tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32776756.post2655476424448255867..comments2023-10-20T18:03:01.821+09:00Comments on GlobalTalk 21: Two Scandals and a Few Tips for the DPJJun Okumurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291478225274759649noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32776756.post-25232422960534025252008-09-12T18:12:00.000+09:002008-09-12T18:12:00.000+09:00That's interesting. We Japanese use bitter flavori...That's interesting. We Japanese use bitter flavoring in our food (and salty and sour are also okay), but not in our alcohol.Jun Okumurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00291478225274759649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32776756.post-14234965516132045692008-09-11T22:24:00.000+09:002008-09-11T22:24:00.000+09:00Both spiced and neat vodka is pretty common, thoug...Both spiced and neat vodka is pretty common, though neat vodka is often used in drinks while spiced is drunk as-is. There are berry-flavoured vodkas available, similar to the Gernam Obst, Umeshu and the like. But for some reason sweet or fruity flavours are nowhere near as popular in Sweden as the bitter herb-flavoured ones which are often based on wormwood, St. John's wort, elderberry or myrica. Salty, sour and bitter candy is very popular as well so it could just be a local cultural thing I guess.<BR/><BR/>I personally like Umeshu; we make it every year. But for vodka I much prefer something bitter or sour.Jan Morenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06834641501438709866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32776756.post-51720847476071174072008-09-11T12:06:00.000+09:002008-09-11T12:06:00.000+09:00I know, Janne. I just took the opportunity to give...I know, Janne. I just took the opportunity to give the issue a little more depth for visitors to my blog.<BR/><BR/>Good advice for the DPJ from both of you. Let's see if their people read the comments as well.<BR/><BR/>Are herbs the preferred additive to vodka? As Ross indicates, it is the <I>umeboshi</I> or pickled plum for shochu. I wonder if this is a common custom with distilled liquor the world over.Jun Okumurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00291478225274759649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32776756.post-18625853322786853922008-09-10T21:11:00.000+09:002008-09-10T21:11:00.000+09:00My original comment was half in jest; there is of ...My original comment was half in jest; there is of course a large difference between knowingly inciting fraud and unwittingly giving another party the means to do so.<BR/><BR/>That said, even if the MAFF referral was not malevolent, there comes a point when so many mistakes, missteps, negligence and unintended consequences accumulate that it is the system as a whole, rather than specific individuals or agencies, that comes under suspicion. It starts to look like their very structure - the division of responsibilities, their culture, recruiting approach, training - makes these government agencies incapable of functioning as intended no matter how good the intentions of the individuals working there.<BR/><BR/>Fixing them becomes a bit like fixing an old British motorcycle. You can strip it down, go over every part, give it months of loving care. But what defeats you in the end is that, well, no matter how much you try it's still a British-made motorcycle. Failure is built right in ("failure is not an option" takes on a new meaning). An old Enfield or Ariel is of course charming enough to excuse almost any failure; the same can perhaps not be said for government agencies.<BR/><BR/>Ps. I like Shochu, especially shiso-flavoured. Overall I prefer herb vodka though.Jan Morenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06834641501438709866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32776756.post-38701861955492256102008-09-10T20:46:00.000+09:002008-09-10T20:46:00.000+09:00umm, long time since i have had shochu. a guy i us...umm, long time since i have had shochu. a guy i used to know in kashiwa would keep a large glass jar filled with ume soaking in what i think was shochu. eating one felt like taking a shot. he'd eat 4 or 5 for breakfast. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, the DPJ can easily link this to the LDP if they try. They just need to hammer home the point that the LDP has long been the party of, by and for business interests over consumer interests. Examples abound, not least the near zero interest they earn on ordinary savings deposits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com