xrc comments

Well, why weren't the Brazilian's already cleaning up? Perhaps no movement towards that, so the J's did what they had to do...

But most are depicting the meanings in English. They are in Japanese and have no bearing on the English meaning!

First, let me ask who (which country) is giving the most to Africa in financial aid? (per percentage of population not the amount of money! What's the poverty level in Japan? I'm probably under it or nearly!

I think the "Commie" or countries run by the military such as (Laos & Myanmar) are almost crime free... Don't get caught stealing in Myanmar..a quick end to life....Never had one instance of fear. America is the Crime capital of the world...How much is wasted on protection? More than they could fund college education and free medical treatment hospital combined.... schools, airports, museums???? Trust, there is No trust there anymore...That's why people think they need guns. Do you living in Japan need a gun? Sure wouldn't walk some cities in the US at night...(I would) but most wouldn't....

I wonder how much he had in his possession. I've seen two Japanese news channels (on cable) non-stop (repeatedly show this news story. People should e-mail the T.V networks to complain how they are ignorant and blowing this news out of portion. Kind of like North Korean or Nazis...propaganda. Bring fear into the hearts of the people. Yeah, nice!

Yes, I was at a beach BBQ yesterday and I pointed out to some people that the clouds looked kinda like earthquake clouds...I've been doing this for over 35 years...and there's a certain shape and a metallic like tint as well as a shape like a disk (UFO) in a way...everyone laughs at me....this happened last year at the BBQ too! Then everyone says, "Wow, we did have an earthquake"! of course not every prediction comes true but...I do hit many! Not the March 11th one though....I did take pics of the clouds!

I'm glad that we've finally seen some movement on controversial topics such as racism and the environment...Basically the Japanese are NOT "racists"! Though once in a while it does happen. But, they are childish and far too shy. And their excuse for not sitting next to a foreigner on the train is "absurd"... "Oh, I'm afraid the　外人 will speak to me!". Not (In most cases)! A terrible stupid excuse...いいわけ！ I won't even speak to a Japanese sitting next to me reading an English book or newspaper. If someone says "hello" or "How are you" (日本語もう) to me, I'll be polite and talk to them. Who put these kinds of thoughts into their minds? Who teaches them these things? So grow up Japan. Japan is hardly an America when it comes to racism.

He went to the Stones concert on Thursday March 6th!

Yes, we (foreigners) are always a "gaijin"! I just came back from backpacking in Myanmar for five weeks. Once I got back to Japan. I felt this enormous pressure of once more being treated as a gaijin. I know that this is not openly racist but what's the problem? In Myanmar no one looked at me as a gaijin...I could sit at the same table and no would even flinch. Of course there were a few small kids way out in the villages, even so most of them said "Hello" "Mingalaba" and most of them said it in English too! As soon as I walked up my street back in Japan (I do know many people in this town) but still got those looks or people crossing the street to avoid walking by me. After five weeks of being treated like a person, it really jerked my nerves to be back again!

Anti-Environment and Greed run the American market...won't even consider cutting back on Co2...ummmm

In my opinion a Japanese avant~art~performance Jazz-ish big band called Shibusa Shirazu Orchestra (渋さ知らず) Orchestra would be perfect to represent a cultural~creative musical~art~Budoh dance venue hang from ropes~to showcase the traditional as well as modern aspects of Japan. Although they've played in many European countries (not sure about America)...made up of over 25 musicians from various Jazz, avant, rock, poetry, bands. The leader looks like a hippy of yesteryear (perhaps in his 60's) an izakaya てんちょ manager looking guy runs the stage back and forth, two hot chicks in mini-skirts...three guitarists (jazz, reggae, alternative noize)...two drummers...a few horns... percussionists, the show goes on...every time I see them they bring tears to my eyes as I'm thinking..."This is Japan in a nutshell"! Forgot any Pop! This is Japanese cultural essence...

Yeah, when I was in Chiba Detention Center a few years back a Polish guy said the same thing. "I didn't know there was anything there"! but 5~6 kilo's of hashish strapped to one's leg....ummmmm

Japan is tough on pot... I spent 3 months half at Narita detention center and half at Chiba prison for about ¥50 worth. (fifty yen)...

Japan grow up. Or if you don't want to see such terrible parts of the body, which I think most of use have anyways, don't look. Please don't tell me what I can or can't look at. Censorship is NOT freedom!

"Save my dollars" I've been saving them from ¥101 when they were wired to me from the states. Please Mr. Abe bring the yen up to ¥110 to the dollar...Good luck

Ah come on... I'm a married mature American gent. I met a 39 year old J. lady on the beach. She was friendly, kind, gracious, built, and we made arrangements to get together when I could get down that way. We got together a few times. No sex...which was disappointing for me. I really liked her. Then all of a sudden she cut me off and said, "If you like me so much, come to the club I work at"! Ummm lady I'm living at poverty level...How can I pay a $100 cover charge and add in another $50.00 for a bottle of whiskey? Ummm what a great idiot I was....fun before anything serious happened. But, I do respect her, for she has to work too!

What makes me so outside the realm of the famous...the norm...the well known...the popular...I have no interest nor how does popular or the famous impact me. For most speak of "Love" and "Honesty" and "Loyalty" yet most well, you all know right?.

Is everyone really crazy who shoots someone? Many know what they are doing. What about the Japanese student trick or treating on Halloween in the 80's somewhere in the south? It's "Halloween" and the guy still shot! Was he crazy? A marriage gone sour, the spouse kills another. Are they crazy? Are soldier kills a civilian! A Neo-Nazi takes out Indian church goers.

You won't like what I have to say...The 2nd Amendment is obsolete. If Washington, Jefferson, Franklin could come into the future with a time machine. I'm pretty sure they would have a double take on this Amendment. After all, We don't need to hunt for food (one can go to a supermarket) , don't have to protect ourselves from Native Americans and British attacking...

But, why need guns! "To protect ourselves"! Wooowwwww, that means no one trust each other. What a great country of Freedom!

Anyway, I wonder how many gun crimes were prevented by having a gun. And place a rifle bearing security guard in every school. Wouldn't it have to be in very room? Columbine had one. He was in a different area. Then they don't want to pay more taxes anyway. You know what that would cost? I'm sorry for my fellow Americans!

Yes, a tough topic. I'm an old guy. I've bought albums for years in the 60's. For example...the Rolling Stones for 99 cents, yes the actual store price at that time. Nobody listened to them back then...Since I live in Japan, I sure can't afford to have all these albums shipped over here. Lots of jazz, Moog, psychedelic right up thru the New wave scene. Yes, I've downloaded most of the CD's of those albums which I've bought. Besides I don't listen to the mainstream stuff which most of the musicians are playing music for the music rather than the fame or money. What happens when one lives under the poverty level and can't afford to buy hardly anything? Are they thrown to the streets? There has got to be some avenues for freedom. You can record FM radio or TV shows without a problem. Safe not to DL. Here come the Nazis!

Can we demonstrate?

War war war...it feeds the economy. Romney is so supportive of assisting Israel in its time of need. (Not needed)! First, how many Israeli troops were helping us fight in Iraq and Afghanistan? Second, Doesn't Israel have enough of their own nuclear missiles (built by guess who) to go to war if they think it'll be necessary. Obama is smart to play it cool instead of just getting into another waste of tax payer money.

Reading through most of the comments above, it seems as though no one has addressed the cultural and characteristic aspects of the Japanese society that tends to get in their way of expressing themselves. Basically, they can't. One has to become a psychologist to break through the fear and shyness walls. Good luck!

There is a lot more to learning to speak and reply in good English than grammar and rote responses. It's a cultural thing, I guess it's called Fear. I'm not sure what they fear but.... Let me give you example: I've been teaching a Community Center class of elder housewives every morning (even some holidays) for more than ten years. Most of them have been in the class for the whole duration. I went to my local grocery store and just out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of one of the students shopping. Not in clear sight, but behind someone a few meters away. I had the feeling that she felt uncomfortable and seemed like she wants out of seeing me. So, I went along and continued my shopping. Caught a glimpse of her in another aisle and wham, she scrammed. Although there was no eye contact I knew she just wanted to avoid running into me. (At all costs) But, hold it, she's been in the class for at least 8 years. I mean, I know her level is not great and I'm not going to try and have a political or philosophy conversation with her. But, just not even..."Hi, how are you?" and that's it, that's all I'd expect. How much would you expect after eights years teaching her. Now, don't insinuate that I'm not a good teacher. I've had the same students (privately for as long as 12 years (once a week).

I got a warning from a web site watch group about a month ago saying my Primus (Live WOW Fuji Rock Festival 2005? video) Upload was against the law. It was on YouTube for years without a complaint. Anyway, how much money is Primus going to lose? None. Les isn't a greed bag rock star like the rest of them. There's no DVD of the concert. What is their problem?

I tried to download a LEGAL software from Apple called, "Motion 5" after not being able to get any connection. Yes, all the visa card and such info was registered correctly in the iTunes Store...Even called the Apple Store (Tokyo) and they said it's my computer. Finally got an answer from the USA Apple and they wrote that they don't have it in Japan. What? I read it on the Japanese Apple Web Page. I messed around for over a week trying to figure what was wrong... I was willing to pay for it. Why is it advertised on the J~Apple Web Page with a click to BUY button. (which didn't work anyway). Why Ican't I just download it from the USA Apple site? Finally, got the torrent download FREE. This law is unconstitutional. So, what...they are going to make more money? Demonoid & Piratebay DOWN!!!! and we fight for freedom in Iraq & Afghanistan!

Israel has enough nuclear bombs to take care of Iran without America getting involved in another war! We can have over 2,000 but no one can even attempt to build one. BTW how many Israeli's were there helping in Iraq and Afghanistan? No War!

to bass2funk

I wish you would feel that way about how our President is spending money. In comparison $400 billion is almost chump change.

But, former-NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani supports Israel. That's fine for him. but talking about govt spending...he cried "Oh, the embassies don't have enough protection"! How many embassies are we talking about? Where does the money come for them? Cornflakes boxes!

Oops! made a mistake it should read "we can NOT change their mentality".

How many Israeli troops have been helping the US in Iraq or Afghanistan? None that I've heard of. How many nuclear weapons does Israel have? Probably a lot more than one. Good ole' American "jobs" nucs, tanks, jets and mines. Netanyahu wants America's help for war...are you sure he isn't going to get a good cut from the American military machine? He can do it himself. They can flatten Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan with the weapons they've got without us getting into a war. What is he talking about. People blame Obama. All the variables aren't the same even as two years ago. Add in earthquakes, hurricanes, drought, wildfires, etc. War was a waste. Look at Afghanistan. GET OUT and let them be. Sorry some good people will be lost but we CAN not their mentality. Shit, we can't even change the Democrats and Republicans brain mentality. No war!

Are Americans getting stupid! Do they really think that one person can change America and bring it back to full pace as it once was? Too many variables. Like running a car at full throttle 24 hours a day seven days a week for years...Make businesses selling unneeded goods just to make money. All Americans have to change before America can change.