Double Standards
Sometimes Japan just blows my mind.
For example, Koda Kumi (J-Pop idol and model) made an earthshatteringly stupid remark on live radio back in January 2008: "When women turn 35, their amniotic fluid goes rotten, so I'd like them to have a child by 35." For this remark, she was crucified in the press, lost advertising contracts, and disappeared from pop music for almost two years. The only thing that seemed to survive her gaffe was a pachinko machine with her image on it. She's made a comeback this past year, though.
In the USA, stars say stupid stuff like this all the time, and no one cares. In fact, we expect this sort of idiocy from some stars.
But then! Jackhole governor of Tokyo Ishihara Shintaro, during the height of the tragedy last month with the earthquake and tsunami and nuclear plant, has the gall to say “The identity of the Japanese people is selfishness. The Japanese people must take advantage of this tsunami as means of washing away their selfish greed. I really do think this is divine punishment.”
What a dick.
Of course, we know that he's a dick not only from this comment, but from his homophobia, his anti-foreigner attitude, and his hypocrisy involving the influence of media on children. But seriously, this one really beats it all. Glenn Beck says the same thing, and people rightfully scream indignation. Pat Robertson makes a similar statement about the quake in Haiti and it's an outrage.
But what do Tokyoites do in response to Ishihara's insulting, offensive comment?
Elect him to a fourth term.
For example, Koda Kumi (J-Pop idol and model) made an earthshatteringly stupid remark on live radio back in January 2008: "When women turn 35, their amniotic fluid goes rotten, so I'd like them to have a child by 35." For this remark, she was crucified in the press, lost advertising contracts, and disappeared from pop music for almost two years. The only thing that seemed to survive her gaffe was a pachinko machine with her image on it. She's made a comeback this past year, though.
In the USA, stars say stupid stuff like this all the time, and no one cares. In fact, we expect this sort of idiocy from some stars.
But then! Jackhole governor of Tokyo Ishihara Shintaro, during the height of the tragedy last month with the earthquake and tsunami and nuclear plant, has the gall to say “The identity of the Japanese people is selfishness. The Japanese people must take advantage of this tsunami as means of washing away their selfish greed. I really do think this is divine punishment.”
What a dick.
Of course, we know that he's a dick not only from this comment, but from his homophobia, his anti-foreigner attitude, and his hypocrisy involving the influence of media on children. But seriously, this one really beats it all. Glenn Beck says the same thing, and people rightfully scream indignation. Pat Robertson makes a similar statement about the quake in Haiti and it's an outrage.
But what do Tokyoites do in response to Ishihara's insulting, offensive comment?
Elect him to a fourth term.
