Done and Gone

I left Japan in December 2010, so I will not be writing anything here for the foreseeable future. Japan was a wonderful experience, much better than the unfolding predictable decay of Obamanation.

Testing

Still on?

President Awesome

I just wanted to say how awesome President Awesome is. Moreover, I wish it be known that I made that statement without a teleprompter or even lines written on my palm.

Barack's Teleprompter

Did you know President Obama's TelePrompter has its own blog? If you really want to get to know The Big Guy better—to get behind his face, if you will—it's the place to go.

Oh President Obama

Honestly, I wish the guy well, but he's doing a poor job with vetting (I've lost track of the nominated withdrawals and resignations). Then there's the scary use the crisis! talk from two bigwigs:
“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has said. "Never waste a good crisis" is how Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put it before a European audience last week.”
But Obama is supporting vouchers, if tepidly. Yay! American schools need innovation, not preservation.
He also seems to function by gut instinct, not logic, which makes him similar to George Bush.

Iraqi Election, Frozen Bluegrass, and Reverting to Nature

Ann Althouse has it on the recent Iraqi election. You know, the one you didn't hear about. Why is this not big news? Perhaps because it might indicate success?

Yes, I purloined this, but it's classic: Obama dozed, people froze, stolen from here. That would be people in Kentucky: gun-clutching, Bible-thumping, xenophobic, bitter white people.

Rainforests are returning in some places (with skeptics, of course, who are probably on the Big Green or Federal grant payroll), just like nature is taking back parts of Detroit.

Debt Fret

1) Looking bad for Greece, in particular, in Euroland:

The omnipotent hand of the Greek state produced a public debt of more than 90 percent of Greece’s total economic output. The relentlessly rising demand of its consumers, who were able to put off the day of reckoning because they enjoyed the shelter of the low-inflation euro, has created a current-account deficit of 14 percent of its gross domestic product — estimated to be the highest in Europe.

2) There's also California's Tipping Point:

I think a threshold or tipping point exists in the ratio between the political power of those who pay taxes and those who consume taxes directly. After that tipping point is reached, those who pay taxes become the economic slaves of those who consume taxes.

I think California has passed that point

. [h/t

Instapundit

] Tax consumers now control the state government and can vote themselves almost any level of personal income and benefits they wish while taxpayers cannot muster the political capital to defend themselves. 

3) Maybe personal debt and sanity will reign in higher education costs, pricking that bubble. It might even force some universities to consider real diversity: of thought.

4) I didn't live the Bush years in the US, but The Atlantic posits they weren't so bad. The article tosses in words refreshingly true but rarely spoken:

No doubt the new guy, just like the old guy, will require unprecedented new powers to deal with the unprecedented threat to our well being. Obama is already asking for an unprecedented increase in the size of the national debt. Before we go back down that road, maybe we should stop and ask: "What crisis?''

5) President Obama has already ordered an airstrike on Pakitstani militants but the anti-war crowd's silence is deafening (but of course: our violence is OK, it's the others' whose is wrong).

Canadian–Cambodian Relations

They seem to be sexist, "progressive," and exploitative, if this example is anything to go by.

Canadians and Cuban Bodies

Fifty years ago, Fidel Castro took power amid promises of peace but immediately began executions (both links from a conservative site). For decades since then, Cubans living and dead have been reaching US shores to escape from Castro's tropical prison. I've met a number of foreigners in Japan who admire Castro, but this paragraph really takes it:

Fifty years ago today, many Cubans cheered when Fidel Castro seized power in Havana, and even now, the revolution attracts many fans — as evidenced by the Canadian tour agencies advertising trips “to celebrate five decades of resilience.”

"[T]o celebrate five decades of resilience" and political imprisonment ("Castro's Gulag" and TIME magazine), increased prostitution (apparently now undergoing a crackdown but read the Factbook on Global Sexual Exploitation for Cuba data; a NYT article; read this one, especially the last paragraph), grave economic decline, and more. I wonder what proportion of Canadians eat that "resilience" shit up; I've met a German and a few Japanese who do. At allegedly 600,000 Canadians a year, a big proportion. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadians do a great job of keeping Castro's oppression and exploitation going, even if Canadians get caught up in it.

I've never encountered a more knee-jerk, unjustifiably anti-American nationality than Canadians. Provincial differences exist with those from the prairies and the eastern maritimes generally even-handed, reasonable, rational, and less in-your-face. But those from Ontario and, to a lesser extent, Ontario West (aka British Vancouver) are the worst. Two choice anti-American quotes from Canadians I have met teaching in Japan:

"Who cares about 9/11? It was only 3,000 Americans."
—someone from Ontario who reads the New York Times daily, loves Paul Krugman, proudly declares himself tolerant and progressive, and has parents who are teachers. Oh, and Canadians, Britons, Mexicans, Jordanians, and more were killed, not "only Americans."

"You can't see the World Trade Center from ten miles out. Of course, you could see the columns of smoke from two smouldering craters—ha, ha!"
—someone from British Columbia who is remarkably similar to the above except for the parents, about whom I know almost nothing.

Americans Not Welcome

Every time the US military is involved in some tragedy overseas, especially in Japan, I feel terrible for a variety of reasons. One, it's a tautology but tragedies are tragic. Two, I fear there is an unconscious tally of such incidents that will cause Japanese to turn widely anti-American once the threshold is breached. Three, I hate crime and have a special animus against those that are intentional, such as US soldiers raping women, robbing stores, etc.

If a US military vehicle accidentally crushed two Japanese schoolgirls due to a combination of drivers' blindspot and bad luck, people would be deservedly and understandably angry but compensation paid. The story would of course be national news, a few locals (and professional protesters) would be shown demanding closure of the base, and then it would be over; it might continue locally, but nationally it would be supplanted by newer news.

In Korea, also home to many US military bases, things apparently turn out differently.

How about the store with the "Americans Are Not Welcome Here" sign? That would probably not happen in Japan, but were I in South Korea, I'd stand in front of the store with a fistful of won and giving them the finger. Beating of unrelated US soldiers just walking around on leave? In Japan, no; in South Korea, apparently yes.

Thanks, South Korean bigots and leftists, for giving me reason not to buy anything from your ungrateful country, let alone visit it.

I cannot recall ever having an ugly encounter with a South Korean in Japan or the US, although I have had Koreans complain about US policy and/or individuals to/with varying degrees of credibility and sympathy. In fact, I would say South Korean expats as a whole are usually great people.

However, I believe it is long past time for the US to pull out of South Korea (and Western Europe), amicably. When a majority of the local populace thrives on or requires anti-Americanism, it's time to quit serving it. With the US fighting two wars and running up insane debts, this would be a good and mutually understandable time for the US to begin to leave. South Koreans are rich enough to defend themselves and have plenty of veterans. The US will continue to sell the ROK whatever it can't make for itself. Their media can galvanize plenty of civilians in case the North Koreans invade. Why, maybe the North Koreans will even be much better to live with or under.

Clinton Democrats and the Credit Crunch

Friends and appointees of Bill should be taking the fall. How convenient they're now largely out of office.

Obama Supporter Calls for Joe the Plumber's Death

San Francisco radio automaton Karel calls for the death Joe the Plumber. It's a "progressive" jihad.

Yep, "progressive" Hope™ and Change™! It's all so tolerant and inclusive it gives me the willies.

How long before we hear "no man, no problem" as official Obama policy? It used to work in Chicago, you know.

Begging for Mercy

In Somalia, a 13-year-old girl (according to Amnesty International; the Islamists put her age at 23) who was gang-raped or, if you believe the Islamists, confessed to adultery, was recently stoned to death.

The following excerpted paragraphs are revolting, so skip them if you're sensitive. But do remember that this is a benefit of diversity and no culture is better than any other:

"Don't kill me, don't kill me," she said, according to the man who wanted to remain anonymous. A few minutes later, more than 50 men threw stones.

Numerous eye-witnesses say she was forced into a hole, buried up to her neck then pelted with stones until she died in front of more than 1,000 people last week.

The witness said people crowdinground to see the execution said it was"awful".

"People were saying this was not good for Sharia law, this was not good for human rights, this was not good for anything."

According to Amnesty International, nurses were sent to check during the stoning whether the victim was still alive. They removed her from the ground and declared that she was, before she was replaced so the stoning could continue.

Amnesty International made sure she was dead so the stoning by 50 men could continue. Now that's progressive! Islam is indeed a religion of peace, for the dead are the most peaceful among us.

Has Amnesty International facilitated such stonings before? Even though the girl/woman was dead, for how much longer did the stoning continue? Until there were no more rocks? Until the 50 mens' arms got tired?

Obamanomics

A taste of what's coming:

Detroit, Michigan

— The change we need? President-elect Barack Obama has just named Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm to his 17-member economic advisory panel.

>SNIP<

But Granholm has presided over the worst state economy in the United States since her election in 2003. Just last year, in the teeth of a gaping budget deficit and galloping unemployment now at 8.7 percent, she raised personal income taxes 17 percent. Her energy legislation passed this year further taxed Michigan ratepayers by hiking their utility bills an estimated 12 percent while gutting Michigan’s energy market deregulation so that major utilities can deal with the coming 10-percent RPS (not to mention modernizing old coal plants in the face of a predicted federal cap-and-trade plan).

Obamarama

I've got a new President, which is good. I don't know much about him, because the press focused on Palin's wardrobe, a bogus McCain scandal, and everything but Mr. Obama himself, which is bad. Coverage of Rezko, Wright, Khalidi, Ayers, "bankrupting the coal industry," "spreading the wealth," breaking his public financing pledge then accepting online donations with verification intentionally turned off, tours of the blighted areas where Mr. Obama "community organized" to no effect, his role in suing Citibank to lend to bad credit risks, his overwhelming number of gutless "present" votes--barely a word. The national press wanted Obama/Biden to win, and they succeeded. Of course, Bush did his part to help, but he will not be thanked for it.

I do enjoy watching the falling share prices of most media outlets. It would be refreshing to see entire journalism schools shut down because the students have come to realize the degree is worthless and quit entering them. Oh tenured boob who can do nothing, who has done nothing for decades, but scribble mental dribble, what will you do when your department goes under?

The Obama-Palin Ticket

Howard Stern asks people if they'll vote for Obama after attributing McCain policies and McCain's VP to Obama:

Unquestioning DNC party loyalty: don't ask, don't tell, don't think!

Al Franken (D), Asshole

I happened across this Star Tribune article about how alpha wanker Al Franken, currently running for a Senate seat, mocked the physical tic of a college student identified by other students as a conservative—the minority it's recommended to bash and offend—after the kid avoided having his picture taken with Franken. Franken also, as many leftist statists are wont to do, drilled him with a flow of aggressive accusative questions about the student's assumed views and models. Despite the abuse, the kid offered to shake Francine's hand; Franken refused. His minders probably aware of what an insufferable immature jerk Franken had just shown himself to be, he was hustled away. President of the Carleton College Democrats, Pablo Kenney, backs up the abused student's story.

If only video footage existed! See ya, Senate hopes. Then again, for many "liberal" Democrats, such footage would probably confirm their beliefs that Al is indeed "one of us."

Al Franken: Democrat, "funny" guy, ass****. This story reminds me of many "tolerant and liberal" people I've met, especially Ontarians and Left Coasters.

Crisis: Bringing the Newsroom Home

On January 13, 2008, the New York Times reported on 121 cases of veterans returning to civilian life but "bringing the battlefield home": committing or being charged for murder. When the Weekly Standard employed the requisite context that the New York Times did not, the results indicated that "the actual homicide rate among civilians is higher in similar demographic groups":

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and other veterans’ advocacy groups are absolutely correct that not merely “many” but the vast majority of veterans not only remain completely law-abiding but go on to lead stable and productive personal, professional, and civic lives. Assuming 121 homicide cases in relation to 749,932 total discharges through 2007, 99.98 percent of all discharged Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have not committed or been charged with homicide.

And assuming 121 cases and 749,932 total discharges, the homicide offending rate for the discharged veterans would be 16.1 per 100,000. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has demographic data aplenty on homicide offending rates. For instance, in 2005, for white males aged 18-24, the rate was about 20 per 100,000. The Times opined that 121 was the “minimum” number, even as it counted veterans charged but not convicted with veterans tried and found guilty. Doubling the number to 242 would double the rate to 32.2 per 100,000.

Far more worrisome is the trend of Journalists Gone Wild, an article apparently as thoroughly researched as that of the New York Times: to wit, America's media misanthropes are bringing home the stress of speaking questionable truth to power from the safety of the newsroom, where they become corrupted, robbing banks, beating wives, molesting children, stealing property, and taking lives—committing hundreds of crimes. It is a crisis!

Of course, why worry about any of that when Dutch e-tailers' product displays run amok (let video content load). If not contained in time, such threats to global e-businesses will become more than a crisis, they'll become super-duper crises!

Stateless Kuwaitis: "Bidun"

Many moons ago I considered going to work in Kuwait. According to Refugees International, some while ago the Islamic emirate rather arbitrarily classified a portion of its inhabitants, mainly the nomadic sorts, as bidun, stateless. They were given passports, different in color from those of "real" Kuwaitis', but thrown out of government jobs, not allowed to register their births, etc. In short, they became second-class citizens despite being brother Muslims, having been born in the country, having lineage their going back probably hundreds of years.

It's said that Kuwait is a progressive, a liberal, Muslim nation, but stories from some bidun might persuade you to believe otherwise. And then there's that whole deal about not being let in (or, depending on how useful you are to the country, how laboriously) if your passport carries proof of a visit to Israel. Does Kuwait also require foreign workers prove their religious affiliation (as Saudi Arabia does), ban pork products, ban non-Islamic religious texts, disallow foreigners' purchasing land or building of religious facilities?

Ralph Nader Sues the DNC

With thanks to the Instapundit, this report of Nader turning to the pernicious embrace of lawyers gave me an early morning chuckle, especially with Nader "speaking truth to power," as in:

"The Democratic Party is going after anyone who presents a credible challenge to their monopoly over their perceived voters," Nader said in a statement. "This lawsuit was filed to help advance a free and open electoral process for all candidates and voters. Candidate rights and voter rights nourish each other for more voices, choices, and a more open and competitive democracy."
Though I am no fan of Nader (which has nothing to do with his scurrilous attack against the Corsair), I am glad he's attempting to stick it to the DNC for their thuggery. Of course, depending on how the Ron Paul "r-love-ution" turns out, we might see Ron Paul expressing something similar in the form of litigious love projected as a fissile legal epistle of similar content.

Though I doubt it, there is a possibility that Ron Paul will be to Gillian what Ralph Nader was to the Goracle.