Naming a panda: Blinky at it again

[Russell]

China angry at Ishihara's suggestion about naming panda cub after Senkakus



China's Foreign Ministry slammed Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara on Friday for suggesting that if a giant panda on loan from China gives birth at a Tokyo zoo, the cub should be named after the Senkaku Islands, a cluster of Japan-controlled isles in the East China Sea also claimed by Beijing.

"Ishihara's scheme to undermine China-Japan relations is a clumsy performance. It will only tarnish the image of Japan and Tokyo," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a news conference.

In Tokyo on Thursday, Ishihara said that if a baby panda is born, it should be named "Sen Sen" or "Kaku Kaku," referring to a recent announcement by Ueno Zoo that the female giant panda Shin Shin has shown signs of pregnancy.

Giant pandas, endemic to southwestern China, are traditionally named with two identical Chinese characters, as a symbol of affection.

"No matter what names the Japanese side gives, it cannot change the fact that the two pandas belong to China," Hong said.

"Likewise, what names Japan gives to the Diaoyu Island and the adjacent isles, it cannot change the fact that these islands belong to China," he said.

Ishihara said in April that the Tokyo metropolitan government plans to buy privately owned land on the Senkaku Islands, a part of which is leased to the Japanese central government.

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[Gaspard de Coligny]

"No matter what names the Japanese side gives, it cannot change the fact that the two pandas belong to China," Hong said.

"Likewise, what names Japan gives to the Diaoyu Island and the adjacent isles, it cannot change the fact that these islands belong to China," he said.

Ok... Blinky just got punked...

[cstaylor]

If it comes to blows, I'd like to paraphrase Stalin: "The Mayor! How many divisions has he got?"

Couldn't the PRC just shorten the contract and take the Pandas home early?

[Russell]

If it comes to blows, I'd like to paraphrase Stalin: "The Mayor! How many divisions has he got?"

Couldn't the PRC just shorten the contract and take the Pandas home early?

And then name the cub after Diaoyu Island?

[Hammer]

Regardless of who owns the islands, Blinky's political skills are zero or less. He's demonstrated that fact countless times. The guy is an embarrassment.

[wagyl]

A more accurate description might be diplomatic skills, rather than political skills. Although I cannot explain it myself, his strategy to date seems to find favour with his constituency, which is political masterstroke. The fact that that strategy seems to revolve around not making any friends and that this is so popular, is the bit that mystifies me.

There are many times when the fact that nobody wants to hear my voice, that I have no say in the political process here, that I can be a bystander without merely being an abstainer, is a source of relief. I can watch the circus without any feeling of being responsible for any of it.

[legion]

They should name the panda Blinky

[canman]

I wonder how much influence China has over Olympic bidding? If they really wanted to stop the Olympics from going to Tokyo, do they have enough clout? Our would they even care? I would love to see them block old Blinky getting his prized Olympics!

[cstaylor]

You mean like the Americans in 1980?

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Regardless of who owns the islands, Blinky's political skills are zero or less. He's demonstrated that fact countless times. The guy is an embarrassment.

Don't disagree, but even more embarrassing is that he is overwhelmingly popular with voters active enough to exercise their right than any of his competitors.

[Gaspard de Coligny]

Regardless of who owns the islands, Blinky's political skills are zero or less. He's demonstrated that fact countless times. The guy is an embarrassment.

Don't disagree, but even more embarrassing is that he is overwhelmingly popular with voters active enough to exercise their right than any of his competitors.

Isn't it nice to know that no innocent will be wounded when Tokyo gets nuked ?

[IparryU]

Regardless of who owns the islands, Blinky's political skills are zero or less. He's demonstrated that fact countless times. The guy is an embarrassment.

Don't disagree, but even more embarrassing is that he is overwhelmingly popular with voters active enough to exercise their right than any of his competitors.

Isn't it nice to know that no innocent will be wounded when Tokyo gets nuked ?

i think China would wait until the red ribbon cut on the disputed islands and then blast them there first...

seriously, how much are you going to piss of china blinky? does he realize that Japan CANNOT fend off China without the help of other countries?

[chokonen888]

The guy is an embarrassment.

....but what's more embarrassing is it's "normal" behavior for him and he keeps getting reelected. Stay classy Tokyo!

[IparryU]

The guy is an embarrassment.

....but what's more embarrassing is it's "normal" behavior for him and he keeps getting reelected. Stay classy Tokyo!

sorta like little bush when he got in office... first the Florida recount was all to blame... but the second time around is a WTF?!?!? moment.

This guy on the other hand, is popular... so me thinks many of our humble locals are like minded

[chokonen888]

The guy is an embarrassment.

....but what's more embarrassing is it's "normal" behavior for him and he keeps getting reelected. Stay classy Tokyo!

sorta like little bush when he got in office... first the Florida recount was all to blame... but the second time around is a WTF?!?!? moment.

This guy on the other hand, is popular... so me thinks many of our humble locals are like minded

Bush election was at least close, Blinky gets elected with numbers like Kim Jong Un

[Russell]

Here's the culprit:


Apparently unaware of the international crisis it could provoke...

[Gaspard de Coligny]

Kill that sucker !!!

[Hammer]

Badly timed comment ...

The baby panda has died.

[IparryU]

Badly timed comment ...

The baby panda has died.

They were saying on the news the other night that it had an odd cry...

[GomiGirl]

Did they name it DaiDai and it did?*

Poor little tacker.

[*] Yes I am going straight to hell.