Yardley comments

Posted in: Film starring Matthew McConaughey, Ken Watanabe booed at Cannes See in context

I know it's pedantic, but I can't help myself.

ovate adjective chiefly Biology having an oval outline or ovoid shape, like an egg. ORIGIN mid 18th cent.: from Latin ovatus 'egg-shaped.'

ovation noun 1 a sustained and enthusiastic show of appreciation from an audience, esp. by means of applause: the performance received a thundering ovation.

2 Roman History a processional entrance into Rome by a victorious commander, of lesser honor than a triumph. ORIGIN early 16th cent. ( sense 2): from Latin ovatio(n-), from ovare 'exult.'

I couldn't find any dictionary that lists ovate as a verb. (Not the topic of the article at all, but, oh well.) :)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Boston Marathon bomber sentenced to death See in context

I suppose he will be seen as a martyr now by other terrorists. Not good. I would have preferred to see him spend the rest of his long life locked up in a prison cell for 23 hours a day, every day, until he goes mad and/or dies. Death is too good for him, particularly since it's what he really wants, I expect.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Man says he stabbed girl on train to see if he had guts enough to kill someone See in context

It's a very good thing he turned himself in. The chances of catching him otherwise would have been small, I think.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: The real problem for Republicans: Too much money See in context

"Every nation gets the government it deserves." We have no one to blame but ourselves.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Mass beaching fuels fears of imminent quake See in context

"So long, and thanks for all the fish."

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Parents explain why they donated organs of dead 4-year-old daughter See in context

What brave and wonderful parents to think of others at a time of such grief for their own loss. My heart goes out to them.

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Posted in: Stem cell therapy used to treat damaged hearts See in context

This is amazing and wonderful news! I hope the trials go well.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Sony cancels Dec 25 U.S. release of 'The Interview' after threats See in context

Everyone seems to be blaming Sony specifically, but would any other movie company have acted differently? I don't think so. Sony had no choice since the major theater chains refused to show the movie. But, really, they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. It was a "no win" situation the hackers presented Sony with. If they had tried to go ahead and people were hurt = big trouble. If they cancel the whole thing = big trouble. They've already got big trouble from all the personal information released - emails, employee salaries & health records, SSNs, etc. Sony is just basically screwed whichever way they go. The bigger picture is that other terrorist groups will see this as an effective tool to use even more in the future. Why blow yourself up when you can cause more damage where it really hurts, economically, and make an even bigger impact?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Polio vaccinator shot dead in Pakistan See in context

The truly sad part is the U.S. government has made it much more difficult for the vaccination teams to do their work. According to NBC news, several years ago, the CIA did use agents traveling in vaccination teams to gather intel in the country. Not a good thing when you are trying to build trust among already suspicious, uneducated, backward people. I watched an interview with a vaccination team member, a young woman, who said she will continue to try to help her people no matter the risk to her own life. I don't know where that kind of courage comes from.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Burger King Japan’s new Premium Berry burger may sound awful, but it tastes fantastic See in context

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing that a tomato doesn't belong in a fruit salad." - Miles Kington. ;)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Do's and don'ts for Thai tourists in Japan See in context

"Japanese society is very unique."

Uh-oh. Here we go again. ;) But, it is good advice and helpful for tourists. Well done.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan's dated, smoky cafes unfazed by Starbucks success See in context

He's 100 years old, still working, and his business is doing well. He must be doing something right. Strong coffee, second-hand smoke, and his pipe haven't seemed to hurt him so far (but maybe he's just lucky).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Man gets 7 years in prison for kidnapping, confining 9-year-old girl See in context

I believe pedophilia has a very low rehabilitation rate. I doubt he will be able to change in 7 years or 70. The challenge to our society is how to deal with these people.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Posted in: Recovering crown princess attends 1st imperial banquet in 11 years See in context

It may be important to remember that her problems began in ernest after the birth of their daughter. It may have started with postpartum depression or some other hormonal imbalance made worst by her living situation. In any case, I'm glad that she seems to be doing better and could take part in an event that she seemed to enjoy. I hope she will continue to do well.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Posted in: Google teams with Oxford to teach machines to think See in context

Exactly what I was thinking Farmboy!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: The fuel for Japan’s pedophiles See in context

@timbo

My point might best be summed up, then, as 'much ado about nothing'. This woman's complaints will continue to receive much support, but I can't say I side with her views much. [...] If non-nude material featuring girls of very young ages is a hot commodity, and fuels erotic fantasies of the men who buy it, so long as they are not rabid rapists and child molesters as a result (take a good look at the adult porn here in Japan, first, and make your correlations between it and public behaviour; to date, rare example anywhere in the world of images spawning anti-social bahaviour have been clearly and validly documented), what is the problem?

The problem is one of consent. If someone wanted to take a photo of an adult in their underpants with their legs splayed open, they would have to have that adult's permission to do so.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Posted in: The fuel for Japan’s pedophiles See in context

@timbo

My point might best be summed up, then, as 'much ado about nothing'. This woman's complaints will continue to receive much support, but I can't say I side with her views much. [...] If non-nude material featuring girls of very young ages is a hot commodity, and fuels erotic fantasies of the men who buy it, so long as they are not rabid rapists and child molesters as a result (take a good look at the adult porn here in Japan, first, and make your correlations between it and public behaviour; to date, rare example anywhere in the world of images spawning anti-social bahaviour have been clearly and validly documented), what is the problem?

The problem is one of consent. If someone wanted to take a photo of an adult in their underpants with their legs splayed open, they would have to have that adult's permission to do so.

Your attempt to make your pseudo-intellectual comment appear as a rational argument is laughable.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: The fuel for Japan’s pedophiles See in context

@timbo

My point might best be summed up, then, as 'much ado about nothing'. This woman's complaints will continue to receive much support, but I can't say I side with her views much. [...] If non-nude material featuring girls of very young ages is a hot commodity, and fuels erotic fantasies of the men who buy it, so long as they are not rabid rapists and child molesters as a result (take a good look at the adult porn here in Japan, first, and make your correlations between it and public behaviour; to date, rare example anywhere in the world of images spawning anti-social bahaviour have been clearly and validly documented), what is the problem?

The problem is one of consent. I assume that if someone wanted to take a photo of you in your briefs with your legs splayed open, they would have to have your permission to do so.

Your attempt to make your pseudo-intellectual comment appear as a rational argument is laughable.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Woman found stabbed to death in Shiga home See in context

I used to live in Omihachiman. I'm shocked to read about this because it is (was) a very safe place. So sorry for her husband and family. Tragic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: We take a luxurious trip to Aomori in the first class section of the bullet train See in context

Sounds like a really relaxing way to travel. Hope to try it some day!

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Posted in: Diet rocked by dispute over justice minister's red scarf See in context

"The committee could not reach a conclusion and agreed to continue discussions," he said, adding the next executive committee meeting was set for Tuesday.

And there you have it. Good thing there isn't anything more pressing to discuss.

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Posted in: The ugly truth of 'gokon,' Japan’s group blind dates See in context

@LFRAgain gets it. Well said.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: Scotland begins historic independence vote See in context

@Elizabeth Heath

If it's a close vote the losing side will be screaming it's a fix. It won't end tomorrow. This nastiness will go on for years, the damage is done.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Gender equality chief makes light of sexist jeering in Tokyo assembly See in context

I agree with @Kazuaki Shimazaki. Nojima just opens his mouth and says what he thinks, even if what he thinks is pretty stupid. That's better than some slick politician who's smart enough to keep his mouth shut and not let on what he really thinks. It should make it easier to choose on election day.

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Posted in: Tensions surface between middle-aged men, daughters-in law See in context

Smacks quite a bit of the old Penthouse Forum, "You'll never believe what happened next." The article's title and first paragraph suggests a somewhat serious topic, the generation gap between in-laws, only to deliver some pathetic run-of-the-mill male fantasy. What a joke!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Gangster, arson-murderer hanged See in context

They should have spent the rest of their lives in prison without the possibility of parole. That way, if they were guilty, they would forfeit any chance of a normal life, and if they were innocent, there would still be a chance to be cleared. I don't support capital punishment. And that is speaking as someone who has had family members murdered. We are serving a life sentence; the murderer should too. Death is too easy.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: Fanatic fans oblivious to sleazy side of Koshien high school baseball See in context

sleazy

adjective ( sleazier , sleaziest ) 1 (of a person or situation) sordid, corrupt, or immoral. (of a place) squalid and seedy: a sleazy all-night cafe. 2 dated (of textiles and clothing) flimsy. DERIVATIVES sleazily - adverb, sleaziness - noun ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: of unknown origin.

Sleazy is a perfectly good adjective to use in the context of this story. Perhaps some people misunderstand it's meaning and use, or listen to too much Kesha.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Posted in: A fast food delivery guy gave me 10 yen and it made my day See in context

Wow, very nice. It's a little thing, but I can't imagine it ever happening in my home country (U.S.).

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: Obama says that after 9/11, 'we tortured some folks' See in context

At least the U.S. Government is investigating and making their findings open for public debate and international review. That doesn't excuse what has gone on before, but it is an attempt to move forward with the goal of never allowing torture to be used again. For those commenters here who come off a bit sanctimonious, I would suggest you learn the history of your own countries and governments. I don't think anyone can claim the moral high ground; we all have blood on our hands. It's where we go from here that counts.

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Posted in: Stalker jailed for 22 years for killing ex-girlfriend See in context

Life without parole at the very least. Why should he ever be allowed to be in society again enjoying his life? Her family will never know true peace again. They are the ones with a life sentence without parole.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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