The last week or two, we have seen a great humanitarian crisis building in Europe with waves and waves of refugees pouring into Europe from neighboring Middle Eastern countries ... with many dying along the way ... and even children washing up on resort beaches. The debate in Europe appears to focus primarily on how should the various nations shoulder the responsibilities of … [Read more...] about The Humanitarian Crisis Spewing into Europe from the Middle East
democracy
A short caricature on politics …
In the lead up to China's commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in WWII, I thought I'd do a little personal aside ... that might explain why Japan can be so delusional about so many things. Politics ... in many ways ... especially politics in the democratic sense (i.e. at the level of the people) ... is about caricatures ... about simplifying … [Read more...] about A short caricature on politics …
The Mirage that is Japan …
I came across an article in Asia Times on Japan's WWII surrender that I thought was very well written. It is important because within that surrender lay the seeds of today's historical revisionism. But more important than that, it is a good case study on what Japan is NOT. Too often, many in the West think of Japan as this enlightened, modern, forward-looking, peace-loving … [Read more...] about The Mirage that is Japan …
The Soft-power of Hong Kong Protesters – Freedoms not enjoy by American, Britain, Canadian and Australian
Above Picture: Images of so-called “pro-democracy” protesters in Hong Kong ignored by the Western media In a recent international human rights forum at Oslo where Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Bradley Manning and other jailed Occupy Wall Street protesters such as Cecily McMillan were not invited, BBC report (21 Oct. 2014) revealed that, “it is an open secret at this … [Read more...] about The Soft-power of Hong Kong Protesters – Freedoms not enjoy by American, Britain, Canadian and Australian
Are the Occupy Protesters really about “Democracy”?
As the Occupy protests continue in Hong Kong, articles, editorials and op-eds in the Western press continue to characterize the conflict as one between those in Hong Kong demanding "real democracy" and Beijing reneging on its promise of "universal suffrage" under "one country two systems." Western media and leaders - including the New York Times Editorial Board and President … [Read more...] about Are the Occupy Protesters really about “Democracy”?