Joe: OK, so you hate movies.
--No. I just hate you.
Joe: Fine, whatever. How about investing? I’m a pretty bad investor, but one time I made this particularly bad investment when I was told I was getting a special bonus that
Tag: politics
Interview with Joe, the Most Annoying Person in the History of Humanity (Part I of II)
Below is a word-by-word transcript of an interview with Joe, who insisted on being interviewed as "The Most Fascinating Person in the History of Humanity" but who is anything but.
--I can’t believe I’m doing this This interview is going to be a complete waste of time.
Below is the letter that I enclosed in this year’s Christmas cards.
With the holiday season fast approaching, I hope this letter finds you well.
It’s quite unlike me, but this year I’d like to talk a bit about my work.
My current job involves
The Inimitable Fulfillment of Serving the Public (Part II of II)
It's not clear where the pull towards public service comes from, notwithstanding all my love for money.
My education probably has something to do with it. My alma mater, Boston College / Boston College Law School, instilled a call for service through an education grounded in
The Inimitable Fulfillment of Serving the Public (Part I of II)
I am an unabashed capitalist. I have helped mega-corporations raise billions of dollars. I'm an investor who shows little interest other than stock prices. I'm unapologetic in my pursuit of money and I don't particualrly think there's anything wrong with that.
Yet the greatest job fulfillment I
It’s Been Quite Interesting Being a Conservative in a Liberal Bubble (Part II of II)
My college friend was always a liberal, but most people become one in college.
I was wired in politics from middle school, but most of my pre-college friends weren't. Yet two months into college, when we got together for the first time since high school graduation, they'd
It’s Been Quite Interesting Being a Conservative in a Liberal Bubble (Part I of II)
I am a conservative living in an overwhelmingly liberal bubble. This has led me to live quite an interesting life.
Take law school. At the end of my first week there, a random person walked up to me and said, "So I heard that you're the new conservative
In 2017, A Lot of Contemplation About Time
This past year, I thought about “time” quite a bit.
In June and September, two of my college roommates got married, and their wedding ceremonies became an occasion for the four roommates to get together for the first time in years. As we bantered much in the same way as we had in college, I
In June and September, two of my college roommates got married, and their wedding ceremonies became an occasion for the four roommates to get together for the first time in years. As we bantered much in the same way as we had in college, I
Joe Michael Sasanuma Obituary
Joe Michael Sasanuma, who earlier today died at the eternal age of 18, never had a moment in which he didn't enjoy life.
He lived by the words "What's the point of living if you can't feel alive?", a line fittingly taken from the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough". Of the many things
He lived by the words "What's the point of living if you can't feel alive?", a line fittingly taken from the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough". Of the many things
To Tristan, My Newly-Married Friend: Thanks for the Friendship Defined by Differences
Tristan,
As I attended the ceremony celebrating your matrimony with Becca, I thought about our friendship--about how it all began, how it deepened over the years and how it's thrived on our many differences.
I remember your joking once that I'm the first Republican you'd ever met, and it probably won't surprise you that you're the first
As I attended the ceremony celebrating your matrimony with Becca, I thought about our friendship--about how it all began, how it deepened over the years and how it's thrived on our many differences.
I remember your joking once that I'm the first Republican you'd ever met, and it probably won't surprise you that you're the first
To Tom, My Newly-Married Friend: May You and Kris-Stella Together Contribute to the Betterment of the World
Dear Tom,
You and I will forever be bound by the bond we formed during our days at Boston College, so it's hardly a surprise that, as I attended your celebration of matrimony with Kris-Stella last month, I looked back on our time together at BC.
In particular, I thought about what it means to be a BC
You and I will forever be bound by the bond we formed during our days at Boston College, so it's hardly a surprise that, as I attended your celebration of matrimony with Kris-Stella last month, I looked back on our time together at BC.
In particular, I thought about what it means to be a BC
Why Donald Trump Won: Decade-Long Struggle of the Democratic Party with White Voters, and Other Unexplainable Factors
I, like most others, thought that Hillary Clinton will defeat Donald J. Trump with a comfortable margin on election night.
I was clearly wrong, but before getting into the why, permit me to start with what I got right.
In the footnote to my pre-election perspective, I noted how the conventional wisdom focusing on the Democratic Party's
I was clearly wrong, but before getting into the why, permit me to start with what I got right.
In the footnote to my pre-election perspective, I noted how the conventional wisdom focusing on the Democratic Party's
Donald Trump’s Election Requires All of Us to Listen, and Have Faith in the U.S. System of Government
Donald J. Trump is president-elect.
Much like me, you are probably stunned with this statement and are still unable to comprehend how this is so.
One thing is for certain, though. What you witnessed last night was fury in ways previously unseen.
Consider: only 37% of the voters believed that Donald Trump was qualified for the presidency
Much like me, you are probably stunned with this statement and are still unable to comprehend how this is so.
One thing is for certain, though. What you witnessed last night was fury in ways previously unseen.
Consider: only 37% of the voters believed that Donald Trump was qualified for the presidency
No, I’m Not Voting for Trump, but I Get the Message
No, I'm not voting for Donald Trump, but I hear the anger, loud and clear.
That's what I have to say about the presidential election this year, and I urge everyone to have the same attitude.
The reasons I cannot vote for Donald Trump hardly require rehashing. I find troubling his views on Muslims, immigrants, foreigners and women, just to
That's what I have to say about the presidential election this year, and I urge everyone to have the same attitude.
The reasons I cannot vote for Donald Trump hardly require rehashing. I find troubling his views on Muslims, immigrants, foreigners and women, just to
A New Beginning
This Friday will be my last day at Shearman & Sterling. After seven and a half years, the time is right for me to move on.
When I reflect on my time at Shearman & Sterling, I realize how tremendously fortunate I have been.
I once heard that the average length of a career at a major
When I reflect on my time at Shearman & Sterling, I realize how tremendously fortunate I have been.
I once heard that the average length of a career at a major
What I Had to Go Through in College as a Conservative, Liberals Should Experience, Too
I have had enough of reading about liberal college students on liberal college campuses complaining about their liberal sensitivities being offended.
These people are not entitled not to be offended.
The reason I know this is because if they have such an entitlement, so do I, and if I were to have such entitlement, the very people who
These people are not entitled not to be offended.
The reason I know this is because if they have such an entitlement, so do I, and if I were to have such entitlement, the very people who
A Modest Suggestion for the Politically Inclined
I have a suggestion for those who are politically interested: surround yourself with people who are disagreeable. Surround yourself with a lot of them.
That means that if you’re in college, odds are you should be seeking people who go to meetings of College Republicans (yes, those people exist, in surprisingly large number). If you’re a working
That means that if you’re in college, odds are you should be seeking people who go to meetings of College Republicans (yes, those people exist, in surprisingly large number). If you’re a working
Principles Do Matter, Which is Why Mitt Romney is So Offensive
I think principles in politicians matter, and I simply don't see how anyone who shares this commonly-held view can support and vote for Willard Mitt Romney.
Mind you, it takes a lot, I mean a lot, for me to be offended by a politician for his perceived lack of principles. I'm far more sensitive than most to
Mind you, it takes a lot, I mean a lot, for me to be offended by a politician for his perceived lack of principles. I'm far more sensitive than most to
2014 Was An Uneventfully Fulfilling Year
I hope this letter finds you well.
It is hard to believe, but this past September marked three years since I transferred to Tokyo. I am entering my seventh year with my current employer, meaning that I have now worked in the Tokyo office longer than I did in New York.
How time flies.
Life is interesting in that
It is hard to believe, but this past September marked three years since I transferred to Tokyo. I am entering my seventh year with my current employer, meaning that I have now worked in the Tokyo office longer than I did in New York.
How time flies.
Life is interesting in that
I’m Available to Give a Lecture on So Many Topics
One of the things I remain mystified about is why no one has ever asked me to give a lecture. I would have thought that a person like me with an opinion on a whole range of topics would be hounded to share just a small portion of all the invaluable insight.
The only explanation I have for
The only explanation I have for
To Underclassmen Eagles: Make Not Just Friends, But Friends Who Are Different
Dear Underclassman Eagles,
After you graduate from Boston College, you'll realize that your years at Chestnut Hill shaped many aspects of your life. The liberal arts education that instilled a sense of public service is one. The life-long friendships that you formed is another.
As an underclassman, you're likely still building your circle of friends, and to those who
After you graduate from Boston College, you'll realize that your years at Chestnut Hill shaped many aspects of your life. The liberal arts education that instilled a sense of public service is one. The life-long friendships that you formed is another.
As an underclassman, you're likely still building your circle of friends, and to those who
If You Think Washington is Broken, Perhaps You Should Take a Deep Look in the Mirror
These days, one of my greatest frustrations is with people who complain about politicians. This essentially means that I'm frustrated with almost everyone I know.
I'm frustrated because I find most people's view towards politicians to be rather irresponsible. Americans live in a democracy, governed by the persons they themselves elected. The people in government who
I'm frustrated because I find most people's view towards politicians to be rather irresponsible. Americans live in a democracy, governed by the persons they themselves elected. The people in government who
Democracy in Action II: Gregory Watson’s One-Man Campaign to Amend the Constitution
The 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution all started with a C paper.
It was 1982, and the constitutional debate du jour was the Equal Rights Amendment, which was intended to guarantee equal rights for men and women. The amendment passed both houses of Congress in 1972 and was given to the states to ratify
It was 1982, and the constitutional debate du jour was the Equal Rights Amendment, which was intended to guarantee equal rights for men and women. The amendment passed both houses of Congress in 1972 and was given to the states to ratify
Democracy in Action I: Michael Sessions, the 18 Year Old Mayor
In the winter of 2005, Michael Sessions decided to run for the mayor of his hometown.
The city of Hillsdale, located in the Southern part of the state of Michigan with a population of 8,200 and known for being the home of Hillsdale College, had been hit hard by the downturn of the automobile industry
The city of Hillsdale, located in the Southern part of the state of Michigan with a population of 8,200 and known for being the home of Hillsdale College, had been hit hard by the downturn of the automobile industry
In Memory of John Ezzard (1984-2012)
John was a couple years behind me at Boston College. I don't exactly recall how we initially met, but we quickly became close friends because I was Japanese and he was interested in Japan.
John had a great laugh. He and I come from a different political mold, he of the moderate left and I of
John had a great laugh. He and I come from a different political mold, he of the moderate left and I of
It’s Worth Buying into “Ides of March”
8/10
"The Ides of March" (2011) requires an expensive buy-in. By that I mean, the film asks the audience to accept several rather implausible scenarios. The upshot is that the film is worth the price, because the pay-off is very satisfying.
"The Ides of March" (2011) requires an expensive buy-in. By that I mean, the film asks the audience to accept several rather implausible scenarios. The upshot is that the film is worth the price, because the pay-off is very satisfying.
Passionately Opinionated
René Descartes once said, "I think, therefore I am," apparently to make the point that someone wondering whether or not he or she exists is, in and of itself, proof that something, an "I", exists to do the thinking.
I suppose my equivalent would be "I opine, therefore I am," to make the point that having
I suppose my equivalent would be "I opine, therefore I am," to make the point that having
My Endorsements for Franklin Lakes School Board
On April 27, 2011, residents of Franklin Lakes will go to the polls to elect new school boards and approve or disapprove the school budgets. For the first time in two years, the election is competitive. While it is cutting it close, it is not too late to get an absentee ballot. I cannot think
My 2010 Midterm Election Predictions
This blog has a no politics policy, but there is an exception once every year before the elections. One of the things that always stuck with me as a political scientist wannabe is the need to make electoral predictions so I can be held accountable for the analysis I make about elections. Political analysts excel
Distinguishing “Should” from “Could”
I think one of the most troubling flaws of American society is its inability to distinguish "should" from "could." To put another way, we seem to have fatal flaw in saying just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should, and just because you shouldn't do something doesn't mean you couldn't.
What Hatoyama’s Resignation Teaches Us About Responsible Government
In 2003, conservative commentator Billy Krystol spoke at Boston College and foretold the rough road ahead for the Republicans by astutely observing, "There's nothing more difficult than being in power."
The flip side is equally true: there's nothing easier--and more irresponsible--than not being in power. This is a lesson the just-resigned Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama
The flip side is equally true: there's nothing easier--and more irresponsible--than not being in power. This is a lesson the just-resigned Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama
My Relationship With Math: It Was Good, Until It Got Complicated
Last week, I bought a TI-89 calculator. It's like the calculator you used to get by calculus in high school, only this one is better.
I've wanted one for a long time. My freshman year at Boston College, I got a TI-89 because I was well on my way to majoring in math. This union lasted
I've wanted one for a long time. My freshman year at Boston College, I got a TI-89 because I was well on my way to majoring in math. This union lasted
A Thirteen Month Anniversary for the Blog
Today, this blog turns 13 months old. I would have celebrated the one year anniversary if only I had remembered to celebrate it. That I'd forgotten is actually fitting for this rather irrelevant blog.
In 13 months, I have written 76 posts, averaging nearly 6 posts a month. While the pace has slowed, I've tried to
In 13 months, I have written 76 posts, averaging nearly 6 posts a month. While the pace has slowed, I've tried to
Why I Don’t Talk Politics
A couple weeks ago, my high school buddies came over to my apartment, one of them kindly pointed out that he can see my office from my window, then tried to persuade me for hours on end that I should write about politics in my blog. His point, as I understood it, was that no
Barack Obama Wins the Nobel Peace Prize, and I Don’t Get It
I don't get it. Not in the way I don't get art or in the way I didn't get Modern Algebra. I can't even comprehend what it is that I need to comprehend. I am so confused, for the first time in my life, I am at a loss for words.
Barack Obama won the Nobel
Barack Obama won the Nobel
I Could be Wrong, But I Doubt It
I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
I have gone through five years of grammar school, three years of middle school, four years of high school, four years of college, three years of law school and nearly two years of work experience. I have stayed consistently in one side of the political spectrum. I studied
I have gone through five years of grammar school, three years of middle school, four years of high school, four years of college, three years of law school and nearly two years of work experience. I have stayed consistently in one side of the political spectrum. I studied
I Try to Kid, But I (Sometimes) Have a Point
For better or for worse, I seem to leave a distinct impression on people, although I can't tell whether the impression I leave is good or bad. One week into my foray into law school at the particularly liberal Rutgers of Newark, people started coming up to me and saying, "So you're the new conservative,
My Endorsements for the Election for the Franklin Lakes School Board
On April 21, 2009, residents of Franklin Lakes will go to the polls to elect new school boards and approve or disapprove the school budgets. While it is cutting it close, it is not too late to get an absentee ballot. I cannot think of a more important election than those that involve the future
25 Random Crap About Me
My sister, that bored nincompoop, created Note in Facebook with a list of 25 random facts about herself and then created a "rule" under which an unfortunate soul who was tagged will have to do the same thing. Presumably this is the most modern rendition of the cursed chain letter so the failure to respond
In Politics, Principles and Bipartisanship Collide
Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire withdrew his nomination as President Obama's Secretary of Commerce. The new president's first month in office has been quite bumpy, with the Commerce Secretary's job increasingly turning into a cursed cabinet post. As rough as it has been for the president, I am still withholding judgment on the Obama
A Fond Farewell to Bush
I like President Bush. I will miss him greatly. Read about my personal affection for the president.
If You Don’t Eat a Whale, Don’t Complain About Whaling
While I was in Japan, I read a story along these lines about Australian sailors' efforts to stop Japanese whaling practices and an editorial in a newspaper by an European objecting to how Japan is raping their seas.
I can think of no issue that pisses me off more than the Western objection to Japanese whaling,
I can think of no issue that pisses me off more than the Western objection to Japanese whaling,
On Liberal’s Acceptance–So Long As It’s Acceptable
I have many liberal friends, an inescapable consequence of attending a post-secondary education institution in Boston, pursuing a post-college degree in Boston, and obtaining a professional job requiring a high degree of education in New York. While I obviously don't share most of their viewpoints, they and I have one thing in common: we all
On (Not) Bailing Out the Big Three
The Senate Republicans torpedoed whatever hope there was for the Big Three (why are they still called that even though they continue to shrink?) to receive a bailout from Congress. Now the survival of GM and Chrysler apparently rests on the whims of the White House.
I hope Bush takes a stand and say no. If
I hope Bush takes a stand and say no. If
On California Supreme Court’s Overruling Proposition 8 – Constitutional Principles be Damned
If this CNN article is correct, California Supreme Court is going to review, and likely overrule, Proposition 8 which amended the state constitution to ban same sex marriage.
As a social conservative, where I stand on this issue is hardly clouded in secrecy. But the degree to which what the California Supreme Court is going to
As a social conservative, where I stand on this issue is hardly clouded in secrecy. But the degree to which what the California Supreme Court is going to
On Politicians, the Most Thankless Job in America
There was a time when I considered a career in politics, but no longer. It is, by far, without a doubt, the most thankless job in America, and the world. Who praises politicians? I do (in general) because I'm a politician apologist, but this is a club with fewer members than my other club, "The
On the 2008 Presidential Election, a Prediction
Since this is a popular game among political scientists (and an important one at that; too many poli sci people comment on the aftermath as if the result was a foregone conclusion without any accountability of being held to a prediction), I shall throw in my two cents.
At this juncture, it's fairly clear--and personally, depressingly
At this juncture, it's fairly clear--and personally, depressingly
On Laying the Blame for the Financial Chaos
I like to cut to the chase and believe, in general, that getting to the heart of the matter, in the most simplistic form, identifies the problem, which is the first step towards finding a solution.
I find what triggered the current financial crises, the subprime mortgage, to be a relatively simple issue. Of course various
I find what triggered the current financial crises, the subprime mortgage, to be a relatively simple issue. Of course various