I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

crazy4carrots

From today's Globe & Mail:

"The Japanese people, we don't show emotions, but on the inside we are exploding.  I feel very afraid, but we all know that if one of us starts to panic, everybody will," explained Eriko Ishida, a 37-year-old English teacher from the coastal town of Soma, 50 kilometres north of the Fukushima Daiichi (nuclear) plant.

Though the government had not yet ordered residents of Soma to leave, Ms Ishida said she and a dozen relatives had decided they could no longer trust the information they were getting from the Japanese government and media.  They decided to flee, but couldn't get any further away than Fukushima city because they ran out of fuel for their car.  "All we want is to get as far away as possible, but we can't."

 ________________

Fukushima is a city of about 290,000.  All the gas stations are closed as well as most of the stores.  People are staying inside their homes with doors and windows tightly shut, waiting to hear some good news......

bluedahlia

Limbaugh is a joke!

covertanjou

What an odious thing Limbo is.  I am sure that he would have taken it well if the Japanese had made those same jokes after Katrina.  I can't believe people actually listen to him.  

crazy4carrots

There's obviously a market for Limpball's hateful rhetoric.  I've never heard his show, only snippets of his outrageousness.  Are the folks who listen to him every bit as nasty as he?

1Athena1

He has called US soldiers cowards, brave Limbaugh has.

annettek

Limbaugh is a radio jock made good... at least up until a number of years ago he still reminded people that he was just that-an entertainer and not to take anyting he said without a grain of salt-but then he realized some followed his words like gospel and began his incarnation of insane. His whole deal with his own drug addiction deniability in light of his saying drug addicts were worthless made me want to puke. He offered that his was aproblem caused by docs and others and anyway, they were prescription rather than street...Hmmm...like somehow an alcoholic who drinks single malt whiskey is less an alcoholic than the one drinkin MD2020? He is a joke but a dangerous one in that many take him to be an authority. Meanwhile he is alughing at his power and millions and when in candid moments (rare, but they happen) admits is all a joke and he isnowhere near as extreme right as he portrays but that is what he is paid to do...which is even scarier...a true psychotic I can almost understand better-they can't help it...but to spew hate and mistrust and radical actions while thinking it is all a game is SICK. nuff said

As for Japan, my heart is breaking wondering what will be. Like Atehna, has always been a choice destination for me along with China. I had to have lived in the far east in another life....that is fact in my mind-wrong or right-have always had a facinsation and connection. Had resigned myself that those spots would most likely only be seen with my mind's eye though.

In the spirit of never saying never and not knowing what life will bring...my company opened offices in both places this past year and it looks like trips for me to train for my industry segment are on the future agenda. First one up though appears to be India...boss is holding off on that trip till I am further on the other side of the BC deal.

3monstmama

I suspect the situation with the reactors is increasingly desperate---firemen with water cannons?  As for Tepco, a journalist friend reminded me that years back Tepco made the news for falsifying safety/inspection records with their nuclear power plants. 

What I find myself getting emotional over is the men and women who are working so hard to fix things.  This morning I am particularly touched by the helicopter pilots and the futile attempt to cool the reactors by dropping water.  Givne my lack of faith in big business, I have no reason to believe that it was suddenly "okay" to send in the helicopters, that while there was a dangerous level of radiation before, its okay now.  I will not be surprised if in a few months we hear of the death of those workers due to radiation sickness.  They are giving their lives for their countrymen and for those in neighboring countries.

I was born in Japan but have not been there since I leaving as a toddler.  Since 2001, I have, however, made six trips to China--several of them rather extended.  Direct bad news is not the cultural way.

Depending on how things continue to go, it appears it will be a while before our family returns to Asia and particularly to China.  I know the wind is currently blowing out to the pacific but that can change at the drop of a hat and China is a lot closer to Japan than the US.  If the wind changes, it will impact China as well, not just the short-term issue of what is brought on the wind but the longer term question of what drops on the land and impacts the food supply.   Does anyone remember how long people in Northern Europe were supposed to take precautions  after Chernobyl [sp]?  My husband remembers a summer of not eatting wild mushrooms and berries as they were supposed to have high concentrations of radiation.

Medigal

I am not a Limbaugh fan by far but if one really listens to the tape I do not see how it comes off as mocking Japan.  In fact, he is making a good point.  Who but the Japanese would continue to "recycle" in the midst of such a chaos?  I think he was making a point about how different they are from the rest of the world.  I think they will manage to survive this catastrophy in ways many couldn't just because of their determined nature.  It may take years but somehow they will survive, imo.

pip57

Canadians would continue to recycle.  We take it very seriously here.  It is also just habit and therefore second nature to most of us.  I often wonder, while travelling in the US, why Americans haven't adopted more recycling in your lifestyle.

BarbaraA

Hmmmm, PiP, it is mandatory everywhere I have lived so I am not sure about what you said.

1Athena1

...not sure why recycling in the wake of disaster would be objectionable - but then, to "find out" I would have to listen to Limbaugh. So I will remain in blissful ignorance.

pip57

Hotels do not have recycling available.  Most stores only have a recyclable container for pop cans. In Florida, the residents rarely take their own bags when shopping.  In places like Walmart or Target, one has to look for their reusable bags.  In one place they left blue bags for those who wanted to recycle.  Not only was there no compost bags available, but we watched them throw the blue bags in with the regular garbage. 

I believe that the difference is in the extent of recycling done.  It is one thing to put out a blue box with some recyclable stuff in it once a week.  It is another to make it a normal part of your life.  That is why some would wonder about the Japanese recycling in spite of what is happening and others, like me, would wonder what was so strange about that.  Another culture that just litters would think it odd if Americans put garbage in a garbage can while living in a shelter. 

konakat

Blue -- I saw those dogs on the CBC news the other day.  I was so sad for them, humbled by the loyalty of one for the other, relieved that they were rescued.  It is heartbreaking to think of the animals.

I'm so scared for the Japanese -- I constantly watch for updates.

BarbaraA

Mint chocolate chip coconut milk ice cream and raspberries. Yummmmm. Dinner will be lovely.

AnneW

I daresay the Super Dome in NOLA would have been a little more tolerable for the evacuees of Katrina if there'd been some recycling going on.

Japan can't afford clutter on top of chaos. Recycling just makes sense, and if you do it in your daily life during easy times, you might be more inclined to do it when times get tough.

I listened to the Limbaugh piece, and just didn't get his disdain for it at all.

3monstmama

Having been in a few crazed situations---LA post earthquake for example---I can tell you that doing your normal stuff makes it so much easier and makes you feel so much more in control.  So if what you normally do is separate the trash and recycle, well at least you can do that.

Not much difference than the approach  many of us take towards our breast cancer---we want to keep things whatever normal is for us as much as possible.

I stopped listening to Limbaugh decades ago---no feeding the trolls.

IronJawedBCAngel

There is very little recycling in Kentucky, which amazed me when I first moved here from Canada.  My "Christmas Club" when I lived outside of Calgary used to be taking our returnable bottles to the recycling center throughout the year. They still don't have returnable bottles here, and very few communities have pick-up for recycling, if they have recycling at all.

Someone commented on the lack of factual information coming from the Japanese govt. on the nuclear risk.  Not sure if anyone used to watch "24", but although I understand it was fiction, there was a lot that I believe was based on fact, and there were several instances when information was withheld from the public in the interest of not creating a panic. In Japan, there is very little fuel, no means for most to escape, I imagine that in an effort to stop an all out panicked stampede, the government is downplaying the risk.  My Dad has told me during WWII, the German subs were so close to the east coast, but very little information was given out to the public so that they remained unaware.  The same behavior has been going on in this country for many years.  They tell us what they believe we need to know, which is why there is such an uproar over the Wikileaks guy.

My daughter lives in S. Korea and it makes me very nervous having her there.  I have played the overprotective Mom and told her I thought it might be time to consider coming home, but as she is as stubborn as her mother, she is ignoring me.  The winter winds normally blow east, so the threat would be away from her and the rest of Asia.  However, summer winds tend to blow northwest, which would put S. Korea directly in line, and they have had some NW winds already this week. 

A sad note on the animal rescue, the Japanese Govt. has announced that any animals rescued by the govt.will be held for only 72 hours and then be euthanized.  As there are still animals from Katrina in foster homes and no-kill shelters, it is unlikely that many will be claimed.  I understand their resources are limited, but it is just sad.  I have donated to an animal rescue that is over there trying to help, but they have been simply overwhelmed themselves with the vast devastation and lack of fuel from one town to another. They will continue to work to save as many as possible, but it is a daunting task.

Having boiled cabbage and corned beef.  Happy St. Paddy's Day to all.  Slainte!

konakat

I didn't watch the pasta again -- I had a bowl of slimey cheese tortelini. Threw most of it out. I'd rather have what Barbara's having!

pip57

I agree about not wanting to panic the citizens.  They are on an island..not many ways off.  If Jack Bauer was there, the problem would be solved.

I hate hearing about the animals in these situations.  It is terrible about the euthanization policy but it is a small land mass that probably doesn't have resources for handling them all.  I just hope it is done humanely. They have so many issues to contend with right now. 

bluedahlia

THis whole situation has me in tears.  Such a proud people and those two pooches...........

AnneW

Hey, Bren, your Kenucky boys got by with the skin of their teeth today. I've got them in the Final Four...but after seeing how close they came to going down, I'm not so sure!!

JoanDavies

We could take a lesson from the Japanese, that's for sure. Makes our own disasters (natural or otherwise) pale by comparison.

Have to jump on the Florida wagon, since I'm a native. Our alien governor (I know I shouldn't pick on the way he looks, but really...have you seen him?) put the kibash on high speed rail in Central Florida, turning down billions of dollars offered by the federal government and money put up by local groups who knew that HSR could have had a huge impact on our economy. We're in for a scary couple of years out here... 

Alpal

Anne - I'm the KY fan, not Bren. We eeked one out, that's for sure. And now we get to play WVA. Sigh

IronJawedBCAngel

Our Kentucky boys are young and playing hurt.  Really never expected them to go very far this year, but we are looking forward to next year with no one abdicating for the NBA.

Rick Scott is a loathsome toad who should be in jail, not elected Governor.  However, Kentucky shares your shame.  They elected Rand Paul.

IronJawedBCAngel

For those of you on Facebook that are interested in what is happening in Japan regarding animal rescue, go to the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support page.  There are some great photos and stories on what volunteers are doing to help our animal friends.  Donations and volunteers from around the world are helping offer some hope that many will be rescued before the government officials collect them, and therefore will survive.

annettek

Konakat- I say you and me head for BarbaraA's house so she can feed us instead of taunt us with those treats-

BarbaraA- I want you to know I hold you personally responsible for eating my way through several cartons of the coconut decadence ice cream, my friend.

bluedahlia

Looks like United Nations voted for a no-fly zone+ over Libya.  Trouble's abrewin.

Thanks for the info IJBCA.

iodine

As usual the UN is a month late and a billion dollars short with the no fly zone.  I know that diplomacy is the way we Want the world to run, but the UN is just a bunch of blow hards.  OK, OK, no flames, please, but I have been so disappointed in their "efforts" in the world.  Darfur comes to mind. So does Congo.   Besides all the other places that have been over run with dictators killing their own people, even tho they are different tribes.  And the Saudi's sending in the millitary to quell the resistance in  Bahrin.  The UN is such a waste.  Oh, I know, we don't have anything better, but I do wish they, along with our elected reps would just do their jobs and quit jawboneing.

Bren-2007

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/18/libya.civil.war/index.html?hpt=C1

(CNN) -- Libya announced a "immediate" cease-fire and a halt to military action Friday, hours after the U.N. Security Council authorized the use of force to protect besieged civilians in Libya.

Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said Libya is "obliged to accept the Security Council resolution that permits the use of force to protect the civilian population."

He said Libya has decided on "an immediate ceasefire and the stoppage of all military operations."

The council Thursday night voted 10 to 0 with five abstentions to authorize "states to take all necessary measures to protect civilians." It also imposed a no-fly zone, banning all flights in Libyan airspace, with exceptions that involve humanitarian aid and evacuation of foreign nationals.

Beesie

Dotti, I agree with you completely.  Now that Gaddafi has started to make major in-roads against the protesters (and probably has killed hundreds if not more) and is in a position where he may be able to regain control, let's take action.

And then let's talk about all their special commissions and how they choose the member states. Okay, if we are looking at violence against women, let's put on the committee as many countries as we can where women have no rights just to ensure that these countries don't come under fire.  And of course Libya was on the Humans Rights Council (until March 1st, anyway).  And on the Commission on the Status of Women.

The U.N. has become overrun by political correctness.  And the countries that truly do want to better the position of all people in the world are outnumbered now by all the countries where groups are oppressed either for religious reasons or gender or caste or whatever. So nothing meaningful gets done.  Here's a wonderful article from the Tehran Times talking about Canada being critized for human rights violations by the U.N.: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=230606  Priceless, don't you think?