whatsgoinon comments

Posted in: PAL deploys new Boeing 777-300ER on Tokyo route See in context

sounds way better than any American plane i've been on in the last five years. What an innovative idea! I wish some of the American airlines would think of it! Trying to make air travel a nice place for passengers! Comfortable seats, individual televisions...wow! Stange that the only time i've had such service i've been flying on Asian carriers.

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Posted in: Haiti's capital shattered by powerful earthquake See in context

lots of countries have already offered help. Sadly, the truth of "help" is that the countries who "help" also profit immensely.

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Posted in: 110 windows smashed at elementary school in Chiba See in context

goddog...LOL!

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Posted in: Student held for hitting girlfriend with rock, and trying to strangle her See in context

Everyone is responsible for their own actions and no one elses. The victim bears no responsiblity. In this case she said no. He assaulted her. His responsibility. No one elses. If you hit someone, you are responsible. Blaming the victim simply perpetuates the problem. It doesn't matter if the victim is male or female. The person who inflicts harm towards another person is the one who is responsible, not the person who they abused.

Yes, we can educate, have more laws. Yes, you can have bad parents who don't teach you well. In the end, though, each person has a choice. Whatever choice they make, whatever action they do is their responsibility and no one elses. Not society's, not parents'...just the person who did the action.

If we really want to make real change, we have start with changing our own attitudes and we have the ability to that if we choose to.

And yes, sometimes it is more complicated than just one person hitting another. Sometimes it's two people who hit each other, or sometimes after years of being abused the other person fights back. The end result of violence is violence. No matter how it happens, we are each responsible for our own actions and no one elses.

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Posted in: Student held for hitting girlfriend with rock, and trying to strangle her See in context

USARonin, You are correct as far as you go in your first comment. Men can also be abused and the effects are no different. Men are even less likely to admit it and live with it alone etc, etc. This article happened to be about a women, but it I don't think anyone denies the problem exists for men. I am not familiar with what happened in Hawaii, but death is always a tragedy.

Flatearther - I'm not sure exactly what you found offensive, but I agree, this is article is about Japan. The stats I quoted were American. Sorry. They're the ones I know. From your earlier posts, I actually thought you were one of the informed ones and I agree with your earlier posts. I brought other countries into it b/c in the opposite way as you, I am sick of people making Japan out to be some kind of uniquely twisted country in regards to crimes of violence, which are a world wide problem. Not just American. Not just Japanese. Sorry if i didn't make my point well.

As for Japan, I think articles like this provide awareness, and that is the first step towards real change. Japan needs new laws, and more programs of all types. But the actual violence happens everywhere.

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Posted in: Student held for hitting girlfriend with rock, and trying to strangle her See in context

wow! I was hoping that this topic would be something more people were informed about.

Everyone here has heard of that old catch phrase "No means no". That started as way to inform the public that girls/women have the right to say, 'no' in any relationship, including a marriage.

I also have a theory as to why this happened. Power and Control. The same reason that all abuse happens. Statistically, one in four women will be abused by a partner (husband, boyfriend, common-law partner) at some point in her life, or one in three, depending on which statistic you read. In the United States, an average of three women a day are killed by their partners. This statistic is much lower for other western countries, but is still high. These murders rarely make national news in other countries because they are too common.

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Posted in: New U.S. airline rules keep passengers in seats one hour before landing See in context

Isn't flying so much fun these days? I know I just love paying through the nose for the luxury of being treated terribly and squished for hours on end.

Probably most of the ingredients can be bought after the security checks....I know I always buy water after security and bring it on the plane with no problem...i'm sure terrorists can get creative and buy what they need after the security checks, too. Probably they are going to stop allowing things ont the plane that are bought after security checks...which is gonna make flying even more fun than now.

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Posted in: Takahashi, Asada top short program at Japan nationals See in context

Mao should definitely be in the Olympics, especially if she wins the Nationals. Her problem is not unique. Many great skaters have lost confidence due to the immense pressure placed on them at a such a young age, both on and off the ice. Even if she comes in 10th, she deserves the Olympics at least as much as anyone else. Go Mao!!

I just wish the coverage allowed us to watch all the events, not just the events Japanese skaters are currently doing well in. It would also be nice to watch the entire events, or at least the last two flights from all events so we can see how top skaters from other countries are doing.

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Posted in: Mother of 12-year-old girl arrested for selling daughter for sexual services See in context

my2sense...while the child abuse laws and enforcement of those laws seem to be pretty bad here, the child abuse itself is just as bad everywhere else, i'm sad to say.

Not very long ago in the United States (I think), a mother did a similar thing, only her child was very young and died.

I'm curious as to what exactly a "charge of violation of child welfare laws" is and what kind of a sentence that is. This mother prostituted her child. I think that may be a little more severe than violating child welfare laws.

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Posted in: Merry Christmas, happy holidays, season's greetings and anything else I may have missed See in context

UnagiDon...well said! no need to say more. I hope that more people use this message instead of taking offense and in turn offending.

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Posted in: Atheists at Christmas: Eat, drink and be wary See in context

I can't help but feel a little frustrated when people feel the need to insult what they don't believe in. As stated in the article, no one ever says they don't want the holidays themselves...they just want the entire culture to conform to their personal beliefs. What is wrong with accepting the holidays as part of the western culture? Christianity is the basis of any culture that celebrates Christmas. Less people may believe in God, but everyone still believes (I hope) in love and gratitude, family and friends. Isn't that really what it's all about? And I have heard very few people speak out against presents and food and national holidays.

If you don't believe in God, that's okay. Enjoy the family, peace, love presents and overindulge with the rest of us.

Rejoicing in culture is okay. You don't have to believe in God, or religion or anything else to enjoy the Christmas holidays.

Respect for others and their beliefs, acceptance of the culture you live in, whether it be a Budhist/Shinto based culture or a Christian based culture, and tolerance....That's what I wish for this Christmas Season.

Yoi otoshi wo. Rainen mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

and Merry Christmas!

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Posted in: Merry Christmas, happy holidays, season's greetings and anything else I may have missed See in context

Great commentary! Happy holidays to all!

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Posted in: Saitama woman arrested for fatally abusing 3-year-old son See in context

Disillusioned, I sooo agree that parenting is not a skill we are born with, but aquire over time and aquire much better with training. Some people get good at it by themselves, but many never do. It has been my pet peeve for quite awhile that parenting courses are not wide-spread for average people. People have to do more training to wait tables (no disrespect to waiters - I've done it - it's hard, but parenting is harder). I think that parenting courses should be strongly recommended for anyone who doesn't have an early childhood education diplomma, or experience working with small children in their careers etc.

Moderator: Readers, please stay on topic.

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Posted in: Saitama cop arrested for assaulting girl on street See in context

I doubt this is new behaviour. I think that cops are finally, at least some of the time, being held accountable for their actions. The media attention and the charges being laid are in some ways a good sign. Cops being held accountable is a good thing. There will always be the ones who think they are above the law and it seems like until now they kind of were, in the sense that they could do whatever they wanted without repercussions of any kind. If the media attention and charges begin to make cops realize that consequences apply to them, too, maybe it will bring about positive change.

I hope that an assault charge is an automatic loss of job.

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Posted in: Saitama woman arrested for fatally abusing 3-year-old son See in context

nandakandamanda - All i got to say is - Child abuse. Whatever your wife's reasons, she needs help. She could have seriously hurt your child, or worse. She's lucky she didn't get her very own newspaper article. Throwing a child across a room in my country (and probably yours) is enough to have your child immediately taken away, assault charges, some pretty serious counselling before she could get your child back - oh, and did I mention years of involvement with whatever Child Protection Services exist in your country? The child would only be placed with you if you left your wife immediately. When you love someone, though, pressing charges is hard to do. I think you made the decision most people would in your position, but still, taking steps to avoid this kind of stuff in the future would be best for your child.

KiraKira - great posts! You sound like a great mom...and very busy! Your son sounds like he's having a pretty normal, if extremely frustrating, reaction to his new sibling. Good luck! Hope you get some sleep soon!

and yeah - How could this be ANYTHING less than manslaughter. A child died as a result of her actions.

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Posted in: Cop arrested after breaking into Saitama office to sleep it off See in context

LOL...this one has me rolling on the floor. In my country, cops tend to get caught drinking and driving after a night like this. I think this takes it to a whole new level...

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Posted in: Mao Asada's slump in skating affects businesses See in context

Mao is a very talented and beautiful skater. As is Miki Ando. Good luck to both of them. In my opinion, Mao could use a new choreographer and maybe a new coach. She has just as much talent as Kym Yona, but Kym has an amazing coach and choreographer. Otherwise the two are equally matched in terms of talent. It is very usual for skaters to fall apart at this stage of their career. It's easy to shine when you're working your way to the top and even when you're on the top with no one at your heals, but when someone starts to beet you, you have a long way to fall.

I hope she can find her confidence again. It wouldn't hurt to have a more interesting program, though...

Good luck, Mao!!!! Like someone said above, you do have to get to the olympics, but you really don't want to reach your peak at this time of year. Better to fall now than at the olympics!

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Posted in: Should the statute of limitations for murder and other serious crimes be abolished? See in context

anderstungtwist - so is that a yes or no on the vote? And...OMG!

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Posted in: Should the statute of limitations for murder and other serious crimes be abolished? See in context

I seriously doubt 297 people meant to vote no to abolishing the statute of limitations. I suspect many people misread and thought they voted voted no to the statute of limitations itself. That is my strong hope. A few people who think originally, maybe. 297...I hope not.

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Posted in: Tiger Woods says he lets family down as affair rumors surface See in context

So he had an affair. Yes, he's famous so the media's having a field day - that's what they do, but it's up to his wife to be the real judge and jury and come up with whatever verdict she so desires. As for the rest of us, it's none of our business. As for knowing better, sure, he and every other married person should know better. Affairs happen. When you're famous and in the spot light you definitely have more scrutiny, but you also have a LOT more temptation. Will he lose sponsors? Maybe a couple, but it doesn't look like it, according to this article. The police have said there was no alcohol involved and violence has been ruled out (drinking and driving or violence would probably have been big sponsor droppers). All that leaves is an affair, which everyone will forget pretty soon anyway - except his wife -

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Posted in: Woman catches 10-year-old boy who falls from 3rd-floor window See in context

I agree with everyone who said the woman is a hero. I also agree that this is nobody's fault but the kid's. Still, at least at that school, there are definitely some safety issues that need to be addressed. It shouldn't be possible for the kids to crawl out on the ledge on the third floor of an elementary school because, as has been said, teachers cannot always be present, children don't always listen and kids will be kids. Therefore, building safety in this school she be looked at.

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Posted in: Can anyone suggest a solution to the U.S. bases issue in Okinawa? See in context

Lincolnman - well said. I personally have no opinion about where the base is. My problem is that it was a legal agreement, which as you said was completed and ratified between two countries over a number of years. Not two individuals or two political parties. Two countries. Changing political parties in japan does not make it legal to decide to change a legal and binding agreement such as this one. The United States did not make this agreement with Aso, Fukuda, Abe (etc) or Hatayama. Nor was it made with the LDP or JDP. It was an agreement made between two countries. One person or one party cannot reneg just because they don't like the agreement.

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Posted in: The end is near as Hollywood does the apocalypse See in context

First Y2k, then H1N1! Next up, 2012...looking forward to two years of hysteria, at least in the West!

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Posted in: Airhead female fans can't get enough of 'cool' accused killer Ichihashi See in context

Charles Manson, Ted Bundy...need I say more? Just in case I need to say more: I think it's safe to say these two men were at least as bad as Ichihashi and they had bigger fan clubs than the Beatles. (yes, this is an exaggeration) They are just the first two I thought of. There are many, many more. Some women, (usually pretty messed up, I hope) find killers as worhty of adoration as rock stars.

The dark side of human nature is rarely "made in Japan".

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Posted in: Woman arrested for killing 9-year-old son in Nagoya hotel See in context

In many cases where children have been killed by parents it had everything to do with Child Abuse that escalated into murder. I believe that the lack of child protection laws, or at least enforcement of those laws, the lack of foster homes and housing for children who are abused and need to be protected from their parents, and the fact that very little seems to be in place to help abused children, may actually be some of the reason that it happens more often here, if in fact, it does happen more often here.

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Posted in: Woman arrested for killing 9-year-old son in Nagoya hotel See in context

Damien15, you've solved the problem! If only these murder suicide people would reverse the order, we wouldn't have to worry about what a fair sentence is.

I disagree that this is a "japanese specific" problem in anyway. Murder suicide is a pretty common event in any country that has family violence. (which, by the way, is all countries). Sadly, it's very very common that the killer doesn't lose courage until it's time to kill him or herself. Also, financial stress is definetly not a new reason to commit suicide, murder or murder-suicide.

It seems to be happening fairly often in the Japanese news recently, but I'm pretty sure it's escalated in other countries, too. Stressors, which definitely includes financial stress are key reasons for violence. Recessions tend lead to high financial stress. Anything to do with family violence, including murder or murder suicides tend to skyrocket in times of recession.

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Posted in: What behavior or habits by passengers on planes bother you the most? See in context

The lack of leg room during a very long flight drives me crazy, and I always seem to get a person who puts their seat all the way back so I have no lap space, either. This is even worse when they don't put it up at meal time so I get to smell their shampoo (if i'm lucky....) I know that it's only half their fault. The seat should not go back for enough to make this possible. And yet it does.

Someone mentioned above that if all this bothers you, you should take first class. I'm pretty sure we'd all love to do that, but since the price of economy is so ridiculously high and barely affordable, i doubt there are too many of us that can afford first class. Also, those that can afford first class can still have crying, misbehaved children and annoying behaviours.

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Posted in: 'This Is It' tops box office with $101 mil worldwide See in context

I, too, salute you, spitfire! Great words, not just in regard to MJ, but in regard to life.

I agree that MJ's talent and his career were amazing. I do not think he was all bad. No one ever is. I do believe that he was most likely a pedophile and I do not believe that automatically puts me in the category of "those who love to hate".

Further, I do not believe that those who think Michael Jackson did no wrong are automatically "non-haters". I don't believe there is a direct correlation between hating and thinking MJ was or was not a pedophile, nor is there a correlation between being tolerant and compassionate and thinking he was or was not a great man. I do believe that some people may use hatred to make their decision, while others direct hatred and anger toward those with a different opinion.

You don't have to be a "hater" to look at the evidence, look at the justice system and come up with a different opinion than the twelve jurors that decided he was innocent. I may be wrong. Only the little boys, similar in sex and age, with whom he slept in the same bed in his mansion full of toys can know for sure...and probably the families who have to help them live thru it.

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Posted in: Japan awash in fake medicines See in context

really good question, though...who WOULD buy fake medication knowlingly??? Maybe other people wanting to pass it off as the "real thing" ...that line really does warrant some more attention.

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Posted in: Pole dancing picks up momentum for women - and men See in context

i dunno....it is seriously great exercise. It's great for core strength arm strength and all round toning. I think i'm in! I'm gonna find me a class (or more likely a DVD)

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