as China has.

You can't pay me enough to eat food from China. With low to no controls/oversight. No way. Japanese food products are superior.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Okinawa man hired to steal 1,500 Pokemon cards arrested in Tokyo See in context

sakurasukiToday 06:37 am JST

 He was then informed to pick up his payment at a separate rendezvous on a later date, but when Omori went there, no one else showed up.

He is being tricked, he should insist payment before he handover the card. Even to think that he isn't clever enough.

This is how drug mules get caught up, they do it for a promise. And because they are in such dire straits, they agree.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Japanese officials call for Mount Fuji crowd control See in context

I got to do it in 89'. Was great. Would never try to do it now, especially with the influx of Chinese and Korean tourists.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japanese knuckleball pitcher Eri Yoshida plays on her own 'Field of Dreams' See in context

Good for her. I hope she can make it to some level.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: Power supply forecast to remain tight for Tokyo this summer See in context

So if Japan goes down the same mad road the West is doing, trying to make people buy electric cars, will this not put a real pinch in electricity availability? If the actual high voltage "grid" is not improved, then in a few years blackouts will be common and the government will tell people to not charge cars at certain times of the day.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Trevor Bauer, shunned by MLB, introduced by BayStars See in context

YubaruToday 09:03 am JST

 He was cancelled by a woke mob in the US.

Hardly, if he was actually worth anything the powers that be would have overlooked it and signed him.

He is a PR nightmare that no one wants to deal with!

The problem is the issue was domestic violence, and the courts said he did not commit what he was accused of. MLB is similar to the NFL, in that even if the courts find you not guilty you must have done somethingso they take an action not favorable to the player so their "image" is not tarnished.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: When the new mask guidelines kick in, what should you expect? See in context

So reading from the Cochrane report, this was pretty telling:

Medical/Surgical mask vs. no mask

"We included 12 trials (10 cluster‐RCTs) comparing medical/surgical masks versus no masks to prevent the spread of viral respiratory illness (two trials with healthcare workers and 10 in the community). Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of influenza‐like illness (ILI)/COVID‐19 like illness compared to not wearing masks (risk ratio (RR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.09; 9 trials, 276,917 participants; moderate‐certainty evidence. Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of laboratory‐confirmed influenza/SARS‐CoV‐2 compared to not wearing masks (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.42; 6 trials, 13,919 participants; moderate‐certainty evidence). Harms were rarely measured and poorly reported (very low‐certainty evidence).

"Ten studies took place in the community, and two studies in healthcare workers. Compared with wearing no mask in the community studies only, wearing a mask may make little to no difference in how many people caught a flu‐like illness/COVID‐like illness (9 studies; 276,917 people); and probably makes little or no difference in how many people have flu/COVID confirmed by a laboratory test (6 studies; 13,919 people). Unwanted effects were rarely reported; discomfort was mentioned."

"There is uncertainty about the effects of face masks. The low to moderate certainty of evidence means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited, and that the true effect may be different from the observed estimate of the effect. The pooled results of RCTs did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks. There were no clear differences between the use of medical/surgical masks compared with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare workers when used in routine care to reduce respiratory viral infection."

Basically, the report can't tell if they work or not. The limited evidence points to being of little to no effect. But that's all. Very interesting.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Posted in: Man arrested for stealing underwear from laundromat See in context

It wouldn't be a news day without a panty thief of some sort. Remember the one guy that got caught and the police made a big deal of it, putting out a blue tarp and putting each piece of underwear out? It was on here. That was some serious crime busting.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: U.S. weighs deploying medium-range missiles to U.S. forces in Japan: report See in context

I see the pro Chinese are active today. But they floated this balloon, so they are at fault. I say bring in the missiles. Japan will need them.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

Posted in: Gov't considering mask-free school graduation ceremonies See in context

So for those that defend using masks, here's this: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub6/full

Basically, the only masks that might make a difference are well fitted N95 masks. All others were pretty much useless.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Posted in: What is the link between winter storms and global warming? See in context

I'd say this is a Greta dream, where the alarmists quote the "97%" number and fail to go into the context of that debunked story.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexepstein/2015/01/06/97-of-climate-scientists-agree-is-100-wrong/?sh=75bb598b3f9f

I think the proximity of the earth to the sun (sun/solar flares and actual radiation from the sun) are the main culprits for temperature change. Is man having an effect? I'm sure there is some degradation of the atmosphere by man, and we should do what we can to reduce it. But it is not the alarming thing that will lead to the demise of the world.

I grew up in Western NY (near Buffalo) and was in the storm of 78. It happens. Lake effect snow. Scientifically proven. Look at snow totals for these two locations in NY: Fredonia and Mexico, NY. Those numbers are scary. In Japan, Hokkaido gets hammered with snow. Why? Proximity to water and air temperature. This is not too hard to figure out.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: Japan to deploy missile defense unit on Yonaguni: report See in context

"First of all, the U.S. has no legitimate right to demand a replacement be built if we wanted"

Once I hit "we" this ended any argument you may have had. Your feelings are not the topic. And you do not speak for Okinawa. The US presence is the greatest deterrent to any actions China make take. Now, oppose this if you like, but there's no magical Ryukyu Kingdom coming back, where the US leaves and the Okinawan's are left to their own devices.

My Okinawan family disagrees with your opinion. And that's the ones living there

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Western New York death toll rises to 27 from cold, storm chaos See in context

Yeah, off a year. I didn't google it, just went from my memories of being a 9 or 10 year old at the time.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan to deploy missile defense unit on Yonaguni: report See in context

voiceofokinawaDec. 30 08:10 am JST

> The Henoko new base in Okinawa is a case in point. There is no other reason other than this why it must be built in Henoko, Okinawa. The explanation that the Henoko relocation is the only solution from a strategic point of view and to eliminate danger and noise pollution at Futenma’s current site is nothing but a farce and shenanigans.

Here we go again, the "new" base. For the last time, the base already exists. They are filling in a part of the bay to create the runway and air facilities for the 1st MAW (Marine Air Wing). You know this but you keep saying this senseless "new" word like it's the truth. Now the reality is the base relocation is needed. The expeditionary nature of the USMC requires their air support to be with the Marines. You can't have them 1500 miles away. This becomes a very large deterrent to China, along with more SAM capabilities.

Farce and shenanigans? I recall that the agreement was done between the US and Japan in 1996. But the stonewalling of every Okinawan governor (they get elected because of this) does some shenanigans to delay the construction. The Futenma Air base is in a horrible location and needs to be moved. But want to know the dirty secret that will blow your mind Voice? You think the JSDF is not going to want that base and use it, as the cleanup and destruction would take so long (Makiminato cleanup and rebuild was what, 15 years plus?).

Yubaru, I hear you.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan to deploy missile defense unit on Yonaguni: report See in context

YubaruDec. 28 03:38 pm JST

I'm talking about the overall U.S. military presence when I say JSDF is replacing USFJ. JSDF is virtually a part and parcel of the US Pacific Command headquartered in Honolulu, isn't it?’

No you are attempting to insert your own agenda here. It's off topic along with any commentary about Camp Schwab's landfill.

Your commentary about the JSDF being a part of USFJ is ludicrous.

Glad someone else sees this.

And in no way is this a provocation by Japan. They have the right to defend their sovereign territory. It just happens to be in close proximity to Taiwan. And ask Vietnam and the Philippines about some new "sovereign" territory being built from underwater coral and claimed as Chinese territory. Who's the provocateur?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Western New York death toll rises to 27 from cold, storm chaos See in context

I grew up in that area. They get storms that are no joke, 12-48 inches in one night. The blizzard of 77' was a pretty big storm. As a kid I made snow tunnels in my backyard.

But if anyone is resilient, it is the people of Western NY.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan's births set to hit new all-time low below 800,000 in 2022 See in context

Funny, in Okinawa there seems to be a lot of young people with babies/ small children.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Posted in: Return to maskless world still only in realm of fantasy in Japan See in context

People will tend to agree that Germany is probably a bit more scientific in their approach. They have it on mass transit, but that's it. The world has gotten over the virus and is learning to live with it. And continue to hamper children's development because of mask wearing.

I'm in Okinawa and the use is ridiculous. Outside, in a car alone. Just pointless. I wear it because I don' twant to be the "ugly gaijin". But it's a farce at best. Plus Japan does not release the numbers of those that died "with" COVID" vice those that died because if it.I'm willing to bet it's like the US, with inflated numbers of people who happen to have it when they passed, or was a minor contributing factor.

12 ( +23 / -11 )

Posted in: Japan eyes 56% increase in defense budget over five years See in context

YubaruToday 07:39 am JST

Got to love the picture! A Japanese Osprey....... and no "protests".

Don't think the Okinawa Times or Ryukyu Shimpo will run a story on those. Ha.

I do love the talk of it being a "bad" thing to have good arms and munitions. Take a look at Ukraine. Invaded by a superior force, but yet is actually winning. Why? Western armament. I think the US contribution is 5 times that of the EU (read on BBC). Some of that stuff must work. And all the we can all just get a long if we don't have an military is BS. You will get run over by China, or Russia (maybe by a Lada now). You prepare for peace by being able to wage war if attacked.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Posted in: Chinese ship with largest-ever cannon enters Japan's waters near Senkakus See in context

China won't do anything to Japan as long as the US is still there.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Posted in: U.S. uses farmers markets to foster ties at bases in Japan See in context

BertieWoosterToday 09:21 am JST

Produce on base is very expensive and low quality, It's shipped halfway round the world and it's shipped frozen. Produce in Farmer's markets is fresh, much better quality and cheap.

Almost correct. They do buy a little in Asia, but not frozen produce. Yes, it is expensive compared to San-A or Kanehide. And agree the Okinawa fruits and veggies are far better and cost less.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan reports 231,499 coronavirus cases; 29,416 in Tokyo See in context

I find it funny that the rest of the world has moved on, but Japan is still struggling with COVID. I think this might have to do with not having real outpatient doctors, and every sniffle a Baabaa or Gigii gets turns into a hospital stay. This is where social medicine gets it wrong. Not everyone that has this needs to go to a hospital.

In a city of 14 Million, the stats in the story say 35 are hospitalized with severe symptoms. 35. So those are the ones that need the most care. and the death numbers. As proven in the rest of the world, if you dies of cancer but had a positive COVID test, it was a COVID related death. How about a reality check and have the miistry of health actually state who really passed BECAUSE of COVID, not died with it?

1 ( +9 / -8 )

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