Also, a Japanese photojournalist was killed, and Mutant Frog has a good assessment of the Japanese reaction.
And Steve, who worked right on the border (the place in Thailand where I volunteered) and so has a good perspective on things in that region, has a good post about things too.
With your screenshot of the people who are actively NOT participating in the red-shirt day, you've reminded me of this blog I found the other day. It's a Christian missionary in Japan who is trying to convert people, but more than admire a new culture and be open to a new perspective on life, all he had to say about things like Obon is, "It's sad that so many people are worshipping false idols and trying to deify their dead ancestors. They are sinning." And he called Japan, "a land of spiritual darkness." I don't think you're going to have too many people want to listen to your sermon when you can't be open-minded yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for derailing the topic of your vlog, but I just had to get that off my chest. Unfortunately, I didn't know about red t-shirt day, but I think I wore a red t-shirt that day out of coincidence! Actually, looking at my dirty laundry basket, I can confirm that I did. So, there's fate for you.
Are you saying I am small minded? I am a bit confused. I could see you calling these folks I am complaining about small minded, or even the Burmese "government" small minded, but me getting angry at people who are apathetic... well if that is small minded I don't see how. You can clarify if you want; I'm not angry, just confused.
ReplyDeleteI think he means that the person who said Japan was spiritually empty was close minded. He's agreeing with you that people should at least not go out of their way to not support other people when they're following their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI think that's probably the case; with all the talk of converting (and me feeling like a proselyter in my video) I got confused by Alex's message.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean 'you' as in 'Claytonian', but the general 'you' as in 'a person'. Actually, I find you to be a quite open-minded person, Clay. That's why I have your site aggregated in my rss feed!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your stance on the people who went out of their way to not wear a red shirt. I'm going to make an event that is a week-long dedication to peace on Earth, and to take part in it all you have to do is wash yourself. We'll see how many people choose not to take part in that one!
Okay, glad we cleared that up; sorry for the confusion!
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