The good folks at the Reason Foundation, the non-profit that publishes Reason magazine, have been tracking the progress of serious yellow fever in the U.S. No, not that kind. Or that kind. The kind where we slavishly imitate the economic policies of Japan's Lost Decade. The kind that Paul Krugman has diagnosed:
We shouldn’t kid ourselves. Japan is us.
Or, as The Vapors put it:
Anthony Randazzo digs into the nitty gritty of this comparison:
The Japanese Lost Decade was preceded by an asset boom, an over-leveraged financial system, and excessively optimistic expectations of future economic growth. Sound familiar? Then their stock market crashed, asset values plummeted, and the economy rapidly dropped into a recession with heavy unemployment. To fight back the Japanese government spent years trying to spend and borrow their way back to economic health--all to dismal results....
Despite 10 fiscal stimulus packages totaling more than $1.4 trillion (in today's dollars) and dropping their interest rates to virtually zero, all Japan got in return was debt that exceeds 200 percent of GDP.
In fact, the Reason Foundation did a big fat study[PDF] on this very issue.
For more (and more fun), check out Tim Cavanaugh's excellent round-up of Westerners rocking out in Eastern style.
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Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 11:48AM|#
Damn! That song is gonna be stuck in my head all day now!
|4.2.09 @ 11:49AM|#
It that song really about 'batin? I heard that on some mind-numbing VH1 show.
|4.2.09 @ 11:52AM|#
So, you're telling me
there's a chancewe're screwed?Jeff P-San|4.2.09 @ 11:55AM|#
Japan is a parody of what 1980s western culture thought the near-future would be like, spiced up with tentacle porn.
|4.2.09 @ 11:55AM|#
It that song really about 'batin? I heard that on some mind-numbing VH1 show.
Yes.
Suki|4.2.09 @ 11:58AM|#
Why must Japan have some sort of monopoly on Asian? AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!
Jeff P|4.2.09 @ 11:59AM|#
I suspect the country Japan was displeased with the band Japan for co-opting their anglicized name.
We can be certain the entire continent of Asia was unhappy for similar reasons.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 11:59AM|#
suki,
At least no one is calling you Oriental. I have to explain to people all the time, "Oriental is a rug, damn you!".
|4.2.09 @ 11:59AM|#
Any country that eats sushi off of naked chicks is a country I want us to emulate.
|4.2.09 @ 12:03PM|#
Can you say, "Crowding out?"
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:03PM|#
SugarFree,
I swear I saw that on "I Love Money" on VH1. How do you know they aren't imitating our decadent ways?
Reinmoose|4.2.09 @ 12:05PM|#
Any country that eats sushi off of naked chicks is a country I want us to emulate.
Which brings to mind... ever seen the movie Tampopo?
|4.2.09 @ 12:06PM|#
Any country that eats sushi off of naked chicks is a country I want us to emulate.
It's all fun and games until someone loses a foot, NutraSweet.
|4.2.09 @ 12:06PM|#
I swear I saw that on "I Love Money" on VH1. How do you know they aren't imitating our decadent ways?
'Cause I saw it in a Dolph Lundgren movie.
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:07PM|#
Ok, sorry about that. This story is actually about Japan specific and not Asia in general.
Back to my sweet, nonthreatening self.
No, no, no, I was not about to gnaw anybody's face of. Nope, not even in their sleep.
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:09PM|#
At least no one is calling you Oriental. I have to explain to people all the time, "Oriental is a rug, damn you!".
All depends on the setting, yes?
Reinmoose|4.2.09 @ 12:12PM|#
one of those important differences between the US and Japan in the late 1990s is that we weren't experiencing monster economic growth in the lead-up to it.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:13PM|#
Suki,
Well my experience is basically dating two Asian chicks and currently working in an Asian fusion retaurant. I like to think I've learned a few cultural notes.
Examples:
Do NOT raise your voice at Japanese people. They seem to take it the wrong way and prepare for battle.
Do NOT confuse Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, or Vietnamese with others. Asian people hate other Asian people.
Do NOT call Asian people Oriental. Oriental is a rug, not a people.
|4.2.09 @ 12:18PM|#
Do NOT raise your voice at Japanese people. They seem to take it the wrong way and prepare for battle.
I believe you, but in all the Japanese films I've watched, the Japanese language seems uniquely suited for yelling at people, and universally used to do so.
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:22PM|#
I was born and raised here in the mid-atlantic. Had to learn all that crazy intra-Asian bigotry outside of the house. My parents were/are very non-bigoted. Me too I guess.
|4.2.09 @ 12:24PM|#
I believe you, but in all the Japanese films I've watched, the Japanese language seems uniquely suited for yelling at people, and universally used to do so.
No, it's very cheery, RC.
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:24PM|#
Oh, my Oriental comment was about, well, sometimes namecalling can be fun, depends on what ya got goin on ;)
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:29PM|#
Suki,
Bow-chicka-bow-wow, indeed. Knee jerk reaction on my part.
SpongePaul|4.2.09 @ 12:30PM|#
hanzo and the sword of justice, or any hanzo japaneese movie, if ya wanna get the 70's japeneese sexplotation flicks, but it could be worse than becoming japeneese. their woman are beautiful, well all asian women, cept maybe koreans, lol.
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:32PM|#
Well my experience is basically dating two Asian chicks and currently working in an Asian fusion retaurant.
Cold fusion or hot?
;)
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:35PM|#
SpongePaul,
You must sleep sometime.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:37PM|#
Suki,
Sorry. You're out. No more Asian women for me. Ever. And I usually love crazy women but even I have my limits. Not that you're crazy but the experience has made me close minded.
EJM|4.2.09 @ 12:39PM|#
Why must Japan have some sort of monopoly on Asian? AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!
Hopefully, I'm doing my part to promote K-Pop and, more broadly, the Korean Wave (or "Hallyu"). ;)
(If I ever have time again to read books, Mark Russell's "Pop Goes Korea" may very well be one of them.)
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:41PM|#
Naga,
Aw, Naga, why would you have to get all ugly like that? [rubbing fingertip under his chin] I am really a sweet girl. You can pour my smile on pancakes :)
Now, let's just stop that crazy talk and do something relly really fun, ok sweetie?
|4.2.09 @ 12:42PM|#
Naga, she voted for Obama. She's crazy.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:43PM|#
Suki! I mean it!
*starts sweating, bites lip*
No means no!
This is sounding familiar somehow . . .
|4.2.09 @ 12:44PM|#
Speaking of linguistic curiosities, is it just me, or do people speaking Chinese always sound pissed off?
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:48PM|#
Naga,
Aw, Naga [brings pink glossed iips toward his as i close my eyes]
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:49PM|#
Naga,
[whispers] that Nick person is being a meanie . . .
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:49PM|#
P Brooks,
You just have to get used to the nuances of the language. Trust me when I say that when Chinese or Koreans are pissed off, there will be no question in your mind.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:50PM|#
Nick! You bastard! When I find you . . .
Suki|4.2.09 @ 12:52PM|#
Naga,
AW! My hero!
Ready to go have some really really fun fun?
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 12:56PM|#
It's been fun, Suki. But I gotta go to class after which take a very, very, VERY cold shower.
|4.2.09 @ 12:59PM|#
Naga--It's too easy. I suspect a trap.
T|4.2.09 @ 1:13PM|#
Do NOT confuse Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, or Vietnamese with others. Asian people hate other Asian people.
This has provided me with intentional comedy for years. Take a person from say, China. Ask them what Japan is like and sit back and watch the fireworks/slash rant.
Yes, I'm an asshole.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 1:30PM|#
Naga Sadow,
My guess is that you escaped a very long shopping trip, using YOUR pickup truck.
|4.2.09 @ 1:41PM|#
I had Korean food for lunch. I love all the cuisines of the world and accept them into my heart.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 1:44PM|#
SF,
I had pizza, but for some reason I was imagening eating it off of a naked Asian chick.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 1:51PM|#
SugarFree,
If that is true then truly your digestive tract is might indeed.
HEB,
I don't drive a pickup truck nor do I do the shopping gig. Did you click on her name? Teh AWESome!
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 1:52PM|#
Might=mighty. Damn you joe's law! You may be gone but your legacy remains!
|4.2.09 @ 1:57PM|#
If that is true then truly your digestive tract is mighty indeed.
"I WILL EAT AND DIGEST YOU ALL WITH MY SYSTEM OF MIGHTY ORGANS!"
|4.2.09 @ 1:58PM|#
I had sweet potato noodles with beef. And everyone else's kimchi (sissies.) Delicious.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 1:59PM|#
NS,
I don't drive a pickup truck nor do I do the shopping gig. Did you click on her name? Teh AWESome!
Sounds like you might need a pickup then. I would suggest against the GMObamaDodge eco-friendly soy based fiberglass models.
Oh, you suspect my evaluation to be incorrect and awsome=no shopping gigs? HAHAHAHAHA!
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:04PM|#
HEB,
I drive a 97' Camaro, sucka fool! When I finally get rid of that piece of shit, I'm getting a Lexus. The "Teh AWESome" was for her page. Though I suspected already what JW told me. I'd like to think it was Dagny T though. Where ever she may be!
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 2:07PM|#
NS,
Are you 10 or are you younger?
JW is correct. With the ladies it is ALWAYS a trap!
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:08PM|#
SugarFree,
Robot #1: Administer the test.
Robot #2: Which of the following would you most prefer? A: a puppy, B: a pretty flower from your sweetie, or C: a large properly formatted data file?
Robot #1: Choose!
Fry: Uh, is the puppy mechanical in any way?
Robot #2: No, it is the bad kind of puppy.
Leela: Then we'll go with that data file!
Robot #2: Correct!
Robot #1: The flower would also have been acceptable.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:11PM|#
Perhaps for a mere mortal such as yourself, HEB. I am a son of Zeus, you fool! I have no kinship with the likes of you! I have pulled off some amazingly lucky/coincidental shit in my short time on this planet!
|4.2.09 @ 2:16PM|#
"Nothing in there except a few moldy old shreds of robot pornography."
Student\'s Tea|4.2.09 @ 2:19PM|#
Reason zasshi o yominagara, Nihon-jin ni natte imasu YO!
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:19PM|#
"I love this planet! I've got wealth, fame, and access to the depths of sleaze that those things bring."
|4.2.09 @ 2:25PM|#
"Silence!"
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:31PM|#
Fry: [sees Bender addressing a robot mob] It's him! He's okay.
Bender: Death to humans!
Fry: Ah, it's good to hear his voice.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 2:34PM|#
Naga,
This affair is reminding me of a "My Three Son's" episode. You have not made mention of owning a Liberian triangle stamp, on these boards, since this Suki lady arrived, have you?
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:39PM|#
HEB,
Look. I LOVE Asian women. I can't help it. I've been in love with em' since I watched "Full Metal Jacket" when I was a kid. The first one I dated, Trang, was insanely jealous. The second one, Linda, was insanely jealous AND ferociously materialistic. It's for my own good that this is taking place on teh intertubez! Best to get it out of my system here than explain to my girlfriend why I have another girlfriend as well.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 2:51PM|#
Naga,
Way to go man. You just rejected a chick who could kill James Bond.*
*Something from a Beverly Hillbillies episode I think.
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:54PM|#
Interesting point you bring up, HEB. And I do fear all things ninja to boot.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 2:56PM|#
Are Ninjas a general Asian thing or are they from one country? Hope you mentioned the right one, judging from that Japan response of hers :)
|4.2.09 @ 2:56PM|#
"I had sweet potato noodles with beef. And everyone else's kimchi (sissies.) Delicious."
I'd blow up a school bus full of kindergarteners for a good jar of kimchi!
A little kimchi every day. It does a body good.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 2:58PM|#
I'd blow up a school bus full of kindergarteners for a good jar of kimchi!
Can't you do that with a jar of kimchi too?
Naga Sadow|4.2.09 @ 2:59PM|#
HEB,
I believe you are thinking of the Assassins. They were an Islamic sect that was founded around the time of the Third Crusade. Even Salah-al-Din was worried about them.
JB|4.2.09 @ 3:05PM|#
Well then can all the fat chicks here start getting skinny like in Japan?
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 3:05PM|#
NS,
No, I was asking if Ninja were from one particular country or if they were from all over Asia. If you are equating her with the ninja, then I hope they are not exclusively Japanese. So you do not have to make your time, of course.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 3:09PM|#
OH MY GAWD! Say goodbye to Naga.
|4.2.09 @ 3:10PM|#
EAP,
I'd blow up a school bus full of kindergarteners for a good jar of kimchi
Sure it's store bought, but it's better than nothing if you don't have an Asian grocery handy.
And it doesn't seem insanely difficult to make, if you are of a pickling bent.
|4.2.09 @ 3:13PM|#
Ninjas are exclusively Japanese.
Dr. McNinja
忍者|4.2.09 @ 3:14PM|#
Your lady does not seem to be fond of all Asians being called Japanese.
Good thing Japan adopted Capitalism. I can now contract my services to you.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 3:15PM|#
3:13pm Ninjas are exclusively Japanese.
Thanks Mr. 4 min. too late.
|4.2.09 @ 3:24PM|#
I drive a 97' Camaro, sucka fool! When I finally get rid of that piece of shit, I'm getting a Lexus.
Have you seen the new Camaros? I would kill for one of those, assuming it wasn't made by GM.
I'm curious to see how the Hyundai Genesis coupe turns out. It could be an Lexus/Infiniti killer.
High Every Body|4.2.09 @ 4:15PM|#
I'm curious to see how the Hyundai Genesis coupe turns out.
I saw the movie and it was not pretty.
Khhhhhaaaaan!!!
|4.2.09 @ 5:43PM|#
Just to ignore the politics
fucking great tune
and another
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSl3NzW62iw
I am the fly
I am the fly
I am the fly
fly in the
fly in the
ointment
troller's anthem
I do believe
Its our century :)
Suki|4.2.09 @ 8:42PM|#
Naga Sadow,
I drive a 97' Camaro, sucka fool! When I finally get rid of that piece of shit, I'm getting a Lexus. The "Teh AWESome" was for her page. Though I suspected already what JW told me. I'd like to think it was Dagny T though. Where ever she may be!
Aw, too bad, so sad. But thank you so much for "Teh AWESome" about my page!
I was kinda bi too, in the past, but I have a totally hetero boyfriend and in real we are exclusive. Online, not that much hehehe.
No, I cannot be a ninja because I AM NOT JAPANESE you silly boy. But thank you for defending my honor with that Nick person.
Um, yes HEB, he did escape a trip to DSW, but I do have my own pickup truck. So does my beloved boyfriend, but my truck is bigger.
How did the duel end?
xoxo
Suki
High Every Body|4.3.09 @ 11:27AM|#
If you have not heard back from Naga by now I suspect Nick was the victor.
Wanna checkout the cool sound system in the back seat of my Mega Cab?
High Every Body|4.3.09 @ 1:18PM|#
BTW, I forgot how AWFUL that video was until I clicked through. Always found the tune catchy.