Rob's blog

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard-Poland

2007-10-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

AM New York newspaper is reporting that in Poland, a candidate for a top position is running ad campaigns against the other candiates schnauzer.

The other candidate is going to the Highest Court in Poland to ask that the candidate be asked to appologize becuase he contests his scnauzer did no such thing.

I kid you not

Giving the Devil his due: Thanks Sam Brownback.

2007-07-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks Senator Brownback for co-sponsoring the bill that saved Net radio. Proof there are so many issues that divide America, but take away their right to music and news on the internet and you can piss of just about everyone.

Internet Radio Compromise

2007-07-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

The online news including the New York Times have said a compromise has been reached in the internet radio scandal. Tomorrow we were supposed to lose all of internet radio but a compromise has been reached after pressure from citizens and Congress people who realize people may not vote for them based on this issue. The rates will go up but not in a way to put the internet radio out of business.

Their Doctors?... Nah... seriously? [England]

2007-07-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

I guess the question most Americans are thinking, I'm just saying is going something like this:

The failed terroist attack was so blatantly bad that everybody, news and citizens, has been calling these people dumbasses essentially.

Now the report coming in is that at least three of these people were doctors, the people we generally look upon as up there among the smartest in the world. So what would possess these doctors, who were most likely wealthy, to do this?

Internet Radio

2007-04-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

I listen to internet radio alot but lawmakers are afraid that digital radio threatens regular radio. Two lawmakers however, a Republican and a Democrat say thats nonesense. If you listen to internet radio, have a child or grandchild who does, or basically feel that people are entitled to hear radio such as Itunes, please go to www.Savenetradio.org, an org site not a .com site where you can learn more about whats going on and what you can do.

Pandora's Hatch

2007-03-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

From the file of things the U.S. mainstream media will probably never let you know about until it actually comes here, comes the "Baby Hatch."

This blog entry is not taking sides, only explaining what the Baby Hatch is:

The Baby Hatch (the actual coined name) is where parents, often single mothers can place a baby into a hacth at a participating hospital anonomoualy and the baby will be taken care of and put into a foster home. This is done by people who don't feel that they can take care of the baby.

The NHK has reported that this has been taking place in Europe in 6 unnamed nations, and Italy. In Italy last year, someone used a Baby Hatch. Although the hacthes had been in place for at least a year, they were never used. The Italian government has ordered more Baby Hatches as a result, hence the Pandora's Hatch becuase now that the box has been opened it can't close again anytime soon. Japan has started using the Hatches as well and at one hospital a hatch was used and the Gov. declared that to be legal.

Arguments Against: 1. It's abnormal
2. Its irresponsible
3. It makes the Gov. of the nation that uses it look like somewhat of a fool.
4. If the mother or father, who may not know that the Baby was put into the hatch can't claim it later.

Arguments For: 1. It can theoretically save a child's life if the parent would otherwise harm the baby.
2. Nobody wants a baby hatch, their installed out of necessity.
3. It would lead the mother to a potential abortion otherwise (I'm not sure about Europe but in Japan abortion is legal throughout the nation.)

In sports we'd say he "threw him under the bus"

2007-01-19T06:14:00.000-08:00

George Bush, like many politicans worldwide is not one to take blame. His newest guy/pal/scapegoat whatever is General Casey.

He used to say that he listens to the generals on the ground but many of the retired generals came out against him. Bush now mentions Casey's name alot. He even said that Gen. Casey wants more troops when Casey said the opposite, But Casey seems to know where his bread is buttered and hasn't ran to any news organizations screaming "he'a a liar, a liar I tell you."

If Bush were still in charge of his baseball team, the announcers would say "wow, he threw that guy under the bus."

Ct and run from Asia

2007-01-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

Cut and run-cut and run. That’s what the neo-cons say if you even think about pulling out of Iraq. But what about Korea? That’s right Korea.

But you say, "We've sanctioned North Korea." True, but I'm talking about South Korea. In the book "Shutting out the Sun" by Michael Zielenziger, the author states the "Bush administration has seriously strained relation with South Korea." Also, South Koreans tend to go to the left and as you might imagine, view the Iraq war as wrong.

I believe that if the US loses South Korea, they will have allies like Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan. However, if South Korea allies itself with China, which the author explains that they are starting to, or North Korea, or both then the 6-party talks could break down and the US would have a powerful enemy.

People don't really think about Asia but politicians of all parties in Congress or Pres. Candidates should have a plan and answer questions on this topic.

*Note: The South Korean public was given a poll last year and despite the governments, weaponry, and army size of N. Korea and China, they chose Japan as their most powerful enemy.

Letting Go

2006-12-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

In the news, there is a meeting of Vetrans for the 65th Anniversary of Pearl. The meeting is between the Americans and the Japanese who were shooting at each other in that event.

Not only are they meeting, but they are interacting and getting to know one another.

I'm not sure how they could meet after something like that, but for peace and for letting go, the vetrans on both sides are truly amazing people.

Cue the tension music

2006-11-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

Ex-St Louis slugger Mark McGwire is on the upcoming hall of fame ballot.

Everyone in sports will be watching this one: If he gets elected, it will mean people will forvever be inspired to use steroids on all levels of sports, even High school.

If he doesn't get on, the voters will be denying the career of one of the most valuable commodities in Baseball history.

Many at this point specualte he won't be voted in, not on this ballot at least.

Black Friday........Again

2006-11-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

Well as Black Friday comes, nobody will be surprised what they'll say: "This is the biggest sale day ever. This will break records. Holy crap, this is the big one."

A week later it will be, "Well perhaps we were a little hasty there. Its actually about the same as last year." Last year by the way they said: "This is the biggest sale day ever. This will break records. Holy crap, this is the big one."

Followed a week later by...well you get the idea.

Next year will be the same thing.

We Jews want to control the world, until we don't.

2006-11-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

A new report on Haaretz.com, a well respected Israeli newspaper has reported that Jews in various governments on the worldwide scale has reached a new high. As a Jew, myself and many of my fellow Jews want to feel proud of this. Itis the ultimate slap in the face of those that tried to destroy us in many places around the world culminating in the 1930's- '40s.

However, every time Jews gain more power, they seem to lose respect as people around the world, especially in the Middle East say "Whelp, Jews are running the world. This just proves what we feared." The fact that Christianity is still the dominant religion and Jews don't gain the leader-of-the-nation role in any area even though women have who aren't Jewish.

It's hard, I want to be proud and at the same time I need to be prepared for the people who fears the massive Jewish conspiracy.

Joe and Barbara, who would've guessed (US)

2006-07-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

CBS radio has reported that Barbara Boxer is going to support Joe Liberman formally for his new Senate term. Obviously many are "shocked and awed" by this. He was my Senator when I lived in CT for over 4 years.

Will this help or hurt Liberman is the question. CT is very liberal and are fed up with Liberman so they might not vote for him anyway. Barbara Boxer may alienate his conservative supporters.

As for what this will mean for Boxer, who knows.

The Emperor's new wardrobe (Japan)

2006-07-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

Brief History:
To the Japanese people, Emperor Akihito is a figurehead, probably a fun diversion alot like celebrity's here. Judging by the celebration at his birthday and the fanfare about weather his wife will have a son or will a woman ascend the thone, this man is still held with importance. This is simmular to England.

Outside of Japan, the Emperor probably conjures up memories of his dad, Emperor Hirohito who waged war, formed alliances with the Nazis, tortured and killed innocent Chinese, and fought American GI's to the death. Hirohito was still alive during my liftime, passing away when I was 4 years old.

Emperor Akihito sent notice that he doesn't like the Prime Minister visiting the Yaskasuni Shrine which honors the war dead convicted of war crimes. I don't like it either, but it is interesting that the Emperor himself would come out against it. PM Koizumi seems to do it to get under peoples skin, especially in other parts of Asia and it works.

Maybe if Hirohitos son can say that visits to a shrine that honors Japanese war criminals is wrong, maybe theres a little bit of hope. Maybe

Korean Missle Crisis

2006-07-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

My hope is that North Korea can come back to the six party talks, a system of talks between N. Korea, the U.S., China, Russia, S. Korea, and Japan.

Despite being most likely furious about this, Chief Cabinet Offical of Japan Abe Shinzo (A good chance of being the next PM in September) put the best possible face on this and said he wanted them to come back to the Six Party Talks as well. (NHK)

Becuase of a depleted millitary coupled with a very strong N. Korean millitary, the White House seems to be making vague refrences as to what these threats mean.

I guess the Six Party Talks is again the best bet, but even if they come back to it, and they may not, can the other 5 parties trust the N. Korean contingent, when what they'll want to do is jump over the table (a literal table they talk at) and smack the N. Korean contingent with a newspaper.

When fans attack

2006-06-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Now this is coming from someone who has alot of friends who are Red Sox fans and it isn't just about Red Sock fans but all sports and teams and here it goes:

CBS radio reported that little leaguers in Boston had to change their uniforms becuase they were getting heckled by adults when doing things like getting Ice cream and were booed during opening day ceremonies. Why were they booed? Theyre little league team is the Yankees. The Red Sox single A team has chimed in as well. It got so bad that the little league team is considering changing their uniform.

It is hard when adult sports extremes are used against little kids. Its sad for everybody.

Here is one article that breifly mentions it

How low can you go [Israel]

2006-06-20T15:39:00.001-07:00

Israel and the Palastinian led gov of Hamas have a basic no talking to each other policy, and basically like to pretend the other doesn't exist as neither wants to acknowledge the other formally (Israelis still primarily deal with ousted PM Abbas.) So what happens when they need to talk you ask? Well Haaretz.com reports that the Palastinians have agreed to let their minor political figures tal to Israeli politicans.

An excerpt:

Several central issues are seen as requiring talks with the PA, either because this is in Israel's interest or in order to address an urgent humanitarian need. These include fighting epidemics (like bird flu), other health care issues (transferring medicine and vaccines, coordinating patients' trips to Israel for treatment), environmental issues (dealing with sewage), security crises (but only life and death situations, such as rescuing Israelis who enter PA territory) and population registration (exchanging data).

Education was also added to the list recently

I think that this is an interesting idea. The two sides need to talk and if they have to sidestep to do it, I think its necessary for both sides.

A whale Tale

2006-06-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

Some good news is that the Japanese gov which likes whaling as a business industry was rejected from future whaling. A person I talked to online from Japan, coupled with an online article I read last year where the people interviewed found whale meat disgusting and thought that whaling embarrased their country, show that the Japanese don't seem to particulalry like whaling either. Its good they got rejected. I know from a couple of different sources (see NHK) that the Japanese have scientists who study whales...and than kill them and use them for food but its all science they say. I hope this practice stops too.

World Cup is the hardest team sport

2006-06-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why anybody would want to play in the World Cup. In this nation, people jump on top of each other on the tv to talk about how "boring" it is. In most other countries, if you lose, you bring shame and dishonor upon your country. There are reports every once in awhile of some Nations whose players are "missing" after a match, and nobody seems to find them.

Yes World Cup soccer probably has the most underappreciated players in the world...so to speak.

A poll a day keeps the politicans away

2006-06-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

There seems to be new spin. The Repubs can't figure out why the Repub poll numbers are so low, and Clintons so high and the answer: Right wingers use caller ID and never respond. Thats not true, I worked at an accurate polling place for 5 years and we had many die hard Bush fans. That logic doesn't wash. Politicans always debate the usefullness of polls when they're down in them but the truth is they do give an accurate descritpion of how people are feeling at the given time they're taken.

Guilt, thy name is Coulter

2006-06-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

It seems like Ann Coulter and her followers are somehow jealous. That Ann Coulter said what she said is sick, but for others to follow her is very sad. Olbermann said that even he didn't think people would support her, but she is being supported by sheep. Some bloggers say things like, "Well they love their new sports cars I'm sure." That is envy on a level I can't begin to understand.

Israel and its self hating residents.

2006-06-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

The Right wing an Israel is a curious bunch. They live in Israel but by many standards have a backwards way of thinking. They share the political beliefs of the rightwing here only they go further. Many believe the land belongs to them becuase G-d said so. A recent article in the conservative newspaper Auretz Sheva had a page written explaining how letting women in was evil too. (It says that while they want to have a strong IDF, "We are not ignoring problems such as the army's offensive integration of men and women" Auretz Sheva)

The two of their most famous exploits are the killing of Rabin and the recent killing of civilians in Palastine when they were to be evacuated from disputed territories.

Now, according to JersualemOnline.com there "is a pamplet calling on the settlers (right wing citizens of disputed territories) to attack the IDF.

Israel's policies

2006-03-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Left Wing, Right wing, Hamas, Fatah, everybody wants Jerusalem it seems for themselves and nobody else.

It's interesting how the rest of the world looks at things like Israel as saying well the Jews want it for the Jews and the Arabs for the Palastinians. Well thats not exactly true.

The only true uniter of a leader in the land of Israel is Olmert. He has united the two parites...against him and for a good reason. He wants to appear like Sharon or Yitzhak Rabin, who gave land for peace deals. But now Olmert seems determined to give away land hoping to somehow appease the Palastinian's so they will say "well Israel's giving alot to us, we should leave them alone now."

That policy doesn't work with Hamas. Without real peace deals, there is no peace.

Wire Taps

2006-02-12T19:20:00.000-08:00

The President had his 2 Supreme Court nominees. Things are pretty cushy for him when he leaves office. The next Presidential election therefore will basically boil down to wire taps. For the first time, Supreme Court nominees won't be as much of a factor in the election. The war isn't something people think about as much. So what will the parties be debating. Wiretaps.

The Republican who wins his parties nomination will support them. The Democrat party winner, probably Kerry or Hillary, or maybe Edwards will be against wire taps. The next Presidential election could very well come down to "Do you think you should be spied upon, and how many freedoms are you willing to give away for...well freedom."

When cartoons turn into terroism

2006-02-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

All of the commotion about these cartoons. People are ready to kill over some newspaper that wasn't even a big newspaper I've heard.

Am I the only one who finds it ironic that Muslim extremists are doing exactly what the cartoon was making fun of?

Iran's President

2005-12-11T07:58:00.001-08:00

"Some European countries insist on saying that during World War II, Hitler burned millions of Jews and put them in concentration camps, any historian, commentator or scientist who doubts that is taken to prison or gets condemned."

These were the words of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As a Jew, I do not feel anger or sadness. I feel pity. I pity the type of person who would say this, either becuase he believes it or more likely for political reasons.

Israel: Bombing in Netanya

2005-12-07T06:19:00.002-08:00

Sadly, a bombing occured on Israel's coast, a Sharon mall in a district known as Netanya. Israel has promised to step up attacks, which will assuredly lead to Palastine stepping up attacks which will lead Israel to step up... well you get the idea.

Five people lost their lives in the attack and will not be able to celebrate Channukah this year. The UN security council is doing their part to make more trouble by not condeming the attack.

Japan's misconstruction

2005-11-29T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hidetsugu Aneha of Kimura Kensetsu building company admitted to fraud. In the buidling of aprartments and hotels he falsyfied documents. When pressed by the Japanese media he said, "I was squeezed to cut costs." That was his excuse.

He was asked to come to a hearing about what went wrong and refused saying he was "mentally tired."

Part of the story here

Pitbulls in Denver

2005-11-23T06:43:00.000-08:00

For people who don't know the story, articles from early January talk about how in Denver, Pitbulls have been declared illegal. "Harboring" one could land the owner in jail for a year and slap them with a fine of $1,000.

On a persoanl note, one of the nicest dogs I know is my family freinds Pitbull and she hates it when Pitbulls get a bad rap. I hope that Denver stops this in the future.

An article

Japan and Bird Flu

2005-11-21T19:32:00.000-08:00

Travellers from "China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Romania" are considered places where the Bird Flu might be coming from and people from these places must walk on disnfectant mats at the airport.

-http://www.NHK.OR.JP/English/index.html

Israel

2005-11-18T07:14:00.000-08:00

On the Anniversary of his death, there it is now being discovered that former Palastinian leader Yassar Arafat was killed like Cesar, one of the people, they don't know who from his inner circle is now said to have put a deadly toxin in his ear at the end of 2003. -Haaretz.com

Japan's New Car

2005-11-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

I had to go to Japan's news for this one, a new fuelless Toyota model was unveiled in Manhattan yesterday. -www.nhk.or.jp/english/

2005-11-16T18:14:00.000-08:00

2005-11-16T18:11:00.000-08:00

Government

2005-11-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Rob's blog, coming soon there will be information and blogs about a couple of governments that I care about. please check back soon and leave me a comment.

First ever post

2005-11-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

I just created this blog, I hope that people come and that it is to peoples liking.