English Version of this appeal will come after in a few moment by another
people.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
                              ２０００年４月６日
　　　　　　　　リ　ス　ト　ラ　・　雇　用　破　壊　Ｎ　Ｏ　！　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　全　国　キ　ャ　ラ　バ　ン　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　く　ま　も　と　行　動　
当日の予定
　（現在調整中のものも含みます）
　午後１時　　　　熊本県立大学で解雇撤回の訴えとチラシまき
　　　　　　　　　〔宣伝カー〕
　午後３時　　　　熊本県庁へ県立大学での外国人教員の解雇撤回の申し入れ
　午後５時　　　　辛島公園で街頭宣伝〔宣伝カー〕
　午後６時３０分　産業文化会館視聴覚研修室で集会　（資料代５００円）
　　　　　　　　　報告・小野寺忠昭さん（中小労組政策ネットワーク事務局／東京
(J
　　　　　　　　　　　　地評）
　　　　　　　　　　　・くまもとゼネラルユニオン（熊本県立大学）
　　　　　　　　　　　　　シンシア・ワージントンさん
　　　　　　　　　　　　　サンドラ・ミッチェルさん
　　　　　　　　　歌　・熊谷誠二さん
　　　　　　　　　挨拶・国労他
午後８時３０分　終了

【連絡先】雇用破壊ＮＯ！全国キャラバンくまもと行動実行委員会
　　　　　　くまもとゼネラルユニオン　　　・/FAX　（０９６）３６４−８���僑坑�
　　　　　　（ファレル・クリアリ )
　　　　　　『労働情報』熊本支局　　　　　・　　　（０９６）３４５−５９０４
(J
　　　　　　 (荘野  亮) 　　　　　　　　　FAX
　　（０９６）３４３−２４２１
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　２０００年３月２９日
(J

　労働団体、市民団体各位

　　　　　　　　　　　リストラ・雇用破壊ＮＯ！全国キャラバンくまもと行動
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　実行委員会代表・荘野　亮
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　・860-0855  熊本市北千反畑町1-9
古荘ビル3F
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　・(096)345-5904　FAX(096)343-2421


　　　　４・６リストラ・雇用破壊ＮＯ！全国キャラバンくまもと行動のご案内

　日夜ご奮闘されていることに敬意を表します。
　私たちは、９８年労働基準法改悪ＮＯ全国キャラバンを熊本で行いました。以来、
(J
「派遣法・職安法改悪ＮＯ！」「倒産なんかに負けないぞ！」の闘いに連帯してきま
(J
した。
　２０００年は政府・財界による産業活力再生の下、金融再生法、産業再生法をつ
かった金融・大企業のリストラ・大合理化が押し進められており、５０万人に及ぶ労
(J
働者が職場から追われようとしています。
　私たちは、この労働者に対する攻撃をはねのけ、全国の仲間とともに「リストラ・
(J
雇用破壊ＮＯ！失業に立ち向かう全国キャンペーン」のひとつとして、全国キャラバ
(J
ンが行われることとなり、この熊本で行動を起こすことになりました。
　熊本では、熊本県立大学の外国人教員の解雇をはじめ、県下各地でリストラ・解雇
(J
が行われており、解雇問題が活字にならない日はありません。
　別紙の共同アピールや資料にもありますように、４月３日より「リストラ・雇用破
(J
壊ＮＯ！全国キャラバン」が鹿児島からスタートします。
　熊本にはキャラバン隊が４月６日に入ってきます。当日は、以下の行動を予定して
(J
います。
　　・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
(J
・
　　・午後１時　　　　熊本県立大学で解雇撤回の訴えとチラシまき　　　　　　　
(J
・
　　・午後３時　　　　熊本県庁へ県立大学での外国人教員の解雇撤回の申し入れ　
(J
・
　　・午後５時　　　　辛島公園で街頭宣伝　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
(J
・
　　・午後６時３０分　産業文化会館視聴覚研修室で集会　（資料代５００円）　　
(J
・
　　・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
(J
・
　突然のご案内で本当に心苦しい限りですが、ご参加いただきますよう心よりお願い
(J
申し上げます。
　尚、キャラバンには国労博多の宣伝カーを使い、九州をリレーしていきます。






　　

------------------------
Masanori HANADA
Kumamoto Gakuen University
2-5-1, Oe Kumamoto Japan
E-mail  hanada@...
Tel  +81-96-364-5161
Fax  +81-96-372-0702
------------------------

The Atlantic this month features an article and some real audio of Elisabeth
Bishop's last composed poem with a variety of readings that you can listen
to if you have real audio on your computer.

http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/poetry/soundings/bishop.htm

Oddly, only one of the readings is by a woman, and she sounds somewhat
uncomfortably like Andy McDowell - at times, when listening, I can see Ms.
McDowell squinting her eyes at me, as in Green Card, not Sex Lies and
Videotape.

But there are other gems on this site to, one of the greatest English
language poems of the 20th century; Yeats' Easter 1916:

http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/poetry/soundings/easter.htm

With a gentle Irish reading, alongside an (East coast?) American reading by
Philip  Levine, who feels the need to tell us of the poems importance before
beginning. There are some incredible sonic patterns in this poem, for
example:
plashes:

A horse-hoof slides on the brim;
And a horse plashes within it

and,

But lived where motley is worn:


These sonic patterns are alongside:

All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

or

Too long a sacrifice
Can make a stone of the heart.

At the moment this is pertinent, given the situation of the peace process in
Northern Ireland.

There are links to three readings here, the third is perhaps too heavily
read to my mind, interpretation. Listening on though to this reading it is
an expressed tragedy.

Then there is Tongue, by Nabokov about his moving into lingusitic and
cultural exile from Russia to the US:

http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/poetry/antholog/nabokov/tongues.htm


These offer a superb language source for students of English - with the text
in front to read and the audio to listen to there is an excellent resource
for hearing practice.  Language is like a form of music, with repeating
sound patterns.  This becomes most apparent when travelling, in a different
country with a language that we do not understand, then we hear the sound
first, not the meaning, and the different sound patterns of the different
age groups, for example.

Please enjoy.

Allan.


--
McCoy Tyner discography of all known recordings, official and unofficial.
Any information heartily appreciated, thank you.

http://www.kyushu-ns.ac.jp/~allan/

Sorry, omitted this small part:

Then there is Tongue, by Nabokov about his moving into lingusitic and
cultural exile from Russia to the US:

http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/poetry/antholog/nabokov/tongues.htm

Which ends with:

To all these things I've said the fatal word,
using a tongue I had so tuned and tamed
that -- like some ancient sonneteer -- I heard
its echoes by posterity acclaimed.
But now thou too must go; just here we part,
softest of tongues, my true one, all my own....
And I am left to grope for heart and art
and start anew with clumsy tools of stone.

Mourning the loss of a language of birth, not the clich� and stereotype of
insular tradition - there is none worse than that gifted to Scotland;-).

Please enjoy,

Allan.

--
McCoy Tyner discography of all known recordings, official and unofficial.
Any information heartily appreciated, thank you.

http://www.kyushu-ns.ac.jp/~allan/

Dear All,

I was just contacted by some people who are going to the Philippines, and they
are
looking for a place they can get immunized, preferably at a place where someone
speaks English.  Any ideas?  Here is their message:

"We'd like to get the following immunizations: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Polio,
Tetanus, Typhoid.  I know these aren't necessarily requirements for the
Philippines, but
they are the suggested immunizations from the Center for Disease Control.
If you have any info on how we can get these that'd be great.  We'd like to
get
the shots in the next week as the recommendation is that we get the shots
4-6 weeks in advance."  [They are leaving in about four weeks]

Peace,

Craig Roberts

> I was just contacted by some people who are going to the Philippines, and they
>are
> looking for a place they can get immunized, preferably at a place where
>someone
> speaks English.  Any ideas?  Here is their message:
>
> "We'd like to get the following immunizations: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Polio,
> Tetanus, Typhoid.  I know these aren't necessarily requirements for the
> Philippines, but
> they are the suggested immunizations from the Center for Disease Control.
> If you have any info on how we can get these that'd be great.  We'd like to
> get
> the shots in the next week as the recommendation is that we get the shots
> 4-6 weeks in advance."  [They are leaving in about four weeks]

They can try:
Kumamoto Sekijuuji Byouin (Redcross Hospital)
Kumamoto-shi Nagamine 2-1-1
(in front of PUK)
Immunization : Wednesday and Thursday from 3 PM
Reservation : Wednesday and Thursday from 2 PM by telephone
  096-384-2111 ex 7171 They understand simple english.
And, for the detail, they said Doctor can speak english.

------------------------
Masanori HANADA
Kumamoto Gakuen University
2-5-1, Oe Kumamoto Japan
E-mail  hanada@...
Tel  +81-96-364-5161
Fax  +81-96-372-0702
------------------------

This is a rough  English summary of Prof. Hanada's post  (706).  Apologies
in advance for any mistakes, some of which I hope will be excused because
this programme has been put together at very short notice. F.C.


To Labour Groups and Citizens' Groups.

Kumamoto Day of Action: 6 April, 2000. 　　Part of the National Tour on
Labour Issues. 　　　　　　

"No to "Restructuring" and to Attacks on Jobs and Conditions. "
Kumamoto Action Committee Representative.:  Mr. Shouno (096)345-5904　
FAX(096)343-2421


Programme:

(There may be some minor alterations.)

1 p.m. Gathering at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto to protest about
the dismissals of the two foreign teachers; distribution of leaflets.
3 p.m. Delivery of petition about the dismissals of the foreign teachers to
the Prefectural Office.
5 p.m. Karashima Koen (Park) gathering.
6:30 --8:30 Gathering at the San-gyo Bunka Baikan; music.  (500 yen to cover
costs)

Reports:  Mr. Ono (The Tokyo Office of Small and Medium-Sized Unions
Network)
　　　　　　The situation regarding PUK teachers, Dr. Cynthia Worthington
and Ms. Sandra Mitchell (President and Vice-President of the Kumamoto
General Union).

Performance of songs by  Mr. Kumagae.
Greetings from the Kokurou (the National Railways Workers Union) and others.

Contact:
Mr. Cleary (Kumamoto General Union): Tel/Fax: (096) 364-8694.
Mr. Shouno (?)(Roudou  (096) 343-2421.
　

　　　　　
Note:
This is the Kumamoto leg of a national tour to raise awareness about the
continuing destruction of stable jobs and the erosion of working conditions
through what is euphemistically called "restructuring".
The organizations involved have decided to make support for the PUK teachers
one of the main themes of their stopover in Kumamoto.
Apologies for the lateness of this information.  Your participation would be
welcome.

For those who like live classical music:
Takahashi Yuko
Mezzo-soprano Recital
Piano:  Kawaguchi Kouhei
Place: Sangyou Bunka Kaikan: 7th Floor Dai Hall (Between Iwataya Dept. Store
and Sun Road Shinshigai)
Date: Thursday, 27 April, 2000.
Time: 7p.m.
Programme:
Handel : “Laschia ch’io pianga”; Scarlatti: “La
Violette”; Verdi: “Lo
spazzacamino”; Granados: La Maja Dolorosa I, II and III; arias from
Bizet’
s  “Carmen” and  Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”; 
Hirai Kouzaburou:
  “Narayama”; Yamada Kousaku: “Chugoku Chihou no Komori
Uta”; Dan Ikuma:
“Haru”, “Fuji no Hana”, “Funa Uta”;
Ravel: “Cinq Melodies Populaires
Grecques”.
Yuko is based in Kumamoto.  She studied singing in Italy and has sung opera
in N.Z. (with the N.Z. Opera Co.) and in Kumamoto. All the songs will be in
their original language.  There will be some English and Japanese
explanations of the words of the songs and arias.
Tickets available through Cleary/Takahashi (096)364-8694, or at the music
store in Kamitori: Nishi no Gakki Ten.
Farrell Cleary.

Thanks to Kirk and everyone for arranging Saturday's lovely Hanami
party.

love

alec

Monday: just before noon.

I'm not sure about the details yet (possibly a stroke?), but it looks
like Japan will shortly be looking for a new Prime Minister.

alec

Re: Mr Obuchi's stroke. See:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_698000/698856.stm

At 11:07 2000/04/01 +0900, you wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> "We'd like to get the following immunizations: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Polio,
> Tetanus, Typhoid.  I know these aren't necessarily requirements for the
> Philippines,
>
> Craig Roberts


Hi,

I am a clinician, so I'd like to make a small advice.
The vaccinations mentioned above are not performed routinely.

I agree to see the doctor at Kumamoto Red Cross Hosp., as
mentioned by Mr. Hanada at KGU, but, they'd better visit the
hospital at their earliest convenience, since it takes some time
to prepare those vaccines.

Also it is probable that the hospital cannot prepare the vaccines,
and in such a case, they have to contact to the municipal office.

Sincerely,


---------------------------------------------------
Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, M.D., Ph.D.

Director of Pediatrics
Department of Pediatrics
NTT Nishinihon Kyushul Hospital
1-17-27 Shin-yashiki, Kumamoto City, 862-8655 JAPAN

Phone: +81-96-364-6000
FAX:   +81-96-362-5204

e-mail:  ht@...
---------------------------------------------------

Re: Craig Roberts's immunizations inquiry.... Is it, as Craig implies,
actually possible to get immunized against malaria?

Just a Nice Information to All of You
"A Lecture by The Most Reverend Doctor David Gitari from Kenya"

Please, Listen to the Voice of the People suffering from Debt Burden

Date: April 9th (Sunday)
Time: 15:00~17:00
Place: Kumamoto Shirakawa Kyokai (tel 363 4313)
Tickets are now available. \500

Please contact
Jubilee Campaign
Eriko Kakimoto
tel,fax 362 8483  eriko@...

The brief profile of the Rev.Dr. Gitari.

He is the longest serving Bishop in the Church of the Province
of Kenya (CPK).　He has studied in his home country
and at the University of London.
He is known for taking up the cause　of the poor and needy,
and for his persistant work in issues of injustice.
He has spoken boldly on many issues, unafraid to
challenge injustice from whatever quarter. He has demonstrated a
deep concern for the well being of all the people of his country and
has taken up the cause of the poor and helpless in other regions
as well.


ジュビリー国際キャンペーン
講演会「今聞こえる、債務に苦しむアフリカの声」
　　　　　デービッド・ギタリ大主教・ケニヤを迎え

時：４月９日（日）
時間：午後３：００〜５：００
場所：熊本白川教会
参加費：￥５００

ギタリ大主教のプロフィール
デービッド・ギタリ大主教は、ケニア地域教会（ＣＰＫ /Church of the Province
of Kenya）主教です。　ロンドン大学を卒業。
貧困、不正問題に対しての忍耐強く取り組んでいます。
また、生命の危険にさらされるほどの脅迫も受けますが、
大胆な提言を行い、自国の福祉問題、貧困問題、土地の
不正横領問題について果敢な反対運動を繰り広げています。

チケットのお求めは

ジュビリー熊本
柿元えり子
tel,fax 096 362 8483
eriko@...

ジュビリー熊本のキャンペーンに参加しませんか？
ジュビリー２０００熊本メーリングリスト
アドレス：jubilee-kuma@...

Latest (wholly unsubstantiated) rumours circulating around Tokyo - but,
it seems, yet to hit Kyushu - suggest that Obuchi has in fact been dead
(brain dead) for quite a while, but that in order to remain in
government until a new Prime Minister's been chosen (or at least until
the moody money-man, Mr Mori, has been officially anointed, no doubt to
the satisfaction of his friends in the business community, both
legitimate and otherwise), the Cabinet are currently keeping the
premier's body on a life-support machine (as, according to the
constitution, the Cabinet must resign as soon as the PM's
'incapacitated': apparently brain-damage and coma don't quite constitute
incapacity for a Japanese Prime Minister). This (perhaps absurd)
conspiracy theory is to some extent supported by the inconsistencies
(redolent of the disinformation attendant upon Boris Yeltsin's health
crises) in the government's statements about Obuchi's health: as was
pointed out on last night's independent TV news (but as was glossed over
by the loyalist NHK), Cabinet Secretary Aoki was announcing that Obuchi
was fine at a time when he's now known to have been comatose.

Trust no one.

alec

Hi!

A recent article (4/4) in the Kumanichi reports that the liberalization of
domestic flight fares (which begins this month) is bringing opportunities
for less expensive travel.

If you are planning to stay in a hotel, its best to get a package deal.
For example, a round-trip fair between Kumamoto and Tokyo is normally
53,400 yen but with a package trip you can fly to Tokyo, stay at a hotel
for two nights, and fly back for 47,500 yen (Kinki Nihon Tourist).

According to Nishi Nihon Tickets, you can get one-way tickets to Tokyo at
65% of the normal one-way fare is you are willing to accept some
restrictions.

This original article can be found at:

http://www.kumanichi.co.jp/dnews/20000404/kiji2_0000001356.html

Kirk Masden

Hi!

Last year Up With People came to Kumamoto.  If you are interested in that
group I think you'll be interested in reading an article in the "Kumanichi
Weekly" about a local girl who has done well in the organization.  The
address is:

<A HREF="http://www.kumanichi.co.jp/weekly/weekly.html">

http://www.kumanichi.co.jp/weekly/weekly.html

</A>

Kirk

P.S. If the article has moved by the time you look at the above URL be sure
to look for it in the "BACK No." section.

Some more detailed coverage can be found here:

http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/asia/040400japan-obuchi.html


Cheers,

Allan.

--
Compiling discography for McCoy Tyner, any information heartily appreciated.

http://www.kyushu-ns.ac.jp/~allan/

Re: Kirk's "Kumamoto naive succeeds in Up With People". Naive? Surely
'native'? No (now that I've read the story: about a Japanese student
counselling U.S. schoolkids against violence), I guess Kirk was right
the first time.

Dear Alec and friends:

I noticed my typo after it was too late. I decided not to post a correction
because I know that some people think they are getting too much mail
already.

Perhaps I'm naive, but I'm a real believer in dialogue.  The activities of
Ms. Kitaguchi and her friends make sense to me.  I found the article to be
very encouraging.  So, the "naive" typo may apply to me but I didn't intend
it to apply to Ms. Kitaguchi.  I hope others will follow her example.

Kirk

At 11:37 AM 0.4.5 +0900, Alec Charles wrote:
>Re: Kirk's "Kumamoto naive succeeds in Up With People". Naive? Surely
>'native'? No (now that I've read the story: about a Japanese student
>counselling U.S. schoolkids against violence), I guess Kirk was right
>the first time.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Win $1000 this Friday!
>Go to:
>http://click.egroups.com/1/2892/3/_/13554/_/954901993/
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>To post to "Kumamoto International" address your message to
>"kumamoto-i@egroups.com".

Hi!

The article Allan introduced us to was very interesting.  Thanks Allan!  I
enjoyed reading it but I think in the future we should avoid posting entire
articles to the list.  As many of you are aware, all of the posts made to
this list go to an archive which anyone can access.  By the way, the
archive has a new address:

<http://www.egroups.co.jp/messages/kumamoto-i>

At any rate, some copyright holders may, therefore, be upset to find their
writings archived on "kumamoto-i".  I haven't received any complaints yet
but would like to be cautious.

There is, however, nothing wrong with posting URLs (WEB addresses).

Best wishes,

Kirk Masden

Kirk and friends,

Re: "Perhaps I'm naive, but I'm a real believer in dialogue. The
activities of Ms. Kitaguchi and her friends make sense to me. I found
the article to be very encouraging." (Kirk)

Like Kirk, I also believe in dialogue: I'm just not 100% convinced of
the usefulness of a young Japanese student preaching an anti-violence
message to American schoolkids (like a Victorian missionary addressing
the savages, or the moralizing conclusion to a family sitcom?) - not
because I doubt the value of the message, but because, like Marshall
McLuhan, I've come to fear that, in today's image-conscious world, the
medium is the message.

Dialogue anyway is, on its own, a rather less powerful (but rather more
convenient and cheaper) method of purporting to effect social change
than, for example, the long-term state investment in education, housing,
employment, healthcare (especially mental health care) and local leisure
facilities which is really necessary to reduce violence in society.
Dialogue, however, seems symptomatic of the Clinton administration's
response to social problems: let's not actually do anything about them -
let's not make the real material sacrifices necessary to begin to solve
them (because the Republicans won't let us: and perhaps because we'd
rather not do so anyway) - let's just talk about them. (Not that the
Britain or New Labour or the Japan of the old LDP are immune to such
attitudes either....)

Isn't there a danger that, in participating in the political
window-dressing of such projects as anti-violence peer-counselling
(rather than actually, say, banning guns), and in accepting a
presidential award for doing so, Ms Kitaguchi and others are unwittingly
and naively collaborating in, and thus legitimizing, the ethical,
political and practical impotence, indifference or irresponsibility of
the government?

alec

Message 706 of 727




Forward





                      Message 711 of 727




Forward






View Source

Have received notice of a change in the timetable for to-morrow's
activities:
[See 706 (J) and 711(E)]
The 1 p.m. rally at the PUK has been changed to 12 noon.
The programme now reads:

                 12 noon. Gathering at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto
to protest about
                 the dismissals of the two foreign teachers; distribution of
leaflets.
                 3 p.m. Delivery of petition about the dismissals of the
foreign teachers to
                 the Prefectural Office.
                 5 p.m. Karashima Koen (Park) gathering.
                 6:30 --8:30 Gathering at the San-gyo Bunka Baikan; music.
(500 yen to cover
                 costs)
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--
Compiling discography for McCoy Tyner, any information heartily appreciated.

http://www.kyushu-ns.ac.jp/~allan/
> From: masden@...
> Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 14:38:49 +0900
> To: kumamoto-i@egroups.com
> Subject: [kumamoto-i] Let's not quote copyrighted material in full
>
> Hi!
>
> The article Allan introduced us to was very interesting.  Thanks Allan!  I
> enjoyed reading it but I think in the future we should avoid posting entire
> articles to the list.  As many of you are aware, all of the posts made to
> this list go to an archive which anyone can access.  By the way, the
> archive has a new address:
>
> <http://www.egroups.co.jp/messages/kumamoto-i>
>
> At any rate, some copyright holders may, therefore, be upset to find their
> writings archived on "kumamoto-i".  I haven't received any complaints yet
> but would like to be cautious.
>
> There is, however, nothing wrong with posting URLs (WEB addresses).
>
> Best wishes,
>

Kirk,

I think that in most instances you are correct, but with the Guardian
articles there is a facility for forwarding them, in total, otherwise I
would not have done so. Furthermore, the Guardian also allows unlimited
access to their articles, quite unlike the NYT where you are required to pay
for older articles, and the piece was fully attirubted Nevertheless, in
future I will offer the URL, and quote the relevant parts. For those unable
to access the homepage, I  will forward the article as a friend;-)

Cheers.

Allan.

Apparently my typing is becoming like the Guardian's of the days when they
were known as the Grauniad, due to the prevalence of miss-types, oh well.

Further on the news of the change of PM, yesterday the Independent newspaper
of the UK, included a reference in their report to the  honourable Mr Mori
being connected to the money for influence scandal(s) of the late 1980s,
when there were pictures of gold bars being hauled out of influential
politician's houses. Today the Guardian continued this theme of
untrustworthiness by finding it in the present. They were saying that the
focus of attention in Japan was leaning more to the shiftiness of the
succession of power, to the very poor attempt to cover up what was not at
all concealable:

"Although Mr Mori said his main priority will be to hoist Japan out of a
decade-long economic rut, one of his first challenges will be to answer the
growing suspicion that the ruling party's handling of his predecessor's
illness was *deceitful* and *undemocratic*."

In a typical way the explanation was one of uncertainty over the state of
Mr. Obuchi's health and downright panic amongst aids, which does not sqaure
with apparent childish attempts at machiavellian manipulation of the press
and the political power structure within the ruling party. The paper
continues:

"Yesterday, however, the prime minister's spokesman, Akitaka Saiki, admitted
a more cynical motive was behind the cover-up.

Asked why Mr Obuchi was taken to hospital in a private car without an
adequate contingent of bodyguards, Mr Saiki said: "The prime minister's
health has an immediate impact on politics. That, I think, is the main
reason. The prime minister's aides wanted the minimum of information to be
provided to people outside the main circle," he said."

Now this is beginning to sound more like Shakespeare, but is it farce or
tragedy, or tragic farce that pays ill attention to the democratic rights of
the people who voted for them, and do the people care? (Or is it simply a
matter of the other side looks equally bad?) Can anyone offer an opinion on
this?

Yesterday, on radio three the foreign minister, whose name escapes me at the
moment, said that Mr. Mori had experienced the ministry of international
trade and industry, had experienced the education ministry, had experienced
education, had experience construction, he said that he had, he had
experienced. He then continued to say how the Mori... the Mori, egh, the
Mori faction had selected Mori because he was so, egh, so experienced. Now
reading between the lines brings a broad smile to my face, as anyone who
knows the history of the scandals of the late 80s and 90s will surely
understand. Mr Mori certainly has held some Key positions. Thus, the
Guardian writing:

"Questions remain about whether the LDP "shadow shoguns" were party to the
decision to take the prime minister to hospital without an ambulance or a
full security detail.

According to the official line, no one in government or the LDP knew of the
prime minister's whereabouts until five hours later. Such an explanation is
incredible given Mr Obuchi's character - a party loyalist who rarely makes a
move on his own - and the immediate threat of the Mount Usu volcano, which
had erupted on Friday."

Thus, was the issue of the shift of power more important that the health of
the individual prime minister, was critical time lost before Mr Obuchi was
taken to hospital, and even then without proper medical support!

What does the proffered explanation say about the aids and political
grandees considerations of the interest, let alone intellect, of the
democratic institutions, indeed, the electorate at large?

Another critical question, is Mr. Mori, who knows little of economics or
international affairs, able to 'lift Japan out of the economic doldrums that
it has been in since the early 90s, or reposition the nation on the
international stage as an effective power equal to its economic importance?

A few thoughts.

Allan.

--
Compiling discography for McCoy Tyner, any information heartily appreciated.

http://www.kyushu-ns.ac.jp/~allan/

ＫＵＭＡＭＯＴＯ
                                  ＹＭＣＡ
                         ＩＮＴＥＲＮＡＴＩＯＮＡＬ
                          ＷＥＬＣＯＭＥ ＮＩＧＨＴ
  世界の様々な国から熊本にやってきた外国人講師との楽しいおしゃべりに加え、
           スタンズ・ケアンズ・バンドのミニコンサートもあります。
  アットホームでインターナショナルな雰囲気のパーティは、ＹＭＣＡならでは。
     おいしいお料理と飲み物を準備して皆様のご来場お待ちしております！！
A chance for those from all over the world living and teaching in Kumamoto
                   to meet Japanese residents of the city
  This will be a party with a international feel, as well as great food and
                                   drink.
                       We're waiting to see you there!


                2000年４月１４日（金） １９：００〜２０：３０
        場所：ＲＯＳＵＮＪＩＮ（水道町交差点そば ビラージュビル２Ｆ）
                            参加費：２，０００円
            Time:  Friday 14th April 2000, from 7.00pm to 8.30pm
Place:  Rosujin Restaunt (Near Suidocho Traffic Lights, Village Building 2F
                     2000 yen for entry, food and drink


 
♪ご希望の方は、４／８（土）までにYMCA国際センターにお電話にて御予約くぼ�世�
                                    い。♪
    Please phone Kumamoto YMCA Kokusai Centre for reservations or further
                                   details


                   ☆★☆★☆★お申し込み・お問い合わせ先☆★☆★☆★
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                          �筍娃坑供檻械毅押檻横械苅�
            〒860-0806 熊本市花畑町１２−２４
フコク生命ビル８Ｆ
                     E-mail:kokusai@...
                          ☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Hi!

I just read a little article in the Kumanichi about a local school,
Nishihara Middle School (not too far from Kumamoto Airport), that has
become one of five schools chosen from a field of 233 to use the Internet
to interact with British students.  The program, sponsored by the British
government is called "E-Link."  The school gets a new computer and 600,000
yen worth of free time online.  Nishihara Middle School seems quite
interested in using the opportunity to stimulate the study of English and
increase awareness of British culture.

The article didn't explain why this school was chosen and not others.

Kirk

http://www.kumanichi.co.jp/dnews/20000406/kiji1_0000001908.html

4-6-00
Ladies and Gentlemen
I have met some neat people who subscribe to this list to date
  Here goes round 2.
  Anybody looking for someone living in USA to practice your English skills
with, write and I will answer
Hook up with businessman in his 50/s Living in Las Vegas.
  Looking for people in Aso as well as Kumamoto.

Take Care
  Bob Allan

[Unable to display image]

Hi!

I have no argument with Alec's criticisms of the Clinton administration.
I'm not sure whether she should have refused the award.  I do find it
comforting, though, to know that someone from this area has gotten involved
and, apparently, found some success in this kind of endeavor.

In regard to the notion that the medium is the message, I think that
sometimes foreign status can make it possible to participate in ways that
natives cannot.  Perhaps Ms. Kitaguchi's status allowed her to interact in
unusual and productive ways.

At any rate, I'd like to see more young people in this area at least THINK
about doing something like what Ms. Kitaguchi has done.  Later, as their
involvement deepens they may indeed need to begin to think about how they
may be abused as advertisements for some other agenda.

Kirk

Hi!

I have no argument with Alec's criticisms of the Clinton administration.
I'm not sure whether she should have refused the award.  I do find it
comforting, though, to know that someone from this area has gotten involved
and, apparently, found some success in this kind of endeavor.

In regard to the notion that the medium is the message, I think that
sometimes foreign status can make it possible to participate in ways that
natives cannot.  Perhaps Ms. Kitaguchi's status allowed her to interact in
unusual and productive ways.

At any rate, I'd like to see more young people in this area at least THINK
about doing something like what Ms. Kitaguchi has done.  Later, as their
involvement deepens they may indeed need to begin to think about how they
may be abused as advertisements for some other agenda.

Kirk