Comments on: TPR News: Thursday, November 9, 2006 - Ban Ki Moon, Rupert Murdoch, Softbank and MySpace Japan

by: DeOrio

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 08:47:03 +0000

US nukes are on nuclear submarines in the North Pacific anyway, which would be just as effective as having them in Japan.

I thought that’s what I was driving at. I agree.

by: ken

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 08:25:27 +0000

I think the whole debate ignores the fact that, as far as any security threat to Japan goes, nukes are strategically unnecessary; Japan is already covered by a nuclear umbrella. Their presence can only escalate tensions in the region.

by: DeOrio

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 07:45:47 +0000

Nukes: If Japan decides to go that route, they have the materiel and know-how, give them a month to develop their own. There’s domestic opposition to nuclear armament, US nukes would meet with protest. Some people are really unhappy about the stationing of the nuclear-powered carrier George Washington at Yokosuka, so it’s safe to assume actual American nukes would meet with even bigger protests. On top of that, the US has changed tack since the Cold War and does not want a nuclear Japan. US nukes are on nuclear submarines in the North Pacific anyway, which would be just as effective as having them in Japan.

As for South Korea’s position, I can see why they’d be wary. The Geneva Conventions call a blockade an act of war and the type of embargo the US wants would amount to a blockade even if the US is careful about using that word. In other words, South Korea may well be worried about proving Kim Regime rhetoric correct. They’re probably also worried about the humanitarian crisis that is going on and would be exacerbated by an embargo. If they go along with US plans, it’s still going to be South Korea that bears the brunt of North Korea’s collapse.
Causing the collapse of the Kim Regime is not the problem, the aftermath is. China and South Korea are both concerned with sstabilizing the situation, which makes sense to me. Stabilization and the slow reduction of tensions are not US strong points, though.

by: Cal Hobbs

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:43:04 +0000

Now South Korea refuses to participate in the mini-embargo to monitor shipments into NK.

I understand that SK does not want to provoke its belligerent neighbor but I think they have to be more aggressive in forcing the NK to come around.

I also think that the US should have very open talks about providing nuclear weapons to Japan ‘for defensive purposes only.’

I think the threat of a nuclear Japan might compel China to corral its maniac friend in NK.

by: DeOrio

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 03:31:16 +0000

Well, it’s a good sign that the polce are on high alert, that the Education Ministry is taking this seriously, that as of noon on Sunday, I haven’t heard anything about a student committing suicide in Toshima-ku yesterday, and that parents are trying to find out whether or not their kids are being bullied. Now some parents need to take the even more distasteful step of finding out whether or not their kids are bullies.

by: Ken

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:29:48 +0000

And now five more letters show up at Ibuki's office? We don't even want to play the "Is this a hoax?" game. And parents are hiring private investigators to see if their children are being bullied.

by: DeOrio

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:17:22 +0000

So this kid has to follow through, stay the course, and actually kill himself to send a message.
Disturbing. Disturbing, but I\’m afraid you\’re right. Before we can even comment on one, there\’s another, though. A 17-year-old girl in Kitkyushu died after (apparently) jumping from a fourth-floor window at her former junior high school.
The police are on high alert in Toshima, but how much can they do?
Are we witnessing a disturbing trend or is new light being shed on something that has been going on in the dark for far too long?

by: Ken Worsley

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 05:30:48 +0000

As you know, there’s been another ’suicide intent’ letter, this time sent to the ministry from a girl in Shibuya. Let’s see what happens Saturday. Of course, if the day passes without incident, there may be claims that there is no bullying problems in the schools.