News Stories

[kyp275]

Originally Posted by KiraYamatoFan

For your information, WWII is something I read and studied through and through since I became interested in reading history books long ago. The episode with Czechoslovakia was mostly forgotten and yet significant because the Society of Nations showed its failure one time too many back then by doing nothing while the takeover became the prelude to the invasion of Poland.

Pretty sure it’s League of Nations, but I digress Not sure why anyone would’ve expected anything out of the LN, it was absolutely useless starting from the second it was created.

A few weeks ago, people brought up the pre-WWI analogy: same old shit-stirring diplomacy, massive investments into weaponry, looking for trouble with virtually all surrounding countries that have a different political ideology than theirs... you see the pattern. What's wrong with the calling out when several signs are not in China's favor? If one country calls out, it might not be relevant. But when you have 2 or even more countries calling out the same thing, questions have to be asked very seriously.

The problem is that by using such broad qualifiers, the comparison becomes meaningless, and serves as little more than inflammatory rhetoric. One may not like certain countries and/or its foreign policies, but trying to equate that to a regime that ignited a world-wide conflict that resulted in the deaths of 60-80 million people along with a state-sponsored genocide campaign? That’s like claiming your annoying neighbor is a serial mass murderer because he played his music too loud at night, or taking the crime of murder, and add “looking at me the wrong way” as one of the qualifying offense.

By your logic, just about every world/regional power at one point or another is “just like Nazi Germany”. What you seem to be doing here is taking aspects of behavior that are common to all world/regional powers, and slap “Nazi” stickers, and all the negative implications that comes with it on all of them.

For example, do you know what the difference is between China and the Philippines? China has the muscle to exert its power in the region, Philippines wish it does. If their place were swapped with China tomorrow, they would be doing the exact same thing.

You seem to believe that countries that behave nicely do so because it is “right”, and those don’t is because they’re evil. I say the reality is that countries that behave nicely do so because they either have no other choice, or it is more beneficial for them to do so.

Unless China stops investing into military hardware, changes its diplomacy away from the current stance, or even changes government following a coup d'état, it's near impossible to find any credibility in anything they say.

What China says is no more and no less credible than what any major government usually says (ie. not very)

I also find it a bit ironic that you want China to stop modernizing its military, but at the same time have no qualms about Japan reestablish/expand its military and rewrite its constitution, that's quite the double standard.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by kyp275

I also find it a bit ironic that you want China to stop modernizing its military, but at the same time have no qualms about Japan reestablish/expand its military and rewrite its constitution, that's quite the double standard.

Don't you want to see them build Gundams?

Or Valvraves with a red-haired brocon pilot?

And with the procurement of F-35s, they will soon be building variable fighters! They just need more money in defence......

[Fireminer]

Syria children dying of hunger

I wonder what does Al-Assad and the Rebel Leaders eat?

It's human nature to wage war, but this has gone far too pointless.

[Urzu 7]

Originally Posted by kyp275

I also find it a bit ironic that you want China to stop modernizing its military, but at the same time have no qualms about Japan reestablish/expand its military and rewrite its constitution, that's quite the double standard.

Japan is probably scared shitless of China and North Korea. Also, China is becoming a big bully in that region as of recent years. I can understand Japan being worried.

That being said, maybe them building up their military will only be worse for the region. It'll add more tension, for one thing. But if they get into a conflict, they pretty much have to rely on America. It'd be good if they could fight back well if they were in a conflict, instead of just relying (mostly) on America.

[kyp275]

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

Japan is probably scared shitless of China and North Korea. Also, China is becoming a big bully in that region as of recent years. I can understand Japan being worried.

That being said, maybe them building up their military will only be worse for the region. It'll add more tension, for one thing. But if they get into a conflict, they pretty much have to rely on America. It'd be good if they could fight back well if they were in a conflict, instead of just relying (mostly) on America.

I just want to note that I actually do support Japan building up their military if they decide to do so, that statement was merely to point out some inconsistencies in Kira's stance.

[Urzu 7]

I guess I support Japan building up their military, but I'm kind of afraid warfare might result because of it. Basically, I see countries like China and North Korea itching for conflict because they will be irrational about it ("oh no, Japan, who was a tyrant in WW II, is building up their army now, they'll probably be just like they were 70 years ago, everybody panic!").

[JokerD]

Why Schapelle's story grips Australia

Interesting commentary. I can't help but be slightly interested in this case since I was in Australia studying (well I was supposed to ) at the time of this case. The school had a big screen TV on one of the walls which usually show either business news or school propaganda and it was showing the verdict live from Bali. My project-mate, (who was a female from Norway) was really sympathetic to Schapelle and believed she was framed. Me? I just rely on the verdict since I did not study the evidence presented in the case.

On talk of selling her story, doesn't Aus have a law preventing convicts from profiting from selling their stories?

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

Yeah we do. David Hicks was caught up in it when he had an autobiography done - but apparently got around it somehow (the publisher refused to give details on the contract or something). There have been other criminals that have had shows like Chopper Reed and made money off it. So I guess there is some leeway in there.

http://www.afp.gov.au/policing/proceeds-of-crime.aspx

I wouldn't say her story "grips" australia, its more that it grips the media. Everyone I know wishes they'd shut up about the whole thing. They kicked up such a stink about it to it's killed a lot of peoples interest in it. I guess it is possible she was framed but come on, her family is riddled with a bunch of drug convictions through it.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by JokerD

Why Schapelle's story grips Australia

Interesting commentary. I can't help but be slightly interested in this case since I was in Australia studying (well I was supposed to ) at the time of this case. The school had a big screen TV on one of the walls which usually show either business news or school propaganda and it was showing the verdict live from Bali. My project-mate, (who was a female from Norway) was really sympathetic to Schapelle and believed she was framed. Me? I just rely on the verdict since I did not study the evidence presented in the case.

I was raised in Asia, and as such was well aware that she could well have been executed. When I said she was lucky, a nearby person was shocked. I guess Australians don't know that Asian airports always carry the warning that "if you bring drugs into the country, the death penalty is on the cards".

Guess they don't know how sensitive Asia is about drugs. Drugs are always linked to violent crime there, so if you are linked to drugs you are not treated like some kid who want to have fun; you are treated like a violent criminal. I still can't get use to the idea that so many of my countrymen think she should get off lightly, even though they believe she was guilty. Maybe because she is a photogenic white female?

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

I guess I support Japan building up their military, but I'm kind of afraid warfare might result because of it. Basically, I see countries like China and North Korea itching for conflict because they will be irrational about it ("oh no, Japan, who was a tyrant in WW II, is building up their army now, they'll probably be just like they were 70 years ago, everybody panic!").

Where are they going to find the boys to do so?

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

Oh it's know here that you have to be a complete fucking idiot to take drugs to bali (or elsewhere) because of said penalty, but people still do. She just had "good" PR I guess, and kicked up a massive fuss. Those other nine guys that were caught around the same died have all been executed I think.

[MrTerrorist]

Tonight Show's Jay Leno bids adieu after 22 years

Hopefully this time NBC won't do that debacle with Conan O'Brien again.

[demonix]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Many countries have national savings plans run through their postal services, Japan and the UK to name just two.

But the UK also has payday loan companies, of which a majority are owned by the American payday load companies.

[JokerD]

Originally Posted by Mr Hat and Clogs

Oh it's know here that you have to be a complete fucking idiot to take drugs to bali (or elsewhere) because of said penalty, but people still do. She just had "good" PR I guess, and kicked up a massive fuss. Those other nine guys that were caught around the same died have all been executed I think.

You are talking about the Bali 9 right? I think a couple of them got death sentences while the rest got 20 years or life.
Looking back, it might be because Schapelle was a pretty young woman, left to the tender mercies of a scary foreign court. I'll never understand why there was calls to bring them back to Australian jails to finish their sentence. Sure '1st world' jails are cleaner and they'll be better looked after, but why burn through diplomatic ammo for convicted drugies? Since they are foreigners you can be pretty sure they will be well looked after.

This came around the time when SG executed an Australian drug trafficker. So it was not a good time for the government who had to answer to those who wanted to save those people.

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

There is an expectation that the DFA will look after you if you do get into legal trouble over seas, and I think a lot of the time people do end up back in an Australian prison.

[ganbaru]

Boehner Doubts Immigration Bill Will Pass in 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/us...year.html?_r=0
I guess than we shouldn't expect much, if not anything' for the guy.

German judges refer ECB's bond-buying to European Court
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...A160CW20140207

In Israel, a push to bring Arabs into tech sector
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...02-07-03-45-48

[Libros]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Boehner Doubts Immigration Bill Will Pass in 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/us...year.html?_r=0
I guess than we shouldn't expect much, if not anything' for the guy.

More American politics: Behind Retreat on Immigration, a Complicated Political Interplay

Weakness Continues as 113,000 Jobs Are Added in January

Foreign affairs: Russia Claims U.S. Meddling Over Ukraine
U.S. diplomat plays down leaked call; Germany's Merkel angry

Better news: Missouri lawmaker files marijuana legalization bill

Good for you for those in Missouri. ..AND Alaska.

Other news: FBI Checks Wrong Box, Places Student on No-Fly List
No surprises there.(When It Comes To High-Speed Internet, U.S. 'Falling Way Behind')

And finally, for the Australians among us: Police officers granted bail over charges for raping woman while on duty in north Queensland

[TinyRedLeaf]

S'pore angry at Indonesia move to name warship after convicted bombers

Singapore (Feb 6, Thu): Anger is mounting in Singapore over neighbouring Indonesia's decision to name a new naval ship after two marines executed for a 1960s bombing in the city-state's main shopping district that left three people dead.

Three Singapore ministers have asked their Indonesian counterparts to reconsider the move to name a new frigate after Osman Haji Mohamed Ali and Harun Said, who were convicted for the March 1965 bombing of MacDonald House on Orchard Road.

The bombing happened during Indonesia's Konfrontasi ("Confrontation") movement with the newly formed Malaysia, which then-Indonesian president Sukarno opposed, as he viewed it as a puppet of the British government.

Singapore was part of Malaysia at the time and the attack on MacDonald House was the harshest of several launched by members of Indonesia's special Operations Corps Command who had infiltrated the island.

The two men were charged in Singapore, which gained independence in August 1965, and hanged for the bombing in 1968. In Indonesia, they received the status of national heroes and a ceremonial funeral.

Indonesia has defended the naming decision, saying it is in line with its practice of naming vessels after the country's "heroes".

"There should be no intervention from any other country," said Mr Agus Barnas, spokesman for the Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

REUTERS

A primer on the MacDonald House bombing

A 25lb (11.33kg) package of nitroglycerine, with a timing device, was planted on the mezzanine floor, near the lifts.

The bomb exploded at 3.07pm on March 10, 1965, tearing a hole in the floor, ripping out a lift door and reducing the correspondence room of the Hongkong And Shanghai Bank "into a shambles".

The blast was so powerful that all the windows in buildings within a 100m radius — as well as the windscreens of vehicles in a carpark across the street — were shattered.

Three people died, and 35 people were injured.

THE STRAITS TIMES

Indonesian export ban leaves S’pore short of granite

Singapore (Feb 2, Sun): A shortage of granite due to an Indonesian export ban has left several construction projects in Singapore in a rocky state.

Construction contractors told The Straits Times that there have been delays for various projects since the middle of January.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy, is a major supplier of granite aggregate to Singapore. It is a crucial component of ready-mixed concrete.

The Indonesian government banned a wide range of minerals from being exported globally on Jan 12.

It stopped shipping granite aggregate to Singapore around the same time.

THE STRAITS TIMES

Why S'pore spends big on defence

Singapore (Feb 7, Fri): Singapore, one of Asia's smallest countries, thinks big when it comes to defence.

Between 2008 and 2012 the city-state, with a population of just 5.3 million, was the world's fifth-largest arms importer, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The wealthy Southeast Asian country consistently allocates about 20 per cent of national spending to defence, analysts say.

Last year, the government allocated about US$12 billion of its budget to national defence. Malaysia's annual defence budget was almost US$5 billion in 2013, while Indonesia — Southeast Asia's biggest economy — unveiled annual defence spending of about US$7.9 billion last August.

According to Flightglobal, Singapore has the biggest air force in Southeast Asia, with a reputation for also being the best trained, led and equipped.

Recent defence-related deals include a contract signed late last year to buy two new Type 218SG attack submarines from Germany's ThyseenKrupp Marine Systems.

Driven by a need to maintain its technological edge, Singapore is planning a number of high-profile defence-procurement programmes, IHS Jane said in a note published last month.

According to IHS Jane, Singapore is the only country in Southeast Asia not to have purchased military equipment from Russia or China.

"Supported by its wealth, Singapore's firm favoured supplier is the United States, which has supplied around half of the SAF's (Singapore Armed Forces) military imports over the past decade," the report said.

"The relationship enables the SAF to meet its requirement for leading-edge technologies, uphold the strong strategic relationship between the two countries, and maintain a high level of interoperability with the US military," it added.

That relationship could be highlighted at next week's Singapore Airshow. According to the organisers, more than 150 US companies will have a presence at the event.

CNBC

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Guess they don't know how sensitive Asia is about drugs. Drugs are always linked to violent crime there, so if you are linked to drugs you are not treated like some kid who want to have fun; you are treated like a violent criminal. I still can't get use to the idea that so many of my countrymen think she should get off lightly, even though they believe she was guilty. Maybe because she is a photogenic white female?

don't know about the rest of Asia but in China the harsh penalty for drug dealing is link to the opium war in the 1800s when the British ram opium down China's throat. Drug use/dealing/smuggling is seen as symbol of foreign oppression and a link to when China was sick man of Asia.

In China, History is never in the past, it is always in the Here and Now.

[Urzu 7]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Where are they going to find the boys to do so?

Japan? Yeah, good point. Give 20 years and it'll be really clear and apparent in regards to Japan's current problem of young adults refusing to start families.