Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in LainEverliving's LiveJournal:

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Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
9:39 pm	History President Elect Obama, in his acceptance speech tonight, was his cool, reflective self. A profound calm settled over the jubilation, the hundred thousand smiling, tear-streaked faces that greeted him, and the billions around the world watching. Anyone, in such a moment, would have been justified, and certainly understood, for celebrating, for being joyous. Obama instead talked about history. He asked America for time to implement his plans, the guide the nation back to the right road. For though this is a momentous moment, a moment which will be the start of textbook chapters and the pinnacle of equality overcoming the unspoken law of the land, Obama never over-spoke of its importance. Instead, he talked about where we are, what we've come through, and perhaps where we will be if we can rise to meet our generation's mighty challenges. By encompassing 106 years of American history through the life of one citizen, one human being, he made that history universal, and a part of everyone who didn't live during those times. It is true we are at a crossroads. But, we have been at many such crossroads before. At each of those times, it was important to, in the words of our worthy patriot and competitor, Senator John McCain, "stand up and fight" for what was right, for what we believed in. For what needed to be done. Tonight, though it may be joyful for many, is the time we must begin to stand. For from this point forth, we will all as a nation be walking toward a goal. We have a long way to walk, for indeed, we were greatly lost for a long, long time. But we can find the way back. We can. And I know it now. History is filled with many dark times. It was not long ago that what has happened tonight would be considered impossible. Maybe it truly was. In the times to come, many things that are dark and terrible will still loom. But they are the challenges, and America has the ability to see them through to the undoing, the solving. We can make a better life, a better world, under our aegis. We can be good people. For, we are not a great white city shining on a hill, inaccessible to the masses that can only stare up at our opulence and unequal grandeur... we are the city of the world, open to all, and capable of opening a discourse on the challenges we all face. This can be a time of national nationlessness, a time when the world unites, if only it will try. I feel ever-so-slightly more confident tonight, that just as our history has enfolded those who were once excluded, so too now can it enfold the very world itself. Under the quilt of optimism, of hope, of spirited action, may all the nations contribute to bring change. And let America, the America of healed wounds and sealed gulfs, be a source of inspiration, a symbol of possibility, to everyone. Tonight, we are happy. Tomorrow, we shall get to work. Current Mood: reflective (1 Comment |Comment on this)
8:08 pm	Election Night: Update VIII: Obama Elected It's over. Obama is our President. California, my home state, sealed the deal. And for everyone who's felt downtrodden, unheard, oppressed, distressed during these last eight years, I utter this word of the immortal song... YATTA!!! Current Totals (And All That Will Really Matter Now): - John McCain - 146 EV - Barack Obama - 297 EV (+/- 1 EV for Maine, depending on the eventual breakdown) Current Mood: beyond ecstatic (Comment on this)
7:18 pm	Election Night: Update VII: Mississippi, Utah, A Note on Rhode Island, and Some Congressional News NBC is projecting Mississippi, with 6 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a 14% margin (he was polled to win by 10%). NBC is projecting Utah, with 5 EV, for John McCain. He trails by 14% margin, but is within reach of the winning amount based on polls and vote totals (he was polled to win by 24%). Also, I neglected to note this earlier despite adding the EVs to the Vote Total, but NBC is projecting Rhode Island, with 4 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a 25% margin (he was polled to win by 22%). Finally of note, in the congressional races: Pennsylvania Incumbant Democratic Senator John Murtha, who had recently run into controversy by calling his constituents "racists" for opposing Barack Obama, somehow eeked out a victory and has retained his seat. Meanwhile, Connecticut Incumbant Republican Congressman Chris Shays, among the most moderate of House Republicans, was eliminated in his race, thus resulting in total Democratic control of the New England States in the House. Current Totals: - John McCain - 135 EV - Barack Obama - 207 EV (+/- 1 EV for Maine, depending on the eventual breakdown) Current Mood: excited (Comment on this)
6:54 pm	Election Night: Update VI: West Virginia, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico NBC is projecting West Virginia, with 5 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a 12% margin (he was polled to win by 11%). CBS, ABC, NBC, and National Public Radio (NPR) are projecting Ohio, with 20 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a 8% margin (he was polled to win by 3%). NBC is projecting Louisiana, with 9 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a 21% margin (he was polled to win by 10%). NBC and PBS are projecting Iowa, with 7 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 13%). NBC is projecting Texas, with 34 EV, for John McCain. He leads by an 8% margin (he was polled to win by 11%). ABC and NBC are projecting New Mexico, with 5 EV, for Barack Obama. He trails by a 25% margin, but as was the case with South Carolina earlier tonight, this puts him close enough based on the polls to call the state for him (he was polled to win by 8%). Additionally, Indiana and Virginia are each too close to call according to PBS and the major networks, with 10,000 votes or less seperating the candidates. Improbably for John McCain, Arizona is also, according to PBS, on the verge of being too close to call. Current Totals: - John McCain - 129 EV - Barack Obama - 207 EV (+/- 1 EV for Maine, depending on the eventual breakdown) Current Mood: excited (Comment on this)
6:01 pm	Election Night: Update V: New York, Minnesota, Wisonsin, Southern and Western States NBC is projecting New York, with 31 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a 47% margin (he was polled to win by 33%). ABC and NBC are projecting Minnesota, with 10 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 11%). ABC and NBC are projecting Wisconsin, with 10 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 12%). NBC is projecting Georgia, with 15 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a 22% margin (he was polled to win by 3%). NBC is projecting Arkansas, with 6 EV, for John McCain. He leads by an 18% margin (he was polled to win by 9%). NBC is projecting North Dakota, with 3 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a 29% margin (he was polled to win by 1%). NBC is projecting Kansas, with 6 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a 21% margin (he was polled to win by 17%). NBC is projecting Wyoming, with 3 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 25%). Current Totals: - John McCain - 76 EV - Barack Obama - 175 EV (+/- 1 EV for Maine, depending on the eventual breakdown) Current Mood: excited (2 Comments |Comment on this)
5:31 pm	Election Night: Update IV: Alabama ABC and NBC are projecting Alabama, with 9 EV, for John McCain. According to some sources, he may lead by as much as a 9% margin (he was polled to win by 25%). Current Totals: - John McCain - 43 EV - Barack Obama - 103 EV (+/- 1 EV for Maine, depending on the eventual breakdown) Current Mood: excited (Comment on this)
5:04 pm	Election Night: Update III: Oklahoma, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Eastern Seaboard States ABC and NBC are projecting Oklahoma, with 7 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 29%). ABC and NBC are projecting Tennessee, with 11 EV, for John McCain. He leads by a 13% margin (he was polled to win by 14%). ABC and NBC are projecting Illinois, with 21 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 38%). ABC and NBC are projecting Pennsylvania, with 21 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 8%). ABC and NBC are projecting New Hampshire, with 4 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a 15% margin (he was polled to win by 13%). ABC and NBC are projecting Massachusetts, with 12 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a 15% margin (he was polled to win by 18%). ABC and NBC are projecting Connecticut, with 7 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a 67% margin (he was polled to win by 21%). ABC and NBC are projecting New Jersey, with 15 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 16%). ABC and NBC are projecting Delaware, with 3 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 30%). ABC and NBC are projecting Maryland, with 10 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 19%). ABC and NBC are projecting the District of Columbia, with 3 EV, for Barack Obama. He leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 69%). ABC and NBC are projecting Maine, with 4 EV, for Barack Obama. Marine is an unsual case as its EVs are distributed based on the number of districts won, and not on a "winner take all" basis. Thus, the actual EV count for Obama may be less than 4, and is projected to be likely 3. He leads by a 34% margin (he was polled to win by 23%). Current Totals: - John McCain - 34 EV - Barack Obama - 103 EV (+/- 1 EV for Maine, depending on the eventual breakdown) Current Mood: excited (Comment on this)
4:55 pm	Election Night: Update II: South Carolina (and a Virginia Early Preview) ABC is projecting South Carolina, with 8 EV, for John McCain. He currently trails by a 15% margin, but this is nevertheless close enough based on the polls to call the state for him (he was polled to win by 10%). Additionally, ElectoralVote.com has current totals for Virgina: with 2% of the vote counted, John McCain is leading by 6%. Current Totals: - John McCain - 16 EV - Barack Obama - 3 EV Current Mood: excited (Comment on this)
4:30 pm	Election Night: Update I: Kentucky & Vermont Hello all. I will be busy studying for a midterm and watching the election results tonight, but for my part, I will here report the latest annoucements whenever I can. As a note, all polls are taken from ElectoralVote.com, which averages national polls while discarding the highest and lowest. All results are from major network news sources only. Electoral Votes (hereafter and in subsequent posts refered to as EV) are all I will be noting here, as the popular vote numbers will be late in coming. NBC is projected Kentucky, with 8 EV, for John McCain. He currently leads by a 10% margin (he was polled to win by 9%). NBC is projected Vermont, with 3 EV, for Barack Obama. He currently leads by a less than 1% margin (he was polled to win by 21%). Current Totals: - John McCain - 8 EV - Barack Obama - 3 EV Current Mood: excited (Comment on this)
Monday, November 3rd, 2008
5:31 pm	Election Eve On the eve of the coming momentous day, when the national destiny will be shaped for a generation to come, I'm nervous. Yes, it's true. Your writer is as nervous as hell. Because nothing in this world is certain, and because he's been disappointed in the last two elections, the ones he's followed and cared about. Both times, the candidate he so desperately wanted to win came within inches, and then fell. Both times, they were good candidates with experience, and both times, there was substantial hope for change. Instead, all the nation has gotten is an ever-worsening reality which has turned the American dream into the American nightmare. If you had asked me eight years ago today if, on this day in 2008, I would be living in a country fighting two wars with no end in sight, suffering through the worst economic implosion of modern times, and thoroughly distrusted and in some quarters even hated by the international community and our allies, I would have thought it all a bizarre joke. If anyone with a crystal ball had foretold September 11th, Enron (though that was so long ago now), a war without purpose in Iraq, another war without guidance in Afghanistan, the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, of civil rights, of international respect, I would have denied it all. Even Bush, I would have said, couldn't be that bad. Maybe, in fairness, he hasn't been. He hasn't decided to make all these things transpire. But as a President, it was his job to handle them, to guide the nation, to lead. I can't say that I think he lived up to that responsibility. From time to time, he made a good choice, and I won't take away his triumphs, however few and far between they may be, at least by my reckoning. But, to say these eight years have been anything but a disaster is I think to utterly deny reality. On election eve, I have no clue what will happen next. The polls say Obama is in the lead. But, what does that matter? Polls can be wrong. Fraud can occur. It has before; it will again. As it is, I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic. I've told myself, McCain wouldn't be so bad (although Governor Palin's presence in the wings makes it harder and harder to say each time). And besides, I've been disappointed for eight years. I've earned my right to say what I want. I watched nine debates this past election cycle, followed things for a year and a half. I read up on every candidate, examined their stance on the issues, listened patiently to what they said. Do I agree 100% with who I am supporting? No. Not by a long shot. But do I think he's the right person for the job? Absolutely, 100%. It's good, from time to time, to pick someone you don't entirely agree with, because dissenting views are important to hear lest you get stale. The problem of the past eight years was that dissenting views were shut out. Having attended anti-war rallies, signed petitions, voted in 2004 and 2006, tried to argue my views, I know how hard it was, how uncompromising and unwilling others were to let me in for all that time. Now that things are bad, people come flooding away from that point of view, and closer to mine. It's gratifying in a way, but I'd be happier if the nation were better off than if I were proven right. So, I'm in the position now of waiting, hoping, for the last few hours. I don't want to be denied anymore. I want my voice to be heard. I want a change! I want to hope for once! The sun that rises on tomorrow won't necessarily be an Obama sunrise of red, white, and blue. That burning star will rise on Republican, Democrat, Third Party supporter, and undecided alike, and everyone will be expected to vote. Everyone must vote. You really need to. I don't care who you are or who you support, for goodness sakes, go out and make your voices heard! The rest of the world is watching us, waiting for us. There are people in Europe, in Kenya, in Japan (particularly in Obama City, the town that shares his name) who would love to be in your place and cast a ballot. So, go out and do it! You only get the chance once every four years, and although every election matters, this one matters particularly. If we are to turn around the suffering nation of America, we must do it now, not four years or eight years from now. More importantly, we have to turn around this world, which is endlessly burdened by war, poverty, cruelty, inhumanity, and an ever-changing environment on the verge of irrevocable damage. Even on this last issue, I cannot stress it enough: if we do not do something in the term of the next administration, it will be too late for thousands of species of plants and animals, for hundreds of miles of land lost to the sea, to millions of people whose lives will be changed as the planet changes. This isn't something that can wait. None of these problems can wait. We have to address them NOW. I don't know that either candidate can do it, but I know who I think is more likely to do it. That's why I'm voting with him. That's why I hope you all will vote with me. But even if you don't, please vote anyway. It's important to be heard, to take action, to have a voice. That way, even if all you can do with that voice is be a dissenter, as I was for eight years, you can at least be entitled to your opinion. You can at least say you've used your rights. And that is the most important thing of all. Don't be disinterested. Don't say it doesn't affect you. The direction our world takes affects us all! Every choice, great or small, has a lasting effect in the ripples of consciousness and cause and effect. Leading your life as you see fit will help, even if only you know you are helping. So, for goodness sakes, go out and live! Don't be shut up at your computer, alone in your opinions. Cast a ballot, make a statement, TAKE ACTION! And once you've done that, be proud. Live up the expectation of democracy. It only will work if you make it work. Finally, for those of you living in California, I would humbly ask for your support on a few key issues. Please consider voting YES on Propositions 1A, 2, 3, 5, and 12. They are important in taking care of the people, animals, and infrastructure of this great state. Particularly, please think of the animals that Proposition 2 will help, as they are horribly caged and hurt by the so-called "modern farming practices" used today. Also please think of the future that Proposition 1A can help to bring, with California having a modern, high-speed rail system like the ones I've seen and enjoyed in France and Japan. Moving away from cars and airplanes is a good way to help our environment, provide excellent transportation, and create many new jobs in a time of hardship. Infrastructure bonds are most useful in tough times, because they help the working man and give the state and nation useful facilities for the future. And also, please vote NO on Propositions 4 & 8. I particularly want to ask your support on Proposition 8, because it is unfair, dishonest, and prejudiced to take away the rights of people who merely want to live and love together. Please, think of the gay people you know. Think of how you would feel taking away their rights and repressing them. Think of making them unhappy with your voice and actions. If this is something that makes you feel bad, then for goodness sakes don't oppress them by voting yes. The 'Yes on 8' people have only one thing that's correct in what they're saying: marriage ought to be protected. I agree. It ought to be protected for EVERYONE, including gay people. Gay rights are the civil rights issue of our time, and just as it was wrong to oppress African Americans, Japanese Americans, Latino Americans, women, and everyone else who has in the past felt the burden of discrimination, it is equally wrong to oppress gay people. I give you an impassioned plea for equal rights. If you value those rights, and wouldn't want them taken from you, please vote NO. Strangely, after typing all that, I feel less nervous. I feel more confident. I feel more hopeful. I want to take those good feelings with me to the polls tomorrow, and I hope you'll all do the same. Thanks for reading. Current Mood: hopeful (Comment on this)
Saturday, October 18th, 2008
10:47 pm	Thinking About Obama My favorite conservative, New York Times columnist David Brooks (who also contributes to 'The News Hour with Jim Lehrer'), has written a rather interesting and insightful article on Barack Obama that was published in the October 16th edition of the paper. It's now online at the New York Times website, so I wanted to provide a link for all interested. For those who don't know him, Mr. Brooks is a thoughtful, intelligent, and rather fascinating man when it comes to politics, as whether he's talking about a new policy plan or a candidate at any end of the ideological spectrum, he always brings a measured and nearly-always rational take on things. Click Here to Read! (Comment on this)
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
3:04 pm	Vice Presidential Debate Greetings again, all. Just a reminded that today at 6 p.m. PST (7 Mountain, 8 Central, 9 Eastern), the first and only Vice Presidential Debate between Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden will take place at the Washington University in St. Louis, in St. Louis, Missouri. Tonight's moderator will be Gwen Ifill of PBS's 'Washington Week.' As this is the only debate for the Vice Presidential candidates, this might be your only chance to see Joe Biden and Sarah Palin take questions of this nature, and the only time they will share a stage together. Both candidates are somewhat scarce on national news programs, so please take the time to listen to what they have to say. (Comment on this)
Monday, September 29th, 2008
6:49 pm	Is This Really Happening? 778 points? I just can't believe this. Congratulations Wall Street, you've officially fucked yourselves. Normally, I couldn't be any happier... it's just that unfortunately, you'll be taking the rest of us down with you. If I may be so bold as to make a prediction, let it be this: we are beginning to witness the end of American dominance. (Comment on this)
Friday, September 26th, 2008
5:19 pm	Presidential Debate I Greetings all. Just wanted to remind all you politically-minded people out there (and those of you who aren't, but honestly should be considering how important this all is) that tonight is the first of three Presidential Debates between John McCain and Barack Obama, at 6 p.m. Pacific Time (7 p.m. Mountain, 8 p.m. Midwestern, and 9 p.m. Eastern). Tonight's debate is being hosted by the University of Mississippi at Oxford, and will be moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS's 'The News Hour with Jim Lehrer.' Whether you're decided or not on who you're going to vote for, do yourself a favor and keep democracy strong by tuning in and hearing what the men competing for our country's top job have to say. A democratic nation cannot function without a democratic populace, and a democratic populace cannot exist if it is not informed. Inform yourself, and watch the debate. I will be, and I hope you will too. (Comment on this)
Thursday, September 25th, 2008
11:48 pm	My First Day at UCLA Well, I achieved a dream today. I am now officially a UCLA student. And gosh darn it, nothing on this earth can keep me from enjoying Chaucer's Canterbury Tales! Even if I am studying in a hot, somewhat smelly windowless basement, I'm going to enjoy it! 'Cause guess what: it's U.C.L.frickin'.A!!! The best damn school on earth! In other news, my first day of class went reasonably well. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
9:34 pm	Anime I'm Watching Now As all of you no doubt know, I'm a bit of a self-appointed spokesman for the anime industry, and especially at a time like this, when a bad economy and weak interenational market has made it difficult for US distributors and Japanese production studios alike, I want to keep the fires of fandom burning. Hence, the first of hopefully several anime-related posts over the next few weeks. If I can encourage anyone to keep active in the fandom, and most importantly keep buying DVDs, then I will not only have succeeded, I'll be a happy man. This first post has a bit on an interactive feature: I've provided a list of anime which I'm currently watching, and I hope you'll reply and do the same. Not only is it interesting to know what other people are looking at (which is why I hope I'll get some responses), it's a good way of getting ideas of what to watch yourself. So, without any further ado, here we go! Death Note - On episode 16 of 37 Produced by: Madhouse Distributed by: Viz Media Gundam SEED Desiny - On episode 26 of 50 Produced by: Sunrise Distributed by: Bandai Entertainment Kanon - On episode 10 of 24 Produced by: Kyoto Animation Distributed by: ADV (DVDs 1 - 5), Funimation (DVD 6) The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - On episode 5 of 14 (Kyon Broadcast Order) Produced by: Kyoto Animation Distributed by: Bandai Entertainment Yukikaze - On episode 4 of 5 Produced by: GONZO Digimation Distributed by: Bandai Entertainment I'm also just about set to start Mushishi, which I got in the mail, and I've already pre-ordered Claymore, which is coming out in October. So, what is everyone else watching? I'm eager to hear from you all! (Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
1:10 pm	Spielberg Joins Pitt in Opposing Gay Marriage Ban Following in the footsteps of actor Brad Pitt, who last week donated $100,000 to defeat the proposition to ban gay marriage in California, Hollywood head honcho and mega-star director Steven Spielberg donated $100,000 of his own for the cause. With a deuce of hundred grands behind the opposition, and both tinsel town and the public sitting up and taking notice, hopefully the march towards equality will go on. Way to go, Mr. Spielberg! You're a good man. (Comment on this)
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
12:23 pm	Tarō Asō The day I've been dreading for over a year finally came today. Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a party which, despite the name, is actually the dominant conservative group, chose 68 year old Tarō Asō as their candidate for the next Prime Minister. He is now almost certain to be elected, as he is taking over for Yasuo Fukuda, the previous Prime Minister (who himself took over for Shinzō Abe), as an LDP leader. Essentially, the LDP has a mandate until September 2009, one year from now, thus meaning that someone from within the party will lead Japan. Thus, only LDP registered voters can take part in this election, and if they vote at all, they are almost certain to vote for the one man on the ticket: Tarō Asō. Why is this such a big deal, you might wonder. What's the problem with the mandated party replacing its PM? Well, the issue is that: Tarō Asō, through a series of racist comments has shown himself, since the start of his major prominence in 2001, to be a figure of unusual nationalistic drive that has not been seen in Japan in many years. The grandson of a Shigeru Yoshida, arguably the most important PM in the immediate post-war years, he comes from a family firmly enmeshed in politics, corporate power, and nobility. His father was the chairman of the Asō Cement Company (which used slave labor during World War II), and a close associate of the powerful former PM Kakuei Tanaka. Tanaka was an LDP strongman, who spent hundreds of millions of dollars on pork barrel projects in order to entice a 100,000 member base, who made up the exclusive political club Etsuzankai. Etsuzankai was one of the most tightly-knit political groups in Japanese history, and were given exclusive perks like tours of the Diet and the Imperial Palace (which is normally off-limits to everyone but the royal family). Among other things, Tanaka purchased a geisha in the 1960s and then used her name for numerous shady land deals, and was accused (and convicted) of taking $1.8 million in bribes from the Lockheed Corporation during the infamous 1976 Lockheed bribery scandal. He managed to avoid his four years of jail time by refusing to comply with the law and leave the Diet (the Japanese parliament), and when his appeal failed, he died of pneumonia not long after. Asō's younger sister, originally named Nobuko Asō, is now known as Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, as she married Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, the first cousin of Emperor Akihito. But his family back-story is hardly the main event for Asō, who has distinguished himself since coming to public office more for his controversial statements than any pro-active policy. Asō studied at Stanford University, but was unable to receive a degree due to his family fearing he would become too Americanized. However, he is a Roman Catholic, a highly unusual case in even modern Japan, setting him apart from nearly all other politicians (and intrinsically tying him to a more Western point of view in terms of religion). He also worked for two years in Sierra Leone for a diamond mining company, but was forced to return to Japan by civil war. After serving as president of his father's company for several years, he joined the Japanese Olympic team, competing in the 1976 Summer Olympics in shooting. Three years later in 1979, he was elected to the House of Representatives. After former LDP PM Junichiro Koizumi left politics in 2006, he attempted to take the top spot but was rejected by a wide margin in favor of Shinzō Abe, a conservative politician with a history of confrontational stances against China and North Korea but who nevertheless was seen as more "moderate" in comparison to Asō. Abe resigned one year to the day after taking office, thus ushering in Yasuo Fukuda, a genuine moderate who nevertheless lasted less than a year. Asō also tried to run against Fukuda, and lost for being too extreme on foreign policy. Now, Asō stands alone in challenging for the top position, as representative of a party enjoying approval ratings that hover just around 30%. He brings with him a legacy of racist nationalism which will undoubtedly mark his time in office. Among other things, Asō (while serving as Economics Minister) said in 2001 that he wanted to make Japan a place where "rich Jews" would want to live. On December 21, 2005, he said China was "a neighbor with one billion people equipped with nuclear bombs and has expanded its military outlays by double digits for 17 years in a row, and it is unclear as to what this is being used for. It is beginning to be a considerable threat." He claimed in 2006 and 2007 (while serving as Foreign Minister) that Japan's 20th-century colonization of Korea and Taiwan was good for both countries. He has claimed last year that allegations that Japan held sex slaves from Korea and China during World War II "lacked objective evidence." In 2007, while still acting as Foreign Minister, Asō said that Americans could not solve the Middle East crisis because they have blond hair and blue eyes and added, "Japanese are trusted. Luckily we have yellow faces." In September of this year, he responded to a comment about the LDP's shifting fortunes by upper house speaker Satsuki Eda of the opposition Democratic Party (DP) by saying, "If you look at history, you will see that as a result of the people moving away from the party of government, regimes like the Nazis have come into power." DP Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama demanded an apology which Asō has not given. His statements on the Japanese people and nation are no less distinguished. On October 15, 2005, he praised Japan for having "one nation, one civilization, one language, one culture and one race," and stated that it was the only such country in the world. And on January 28, 2006, he called for the emperor to visit the controversial Yasukuni shrine (dedicated to soldiers who have fought and died in various Japanese wars, but marked by a nationalist overtone and seen outside the country as a representation and justification of conservative militarist values). Asō is known for being aggressively hawkish in his politics, and has supported legislation and proposals to deal harshly with North Korea over the issue of the kidnapping of Japanese citizens during the 1970s (versus continuing to negotiate and deal with the situation in a diplomatic fashion, which has yielded results). He also is thought to be in support of rolling back Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which prohibits Japan from having an army and fighting in war. Despite inheriting a post which is currently marked by scandal and low approval ratings, Asō will have one year to try and shape the country however he likes before the next general election. How much will he be able to do in that year? And how might Japan be changed as a result? The only certain thing is this: Asō is the most conservative, most hawkish, and potentially most dangerous politician the LDP has summoned up in well over a decade, and I for one am quite fearful of what, given a year, he might be able to do. The days of a peaceful Japan, one that coexists comfortably within both Western and Eastern spheres and refrains from actively antagonizing its neighbors and insulting its allies, may soon be coming to an end. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, September 19th, 2008
12:06 pm	Chicks On Anime That wonderful resource for animation fans, the Anime News Network, recently started an interesting new online article called Chicks on Anime. Essentially, it consists of ANN's female reviewers and staff (of whom there are four) discussing a pre-determined topic regarding anime or the general animation business. This week, the focus was on American animation and it's relationship to anime, and to add to the discussion, Disney Feature Animation employee Ke Jiang joined the talk. For those interested in the animation business, and in particular a female take on this industry (which, rightly or wrongly, to this day is still thought of as a 'male' occupation by many), I would highly recommend the article. Click Here to Read! (Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
7:17 pm	Brad Pitt Donates $100,000 To Defeat California Gay Marriage Ban The headline says it all, folks. One of Hollywood's big guns is coming out in support of equality. And the rest of the country thinks we just are scandal crazy drug addicts! Bah! Well, it might be true, about the scandals and the drugs, but Hollywood can and sometimes does stand for more, namely, the right thing. I'm not personally a big Brad Pitt fan, but it's hard to fault a guy for not only doing what he believes in, but trying to help ensure equal rights and treatment for millions of others. My hat's off to you, Mr. Pitt. Now, let's just hope the rest of your Hollywood brethren join in. Current Mood: encouraged (Comment on this)