tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post1151454840737354976..comments2024-03-14T07:32:30.141+09:00Comments on Marketing Japan: Marijuana Users in Japan Get Free Rent and Meals Paid!mike in tokyo rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04977446676243085409noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-50300401101594880562015-12-09T04:28:39.709+09:002015-12-09T04:28:39.709+09:00Hi Mike,
First off, I came across your site and w...Hi Mike,<br /><br />First off, I came across your site and wanted to say thanks for providing a great health resource to the community. <br /><br />I thought you might find this marijuana infographic interesting, as it allows readers to pick the side effect they want to learn more about: http://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/marijuana/effects-on-body<br /><br />Naturally, I’d be delighted if you share this embeddable graphic on http://modernmarketingjapan.blogspot.com/2011/11/marijuana-users-in-japan-get-free-rent.html , and/or share it with your followers on social. Either way, keep up the great work Mike!<br /><br />All the best,<br /> <br />Nicole Lascurain | Assistant Marketing Manager<br />p: 415-281-3100 | e: nicole.lascurain@healthline.com<br /><br />Healthline<br />660 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107<br />www.healthline.com | @HealthlineNicole.lascurain@healthline.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-59574437108710053862011-11-25T19:47:12.765+09:002011-11-25T19:47:12.765+09:00(cont'd)
As to the saying of "ignorance...(cont'd)<br /><br /><br />As to the saying of "ignorance of the law in no excuse..." From what I gather, it is a misnomer that has been repeated especially in Anglo-Saxon countries for centuries. From what I remember from college class, I was told that it dated either to the Greeks or Romans who would put the laws in stone on a building or tablet in a town square. So in ancient times, it was true, that ignorance of the law couldn't be used as an excuse, since the laws would be readily available, would have to fit on a wall or tablet. IMHO, in our current times, ignorance of the law frequently can be an excuse. Look at a law library, I wouldn't doubt if you stacked each volume from end to end, that the length would stretch for many kilometers. Please see:<br /><br />http://reason.com/archives/2010/08/02/ignorance-of-the-law-is-no-exc <br /><br />which goes into some detail.<br /><br />I'm not altogether sure that the number of people incarcerated in necessarily indicative of the justice system. I think that the <b>reason</b> they are incarcerated in much more important. <br /><br />I would love to have a drink with you sometime. Unfortunately, it seems that I'm imprisoned in this "armed madhouse," also known as the USA.<br /><br />All the best for you and yours!<br /><br />P.S.: I'll try to email later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-39038067204871474522011-11-25T19:46:21.189+09:002011-11-25T19:46:21.189+09:00Hello again Mike!
Thanks for the kind comments! A...Hello again Mike!<br /><br />Thanks for the kind comments! As to the "King's advantage" the first steps are to become aware of it, and to discuss it. Why do you think there isn't any difference between the USA and Japan in regards to this topic? Also, why do you think this is disconcerting? The neglect in the media to this topic I think in effect speaks to its importance. Why do you think that the media won't touch it? <br /><br />As to doing idiotic things... I agree it's generally not a very good thing to do drugs, especially in places with harsh consequences. There are a couple of quotes or sayings that come to the top of my head. The first, goes along the lines of, that the greatest attribute of man is not his intellect, but his ability to rationalize almost any behavior.The second is, that most crime in the world is not done out of evil or malice, but out of boredom and indifference. I don't know where exactly his behavior fits, but I think I can say that there seems to be a degree of hubris involved.<br /><br />As to traffic laws... They may have been set up originally for safety, but they have metastasized into hidden taxation, especially in the USA. I'm hyper-vigilant about trying to obey them, because at a base level, I can't afford the fines. <br /><br />Here in the US, the local governments are in financial trouble. So they take the easy way out, and raise the fines. For example, what used to be a $20 ticket for jaywalking is now $160 + fees. What was a $50 ticket for failure to wear a seat-belt is now around $250 + fees. What used to be a $50-75 ticket for going 0-9 MPH over the posted speed limit on a highway is now $250-300 + fees. In a similar vein, it brings to mind "george4title" on Youtube for a little seen part of American life.<br /><br />Unfortunately, as an amateur historian, it seems when a "Leviathan" collapses, usually a worse Leviathan takes its place.<br /><br />Albeit, breaking laws can be taken as revolutionary acts, just look at some other countries in history regarding mind altering substances, eg: the Netherlands, and the USA, for example. I don't think his behavior qualifies as any sort of revolutionary act.<br /><br />In regards to "rules" vs. "laws." I think I defined them in my head as the first being rather cultural or arbitrary, and the second being universal. I think that one <b>should</b> do many things. Hence rules. The law(s) on the other hand, IMHO, are things that at a basic level that one must do to be considered a human. I think they aren't even to level of the golden rule: "do unto others that which you want done unto you," but rather even more "base," let's call it the silver rule: "DON'T do unto others that which you don't want done unto you."<br /><br />Again, about "rules"/"laws" someone said something like, the first are things that one should do, whereas the second are things that one must do, at the point of a gun. Do you think that is a better definition? <br /><br />As to your drug experiences... Congratulations! Again see my previous point in regards to "rules" vs. "laws." As to sending pot through the mail, I don't think that he can be that naive about the law.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-72819254488437590142011-11-20T18:55:17.009+09:002011-11-20T18:55:17.009+09:00Dear Anonymous,
Your letter is marvelous. It bring...Dear Anonymous,<br />Your letter is marvelous. It brings up a good many points.<br />First off, that the upper classes have this "King's advantage" is disgusting to me. But what to do about it? It would be absolutely idiotic to think that Japan is any better or worse than the USA is in this point (concerning the law)... But what it says about society as a whole is disconcerting. I think this would make a great blog topic (not just one single post) as this is a very deep topic.<br />Yes. I think breaking certain laws is idiotic. For example smoking marijuana in Japan. I see it as risking 10 years in prison (as well as loss of job, family, etc) for the pleasures of a 30 minute high. If you want to get high - especially an American - do it at home.<br />Other laws I never break are traffic laws. I hate the cops and I hate the laws. BUT! I chuckle every time I go past someone getting stopped for speeding, etc. I believe that, for example, traffic laws are not to protect the public, but actually hidden taxation, so In my twisted mind, it is an anti-government act to avoid paying these taxes. Hopefully Leviathan will collapse under the weight of the attempted enforcement of such laws.<br />I can dream, can't I?<br />Breaking laws for political purposes or to protest the government or overthrow the government are a different thing and, in some cases, doing so (breaking laws) could be a citizens right. <br />I can't see how sending dope through the mail could be conceived as a sacrifice or revolutionary act.<br />I've written about my own drug escapades here: <a href="http://modernmarketingjapan.blogspot.com/2011/09/admit-worst-thing-youve-ever-done-and.html" rel="nofollow">Admit the Worst Thing You've Ever Done and Be Happy</a>. I risked doing drugs in Japan and a prison sentence too. I was very careful with what I did and who I dealt with. I never bought drugs on the street from small time dealers. Only from wealthy businessmen and civic leaders. But, like this guy, sending small amounts of drugs through the international mail is just plain stupid, And an international crime, Trafficking is.<br />As far as the motive of this article, I hope I addressed this and in the link above.<br />As far as following the rules or not. These aren't just "rules" they are "laws". In any country in the world. you might be forgiven for not knowing cultural or social "rules" but ignorance of the law is never an excuse.<br />And, this is not an article about whether Japan's justice system I better than the USA or not. I think that the fact that the USA imprions more people than any other country in the world speaks for itself. As far as laws are concerned (like I said, a different subject) I prefer the justice system in Japan over the USA.<br />I'd love to buy you a drink and talk some more because this would be a great topic! Thanks so very much.mike in tokyo rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04977446676243085409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-15290188470056786242011-11-20T16:30:45.998+09:002011-11-20T16:30:45.998+09:00Hello Mike!
What I dislike is the behavior of the...Hello Mike!<br /><br />What I dislike is the behavior of the family. It appears that the family is trying to "game the system" in Japan, as if it were the justice system in the USA. It seems to me that the volunteering angle or gambit, is supposed to indicate to the judge, that he is both a good man, and that he is a member of the upper classes. Meaning that the rules really shouldn't apply to him. Since in the USA, the middle and lower classes don't have that much free time to volunteer. They have to spend most of their time working, or recovering from work. <br /><br />It seems to reflect the laws, the behavior, and cheap sentimentality of certain classes in the USA. Unfortunately it may be even global, but it appears that the upper classes enjoy penalizing/incarcerating those of a certain hue or income tax bracket, but when it comes to their own, they don't want the law to apply to them. <br /><br />What's the leitmotiv of this article? Don't be an idiot? The laws may be dumb, but breaking the law is dumber? Do people who do drugs go down the road to ruin? Or, do people on the road to ruin go to using drugs? Just because a visitor doesn't follow certain laws or cultural rules, in a country foreign to them, don't be surprised if the native people, actually do generally follow the rules and laws?<br /><br />Tell us Mike, do you prefer the justice system in Japan or the USA?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-39095067645638526822011-11-20T08:27:28.389+09:002011-11-20T08:27:28.389+09:00Thanks Marc! Yeah... There's two laws on the b...Thanks Marc! Yeah... There's two laws on the books. One for us riff raff the other for the ultra wealthy... King's priviledge, ya know!<br /><br />Thanks Andy, you crack me up. Thanks for the good laugh this morning!mike in tokyo rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04977446676243085409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-63785519828748050642011-11-19T20:54:04.025+09:002011-11-19T20:54:04.025+09:00McCartney was deported and told never to return (t...<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_McCartney#Drugs" rel="nofollow">McCartney was deported and told never to return (tho he was allowed back in 10 years later to do a concert).</a> The Japanese had even refused him a visa earlier than 1980 because of earlier drug convictions in a country that is not Japan and has nothing to do with Japan and is a thousand miles away from Japan. That's how seriously they take it. <br /><br />Of course, YOU are rich and famous like McCartney, so the authorities will no doubt be LENIENT and merely DEPORT you and then kindly let you back in after TEN YEARS, so you've really nothing to worry about. Got a light?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-47185764089639852002011-11-19T18:35:34.824+09:002011-11-19T18:35:34.824+09:00Oh yeah? What if I was paranoid and thought that ...Oh yeah? What if I was paranoid and thought that some enemy of mine learned to speak and write Japanese and then they found out where I was living in Japan and then sent the box of pot and then the government found the box. Then what would happen?<br /><br />I'll tell you what would happen. As soon as I finish this bottle of wine, I'll tell you, I swear.Andy "In Japan"https://www.blogger.com/profile/04505038501136945817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-2033999006250727182011-11-19T15:29:57.945+09:002011-11-19T15:29:57.945+09:00Folks, most people don't know the mailing addr...Folks, most people don't know the mailing addresses of their "enemies" especially if those enemies live in a foreign nation... This idea is a bit silly.mike in tokyo rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04977446676243085409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-32819417877245999952011-11-19T15:10:29.017+09:002011-11-19T15:10:29.017+09:00Oh my. What if somebody certainly and really didn&...Oh my. What if somebody certainly and really didn't understand that somebody experienced mailed them some pot? maybe an enemy you have in America wishes to exact revenge so they mail a box for you labeled *pot* concerning the outside in vivid red-colored letters.Buy Tera Goldhttp://www.tera4sale.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-27093624284302161862011-11-19T14:03:38.635+09:002011-11-19T14:03:38.635+09:00Thanks Andy,
Perhaps. The email saying, "Th...Thanks Andy, <br /><br />Perhaps. The email saying, "That would be a good idea" (concerning sending pot) doesn't bode well for his case. It shows, at the minimum, that he was aware of the conversation.<br /><br />Anyhow, if you ever get a strange package from someone you don't know sent to you. Do NOT open that package. Report it or turn it into to the post office immediately.mike in tokyo rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04977446676243085409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207076947655236975.post-21067807508760963232011-11-19T13:09:43.467+09:002011-11-19T13:09:43.467+09:00Oh my. What if someone really and truly didn'...Oh my. What if someone really and truly didn't know that someone had mailed them some pot? Maybe an enemy you have in America wants to exact revenge so they mail a box to you labeled *pot* on the outside in bright red letters.<br /><br />Then the government in Japan intercepts the package, finds a bit of Mary Jane, and into jail you go.<br /><br />It sounds more like something the American government would do.<br /><br />It's not only frightening, but unjust and cruel. These drug laws have to go.<br /><br />By the way, if the kid in this story knew about Japan's drug laws and did anything to encourage the shipment, then I don't have a lot of sympathy for his plight.Andy "In Japan"https://www.blogger.com/profile/04505038501136945817noreply@blogger.com