[far-east] japan's new cabinet

Shinzo Abe, 52, has picked pro-growth party heavyweight, Hidenao Nakagawa for secretary general, the party's No. 2 post and de facto campaign manager. Nakagawa has played an important role in the outgoing PM’s economic policies and is behind Abe's stance of "No fiscal reform without growth". A close Abe ally, 62-year-old Nakagawa has said spending cuts must come before tax increases and he stresses the need to foster economic growth. Abe selected Shoichi Nakagawa, known for his tough stance against China and sharing Abe's views on putting patriotism back into classrooms, as its policy chief. Nakagawa, 53, also paid a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15. Taro Aso, now likely as foreign minister, was set to meet Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo later on Monday amid speculation that Abe could hold a summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao soon after taking office. [Reuters, CNN] All fairly clear – wonder what China thinks.

[islam] the language of peaceful restraint

The Islamists in Mogadishu have organized teams to clean up the city. Young couples take to the waterfront; thousands of children flock to soccer fields in the city centre; hard to imagine that this is Mogadishu, clan against clan and 15 years of anarchy. But over the past three months, the Islamists have defied international expectations in many ways. Not only have they pacified Mogadishu, they also seem to have moderated their message. Instead of a harsh, Taliban, religious horror, as many feared, they have softened their views, at least officially, delivering social services and pushing for democratic elections. Maoist tactic. It will be interesting to observe, after the last warlord has departed this life, if the climate of peace and love continues. Hope so, of course.

[politics] labels left and right are relatively meaningless

Fascinating debate going on right now over at Chris Dillow’s. He gave numbered reasons why he’s leftist and concluded: rationality, then, isn't the cause of my political beliefs. And I doubt it's the cause of anyone else's. Various people have weighed in and my contribution was: What about a model a bit like the solar system ellipse, instead of a linear left/right continuum? Then the dictatorship of the proletariat meets the fascists at one point on the ellipse. Along the other points are an increasing tendency to deregulation, free market ethics, small government, less shop steward mini-gods, no political correctness, redistribution according to market policies rather than regulation and so on. Seems a more realistic model, for mine.

[in brief] thought for the day

Once in a while you will stumble upon the truth but most of us manage to pick ourselves up and hurry along as if nothing had happened.

[ryder cup] results and no comment

18.5 9.5

#Montgomerie def Toms 1 up #Cink def Garcia 4 and 3 #Casey def Furyk 2 and 1 #Woods def Karlsson 3 and 2 #Donald def Campbell 2 and 1 #Henry vs McGinley Halved #Clarke def Johnson 3 and 2 #Stenson def Taylor 4 and 3 #Howell def Wetterich 5 and 4 #Olazabal def Mickelson 2 and 1 #Westwood def DiMarco 2 up #Verplank def Harrington 4 and 3

[phonetic dictionary] last three

73 Truculent..................Borrowed lorry
74 Vicarious...................Clergyman's debts
75 Wedlock....................Chastity belt

[usa] nfl hates noise

At most big ballgames, noise is good, and more noise is better. Seattle fans make Qwest Field, where the Giants play Sunday, notoriously loud. In last year's game there, the Giants had 11 false-start penalties. Skin-baring cheerleaders, cartoonish mascots and maniacal M.C.’s take turns trying to whip fans into a frenzy. Scoreboard messages tease the crowd with fake decibel meters and implore fans to “Raise the Roof!” Because vocal cords are not enough, fans sometimes receive noisemakers like inflatable bat-shaped balloons at the gate. They can create a cacophony of thump-thump-thumps meant to lift the home squad’s spirits and deflate the visiting team. There can never be too much commotion. Except in the N.F.L. Find out why.

[kinky friedman] this issue just won’t die away

This is a perfect example of not dabbling in someone else’s politics. I ran the first Kinky post as an illustration of how the US differs from the UK. Then came this. Right, I thought, that seems reasonable enough. So I wrote to the guy's campaign headquarters, offering my services. There was no reply from his people but there was a communication from this lady and she explained the other side of it. Now I'm not sure what to think.

[obsession] third chapter now posted

Chapter 3 [Ksenia] is now posted and can be read by clicking on the photo either here or in the sidebar. This chapter holds memories for me because it is set in the north of England, which I miss very much. Three people asked [genuinely this time] how much was autobiographical and how much fictional. All the parts about the ladies happened and all words in the dialogues, though mixed up and attributed to different characters, nevertheless were spoken at some stage. Half the characters have their real names and personalities. Zhenya, though fictional, is based on a real person. The cloak and dagger is over half fictional. The main character is about 70% me. Half the photos are genuine - you can work out which ones and those that aren't are close to the original person in looks.

[ladies of the night] 95 year old man arrested

A 95-year-old man has been arrested in England during a crackdown on kerb-crawlers. Police detained the pensioner after he picked up a prostitute in Bournemouth, Dorset, but he was let off with a warning because of his age. Isn't that wonderful - you can raise hell if you're of a certain age and people just say 'the son of a gun'. It's like the crazed motorized wheelchair riders of London terrorizing the local populace, their vehicles decked out in Formula 1 livery. When one gets over the hill and can dimly see the River Styx in the distance, this sort of story is heartwarming, I can tell you.