toolongheremaybe comments

Can't really blame Palin for mocking Obama. She was probably influenced by Hillary who did a lot of that. A lot of Democrats no doubt will conveniently forget those comments though.

Nessie, I don't see that as McCain blowing his own trumpet. Some people would refer to their five years living in Japan in response to questions. Five years imprisoned in Vietnam has shaped his life. If you can't understand that, I think you don't have a very good imagination.

Is this really a true story?

Wouldn't it be great if we lived in a world where females tried these tricks on males....

Anyway, the irony is that a med-student in Japan shouldn't normally have to resort to such outlandish tactics to touch someone's breast. Usually he'd just have to say "I'm studying to be a doctor or dentist. Would you like coffee?"

I'd rather they give more specifics about what they are going to change than just talking about change, change change. Sounds nice, as does " taking on Washington". Makes everyone go "yeah, go get em!!" But, what does it mean?

Both sides badmouth the other side. And both claim foul play. I seem to remember someone talking about a "right wing conspiracy". Elections are like a game. Unfortunately, its a bit like soccer where people fall down and cry foul too often.

zurc. Even some Democrats agree with Charlton Heston. You don't know anything about her mental state. Many Americans are open to the idea of drilling for oil in Alaska. Have you ever been there? Do you know what the VP does? Do you know when people tell a joke?

The fact that Palin is getting attacked so much, shows that a lot of people here are scared.

Happy to say I made a terribly wrong assumption. I thought the days of English sporting glory was over, but the medal count shows the Brits have made a come back. What's happening over there??

Flammenwerfer, you last two posts were excellent. Spot on.

And Phelps, go ahead and yell. You did what everyone thought was impossible. Thanks for the inspiration!

At first glance the whole question seems strange, and it seems strange that so many people are commenting on it. But if you look at all the posts you can see that it's a brilliant question and the responses show a lot about what people think about sportsman, sportsmanship and dare I say it, Americans.

I still think that the detractors are probably mostly people who have not excelled, or won much in sports. And definitely not at such a high level. As someone said too, swimmers are strange. It takes a certain kind of person to swim up and down a pool for hours each day throughout your childhood, everyday dreaming and visualizing the Olympics. It's a dream. So when they win or lose finally at the events that they've been dreaming of, its often 4, 8 sometimes the culmination of more than 20 years of dreaming and hard work on a level we can't understand. So they jump up and down, cry, you name it. Also, a lot of the commenters here don't understand the history of these events. If there was over celebration, its because its a team event. The Aussie girls went crazy - together! Four people winning like that - and in world record time is what does it. And Phelps and the Aussie girls are also extra exuberant because of the rivalry between the teams. Phelps was extra happy to beat the French and the Australians, and the Aussie girls in the 4 by 200 not only won, but they beat the Americans.

Okay now, I will make enemies. I suspect Phelp's detractors are mainly from countries which don't have much sporting excellence. I could name them, but you know who you are. Especially one country I can think of DID used to get a lot of golds, but that was back in the days when the olympics was fun for rich white guys - jolly old chaps who were no doubt great losers and humble winners. But now, you just don't understand winning and winners! Ponder on that and have a nice day!

That relay had one of the best finishes in sporting history. The only people who think Phelps appeared arrogant are probably a few nasty people who read japantoday.

Okay, here is a comment from an Aussie who would have loved to have seen the Australian team win.

Do you people realize how good, no how great this guy is? You are witnessing the greatest swimmer in history? Do you also know how hard someone like that trains? Let the man shout!

Also, it was a relay event. He wasn't just being arrogant, he was celebrating his country, his team winning. He was no doubt thrilled, amazed, pumped -whatever you want to say about the last guy who swam and came from behind and swam the fastest 100 meters in relay history (correct me if I am wrong), and saw his team win against old rivals and in record time.

So my answer, his yelling is probably only annoying to people who wanted their country to win. I'm not American, but truly think this guy is amazing. Congratulations to the yanks! I hope he gets his eight, and will be happy to see it live. Something tells me I will be here to see him win more in four years time.

P.S Ai Chan's yelling everytime she wins a point in ping pong is annoying. Phelp's yell I can understand.

GW. I agree totally with you. Absolutely. And as I tell my wife, if Japanese did learn about, remember and reflect upon the millions who died from so many countries, people would have more sympathy for them and I don't think Yasukuni would be the issue that it is today.

The strangest thing is when he says that Japanese have been too quiet. I haven't been in downtown Tokyo for a while, but those trucks are deafening!

As for Yasukuni, it should be remembered that there are still many "normal" Japanese who aren't Uyoku who go there to pay their respects to friends and family members.

I put it down to two reasons and I do so with no statistics or research to back me up. Just based on observation.

Japanese parents need to use much more common sense and intelligence, and think more about the potential for accidents. Many people just aren't careful enough.

Once something terrible does happen, people aren't good in emergencies in this country.

Slow ambulances. I am still yet to see a speeding ambulance - and yes, I am including big wide roads!

SmithinJapan, well said.

I will refrain from joining the argument about whether the bombings were justified or not, because most of the people I know who attack the US every year know very little about what went on prior to the bombings, and have given little thought to what would have happened without them. It's just the same old US bashing. So here are three questions for the Mayor of Hiroshima and the other nuclear disarmament people.

Let's assume that sometimes this year all the world leaders get together and agree to get rid of all the nukes. They hug, sing, hold a great ceremony, and in all the weapons are gone.

Will you really believe that every country has actually gotten rid of ALL of their weapons? Do you think every country will get rid of the ability to make news ones? Do you really think that you and everyone else in the world will be safer during your lifetime because of it?

Honestly interested in hearing responses. I will be honest and say that yes, it is terrible that so many Japanese civilians died and suffered during the attacks, and its normal for them to remember what happened each August. It would be strange if they didn't. But, given the time, and all that went on, and what was likely to happen, more people would have died if they weren't dropped. And finally, I would love it if no country had nuclear weapons, or any bombs, or even pistols for that matter. But, it isn't going to happen, and until we all love each other etc, I feel safer with the US having the military advantage. So, to me it's just futile, and not even clever to use August to tell the US to get rid of their nukes. Millions of people including Japanese lived ironically enough because of what happened at Hiroshima. And millions have lived in peace in Japan for the last 60 years even though the US still has all those terrible nukes. People need to face reality. Having said all that, I've been to both Hiroshima and Nagasaki - and I've seen hours of Japanese movies and documentaries, so yes, I know what happened and what the Japanese went through.

Great discussion and I may be out of my depth and un-qualified to comment. But, that doesn't usually stop me so can I suggest that you CAN be as clear and precise as you want in Japanese - not only Japanese, but us gaijin. But often, people are purposely vague. English speakers sometimes do the same thing, but Japanese, I think, do it more often.

Often as a gaijin, you can get frustrated with misunderstandings and think its because of your limited Japanese and failure to appreciate nuances, but if you live here long enough you will see Japanese misunderstanding each other all the time too. And a lot of the time its not the vagueness of the language, but people trying to understand what the person "really meant", when sometimes they didn't mean anything at all, and sometimes they just meant exactly what they said!

read between my lines, and you can probably guess that I have had my fair share of problems in arguments with my wife, and even more listening in frustration to Japanese complaining about other Japanese and wondering what they meant. So, I can't really agree with Coligny and the outright assault on the Japanese language, but Tex saying Japanese have no problem understanding each other shows a different experience to mine. But in the end, if a Japanese wanted to get their meaning across in a hurry if their life depended on it they could. But as to the original story - no, I can't see a computer giving great translations for a while.

Hey, on a lighter note, have any of you been asked by a Japanese girl to read emails from a gaijin guy when she wants to know if he "really loves her and is serious"? Can be pretty harrowing.

Come to think of it, I could never be a translator. My wife thinks that if I tell a co-worker that her hair cut looks pretty, it means, "Hey, Baby, let's get together behind my wife's back sometimes. After all, I'm a playboy gaijin sukebe who is only interested in one thing". So, I am thinking of giving up Japanese.

people are expressing concern because this type of thing is increasing. Like I have said before, Japan is still super safe - but this random slashing is getting ridiculous. Yes society is getting worse. Nothing wrong with a person saying that - Japanese everywhere are saying exactly the same thing!! Watch Japanese TV programs and talk with normal Japanese, and you will realize that the people worried about this increase in crime are not just gaijin. In fact, the only people I ever hear saying that things are not getting worse are a few gaijin on this site. Which is kind of funny isn't it?

Smith, actually you would be surprised how much the emoticons mean to some people. There actually are people who wouldn't buy it because of no emoji. I think if apple did a bit more homework they should have added emoticons and a place for a strap. Hard to believe for some of you, but it would have made a difference. I predict that the next model will have emoticons, place for a strap, video camera , and infrared. Then watch out. Of course the people who buy now will be upset, but ...happens with apple products all the time.

Strip him and make him walk around while people get to whip his backside. Might make him think twice.

romulus3, very well explained. I think a lot of posters here have never had kids.

This is my advice and I admit to being a pessimist. Always thing about the worst possible think happening then make sure it can't. I wish my Japanese wife would think more along those lines. A stool on a balcony or anything else that a kid can climb on is something that shouldn't be there. But in the end, everyone makes mistakes and is not looking for a second. If the timing is wrong, lots of us wouldn't be here. I wouldn't condemn a parent for a mistake. IF they are decent parents they will suffer enough.

Terribly sad situation and it would be great to see some people with influence do something about the IHA. There would be no negatives at all about the Royals having more freedom. I respect and admire them. Instead of a cabinet reshuffle they need to dissolve the IHA, and bring in a whole new system. In fact, I think they need some gaijin in the IHA!

Unfortunately Cleo, we think alike. As soon as I read the headline a chill went down my spine. This could possibly be extremely terrible bad luck, but I doubt it. It's either one super genki kid who is hard to handle, or the parents are really remiss. Everyone who has kids can tell of near misses, but this doesn't add up. If the mother is not responsible she will be unconsolable for years, but no, this is most likely foul play. If police didn't really investigate this there is something wrong.