Believe it or not, Mugabe still has supporters

Here's the latest op-ed I had in The Japan Times:

The world can't understand how Robert Mugabe has support left in Zimbabwe. After violence and intimidation against his opponents he was able to steal a victory, but at great cost. Why do his people put up with it and why did he gain over 40 percent of the vote in the first round of the elections, when voting was relatively fair?

Certainly Mugabe still has much support and respect left from when he was leader of the Chimurenga, the guerrilla struggle against the white minority regime that had taken half the land in the country and reserved it for the whites. Many former leaders of revolutionary struggles either fell from power or saw their time was up and resigned. Why does Mugabe still have enough support to hold on?

Feel free to write a letter to the editor about it.

Huye P.Long

Hi all!

I visited to Huey Long`s website. It seems pretty good for me. So i wanted to recommend this site for you. After today`s movie in the class, i thought that the politicians are all dirty. But it is not their own intention, i think. To be a governer, to be the president, to be a senator , all those dirty things need to politicians. I mean, the "POWER". Whom need the power , who want to make people happy, but, the power also need whom to be dictator.

When i was in the high school, i had a conversation about politics with my friend. He said to me that, even you do not want to concern about politics, it concerns about you.

So, all i am trying to say is, it seems impossible to understand about politicians and politics. We might have to enter to the world of politics, to understand about it.

And i am very found of this words.

"God, don't let me die. I have so much left to do."

It was the last word of Long, when he died after two days from the shot.

Huey Long and Willie Stark

Willie Stark wasn't exactly Huey Long. Robert Penn Warren, the author of the classic political novel All the King's Men always denied that Stark was based on Long, but it's hard not to notice the resemblance. Probably the most fictional part of the film was the lack of black faces in the movie, but that was typical of the time.

Huey Long was governor of Louisiana during the depression, and was later elected US Senator. He came out of and represented the poor farmers of rural northern Louisiana. He repealed the poll tax so that poor people could vote. He taxed the wealthy to build schools, roads, hospitals and other public works so that those poor people could live better lives. He made public school textbooks free. He built the Louisiana State University into a great institution, so great that many people actually think he founded it. He was wildly popular. And he did not like opposition.

Huey Long organized gangs of political thugs. He used the state militia as a force of personal bodyguards. He tried to shut down newspapers and radio stations that didn't toe the line and support his regime. He all but abolished local governments in many parts of the state, and took the power to appoint the local officials, and all state employees, himself. He created a force of plainclothes, secret police answerable only to himself. He was accused by many of being a fascist dictator little different from Mussolini.

Long continued his consolidation of power. Two months before he died he publicly declared that there was a conspiracy to assassinate him. He publicly named names of Congressional representatives and former governors of Louisiana who he said were in the conspiracy. Long was gunned down by medical doctor Carl Austin Weiss in the Capitol building at Baton Rouge. It was the end of Long's career but not the end of his legacy. He had great influence and is a controversial figure in the politics of Louisiana down to today. There are those who nearly worship him, and those who continue to revile him. It's hard to get an objective perspective on Huey Long.

Here are some views of the real Huey Long. Judge for yourself how closely he resembles Willie Stark:

The American presidential race

OK, you want to talk about the American presidential race. I should probably point out something I forgot to in class. There is apparently no standard way to say "executive president" in Japanese to distinguish it from a ceremonial president, and each political science textbook translates it in its own way. But Japanese doesn't need any standard term for "executive president" or "ceremonial president" either, since there is no president at all in Japan. The African language I studied in graduate school, Hausa, does have standard ways to say them, because Nigeria has had both systems.

We went over some of the background information you need to know, like the Electoral College, today in class. You also need to know the policy positions of the candidates and other information about the race. Barack Obama's official website's location is easy to find, John McCain's is likewise. They both use their full names as the website URL. There is also a non-partisan site with information about all contenders and generally more information than you would want to know. It even has a student center to help students around the world understand the election.

We get thousands of requests from students across the world requesting information on Presidential Elections and Non Partisan Political Information every year.

This particular election seems to be the first YouTube election. I also recommend that you visit Barack Obama's YouTube channel, as well as John McCain's. The Democrats handled YouTube better in 2006, and it was definitely a factor in their winning the Congressional elections. Senator George Allen made a racial slur at a campaign worker for his rival, Jim Webb. The Webb campaign put it on YouTube and Jim Webb is now the Senator from Virginia. Look for more "Macaca moments" on YouTube this year. Speaking of which, I can't resist showing you McCain's plans, together with a response. Americans like political humor, and expect their politicians to have good senses of humor. Jack Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were both popular for their senses of humor. Lincoln's humor was legendary, and many of his jokes are famous.

Article 9 and UN peacekeeping

Regarding our discussion about Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, Wikipedia has an article about it, with text in English and Japanese, including historical background and information about the different ways it can be interpreted.

Advanced English class blog

Hi!! everyone!! I'm yuki.
I'm sorry that I'm late for writing about ODA to China.

I support to ODA　to China.
There are three reasons why I support to ODA to China.
First, I mention that environmental problem.
China is rapid developing. More and more industrialization advance, while environmental destruction is getting serious. Japan has high technique more than China. China has big territory and people, so environmental problem is too difficult to solve China itself. In addition, Japan locates near China. Japan can't help seeing silently such condition. This problem is worldwide problem not only China. Nation include Japan consider about own national interest. Help to China is connecting with profit. Therefore, Japan should help China though ODA.

Second, I mention that gap problem. On one hand Coast is rich, on the other hand inland is poverty.

Finally, I mention that bad image about Japan. During war Japan invades China. Many people were killed by Japanese. ODA to China is one of resource image up about Japan. At first, the purpose of ODA to China is reward that China was abandoned compensation right. But now the more globalization is spread, the more relationship between China and Japan will notice. So image up about Japan is very important.

Now I write my opinion about ODA to China.

I disagree with continuing ODA to China.
First of all, the freeway of China has miritary fuction.
It is used to transport arms and armies.
And not only transportation, one freeway can use as the runway of bomber and its parking area can use as entrance of helicopter of miritary.
Constraction of these freeway is spent Japanese ODA.
ODA is not to reinforcement miritary power.
Second, China helps Ghana, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and so on.
The country of being able to help others doesn't need Japanese ODA.
Third, China makes rapid economic growth, about 10% per a year.
In 2006, GDP was round 2000dollars a person.
And China is second position of keeping foreign currency in the world.
Fourth, ODA budget is deacreasing every year in Japan and
non-supporters of ODA are increasing.
One of the cause is not to clear how to use ODA.
So I think China doesn't need Japanese ODA,
and Japan should help Africa more and more.

Japan`s ODA for China

Shoud it continue or not?
My situation on this argui, is con . That is, I do not agree with continuation of Japan's ODA for China. Because i have four reasons.
At first, there are different outlooks on ODA to China.
Eventhough Japanese are not thinking about ODA as war responsibility, Chinese are different. They think that Japanese have to assist them as a matter of course for the war indemnity. The reason is simple. Chinese could not forgive Japanese. So, Chinese believe that they have a right for it. Here, I have a personal opinion. What is the assistance for? I think it exist for good relation and mutual understanding. These are boards of economical or other cooperations. Accordingly, ODA for China could not be like " real assistance".
In the second, China do assist for other countries. For example:
China assisted Vienam, North Korea, African countries in 2000. I think that there is no need for a donor country like China.
In the third, the money of ODA is not spent correctly. Chinese are assemble the nuclear weapon and long range missile. But ODA has own GENERAL RULES. In the rules, Japan do not assist the country which expand own military or army.
In the forth, environmental problem and poverty are current topics. Influence of China is strong among Asia. But i think that China`s government must effort AT FIRST for these problems, not Japan`s problem.
For conclusion, I want to repeat again. Today`s ODA for China have not enough correct reason to continue. The assistance` existence is losing it`s own meaning. And i think that Japanese have to apologize to China on the formal act or other official paper. On the ODA, it is enough for war reparation. Japan`s war responsibility must be end now.
Japanese have not to give their tax money to China.

Japan`s ODA for China

ODA for China

I'm agree to ODA for China.
Becase ODA for China is amending more better not
only for China but Japan. nowdays almost 70 percent of
money from ODA japan are using for
Enviromental Project or poverty problem.China have
already developed aspect for that of economic.
Neigbor country's eniroment are also problem of
Japan. Moreover money are lending
with low interest . ODA for China are making
good relationship between two countries.When
Japan have serious problem with disaster or enviroment
our country can't stand up to thease problems by ourselves.
So as otherountry. We have to stand up to wourld problem together.

ODA to China

Should Japan continue to provide ODA to China, or should it stop?

That's the topic that people attending the class are committed to debating.

You all have some good resources about this topic, although too many of them are going to be in Japanese to be good for an English class. However, this is an important topic which not only has implications for the relationship between China and Japan, but which also has implications for other instances of foreign aid.

At which point in its development should a country stop getting foreign aid?

Taiwan long ago developed to the point that it no longer needed aid from the United States, and has not been a recipient of foreign aid for decades. On the other hand, the US itself got foreign aid after Hurricane Katrina and broken levees wiped out the city of New Orleans. However, that may be a special case, and the recent earthquake in China may be irrelevant to the discussion here.

I'd like each of you to say whether you oppose or support Japanese ODA to China and how strongly you feel about it. After a little back and forth on the blog, comments and blogposts, you should have developed your ability to express your opinion about the issue a little more. After that we can begin to prepare for another debate in class.

If you drop the class

please make a comment on the blog to that effect or send me a private e-mail.

We need to know exactly who is in the class so we can divide up for the coming debate on ODA to China. If you have dropped out without telling the rest of us you are holding up the class for the other people in it.

Of course, if you have dropped without telling anyone you probably won't read this.

Oh, well. I thought I'd at least give it a shot. (@_@)

About a new topic of debate

Hi everyone.
This is Bolor.

It is my first time to write " the blog".
Yes, it is too late.

First of all, i was really sorry to miss the last class.
But i could see the NEW TOPIC of debate.
I like this idea about ODA.
And i heard that this topic also had been settled as the next one.

I think, i wiil be con for Japan`s ODA in China.
China is developing like "a storm" now. We could see it every day and night.
Japan could stop ODA now. They need not any "help" of others.
In the contrary, it is the time to change the sight of ODA. Japan have to
assist other developing countries. There are many developing countries which need more
support. For example: Mongolia. I understand, it is "a little" subjective opinion.
But why not?!
Let`s debate.

Here, i found some links. And i hope that these could help our debate.

About China and Japan`s relations:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/china/

And here is about ODA:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/

Overview of ODA in China:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/region/e_asia/china/index.html

There are also some articles on "JAPANTIMES ".
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20041025kh.html

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20050106a5.html

I know, all of you have tons of work.
But we have to be lively .
Because we are all youths.

It is late. So, see you next in the class.
Have a good day!

ODA for Chinese

Hi! Ｉ found ODA for Chinese HP. Please look the web site.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/data/gaiyou/odaproject/asia/china/index_01.html

Takahiro

devate topic2

Globalization problem is too widely.

So Ｉ changed my mind! Ｉ recommend other international problem. Shall we discussed "ODA for China is good or bad?"

China is developing lapidly! China is becoming developed country. So China need ODA? Japan have to send ODA to China?

Ｉ am interested in ODA because Ｉ belong to international society course and to international corporate seminar (Professor. Kojimoto seminar).

How do you do?

devate topic

Hi, Ｉ think about devate topic!

And Ｉ want to devate about "globalisation is good or bad"!

Ｉ think the theme is good for all students of international society course. And we must be interested in this topic! Probably(^^;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1790941.stm

That is interesting URL of document. Please look!

Takahiro

Debate topic

There are much major topics to debate.

I think we can choose from...

About abortion, the self-defence force ,

youth fasion ( young people's various fasion

that's is sometime so dangerous. for instance

thick bottom boots or body pierce and so on.

that's is people 's charactaristic or dangerous one.)

my hobby

This is miku.

My hobby is listening American music.

Especialy I like American Hip hop.

These days I like Ashlee shimpson's song.

When we listen American music, We can learn

American slung and pronunciation while enjoy music!!

It's better way to learn English.

If you interested in American Hip hop.

you can try! http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/wa/w

My hobby and debate sources

Hi! This is Rina.

My hobby is listening to Japanese POP music and watching movies.

My favorite artist is Masaharu Fukuyama, Ayaka, Dreams come true, ELT and so on.

I like Masaharu Fukuyama very much!!!

I've been to his concert twice.

That was so wonderful!!

I want to go it again.

And I also like movies.

Recently I watched "Sunadokei", Japanese movie.

Please tell me your favorite movies.



And then these are debate resources.

That is Pro Death Penalty.

http://www.prodeathpenalty.com/

http://www.bnp.org.uk/

http://www.dpinfo.com/dpnews.htm

my hobby

Hi, this is Takahiro.

My hobby is running with my friends.

Long distance running is the most exiting sports for me. Ｉ have two reason that Ｉ like running.

First, when Ｉ run fast for long time, Ｉ'm tired. But if Ｉ won, Ｉ'd be very very very very happy and Ｉ would realise Ｉ became again!

Ｉ always run for my strongness.

Second, runnning make me more good friends and Ｉ enjoy running with them.

If Ｉ have not ran and Ｉ have not belong to Track and Field clab, Ｉ would have few good friends in the university.

We always run, lough, speak and quarrel. So the memory make our relationship deeper and deeper.

My clab URL is http://sports.geocities.jp/hirosaki_u_mid_long/ . If you are free, please look.

Takahiro・K

Tell us about your hobby

Tell us what you like to do in your spare time. Give us lots of information about it, and if you can find websites that explain it better, link to them. Try to put a picture up about it if you can, and let us know why you like that hobby.

Death penalty debate sources

OK, here you go. These are some sites I could find quickly about the death penalty.

The Death Penalty Debate is a site which welcomes adherents of both sides to argue about the pros and cons of the death penalty. It includes a number of different sub-discussions and links to other sources of information.

The US government has official information about executions and the death penalty debate in the United States. This source is especially useful for clearing up misconceptions about the death penalty in the United States. it can be used profitably by either side of this debate.

The University of Alaska also has a neutral site which has links to other sites with positions on both sides of the debate. It is most useful for helping us to understand the issues involved as well as the positions of persons on both sides of the issue.


Cornell University has a brief overview with links to more information.

Recent news about the death penalty can be found by searching Google News for information.

The most prominent opponent of the death penalty in the US is probably the American Civil Liberties Union.

Those who support the death penalty in the US also have sites that advance their points of view, focusing especially on the victims of crimes.

There is a Death Penalty Information Center.

Wikipedia has a long article with many links.

Amnesty International campaigns against the death penalty internationally.

Here's another pro page just for balance.

Please, everyone. Your first assignment is to find more sources and link to them for us here.

Welcome to English class!

Thank you for your introductions today. Please post a blog entry this week, explaining what you want to learn in this class, and how you see English being useful to you in the future. If you have links to interesting sites, please include those. If you have suggestions about how this class should proceed, let us know about that. Please make friends here and use this blog to communicate with the rest of the class.