Think About It

U.S.S. Arizona and Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Think About It


No more need be said.


Wikipedia article on the Pearl Harbor attack here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. Any articles beneath this one indicate you're already there.

Gate: An Anime Review With Reservations

L-R: Tuka Luna Marceau, Youji Itami, Lelei La Lelena and Rory Mercury.

Gate: An Anime Review With Reservations


Caught wind of this on You Tube and decided to give it a go on Crunchityroll. And ... well ... some good ... some ... "bad".

First ... the plot:

A portal or gate (Hence the title.) materializes in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo. Out pours a midieval/Roman style fantasy army complete with goblins, freaks and flying dragons that attacks the people in the streets. The JSDF is called in, the police rally and the invaders are destroyed, the remainder either driven back beyond the gate or captured.

The Japanese government sends an expeditionary force to the now designated Special Region to retaliate and check things out for possible exploitation.

The show itself is about the (mis)adventures of Youji Itami and his unit in the Special Region. A slacker, otaku, and JSDF member (Who was off duty that day for a doujinshi convention.) who "Forrest Gumped" his way through the ranks.

Due to his fast thinking on that day drawing some blood and saving countless lives, he is promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to a recon team. The purpose of the team is of course recon but also "hearts and minds" with the locals.

Thus two seasons worth of "culture shock" on the part of both sides.

The pluses:

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THAT ... EXECRABLE ... STEINS' GATE. Which was a convoluted mess with a LOUD annoying jerk as lead character.

I don't usually go in for fantasy shows. The "magic" ends up as an overused plot device and degenerates into a sentai fighting show like Dragonball Z or Fullmetal Alchemist. So far it's been kept to a minimum. As this is also "sticks and stones" vs. modern military with magic taking a distant back seat, I rather liked it.

The one mage gets a basic chemistry book and uses the knowledge gained in supplementing her sorcery. A nice touch. She also buys a laptop and related software while on a diplomatic trip to Tokyo as an aid to her research.

The minuses:

The seemingly out of place goth lolita demi-goddess Rory Mercury character comes across like some "deus ex machina". Invincible "Mary Sue" types I find uninteresting.

Some of the action scenes, particularly the ones with Rory Mercury, are choppily edited. No sooner an image barely registers, it switches to another. Makes for an exercise in eyestrain, motion sickness and aggravation. So far this hasn't been done too much

This is, to me, one of those "Japan vs. the west" kind of shows. Sorta' kinda' like The Silent Service, Zipang or Starship Operators. This should come as no surprise as the original mangas' creator is a right winger.

The chief bad guys appear as blond and overbearing (Including the U.S. President. Donald Trump anyone?). Other blondes as cute and at times, ditzy (ex.: Tuka the elf babe.).

Cute critters show up (Cat girls, bunny babes, etc.). In a later episode so does a Tinkerbelle-like fairy (Thankfully for only a moment.). So far as I've seen, the cute isn't laid on too thick. The doujinshi goes slightly more in depth in passing about the empire discriminating against the elves, animal people and goblins. Yeah ... I give a pass on the pointy eared folk and cat babes, but goblins? ... No way! Yeah ... I discriminate ... And don't feel guilty at all about it.

It should be noted that Japan is, in spite of the assimilation of western tech and concepts/ideas, still a quite insular and institutionally racist country. Nothing wrong in that. After all ... It's what keeps Japan ... well ... Japan.

The infatuation and "marriage proposal" of an UNDERAGE princess with Japans' ambassador comes across as blatantly creepy. The ambassador, to his credit, thinks the better of it and the age of consent laws in Japan are cited. In spite of what any of you hentai fans who might be reading this may believe, age of consent laws over in Japan are brutally strict and woe to those caught indulging who shouldn't.

The emperors' daughter and her entourage, on a visit to Tokyo for negotiations become infatuated with fag comics, mistaking that mistake for high art. Yaoi ... Isn't that the sound they make when they ... never mind.

The U.S., Russia and China get involved hoping to one day gain access to the Special Region thus assassination attempts, blackmail and intrigue resulting.

As much as I like the shows' original premise of "sticks 'n stones" vs modern age, the imagery of an Asian army pushing around what appears to be a European culture doesn't sit well with me. Especially since that Asian military is using weapons that, for the most part, were designed and made by European people. It is a fantasy many Japanese have harbored (And even tried to fulfill from 1905 to 1945.) since Perry surprised them in 1853. Gate could be viewed as a "Perry in reverse".

As an aside, I see nothing wrong in Japan doubling the size of their present military AND PAYING FOR IT THEMSELVES. The Second World War has long been over. While Japan (And South Korea for that matter.) is part of the Chinese/Confucian "nexus", the hostility of one for the other, at present, keeps "blood calling to blood" in check. Anything short of nukes and Eva units I'm all for them having. :)

Summation:

Am reading the manga online at kissmanga.com and have every intention of buying the discs when Sentai Filmworks sells it here.

All the same, I'll be watching/enjoying it somewhat "tongue in brain" so to speak.

Relax Itami! At 900+ she's of legal age. All the same ... RUN!

Go to Crunchyroll streaming anime here.

Go to episode One of Gate at Crunchyroll here.

Wikipedia article on the Gate franchise here.

Interesting little article about Gate and Japanese history, military and otherwise here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. Any articles after this 'un, with or without cutesy crap, means you're already there!

An Interesting Photo of Our Muslim in Chief

An Interesting Photo of Our Muslim in Chief

Original Face Book link for title illustration here.

Karol Travens' Ex-Army blog (Where I got the other illustrations/"quibcags".) main page here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. Any articles under this, kebobs or otherwise, means you're already there.

FDR Declares War on Japan

FDR Declares War On Japan


With December 7 coming up, I thought I'd post this:


Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

You Tube link to abbreviated video of speech here.

Pathe newsreel on Pearl Harbor here including footage taken from a captured documentary. Special effects were done by Eiji Tsuburaya. They were convincing enough for some to at first believe it was actual combat footage.

Mr. Tsuburaya is best known for his FX work on many of Tohos' sci-fi films including the Godzilla franchise.


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The Sansei Shooter

                                                   The Sansei Shooter

Hordes of malcontents leaving tax-payer supplied resort. That's gratitude for ya!

      While working at the pistol range in Powell Ohio back in the 90s, I would often avail myself of conversation with the various clientele. One interesting fellow comes to mind. The only Japanese redneck I've ever met.

      He worked in the offices of a gravel quarry in southwest Columbus. In his late fifties/early sixties, wearing (Depending on the weather.) a worn blue jacket or a ratty t-shirt, he'd come in once a week smoking one of those big cigars of his, to "shoot the bull".

      We always got a charge out of this guy (Sadly, he's no longer with us. Damn cancer.). He'd regal us with tales of the bad ole days of living in the OSU area during the sixties (The National Guard was called out on various occasions, not because of political "activism" but because THE BUCKEYES! won/lost a game. Nowadays it's just 12th Ave. going up in smoke.), or the drawbacks & merits of the various models of Harley & Triumph bikes.

      Invariably the discussion got to politics, particularly gun control. We of course all agreed it was a matter of putting the second round through the hole the first one made & not the lofty non-solutions as proposed by the starry eyed, self appointed, would be saviors of our souls. One quote of his I'll never forget:

      "They say waiting periods (For gun purchases.) are for cooling you down. Bulls--t! I've been divorced from my ex-wife for over twenty years & I still wanta' kill her!"

      On another occasion, I asked why he owned guns. He gave an answer that's stuck with me to this day:

      "I was born in a concentration camp at Tule Lake in northern California. This was where they sent 'troublemakers'. My mom was there because she wouldn't sign a loyalty oath. She said she was an American & didn't have to sign so they sent her there. I may not remember much of it at all but they 'did it' to me before, they're not going to 'do it' to me again. That's why I own guns."

Hey! It's the gummint wot determines who/what's
American, not you pal. Now that we got THAT straight .....

Enjoying tax-payer funded meals. Darn freeloaders!

      This was in sharp contrast to the reaction I got from a regular customer from Yokohama who was in the U.S. for his company. He was a bit aghast when I stated that any of the internees had the perfect right to shoot anyone taking them to a "relocation center". That "go with the flow" mentality I'll never understand.

      Things are different everywhere.

Article copyright © 3-22-2012 Jay Agan

Makes me PROUD to be an Amurikan. An iffen yew don'
think so mebbe yew awtta go someplace lahk Rooshia!

Propaganda film extolling the benefits of "internment" here. The gummint only had the best of intentions & their welfare in mind.

George "Mr. Sulu" Takei puts to rest any misgivings about "internment" here. He has nothing but praise for it.

Pat Morita talks about "internment"s' joys & wonders here.

Ruth Voorhies talks about her stay in a gummint furnished vacation wonderland here.

Go to Main Page here.

Another For Otakus, Know Your Enemy: Japan

Know Your Enemy: Japan. Should go
over well at any anime convention. Not!

                               Another For Otakus, Know Your Enemy: Japan

                                                                 by

                                                                     Jay Agan

      Yes, anime fans. The kind of film to watch the day before attending a convention. Wartime anti-Japanese propaganda. So why should you see this one in particular? Because in spite of what it is I have found Know Your Enemy: Japan to be an excellent little quick & (very) dirty "rough guide" /summary of pre-1945 Japanese culture/history.

      Made by Frank Capra, though not part of his "Why We Fight" series of films, it follows the same style & format, with narrations by Walter Huston, & Dana Andrews. Released just after Hiroshima/Nagasaki, it was pulled from theaters at the end of August '45.

      You get a brief, detailed summary of geography, belief, history, & outlook of pre-45 Japan. There are some mistakes: Korea is not China. Actual Bushido is not the "death cult" the militarists twisted it into (And Americans accepted at "face" value.). If you can get around these & the fact it's wartime propaganda (Warning: This film is quite racist.) you may find Know Your Enemy: Japan to be informative. If you're getting your Japanese history/culture lessons through the "Patricia Martin school of thought", this film is definitely a cut or two above.

      The best copy I could come up with would be the one previously marketed by Digiview as a dollar disc. Any others out there seem to have a distracting defect or two. Again, this film is very much on the racist side. If you can get around the derogatory "jap" (small J) being used a lot (The onscreen intro is laughable in one place.) you may find a viewing interesting.

Article copyright © 10-5-2011 Jay Agan

YouTube link to Know Your Enemy: Japan here.

Go to Main Page here.

This article only may be copied in whole or in part. Please cite proper credit & backlink.

Shooting Range Herp n' Derp

Disclaimer: The following is NOT meant to promote racial hatred/ridicule. I thought this little vignette to be of interest to anime fans & anyone else interested in "all things Japan".
                       
                                          Shooting Range Herp n' Derp

                                                            by

                                                                Jay Agan

      Back in the 90s I worked at a gun store/pistol range in Powell, Ohio. Due to the varied corporate/industrial infrastructure of Central Ohio & the uniqueness of my workplace, I got to meet a lot of interesting folks. Some of whom were from Japan.

      It was during this time I collected comic books (Manga sounds like some kind of fruit.), & was in my VHS heyday. Because of this I got the idea to study Japanese. With a workbook & flashcards made out of 3x5s, I was able to build up a vocabulary of about 500 words & phrases in less than 3 months.

      Japanese is a surprisingly easy language to learn. Half of what I learned was actually "mispronounced" English (Don't use V,L,F & Th sounds & put vowel sounds between consonants.). Couple it with a "sideways" sentence structure & there you have it: You build up a vocabulary & think like Yoda ..... or ..... Vocabulary build up you & Yoda like think.

      Of course I didn't have a great command of the language. It was enough I could watch a movie & not need the subtitles. I remember viewing a showing of My Neighbor Totoro at a MARCON convention in Columbus & not having any problems with what was being said (For some reason, it didn't have subtitles but was able to follow along quite well.).

      Needless to say, I had plenty of opportunity to try it out on unsuspecting customers at work ..... & commit a faux pas here & there. The only thing funnier than greeting a Chinese person (OOPS!) with "konichiwa" is the strange look in return. (Usually I can tell the various ethnicities apart. I still made mistakes.) I learned early to wait until one spoke to another before going baka.

      This also worked in reverse. Though English is taught in their schools & they take courses by their various companies before coming here for their two/three year hitch, some still have a little trouble with the lingo. This lead to more than one amusing incident at work.

      Not meaning to get off the track, but on Tuesday, the beginning of my work week, the "giggle button" on me was rather hard to find. By Sunday, I could be "touched" anywhere & I'd explode.

      So in he comes. Typical "salaryman" type (Business suit, hair proportionly parted, etc.). Obviously never held a gun in his life. Eyes wide, staring all over the shop, trying to comprehend the scene (These crazy, gaijin Americans really DO like guns!).

      After a minute or so, he approached the counter &, I kid you not, the wide eyed innocent asked in a very sincere voice & expression:

      "Can ..... I ..... get ..... shot ..... here?"

      Knowing it's not polite to go off laughing/howling in someones' face, I immediately excused myself, guts seizing up, & hurried to the back room a few steps away. It hurts bad enough when I can laugh out loud, but to suppress it? Auuuugh! Painful!

      There I am, jumping up & down, gasping for air, excruciating pain in both sides shooting spikes through me. Man! It felt like I was getting the krap beat out of me, it hurt so bad.

      Talk about asking for it! All I could think of was:

      "Sure! We aim to please! (draws out the .45) Hold still!"

      "Honest officer! You CAN'T arrest me! He wanted it! Really!"

      Getting as much out of my system in as short a time as possible, I grabbed the Kanji/Hirugana/Katakana range rules sheet (Someone from the Marysville Honda plant had it made up for us.) & took it to the gentleman at the counter. He seemed quite happy to see it & read it intently, not noticing my facial contortions as the shakes & giggles started coming back in full force. It was a good thing he took his time reading it. I was able to return to the back room, "redrain" myself & collect my fragile composure.

      I was finally settled down enough to answer questions with a straight(?) face & set him up for the range: .38, box of ammo, eye/ear protection, etc. & getting the range use agreement signed. After spending about 10 minutes with him on the range I left him to himself watching as closely/discreetly as possible.

      He seemed to thouroughly enjoy himself & left satisfied. That made two of us.

      My sides hurt all the next day.

      I would like to thank Weatherly Hardy for explaining to me the meaning of herp derp.

                                          Article copyright © 5-19-2011 Jay Agan

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DISCLAIMER: All images used on this blog are strictly copyrights of their owners. I do not claim credit/ownership for any images used here in my blog unless stated otherwise. If I have offended anyone by posting any images on my blog, please contact me via email and I will remove specified image(s) ASAP.

This article (only) may be copied in whole or in part. Please cite proper credit & backlink.

First Quake

Disclaimer: Though the following article has a "punchline" it is not meant to belittle or trivialize the situation the people of Japan are going through right now. My heart goes out to them & I hope I myself never have to experience what they are facing. Please remember the victims in your prayers. It's because of this I was reminded of  "incidents" of my own having to do with earthquakes.

                                                              
                                                       First Quake

                                                               by

                                                                  Jay Agan

      An Ohio Saturday afternoon in a Spring of the late 70s & there I am in my Mt. Vernon, apartment watching a flick on ch 10 (WBNS). The fight scene is raging & I'm skarfing a Coke when the house shakes a little. Funny. No truck went by. In fact it was dead quiet outside. Wasn't much of a shake but it felt ..... strange.

      Thirty seconds later it happens again. Now I was sure it wasn't something normal. Earthquake? Couldn't be positive as I had never experienced one before. I get up & dash out of the subdivided house & take a quick look up & down the street. Everything normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.

      I go back in & click on the radio. Within minutes WMVO had the scoop. A couple of tremors hit over a several county area including Knox County.

      A couple days later I'm talking to youngest brother about it & he related the same thing. His two dogs also got to howling a little after.

      My second quake was when I was with the parents in New Jersey while attending tech school in '85. It's about 5 AM Saturday morning when I hear what sounds like a freight train then a slight lurch to the house. Then neighborhood dogs get to barking & howling for a minute or two. "Musta been an earthquake." & I go back to sleep.

      Later that day it's off to the movies. I pass Computer Processing Institute on Rt 4 in Paramus where I attended school, & I notice quite a few cars in the lot. On a Saturday? I didn't think much of it & continued on. At the theater there was a long wait as tickets were being "processed" by hand. The computers were down due to the quake. I figured that was why there were so many cars at the school. This was confirmed there Monday.



Steve Reeves in Hercules Unchained. It was about at this
point in the film when the quake hit. I swear, it's true!
Credit: Warner Bros.


      Oh. The movie I was watching when I experienced my first quake? Hercules Unchained starring Steve Reeves. Honest! Go figure.

                                      Article copyright © 3-12-2011 Jay Agan


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DISCLAIMER: All images used on this blog are strictly copyrights of their owners. I do not claim credit/ownership for any images used here in my blog unless stated otherwise. If I have offended anyone by posting any images on my blog, please contact me via email and I will remove specified image(s) ASAP.

This article (only) may be copied in whole or in part. Please be sure to cite proper credit & backlink.