[sumo] Comments on Scott's reaction to Asashoryu's suspension

[Joshua Maciel]

Don't forget Takamifuji, as well, who was forced into retirement for bilking
his sponsors to cover gambling debts. Again, Japanese.

Selective vision.

Yes, there are some parts of Japanese culture that are infuriating,
backwards, and show a clear bias. This isn't one of them. Don't get caught
doing something dumb, and you won't get censured!

This should be common sense for EVERYONE, not just rikishi, not just foreign
rikishi, but everyone.

Roho punched a reporter. Is this okay? No.

Kyokutenho drove a car. Is this okay? No.

Asashoryuu played hookie and got caught. Is this okay? No.

Kokokanyu beat up another rikishi and got caught. Is this okay? No.

Takamifuji borrowed money from his sponsors to cover massive gambling debts
and got caught. Is this okay? No.

Were we talking about Kotoshuu getting demoted for 'poor sumo' with winning
records, you may have a point. Were Ama to be forced to retire from sumo on
suspicion of steroid use without a test, you may have a point. But when a
rikishi gets censured for doing something that's clearly unacceptable, it's
not racism, it's common sense.

There's enough discrimination to go around in Japan without looking for it
where it doesn't exist.

- Josh

On 8/2/07, Pierre Wohlleben <Pierre.Wohlleben at gmx.net> wrote:
>
> Scott Kahn wrote:
> > Lastly, I bring up for instigating purposes that the four latest
> > censures were against Asashoryu, Roho, Kyokutenho, and Kyokushuzan (if
> > one assumes a forced retirement).  Hmmmn.
>
> How quickly people forget Sadogatake-beya's Kotokanyu who beat up another
> rikishi backstage and was promptly shamed into retirement. Happened less
> than a year ago, *to a Japanese rikishi*, and one who was of much lower
> profile than Asashoryu or any of the others you mention. I really wish
> people stepped back and took off their "xenophobic Kyokai"-coloured glasses
> for a bit, because some of the claims made here on the SML (which seem to be
> getting majority approval, to boot) have been bordering on the ridiculous
> these last few days.
>