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[Kakashi]

Yeah..I mean Obama worse than Bush? Obama couldn't fail that hard if he tried, and yet the electorate still seems to be confused. And you'd have to be pretty confused ie. an idiot.

Seriously it's not that hard, can someone send out fliers? BUSH = BAD would do. They both begin with 'B' and it's easy to remember.

[Tsuyoshi]

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

I don't think it is a very reasonable excuse for adults who should be able to critically think for themselves.

Perhaps, but the fact is that it happens. While the media is especially powerful and influential in the US, it also happens everywhere else in the world, predominantly western Europe. The media is especially good at embellishing facts and bend the truth to either make it sound more pleasant to the audience, or simply fabricate a fictitious story that the audience likes to hear.

[Shadow Kira01]

Ozawa expresses concern over China's military buildup

Ichiro Ozawa, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, met Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in Beijing on Friday and expressed concern over China’s military buildup. ‘‘There is sentiment in Japan that sees China’s military modernization as a threat,’’ Ozawa told reporters, quoting himself as telling Liang.

‘‘If Japan were to strengthen armaments, it would not bring good results for the future of Japan and China,’’ Ozawa said. The influential Japanese lawmaker quoted Liang as telling him that China’s military ‘‘serves to protect a large territory and border, definitely not to seek hegemony.’’

Emperor to grant exceptional audience to Chinese Vice President Xi

A written request is customarily submitted for the agency to arrange a meeting with the emperor at least one month before. But China made the request on Nov. 26.

Shingo Haketa, chief of the agency, told a news conference that he received the request from Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano and told him that granting a meeting ''will generate considerable concern about the role of his majesty (as a symbol of state).''

The agency was thought to be initially reluctant to accept the request because it would go against the rule of protocol.

Asked if it would lead to political exploitation of the emperor, Haketa told the press conference he cannot brush aside such a view, saying, ''I feel pain (about the development).''

According to Article 4 of the Constitution, the emperor ''shall not have powers related to government.''

[ChainLegacy]

Originally Posted by Yoko Takeo

Perhaps, but the fact is that it happens. While the media is especially powerful and influential in the US, it also happens everywhere else in the world, predominantly western Europe. The media is especially good at embellishing facts and bend the truth to either make it sound more pleasant to the audience, or simply fabricate a fictitious story that the audience likes to hear.

Oh, I know it quite well; anyone should if they take a look at politics in the US. Still won't stop me from criticizing an audience that shouldn't be as braindead as it all too often is.

[Autumn Demon]

It's quite simple really; Americans prefer politicians who think with their gut instead of their head.

[Tsuyoshi]

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

Oh, I know it quite well; anyone should if they take a look at politics in the US. Still won't stop me from criticizing an audience that shouldn't be as braindead as it all too often is.

Brainwashed would be a better term.

[SaintessHeart]

Actually I would say that most of the Americans don't understand how governance in general works. It is usually the people who work with and for the government who make their own stands on which side to take.

[Kamui4356]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Actually I would say that most of the Americans don't understand how governance in general works. It is usually the people who work with and for the government who make their own stands on which side to take.

Which in my opinion represents a failure of the US education system. At the very least, the way the US system functions should be aggressively taught, if not other nations' systems too.

Originally Posted by Yoko Takeo

Perhaps, but the fact is that it happens. While the media is especially powerful and influential in the US, it also happens everywhere else in the world, predominantly western Europe.

Do you seriously believe it's worse in the west then in nations like North Korea or even China?

[Tsuyoshi]

Originally Posted by Kamui4356

Do you seriously believe it's worse in the west then in nations like North Korea or even China?

I wasn't considering them when I said that, especially since I've never been there and thus wouldn't know exactly what it's like. I don't want to make the same kind of erroneous assumptions other people do about other places even though they've never been there.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Kamui4356

Which in my opinion represents a failure of the US education system. At the very least, the way the US system functions should be aggressively taught, if not other nations' systems too.

I think that presents a dilemma, should the children be taught about the negative points of the government?

National education is a tough subject for the educators, the content taught must be an even mix of lies, truth and wholly neutral perspectives. I can use my local one as a good example :

Text : We ourselves must defend our country. As LKY has said, if nobody runs, every inch of the land will be defended.

Reality : The land size is so small and we are surrounded by water. It is like we have anywhere else to run in wartime. Whether we fight or not, we will still die, the only depending factor is how long we will live through the carnage.

How many people will actually accept the reality?

[Kamui4356]

Originally Posted by Yoko Takeo

I wasn't considering them when I said that, especially since I've never been there and thus wouldn't know exactly what it's like. I don't want to make the same kind of erroneous assumptions other people do about other places even though they've never been there.

Then why say especially western Europe when talking about the entire world? Further, it's not like censorship in those nations isn't well documented.

[Tsuyoshi]

Originally Posted by Kamui4356

Then why say especially western Europe when talking about the entire world? Further, it's not like censorship in those nations isn't well documented.

Considering I've been to the US, France, the UK and Saudi Arabia, I can say I know quite a few things about other countries, just not the far east as that's the only area in the world I haven't been in (and Australia). And yes, censorship is quite strong in the middle east as well, not to mention blatantly obvious

The reason I emphasize western Europe is because I know that politicians are corrupt, provide more support for the criminal than they do for the victim because of said corruption, and it is these politicians who control the media. Until recently, Berlusconi actually owned a TV broadcast station. Being the womanizer and now a possible contributor to mafia operations, you can imagine how eagerly he wanted to hide certain things about himself.

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

I think that presents a dilemma, should the children be taught about the negative points of the government?

National education is a tough subject for the educators, the content taught must be an even mix of lies, truth and wholly neutral perspectives.

That's the thing. Most governments, if not all, will teach their kids only the good side of their nation. They will never reveal the darker side of their own history to make it easier for them to pledge loyalty to their country. For example, I know that in Italy, schools teach kids about Napoleone while putting him in a negative light, making him appear to be a dictator who cared only for conquering more land to expand his empire. The truth is, much of Italian law today is based on Napoleonic constitution. One possible reason for this is because Napoleon even threw the Pope in jail back in the day! Obviously, you can imagine how that doesn't sit well with Italians.

[Cyrus17]

Originally Posted by Shadow Kira01

Ozawa expresses concern over China's military buildup

Time for Japan to shake off US protectorate and take the task of defending itself in its own hands.

[Shadow Kira01]

No more beef: Wendy's burger chain leaves Japan

The 71 Japanese locations of America's No.3 hamburger chain - 20 percent of its 350 overseas restaurants - will close by the end of December.

[Narona]

Originally Posted by mg1942

Bush closes the gap

Perhaps the greatest measure of Obama's declining support is that just 50% of voters now say they prefer having him as President to George W. Bush, with 44% saying they'd rather have his predecessor. Given the horrendous approval ratings Bush showed during his final term that's somewhat of a surprise and an indication that voters are increasingly placing the blame on Obama for the country's difficulties instead of giving him space because of the tough situation he inherited. The closeness in the Obama/Bush numbers also has implications for the 2010 elections. Using the Bush card may not be particularly effective for Democrats anymore, which is good news generally for Republicans and especially ones like Rob Portman who are running for office and have close ties to the former President.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmi...s_the_gap.html
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot....-standing.html

You know what? It is the same in France.

Lots of French did spit on Chirac, and wished that it ends for good.

When sarkozy got elected, it was like the messiah just arrived.

Survey from the beginning of 2009: The French now regret Chirac (as if they had never saud all the insults towards him) and would prefer him back, and act as if Chirac was good.


Either a lot of people lack of a functional brain, or are hypocritical, or just stupid. I mean, their opinions can change "every day".

[Anh_Minh]

That's rose tinted glasses for you. I'm sure Sarkozy will be popular again too. Just wait for him to stop being president. Same for Obama. Or anyone.

[Narona]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

That's rose tinted glasses for you. I'm sure Sarkozy will be popular again too. Just wait for him to stop being president. Same for Obama. Or anyone.

That's the point ^^ A lot of people have no real convictions. Their opinions about a government, a system, politicians, a party, etc. can change very easily without any logical reason. That's annoying.

I can understand how some people can get mad at sarkozy nowadays. I can. But i don't understand how those people can talk good about Chirac after having said things like: Truand, Menteur, Voleur ; just a few years ago.

[Autumn Demon]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

That's rose tinted glasses for you. I'm sure Sarkozy will be popular again too. Just wait for him to stop being president. Same for Obama. Or anyone.

Not Jimmy Carter. He's regarded as a traitor by many Americans today. Same may be for Obama if he resolves the Israel/Palestine conflict (thankfully for his popularity that's not likely).

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by Autumn Demon

Not Jimmy Carter. He's regarded as a traitor by many Americans today. Same may be for Obama if he resolves the Israel/Palestine conflict (thankfully for his popularity that's not likely).

Hmm...the first minority "black" president is a bad president. hard to swallow.

[Autumn Demon]

Why America will continue to be #1.