Category: Weekly Links

Some people should not be allowed to board a airplane.  This story makes me wonder if alcohol was in any way involved or if he is just an old guy with mental issues?:

 A Japan-bound airplane returned to Hawaii because of a violent passenger who wanted to do yoga instead of sit in his seat, the FBI said.

The pilot of the March 26 United Airlines flight from Honolulu International Airport to Narita International Airport turned the plane around after hearing that Hyongtae Pae was yelling at crew members and shoving his wife, the FBI said in a criminal complaint.

Pae told the FBI he didn’t want to sit in his seat during the meal service, so he went to the back of the plane to do yoga and meditate. He became angry when his wife and flight attendants told him to return to his seat. “Pae pushed his wife because she was trying to make him stop,” the complaint said. “He felt that she was siding with the flight crew.”

He tried to head-butt and bite Marines who were passengers on the flight and tried to force him back to his seat, Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Ching said at Pae’s detention hearing Wednesday.

According to the complaint, he threatened to kill passengers and was yelling that there is no god.

Pae went into a rage because he felt the flight crew was ordering him around, Ching said.

Ching said Pae shouldn’t be released because he’s a danger to his wife, himself and others. Pae urinated on himself and was on suicide watch at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center, Ching said.  [Associated Press]

You can read more at the link.

I haven’t done one of the round up links in quite a while, but I figure I would start doing this again more regularly in order to share stories from other blogs. If anyone has a blog they want to add to my sidebar drop a link in the comments section.  I hope everyone had a good weekend.

The Koreas

• Why the OECD is wrong in stating South Korea has the worst labor productivity.
• How World War I affected Korea.
• A wildfire has reportedly burned down Kim Jong-il’s former home.
• For fans of heavy metal there is a metal bar in Itaewon for you.
• A look at South Korea’s biggest baseball fans.
• The 10 weirdest places to visit in Korea.
• Do Koreans deserve freedom of speech?
• Is Anthony Bourdain in Seoul now?
• Teacher explains what it is like to teach at Pyongyang university.
• North Korea rebuilding on site of building collapse.
• So what are 1st Cav troops doing in Korea?

The Koreas
–  Here is an exclusive picture from the 2nd Inter-Korean summit you won’t see on Korea.net anytime soon.  
–  Nothing better clarifies the hypocrisy of the Korean left than there current advocacy for human rights in Burma.  
–  Here is an example of how not to cheat on your English homework. 
–  More evidence that fan death is real.
–  This is just weird. 
–  Only in Korea would you find "The Catholic Cosmetic Surgery Clinic". 
–  I have no complaints about the dress.  There are some even nicer dresses here. 

Japan
–  Interesting debate over funding Ainu culture in Japan.
–  Who would have thought an old water bottle could scare off cats?
–  This is what happens in Japan when fascists break the law. 

China
–  101 misconceptions about China. 
–  The coming demographic crisis in China.
–  This is one crazy story about a property owner in China being pushed off his property. 

Milblogs
–  Bored with staff duty?  Well here are some tips to pass the time. 
–  Could you imagine the Air Force dropping this on Iran?
–  Interesting link about tactical anthropology in Afghanistan.
–  Here is another perfect example of the left hating soldiers. 

Forward Deployed
–  Code Pink Defaces Marine Recruiting Station
–  New Regulations for Blackwater
–  US Military Meets 2007 Recruiting Goals, What’s Ahead in 2008?
–  Is it Mission Accomplished?
–  Tribute to Fallen Comrades
–  Uncovering Government Travel Fraud
–  Did Rush Limbaugh Call Veterans "Phony Soldiers"?
–  Casualties Drop in Iraq, Is this A Sign of Success?
–  Attacks Kill 10 Peacekeepers in Darfur
–  Joint Training Between the US and India

The Koreas
–  Would burkahs be popular in Korea?
–  Good article about Korea’s glass ceiling for female workers.
–  10% of Korean kids are now obese and guess what’s to blame?  Of course foreign food. 
–  Finally the Yangpa has a new posting.  Go read it now. 
–  Korea’s Demi Moore. 

Japan
–  This story of teaching English in Japan should be familiar to Korean English teachers.
–  This Japanese killer of a foreign English is still on the loose in Japan.
–  Japanese reaction to Burmese military killing of  Japanese photographer. 
–  Finding the truths about the WW II mass suicides on Okinawa.
–  I had no idea Tommy Lee Jones was such a famous advertiser in Japan.

China
–  China’s Burma shame.
–  Here is something you don’t see everyday, golden Chinese underwear.
–  Rampant Chinese copyright infringement of global amusement parks.
–  Look at this river 500 Chinese students have to cross every day to go to school.

Milblogs
–  Murder charges dropped on SF snipers.
–  The new lefty talking point the Aznar memo is as usual not what they claim it is.
–  Did Rush Limbaugh step in it or not?  Make sure to read the comments. Definitely read this as well.
–  Go over to the Tank for some great reports on his embed with the Lebanese Army.

Forward Deployed
–  America’s Elite Universities Failing in History and Civics
–  Footage of Australian Soldiers in Action in Afghanistan
–  Burma’s Fight for Freedom
–  The Blackwater Blame Game
–  The Disenfranchised Military Voter

The Koreas
–  Is Korea on verge of another economic crisis?  Watch the construction companies.
–  Top 10 reasons not to lose 100 pounds in Korea
–  Korean Unification and Nostradamus.
–  Some spectacular pictures of a harbor fire over on Cheju Island.
–  Need some ideas for left over soju?
–  I think we officially do away with the claim that Korea is a conservative country now. 
–  Parking in Korea.
–  "Waeguginida! Waeguginidaaa!!"
–  Honey Lee is looking good as usual.  However this just goes to show than stylists can even make Honey Lee look bad.
–  Now this is who is not looking good.  That has to be the ugliest shirt ever.

Japan
–  Japan in the Asian century.
–  Crazy lady of sumo.
–  Interesting facts about Japan’s regional differences. 
–  I can only imagine what would have happened to this guy if he tried this on a Seoul subway.
–  This is one of the weirdest fetishes I have ever seen. 

China
–  Bae Yong-joon has been banned in China. 
–  Taiwan makes power play for control of Spratly Islands.
–  It looks like the Chinese toy recall wasn’t all China’s fault.
–  The Japanese female World Cup soccer team got booed for thanking China.  Read the whole thing but a pretty disgusting display by the Chinese fans.

Milblogs
–  You have to read what this military spouse had to say after the media exploitation of the death of her husband in Iraq. 
–  Michael Yon’s latest: Hunting Al Qaeda Part III
–  Spec Ops soldiers in Afghanistan being tried for doing their jobs. 
–  The sliming by the left of General Petraeus just doesn’t stop.  Like I have said before it because they are scared of him.
–  Remembering 1LT Travis Manion.
–  Leftist war hero goes to jail.
–  Here are my quotes of the week. 

Forward Deployed
–  Desperation to Destroy General Petraeus
–  Senate Votes to Support the Troops
–  What was True Then is True Now
–  Some Truth Telling Courtesty of the US Marine Corps
–  Boobs for Sailors Down Under
–  Is Blackwater Being Framed?
–  Using Sex to Promote the Israeli Defence Force
–  US Troops in Mali Come Under Fire

The Koreas
–  If you ever wondered what you are supposed to snack on while drinking beer or soju, well now you have your answer. 
–  Thinking of smuggling some dope into Korea? Well you might want to read this then.
–  Expat Jane has a Darwin Award nominee from Gyeongju.
–  The feetman has some good taste.
–  Is it possible that Bae Yong-joon has made a good drama series? 
–  Is it just me or is Kim Yun-jin starting to show her age?
–  Speaking of showing their age. 
–  Hyundai ads getting a little racy.

Japan
– Was Buddhism and not nationalism the driving force behind Imperial Japan?
–  English teachers not getting paid, where have I heard this before?
–  And where have I seen this before?
–  The war over "The Sea that Cannot Be Named" has now involved fighting over friendship memorials. 
–  If you have been to Shinjuku before this is pretty cool.
–  A Japanese bloggers first impressions from visiting Korea for the first time. 

China
–  If you use the internet in China you may find yourself coming face to face with China’s online virtual cops.
–  Nude foreigners in Chinese palace pissing off the locals.
–  It looks like US consumers are not primarily blaming the Chinese for the tainted goods scandal.

Milblogs
–  I can’t believe Hillary Clinton appointed Sandy Berger as her national security advisor.  Yes the Sandy Berger convicted of stealing and destroying documents from the National Archives.
–  Prominent milbloggers had their first press conference with the president.  Amazing how times are changing.
–  I have to agree that this quote sums up the media quite well.
–  Make sure to read Michael Yon’s latest, Hunting Al Qaida Part 1 of 3.

Forward Deployed
–  Exposing Gareth Porter’s Slurs of General Petraeus
–  NCOs from NY Times Op-Ed Die in Vehicle Accident
–  Sheik Sattar Killed in Iraq
–  Vietnam War Memorial Vandalized
–  The Effort to Destroy General Petraeus

The Koreas
– If you haven’t seen the KBS2 anti-foreigner special yet, you can view the entire show here.
– Anyone want to teach English in North Korea?
– A scholarly viewpoint on the Korean hostage crisis. 
– More advice from Brendon Carr on auto accidents in Korea.
– Here is a list of 50 things not to do in Canada if you are a Korean.  Many of them are valid for the US as well.
– It was only a matter of time, but the worst Korean movie in history is coming to the US.
– I never realized this but musical charts in Korea have long been defunked due to scandal and favoritism.  Now it appears they are coming back as well as some interesting notes on the state of Korean music can be found here. 

Japan
– An interesting look at Japanese as well as Korean aircraft carrier programs.
– Here is a survey that lists the Top Ten men and women in Japan that bring the most pride to the nation internationally.  It seems people in Japan are confused with who is well known outside of Japan.  I can’t believe Akira Kurosawa is listed only as 10th. 
– Here are some nice pics from Fukuoka.
– Beginning November 1st all foreigners visiting Japan will be fingerprinted.
– Combating global warming with Big Macs?
– Only in Japan would someone get eels drunk in order to pray for rain.
– This is not Japan related but it is from a Japanese blog and is the funniest harmless prank I have seen in quite some time.

China
– Could you imagine what the reaction in Korea would be if this happened in America?  Yet with China it is near silence.
– Surprise, surprise Wikipedia is blocked in China.
– Security guard beat down.
– Korea may have fake degrees, while China has fake reporters.

Milblogs
– Are the positive changes in Fallujah false? 
– Speaking of false things, is Al Qaida in Iraq a myth?
– This is one all servicemembers should read before they go whine to the media.
– If you haven’t read it yet, here is General Petraeus’ letter to the troops before he left to Washington.
– Some thoughts on designating the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity.

Forward Deployed
– Challenging Petraeus
– Pictures of Valiant Shield
– Michael Gordon on the Surge
– Will the UN Save Darfur?
– CNN’s Defamation of the US Military
– Promoting the Haditha Storyline
– Comparing Australian and Canadian Recruitment Ads
– Mayor Quits and Joins the Army, Why?
– Nuclear Mistake Over the US

The Koreas
– UFL is over and here are the Top 10 Quotes from it.
– Two happy birthdays go out this week to prominent K-bloggers Brendon Carr and the Big Hominid both turning 38 this week. 
– Brendon Carr on dealing with fake people.  More here from Michael Hurt.
– Are you interested in majoring in Korean Studies, but don’t know how or where?  Well here and here are two postings that tell you how and where to go for the best Korean Studies programs.
– Gangwon Brian to the rescue.
– Some hot girls really are evil.
– The Top 20 reasons to lose weight in Korea.
– "World Star" Rain is back in Seoul after his disasterous US tour.  You can see what he is up to now here.
– In a hurry and need to break through a crowd?  Use the magic handbag technique.

Japan
– It appears that when Japanese leftists are not busy setting off explosions around Camp Zama, they are busy burning down the buildings of rival Japanese politicians.
– It’s official, the Sea of Japan will remain just that, the Sea of Japan. 
– Japanese smokers, especially women are still welcome in Hawaii.
– The now dethroned hot dog eating champion, Takeru Kobayashi shares his list of favorite foods.  If you are wondering, hot dogs did not make the list.
– Have you ever wondered how to tell different Asian women apart?
– Here is an awesome panorama picture of 1864 Tokyo.
– Here is a story of a whale watching trip in northern Japan gone wrong.

China
– I thought some of the acid rain I saw in Korea was bad, but nothing compares to black ink falling from the sky.
– Here is a "talented" Taiwanese politician.
– Chinese media responds to "Made in China" crisis.
– I have seen a lot of comical things in Korea in regards to traffic laws, but I have never seen a Korean driver try what this guy in China did.

Milblogs
– Yes I agree, this profile of a Marine’s life in Iraq will probably piss off feminists.
– If you are wondering what the priorities of today’s US Air Force are, this should give you an indication.
– An interesting look at biometrics being employed in Iraq. 
– Here is a response to the NY Time disappointment in the aquital of the Haditha Marines.

The Koreas
– This story is poetic justice for the bike delivery dudes.
– This just confirms why I would never buy an apartment in Korea.
– Some thoughts on North Korea after Kim Jong-il.
– US beef is again being allowed into Korea.  For how long is anyone’s guess.
– So that is what goes on in those uni-sex bathrooms. 

Japan
– I don’t think I will be using the Gaijin Smash technique any time soon in Korea.
– Interesting posting on the execution of three Japanese criminals this week.
– I have always heard tales of vending machines falling and killing people and always wondered if it was an urban legend or not?  Well now there is video evidence that proves that there are people dumb enough to killed by a vending machine.
– More evidence that Japan-Korea relations are not as bad as people make it out to be.
– Finger Chopping Wacky

China
– Activist disappears at Beijing Airport.
– Interesting article about Asian Godfathers.
– China Airlines involved in cover up after runway explosion?

Milblogs
– The Danger Room travels to the Green Zone.
– Haditha Marines exonerated, Murtha is strangely quiet.
– Michael Totten offers kudos to journalists.
– The Ghosts of Anbar
– An Iranian Psyop?

Forward Deployed
– Empowering Iraq
– Character Assassination of General Petraeus Begins
– Taliban Phones and Taunts Soldiers’ Families
– Multi-million Dollar Parts Fraud Uncovered
– Bashing Israel Over Darfur, Is It Justified?

The Koreas
– Antti has some interesting pictures of the old Nan’gok neighborhood in Seoul that has since been knocked down to put up more apartment buildings. Scenes like these are getting harder and harder to find in modern day Korea.
– North Korea has applied to actually get an internet prefix.
– The Gangnam facelift. I hope more are to come for Korea.
– Which Korean stars showed love for liberation day?
– Not everyone liked the movie D-War.
– The Party Pooper has discovered a turning point in women’s sports.
– I agree, that is one ugly building.
– Here is a video of North Korea’s elite cheerleading squad.

Japan
– Okay, I’m now a fan of Rio Natsume. If you are wondering, they are natural.
– Many people saw and read about this image from the Yasukuni shrine this week, but no one probably read about what else was going on at the shrine that day. Just another example of the media looking for images to fit the story they want to tell and not what actually happened.

China
– These are some amazing Chinese acrobats.
– Chinese authorities caught trying to cover up bridge disaster.
– China’s war on bloggers continues while they advocate others.
– My wife has had to put up with the same dumb comments.

Milblogs
– Michael Yon has a must read post on the so called lack of political progress in Iraq.
– If there was ever the show Presidential Death Match, my money is on Putin.
– Pentagon funds more development of vehicle mounted laser systems.
– The Iranian Quods Force is set to be designated a terrorist group. Some good analysis here of what that may mean.
– It looks like the Canadians may have to defend America’s northern flank from an old threat.
– This is cool the British are getting back into the aircraft carrier business.

Forward Deployed
– Politicization of the Military Continues
– The Second Surge in Iraq
– Petraeus Announces Expected Troop Withdrawals