[suicides] a few too many in japan

What’s happening over there?

# A Japanese primary school principal, Kenji Nagata, 56, was found hanged in a forest in an apparent suicide, the second to take his own life in as many weeks

# Japan's education ministry last week received seven letters apparently written by students threatening suicide in response to harassment by bullying classmates.

# There has been a series of suicides by students in recent weeks caused by apparent bullying.

# A 12-year-old girl from Tondabayashi, near Osaka, leaped from the eighth floor of a public housing building and some classmates said she had been teased about her body shape.

# In late October a high school principal in Ibaraki, north of Tokyo, hanged himself in woods near his home after his school was found to be one of hundreds that skipped required courses so students could focus on competitive university entrance exams.

[china] photocopy at your peril

Chinese students who have extremely limited incomes have been photocopying complete foreign textbooks recommended by teachers. A photocopied edition only costs a few dollars, and photocopy workshops always enjoy booming business around campus. However, a new circular says publishing houses affiliated with Chinese schools can publish domestic editions of foreign textbooks only after they get permission from the foreign publisher. "School leaders should be punished if illegal copies of foreign books are found in Chinese schools," said the circular. I wonder if this is what the execution buses are for. They seem to like this punishment business a whole lot over there.

[seymour in space] help ellee become a virgin

Readers have not exactly supported my appeal for 300 words on ‘your most outrageous moment’ but that’s OK – I’m used to disappointment, used to being ignored [sob, sob] - but on this one, I really do urge you to help out:

Ellee in Space

Lady Ellee states: I admit I’m not too good on the white knuckle rides, and I screamed the whole time on Disney’s Space Mountain, but I would still love to join passengers on Virgin’s Galactic space mission.

There it is, readers. We need names and as Ellee says, a little word in Richard Branson's ear. Anyone have his ear? But let’s start small and get a little petition going in the comments section below, then see where it heads. Miracles have happened before.

[Apologies to Norman for using his photo]

[remembrance] britain and commonwealth

Read of the magnificent Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance

On Saturday, a two-minute silence and various events across the UK marked Armistice Day, the anniversary of the official end of World War I on 11 November 1918.

On Sunday, the Royal Family, leading politicians and former servicemen and women took part in the annual service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in London. The Queen laid the first wreath in memory of those who gave their lives in the two World Wars and other conflicts. The customary two-minute silence at 1100 GMT was followed by buglers playing the Last Post and a march past of thousands of veterans.

More than one million men and women from Britain and the Commonwealth died in World War I between 1914 and 1918, and nearly 500,000 in World War II from 1939 to 1945. The number of British service personnel who have died in Iraq since the start of hostilities in 2003 stands at 121. Since 2001, 41 British Forces personnel have died while serving in Afghanistan.

If you missed it, please go to this site, which includes the playing of the Last Post.

[veterans day] the fallen and the survivors

Harry Hill [99] who was flown to Washington for the service

78% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. military. That figure is unchanged from last year's Veterans Day survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports. Just 11% report an unfavorable opinion of the U.S. military. The survey was conducted in anticipation of Veterans' Day which was celebrated on Saturday. 43% rated Veterans' Day as one of the nation's most important holidays. Just 6% said it was one of the least important, while 43% said it fell somewhere in between. 36% of Americans have close friends or relatives who have given their life while serving in the military. That figure includes 42% of men and 30% of women. It cuts across all age, racial, and income groups among the population.

[love and all that] 10 standard questions from women to men

In each question, think carefully and rate the best and worst responses to her question:

1. What are you thinking about?
a What’s it to you, woman?
b Nothing really, darling.
c Sorry, dear. I was just reflecting on how lucky I am to have met you.
d If I’d wanted you to know, I’d have told you already.

The other nine are here.