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things you cannot get used to
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ALX

Joined: 19 Sep 2012
Posts: 36
Location: The Big Hill

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:13 am Post subject:

Rooster_2006 wrote:

G Cthulhu wrote:

Pointing out the inconsistencies and holes in rooster's reasoning just makes him run away. Laughing

Actually, G Cthulhu, I just didn't see any point in arguing with you. But since you feel the need to continue to make rude posts about me, I'm back. Hopefully not for long. I'm taking a vacation to Kyoto this weekend, and won't be drawn into your petty little games starting tomorrow.

You see, I have already provided the copied-and-pasted text of the UN CERD (which Japan voluntarily signed) that expressly defines racism, which the UN CERD seeks to eliminate:

Quote:

Article 1 of the Convention defines "racial discrimination" as

...any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin

You first try to claim that my definition of "racism" is invalid. Not my definition, G Cthulhu. The UN's definition.

Then, amazingly, you argue back by saying essentially "Countries ignore treaties they sign all the time, big deal, Japan can do as it pleases."

Well, if you don't agree that treaties are valid, and if you don't agree that countries should follow treaties they voluntarily signed, then I'm at a loss for what we're going to agree on.

Yep, let's take a little trip down Memory Lane:

G Cthulhu wrote:

they get more "right" to do as they please. [b]Including ignoring parts of treaties they might have signed that they choose to.

It's an ironic position for you to take, considering that you're a member of the former "Allied" country living in Japan, a former "Axis" country. Since you said it's okay for a country to ignore parts of treaties it has signed that it chooses to, I guess that nothing's stopping Japan from ignoring various clauses in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco and putting you in a POW camp.

"G Cthulhu". That name in and of itself is offensive to my ears.

timothypfox

Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 492

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:56 am Post subject:

Let me hijack these posts and get us away from fighting and back on topic. Now things I can get used to living Japan? I can't get used to the size of homes. People tell me I have a large apartment, but all the rooms including the hallway and the height of doors are about half the dimensions I was used to in Canada (though disturbingly - fairly comparable to the current size of most apartments - all of which are unaffordable - in NYC).

G Cthulhu

Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 1373
Location: Way, way off course.

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:05 am Post subject:

Rooster_2006 wrote:

G Cthulhu wrote:

Pointing out the inconsistencies and holes in rooster's reasoning just makes him run away. Laughing

Actually, G Cthulhu, I just didn't see any point in arguing with you, and attempted to exit the debate simply because I'm tired of your games.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I honestly can't help you if you're reading that into it. I'll ignore all the ad hom you engage in in yr reply.

Quote:

You first make ridiculous claims that are impossible to defend, then when you're losing,

I honestly can't see what it is you're talking about, but if you think the points were invalid then I would have expected you to reply to them. All you did was reassert your position and quote a UN treaty.

Quote:

you shift goalposts, use ad hominem,

<ahem>

No. You're the one that leapt to insults first and the record clearly shows it.

Quote:

Quite frankly, I don't think I should have to be the only guy on this forum who stands up to you. There are certainly plenty of people who disagree with your contrarian, nit-picking viewpoints, but most of them just ignore you rather than engaging you.

Irrelevant. And what were you saying about ad hom attacks?

Quote:

Although I understand why they do this, I wish I weren't the only person with some balls around here.

So let me make sure I've got this straight: you've spent five paragraphs on insults and telling me how manly you are and you're accusing me of not responding to points and being unable to engage in discussion?

Quote:

You see, I have already provided the copied-and-pasted text of the UN CERD (which Japan voluntarily signed) that expressly defines racism, which the UN CERD seeks to eliminate:

Quote:

Article 1 of the Convention defines "racial discrimination" as

...any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin

You first try to claim that my definition of "racism" is invalid. Not my definition, G Cthulhu. The UN's definition.

It is somewhat unusual for a person to take their definitions from UN treaties. But let's go with your preferred source of definition. And let's go further and accept that it *is* racism: you still have to show that it's something beyond unfortunate. You don't link the point to anything substantive.

Again, countries do things they have said they wouldn't all the time. Yes, it's unfair (for certain values of "unfair"). But beyond that you haven't made any sort of case. It's like pointing out that the US lowered water health standards under Bush. Yes, it's bad. And?

Quote:

Then, amazingly, you argue back by saying essentially "Countries ignore treaties they sign all the time, big deal, Japan can do as it pleases."

Well, if you don't agree that treaties are valid, and if you don't agree that countries should follow treaties they voluntarily signed, then I'm at a loss for what we're going to agree on.

You're missing the point: you're not linking your points in any way. You're just making random assertions, using unusual definitions.

Quote:

Yep, let's take a little trip down Memory Lane:

G Cthulhu wrote:

they get more "right" to do as they please. Including ignoring parts of treaties they might have signed that they choose to.

Irrelevant.

Let's get back to the basic point that you've ignored completely across several posts:

You say Japan's policy for residence and citizenship having exceptions for family history is "unfair" and "racist". I've asked you several times to explain a rational reason *why* it's unfair. (That you've defined racism as a legal term renders it outside the discussion because it becomes a legal state of y/n, not a matter of opinion)

Explain why nationality via parents is OK for most countries (including Japan) but Japan offering it to people more generations back is bad.

Does the treaty you quoted allow for 1-X generations back in this area? How does that affect your assertion? The UK allows citizenship based on grandparents. Is that bad/unfair according to you? Why? Why not? Switzerland allows you to go back 3 generations. Is that bad/unfair? Why/why not?

You made the claim: defend it.

steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:07 am Post subject:

timothypfox wrote:

Let me hijack these posts and get us away from fighting and back on topic. Very Happy

Now things I can get used to living Japan?

I can't get used to the size of homes. People tell me I have a large apartment, but all the rooms including the hallway and the height of doors are about half the dimensions I was used to in Canada (though disturbingly - fairly comparable to the current size of most apartments - all of which are unaffordable - in NYC).

After living in NYC, I was surprised by how (relatively) cheap rent is. The rooms are a bit smaller, but I had some small apartments in SF and NYC.

When I lived in the Mie. my apt was huge!

G Cthulhu

Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 1373
Location: Way, way off course.

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:08 am Post subject:

timothypfox wrote:

Let me hijack these posts and get us away from fighting and back on topic. Very Happy

Please.

steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:41 am Post subject:

One thing I will never get used to is the lack of appreciation the Japanese show towards HP Lovecraft. Kidding, of course. But I loved his work back in high school.