[Cicero]

I don’t think his point was that Japanese are more civilized than blacks. His point was that Japanese are more civilized than Americans.

Besides, it was all Bush’s fault. That has been thoroughly established and is understood by the CNN audience.

[Doe Eyes]

I don’t think his point was that Japanese are more civilized than blacks. His point was that Japanese are more civilized than Americans.

No, the comments were based on race.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***I don’t think his point was that Japanese are more civilized than blacks. His point was that Japanese are more civilized than Americans.***

This is true. Remember when the hurricane hit Cancun not long after Katrina? American tourists DEMANDED that the US Army come and get them out-NOW!

[ModelBreaker]

“His point was that Japanese are more civilized than Americans.”

Sure. And maybe among the folks who the reporter hangs out with, they all actually believe that explains the difference. But we all have snapshots in our heads of the chaos in New Orleans. We’re going to have snapshots of the order in Japan. There’s one obvious difference and it’s cultural—not national. Most viewers know that whether they say it or not.

[rickomatic]

I don’t think his point was that Japanese are more civilized than blacks. His point was that Japanese are more civilized than Americans. Besides, it was all Bush’s fault. That has been thoroughly established and is understood by the CNN audience.

And the posters above are not saying it's a black vs Japanese distinction either. There are plenty of blacks in Missisippi, and as has been stated, the response and responsibility contrast between New Orleans, and Mississippi, and to other parts of Louisiana as well is stark. The distinction again, is one of givers, vs. takers.

[TxDas]

The Japanese are a very homogeneous population partly because they are extremely racist. No Japanese would ever consider dishonoring his family by committing an unsociable act against another Japanese. I read on another thread they say the word “looting” does not even exist in Japanese.

I wonder if they have the words “rape” and “pillage”, as in how they treated the Chinese and Koreans. How about “brutality” like they treated our POWs.

The Japanese people are behaving now much the way they behaved during the catastrophes that were visited upon their island in 1945. They are very polite to each other and to any guest they have invited to their country.

Where did I get this information, beside my personal observations when I visited the country? I worked with several Japanese MDs back in the ‘70s. I am telling you what they told me.