BruceVC

If you don't mind me asking how did you learn those languages....are you from there ? I admire people who can speak other languages

Dude please speak English if you have something to add, I obviously don't speak Japanese

No, people like me are more than capable of telling the truth about brutal dictatorships that have NO right to rule a country even though we have major social problems in South Africa our black government does care about its citizens. We would never allow thousands of people just to starve to death I have to say I'm more concerned why more people on this forum are not unequivocally condemning NK ?

You can't be seriously comparing the years of mass murder committed by the reprehensible and narcissistic NK regime against there own people to the social issues the EU is experiencing due to Syrian refugees ?

I can understand that perspective Its become normal for us White liberals but I'm also probably explaining it in a way that makes it sound arduous because its not all bad if you don't everything seriously But yes if you partake in talk shows like me you have to accept that basically everyday you will be blamed for something that was caused by Apartheid. But then the positive side is when more and more black South Africans become part of the economic transformation or you are able to explain something that helps them in some way You partake in talk shows? You must have an interesting job;) Well, it's just like you said: one foolish person makes a twitter comment, and once again everyone drags up the last 50 years of history. It's kind of like fighting with one's girlfriend. You start arguing about something totally random, and then suddenly all the old baggage is brought up... One thing I like about Japan is that they're such a homogeneous society (98% Japanese) that they barely even understand the concept of "political correctness" as we know it in the west. Of course, that frustrates some people. But for me, having been raised in South Africa, it's like breathe of fresh air. Yes I'm very active on 2 -3 primary radio talk shows. When I say " active " I mean I phone in during the evening pending work commitments and get involved in debates. I work in software and often I work from home so I can connect and listen to the radio and work Radio talk shows are very popular as a medium to discuss issues about the new South Africa and I find its the best way to try to make a point because there is loads of misunderstandings about things like how to drive our economy My brother does some Japanese martial art and he travels to Japan once a year, he even speaks Japanese. I have huge respect for the Japanese and how they rebuilt there entire culture after ww2 But I have also heard they don't seem to understand or care about things like SJ, what is it like there? Do they care about womens rights, gay rights? And why do you think they don't care....I'm not trying to judge them I'm just interested ?

The entire NK regime is a disgrace and would never be tolerated if it had a Western neighbor. But once again because China is ultimately responsible for NK they don't care if hundreds of thousands of Koreans have died of starvation as long as they maintain a facada of a government its good enough for them You guys cannot tell me that the current NK government has a legitimate right to rule the country and if you could change the regime you would. This is what I mean by legitimate regime change

I can understand that perspective Its become normal for us White liberals but I'm also probably explaining it in a way that makes it sound arduous because its not all bad if you don't everything seriously But yes if you partake in talk shows like me you have to accept that basically everyday you will be blamed for something that was caused by Apartheid. But then the positive side is when more and more black South Africans become part of the economic transformation or you are able to explain something that helps them in some way

No there is a huge difference between black Africans and Arabs I completely understand what motivates black people and what there grievances are, its reasonable and its something as a white person I believe I have a commitment to help resolve in South Africa But I'll be honest I'm tired of dealing with religious intransigence that is inconsistent with how the Muslim community should be helping there own Other liberals can deal with that

I mentioned in the past that I talk a lot in RL, I enjoy small talk and interacting with basically anyone .....I enjoy it and most of the time people appreciate it My boss always asks me to sit next to new people at work functions so they don't feel ignored. So he has found a way to use my excitable nature ( I'm not hyperactive despite what some people assume )

You right but in Africa to call any black person a monkey is more offensive because there is a view that due to all the failed states and disastrous economies black people are actually stupid like monkeys. Its weird but black people believe it more than they should Its hard to explain but its just something we as white liberals never would ever do....its just something that would hurt black people and offend them ...like this incident now.

Didn't stop Zimbabwe. Yes you are right and Zimbabwe is actually a sore spot for me because members of my family came from there and were involved in the war. But what happened in Zim in the long term has actually ensured white South Africans will never be kicked out of South Africa So what I am about to explain may sound like I'm being racist but you guys know I'm not and I feel I can just discuss the facts without being diplomatic. Mugabe made a very bad calculation in the 1999's, he decided to break an old unspoken African rule " always be nice to white people in your country". Despite criticisms about Colonialism white people in almost all African countries are treated well and generally control resources Anyway Mugabe decided to not only kick them off there farms , kill or intermediate most white Farmers in Zim he also blamed the UK for reneging on paying millions of pounds to Zim. He publicly attacked the West and made sure any white people in Zim knew he was the boss and they were outsiders....he really played the " race card" and made sure he humiliated all white Zimbabweans . The result was the majority of white people left Zim and due to the illegal occupation of there farms the West declared some financial sanctions. But there was NOTHING stopping any country from investing in Zim or Mugabe getting loans from places like China Mugabe did all this from about 2000 and in the beginning he was considered a real hero to many Africans who understandably resent the fact that white people own large parts of land that they feel was stolen from them during Colonialism. So I even remember back in 2002 how many black South Africans would phone in defending Mugabe and saying things like " he is a real son of Africa " . Mugabe also made the really egregious decision of deciding to implement " nationalization " where any foreign business had to sell 51% of there business to a black Zimbabwean....so the taxes and job creation weren't enough. He somehow thought local people had an automatic right to any business in Zim But then the economic reality kicked in. No Western country was prepared to invest in Zim and as usual the African Union didn't really care .....and within 2 years the Zim economy was sunk. The Chinese helped in there usual way, loans and some trade but no real investment. And then Mugabe just made things worse, they started printing larger notes and more currency and somehow ignored the concepts of currency trading and how currency is valued Its almost like they believed those irritating conspiracy theorists who say things like " the entire global economy is just a facade...you don't need to follow the rules of global economics " So with no foreign investment and also with all the other pressures the Zim economy became almost bankrupt. Some people still to this day think Mugabe was punished by the West for wanting to address the land and for kicking out the Whites but the real reason for Zim economic collapse was completely his own creation He ignored property rights when they invaded the farms and when his " nationalization " policy was implemented he destroyed most foreign investment. But most Africans will say " its because he kicked the Whites out " So that lesson resonates with our current government who have refused to illegally take any land. This is a problem in South Africa at the moment as maybe 55 % of the land is still owned and farmed by white farmers and many black people are frustrated that the government wont address this issue But the reality is many white people despite the historical injustices of Apartheid still are the primary drivers and owners of the economy ...and yes I am one of those but thats just how things are. So in summary white people under the current SA government are fine despite the rhetoric No Volo its not the same in South Africa

Oh I never knew you got the job, well done You don't strike me as someone who enjoys interacting with strangers ...or am I wrong?

Yeah you are technically correct, this dynamic in South Africa is black South Africans being " racist " and generalizing But because of Apartheid you must realize they not being racist in the sense of how we understand it....if I can try to give you an analogy. After the genocide when the Israeli's hunted down Nazis would you say what they did was illegal? Because they broke certain laws when they kidnapped Nazi's in foreign countries ?

Hi Vals "waves " Where have you been?

Funny enough the judging of white people in this case is actually due to a profound insecurity that many black South Africans feel ....I know it may seem like I'm making excuses for racism but I'm not as its complicated We get told that regularly by some people ..." white people must go back to Europe " ...but this is the interesting part of living in South Africa, I know this sounds arrogant but the reality is if every white person like me left SA the economy would collapse Many white people are an inextricable part of the economy ....we are needed particularly in sectors like the banking and financial sector. So I just ignore those types of personal attacks on white people

How does that pertain to the subject at hand? Aren't we discussing reincarnation? Didn't you post a link about reincarnation and I'm interested in your opinion I thought we were discussing the buddhist beliefs (or lack thereof) in reincarnation, but then you went and posted this: So now I'm confused. Ah yes my bad, I always forget that people have no way of knowing when I'm joking about something I have no real proof of reincarnation from any religion but I still like to read about it, so I don't really dismiss the Buddhist view of it ...so really I have no informed opinion about it but I would still like to get your view, and any one elses, about it

Imagine if you were reincarnated as a Syrian refugee

How does that pertain to the subject at hand? Aren't we discussing reincarnation? Didn't you post a link about reincarnation and I'm interested in your opinion

Nah I don't follow boring Buddha definitions of reincarnation....I'm talking about proper reincarnation definitions where I get reborn as a Chinese emperor

I have a feeling you're not overly familiar with Buddhism Really? So you saying that there are not any branches of Buddhism that teaches reincarnation then? Or that people can ascend to Buddhahood (another unprovable belief)? On reincarnation. (Also, isn't the Dalai Lama considered to have ascended to Buddhahood?) alum do you believe in reincarnation? I can't imagine it features too much in the medical fraternity

How do you know most rapes are committed by people from Africa and the ME? Yes in my country we have an astronomical high level of rape but its not because black people are predisposed to rape but yes compared to what you Europeans are use to I'm sure some of the Syrians do seem like they a propensity for it...but this may be due to there history and exposure to extreme violence ? Sorry but how does this negates what he wrote? He didnt presume that they act like that because of their race/color but because of that history and extreme violence? Oh I didn't realize he was saying that, my bad

How do you know most rapes are committed by people from Africa and the ME? Yes in my country we have an astronomical high level of rape but its not because black people are predisposed to rape but yes compared to what you Europeans are use to I'm sure some of the Syrians do seem like they a propensity for it...but this may be due to there history and exposure to extreme violence ? Take a look at these photos to understand what that racist women was referring to ...now don't get freaked out, this is only over Christmas https://melancholymons.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/kwa-zulu-natals-durban-beachfront-1930-2013/

So smarty pants what happens if someone who use to be Jewish but renounced there religion marries a black person who is Jewish but lies in Mongolia ?

You funny The worst thing about this whole " monkey " insult is how seriously so many black South Africans have taken what this ignorant racist said You would think they would ignore it but they don't, so for the last 2 days I have heard dozens of black South Africans phone in a various radio talk shows and say things like "I'm not a monkey ....I am tired of white people thinking we are monkeys " Yet that is NOT what people like me have ever thought

Buy some nice Old Amsterdam Cheese.,...that should make you cheery ?