tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37954222208722995502024-03-12T22:06:27.442-04:00Brave New WorldBlue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-73798942001433981452009-07-27T21:09:00.001-04:002009-07-27T21:11:04.624-04:00PostracialI don't know if you've been following the Crowley-Gates affair, but this is an excellent and I think somewhat touching clip:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/27/must-see-cambridge-cop-says-she-wont-vote-for-obama-again-after-gatesgate/">http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/27/must-see-cambridge-cop-says-she-wont-vote-for-obama-again-after-gatesgate/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Racial issues can be tough, and it is nice to see the officer's coworkers/friends standing by him.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-11439709175941135232009-07-12T05:33:00.000-04:002009-07-12T05:34:03.886-04:00JADJPlease check out my new blog:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://jadij.blogspot.com/">http://jadij.blogspot.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Woot!</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-91553659885044675832009-07-10T05:50:00.001-04:002009-07-10T05:50:45.635-04:00ToiletsJeff, I will try to have a new video up by Monday. Also, it will be featured on my new blog.Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-20864109893341749462009-07-08T19:36:00.000-04:002009-07-08T19:37:03.411-04:00North Korea keeps pushing<a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/08/north-koreas-cyber-war/">http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/08/north-koreas-cyber-war/</a>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-70062405925941189562009-07-02T01:56:00.001-04:002009-07-02T01:56:44.361-04:00Our Allies<a href="http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/world/20090625TDY05308.htm">http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/world/20090625TDY05308.htm</a><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, I love France.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-64896946677939692232009-07-01T09:13:00.002-04:002009-07-01T09:13:57.830-04:00Think thinkAs motivation has become an issue both for me and anyone who used to read this blog, I'm considering ending this one but perhaps making a spinoff focusing on Japan.Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-80600961408835681822009-06-18T04:05:00.002-04:002009-06-18T04:05:55.978-04:00SnippyMan, you work and you work and you work, and some people <i>still</i> call you m'am.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/06/17/boxer_asks_general_to_call_her_senator_and_not_maam.html">http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/06/17/boxer_asks_general_to_call_her_senator_and_not_maam.html</a></div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-69712439580083000642009-06-08T09:28:00.001-04:002009-06-08T09:29:57.743-04:00Unspecified Crimes<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hM96sRn69bkN1XDLqb2_pkmFxqdgD98M8TL00">Damn</a>. Are we going to let it go at that - imprisoning American citizens for something as vague as "grave crimes"?Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-5902975030403104872009-06-04T03:20:00.004-04:002009-06-04T03:33:21.623-04:00Cowed by CommunistsThere is a lot of talk in the news and political blogs these days about how Reaganism is dead. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525033,00.html">No kidding.</a> Do you think Reagan would have been apologizing for America and trying to court favor with Islamic nations (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">at all</span>, true, but especially) while North Korea, a crazy communist despotism, were spitting in our faces?<div><br /></div><div>What has (or will) become of us and our American way? We used to believe we were right. We used to be a beacon of freedom and justice. Now North Korea thumbs its nose at us, testing nukes and threatening war if we try to interfere, likewise threatening our allies, and meanwhile holding American journalists as prisoners. They will be tried in a North Korean court and could be sentences to up to 10 years in a labor camp. What are we doing about it? Hoping that negotiations go well. Seems change <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">has</span> come to this country. We've really lost our nerve. We are speaking softly and it seems we've put down the stick. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone remember why Hitler was able to start s*#t in Europe? There are many textbook reasons, but bottom line - no one wanted to step up and stop him. Mr. Obama really is moving us closer to European-style democracy. Here comes the appeasement.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-14384703396870330372009-06-03T20:04:00.003-04:002009-06-03T20:13:35.960-04:00WordsOk, ok - name these speakers:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/us/politics/17text-obama.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1">1.</a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Georgia;color:black"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia; color:black">"</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;font-family:Georgia;color:black">How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without, as Father John said, demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?"</span></span><br /></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Georgia; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:Georgia;color:black"><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/05/67484015/1">2.</a> "</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black">I am shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he attended church services this morning. However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence."</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Georgia;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Give up? Well, number one is President Obama at Notre Dame. Number two is President Obama just the other day. So, we're not supposed to be demonizing each other, but...that doesn't mean we can't make broad brushstrokes about the other side, right? Some nutjob murdered Dr. Tiller (the notorious abortionist), so of course that means pro-lifers are prone to heinous acts of violence. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">First off, I'd like to point out that there is a subtle yet very important difference between "pro-life" and "anti-abortion," which is quite visible in Tiller's murderer. Second, this is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">too</span> subtle for many people to notice, but Mr. Obama is a master of words. That doesn't mean that he is sincere.</span></p>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-87129912431072641292009-05-26T01:10:00.004-04:002009-05-26T01:18:09.962-04:00Wasting TimeAdding this website to my links bar: <a href="http://www.sporcle.com/">Sporcle.com</a>.<div>My friend Patrick brought it to my attention, and while most of the, uh...puzzles? Activities? I'm not sure what to call them...Anyway, while most of them are geared more towards relieving boredom, several have scholarly value, if you use them as study tools. Patrick can now name all the countries of the world. </div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-71045939772354261112009-05-20T22:14:00.012-04:002009-05-20T22:41:51.087-04:00Mental YawnTrying to get my act back together and make some posts, but a lot of interesting news combined with my general lack of motivation recently has made it difficult to pin down anything to write about.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I bought plane tickets for my trip home in August. I tell you now, those twelve days will see much Mexican food. It'll be good to see family and friends and pick up some supplies.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess the most newsworthy of recent events, in my mind, is the Notre Dame commencement address by President Obama and the delivery of the honorary law degree. I am completely disgusted with the whole thing, yet I can't stop reading about it. Train-wreck syndrome, I suppose. Obama and Fr. Jenkin's talk of "dialogue" is empty rhetoric. If you haven't read their speeches, I would consider it worthwhile to do so. Fr. Z gives some excellent critique <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/">at his website</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a nice motivational poster-style graphic from <a href="http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/index.html">Curt Jester</a> that nicely displays Notre Dame's commitment to "dialogue." </div><div><br /></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WiGD_3zzJww/ShS-n9wFNeI/AAAAAAAAAPI/ZOT5nTpcoGI/s320/NotreDameDialogue.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338101052141286882" /><div><br /></div><div>It's hard for me and others to understand why so many people, especially on the left, are so enthralled by what Obama says. When most politicians speak (especially conservatives), they are, of course, liars and thieves - undeserving of our trust. But when Obama opens his mouth, honey flows from his silver tongue, and all that is forgotten. Why is it that none of his followers seem to notice that his words only mask his actions? It's all a political game. He is a brilliant player, and he has gotten away with much so far. It remains to be seen how long he will enchant the majority of Catholics...</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2009/05/from-orthanc-to-notre-dame/">an interesting analogy</a>. I do love <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Lord of the Rings</span>. Obama as Saruman? Doesn't seem that far-fetched to me.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-66882308208575028202009-05-18T19:33:00.001-04:002009-05-18T19:34:58.353-04:00Pig Flu IIThis is going to be a long week...<div>I walk in the door, and a bunch of teachers ask me if I'm ok. Of course - I'm a foreigner, so I must be more prone to swine flu, or something. I dunno, maybe it's because I fly home to America on weekends.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-42147701960897473692009-05-18T08:14:00.003-04:002009-05-18T08:18:56.896-04:00Pig FluWell, now that swine flu has spread to Japan, and more specifically the Kobe/Osaka region, many schools have inevitably closed. My schools have canceled classes for the week, although, surprise surprise, we teachers must still go in. I guess I shouldn't be bitter, as I'm being paid for it, right?<div>I suppose authorities are worried because no one has antibodies for this thing and thus many people could get sick, but I wish the clamor over it would drop a level...it's not any more severe than normal, seasonal flu.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-16927309668527881282009-05-13T02:45:00.003-04:002009-05-13T02:48:00.590-04:00I liveIt's been a while since my last post, but I've been busy. Last week was Golden Week over here - several holidays that fall in a row, making for a meaty holiday - and my friend Jeff visited. Perhaps more on that another time. <div><br /></div><div>For now, just wanted to let you know my status and add another link to the sidebar, to the <a href="http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/">Creative Minority Report</a>, a witty and well-written Catholic blog I've been reading lately.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-88159969914890365942009-04-29T18:43:00.001-04:002009-04-29T18:43:05.956-04:00Fun with pennies<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/cWt8hTayupE' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/cWt8hTayupE'/></object></p><p>Yay math!</p></div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-83250904180086650662009-04-27T22:02:00.004-04:002009-04-27T22:09:01.649-04:00ND Scandal EscalatesI knew the controversy would continue to rage until after the ceremony, but I didn't expect this. Mary Ann Gledon, the former US Ambasssador to the Vatican was to receive Notre Dame's Laetare Medal on May 17th in recognition of her outstanding service to the Catholic Church and society. She has just announced, however, that she has declined the award in light of the Obama invitation scandal, and particularly the fact that it was argued by ND's administration that she would balance out Obama's presence (her being strongly pro-life).<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042702.html">Coverage here at LifeSiteNews.com</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fr. Jenkins and the White House have both expressed their "regret," and ND intends to quickly find a new recipient. I can't wait to see who they choose. No doubt this time they will choose someone less deserving who won't make a fuss about Obama's invitation.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-86744391574658741952009-04-22T22:09:00.003-04:002009-04-22T22:13:10.612-04:00An American Catholic<a href="http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/21/priest-of-andersonville/">Over at American Catholic</a>: a telling of a Civil War atrocity and of the loving example of Fr. Peter Whelan.<div><br /></div><div>I find Donald McClarey's posts about inspirational American Catholics very interesting and often moving. Worth a read.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-72268815964438536422009-04-14T20:20:00.003-04:002009-04-14T22:16:54.695-04:00Japan and Foreigners<a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090407ad.html">This article provides an interesting look</a> at the Japanese government's take on foreign labor, and how short-sighted its priorities are. Mind you, this has nothing to do with my personal experience here, but I find it quite relevant to the future of Japan and the global community. Countries like the US, Japan, and the EU member states really need to get their acts together and start looking at long-term policies that will foster growth and stability in their respective economies in the decades to come. The way things are going now - policy-wise, demographics-wise, ideology-wise - many countries are heading for colossal problems that are easily foreseeable. <div><br /></div><div>In Japan's case, eventually its going to be forced to dillute its largely homogeneous culture with immigrants. Why? Because Japanese people aren't having babies. When you can't sustain your population, you either import people or your economy suffocates and then your country collapses.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Update:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090414zg.html">Read this one</a>, as well. Thanks for the link, Ben.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-66329376470381669852009-04-11T23:32:00.002-04:002009-04-11T23:32:45.003-04:00Just this:Happy Easter!<div>It's a beautiful day out, so I'm going to go take advantage of it.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-65983168610375067952009-04-10T21:29:00.002-04:002009-04-10T21:29:25.226-04:00Klavan On The Culture: Shut up<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><object height="350" width="425"><param value="http://youtube.com/v/lWHgUE9AD4s" name="movie"><embed height="350" width="425" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://youtube.com/v/lWHgUE9AD4s"></embed></object></p><p>I don't know if there's any way to determine if the "Shut up" effort is as coordinated and organized as he implies. I'm somewhat skeptical, but I wouldn't rule it out. Regardless, I do agree with the trends and strategies he points out.</p></div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-83968745497174705552009-04-09T10:22:00.002-04:002009-04-09T10:24:00.368-04:00Take that, pirates!No +1 for pirates <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2009/04/08/somali-pirates-seize-american-ship-crew/">on this one</a>. I think the Merchant Marines get one this time. Yay Americans!Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-8712632233096021182009-04-04T23:34:00.009-04:002009-04-05T00:07:06.931-04:00View of Japan: Flower Viewing<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WiGD_3zzJww/SdgtiLwWZ4I/AAAAAAAAAOo/dNAjJtYAD9c/s1600-h/Resized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WiGD_3zzJww/SdgtiLwWZ4I/AAAAAAAAAOo/dNAjJtYAD9c/s400/Resized.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321053025032628098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Ah, spring is in the air! Things are starting to warm up, the cherry and plum blossoms are in bloom, and the sounds of beer can tabs popping can be heard at parks across Japan. </div><div><br /></div><div>Japan is a country of people who work hard and play hard. As such, the Japanese find many occassions to party. End of the semester in college? Class drinking party! New staff member(s) at work? Welcome drinking party! Staff members retiring/transferring? Farewell drinking party! New Year's? Party. Fireworks tonight at the beach? Beach party. Flowers in bloom? Let's go drink! And so on.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I don't <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">always</span> feel like participating, this is one thing that I've come to appreciate about Japanese culture. Sure, plenty of people get wasted at all these events, but plenty of people</div><div> don't. It's not about the drinking - it's about enjoying each others' company and usually about appreciating something else (often some kind of beauty). Take what's going on right now: "hanami," or "flower viewing" in English. For a two or three week period every spring (the length is dependant upon the weather), the cherry and plum blossoms are in bloom. If the weather is nice, friends and families visit their local park or some other such flowery area and set up little picnics. At larger parks, such as Ikebukuro in Tokyo, vendors will set up stands, selling stuff like fried noodles, grilled sweet potatoes, ices, and all kinds of Japanese folk foods; and if you want to picnic at these larger venues, you have to get up early and claim a spot, because by noon they'll be completely overrun with tarps, blankets, coolers, and flower viewers. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WiGD_3zzJww/SdguEXWcRhI/AAAAAAAAAOw/JNScWXX8B54/s320/IMG_0544.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I've never actually sat down for a "proper" flower viewing, but I've walked around several, viewing people viewing the flowers, and while they are usually plesant, sometimes people can get a little rowdy and the atmosphere a little inappropriate for children (but according to my observations, parents unfortunately aren't very discerning about that kind of thing here). <br /><br /></div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-22370174164576667142009-04-02T23:33:00.002-04:002009-04-02T23:37:06.098-04:00Inexcusable! No, wait...<a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/area_dad_botches_princess?utm_source=b-section">According to the Onion</a> a New Yorker recently misquoted <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Princess Bride</span>. Inconceivable!Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3795422220872299550.post-90672232567670146682009-04-02T20:19:00.002-04:002009-04-02T20:21:11.541-04:00JPIIToday marks four years since the passing of John Paul the Great. I remember being in college and hearing the news. It was a cruddy day.<div>Here is a nice post about him over at <a href="http://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2009/04/john-paul-ii-we-love-and-remember-you.html">Catholic Fire</a>.</div>Blue Shoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474339066187087545noreply@blogger.com0