In his July 8th letter, "The Japanese and their 'feelings,' " Grant Piper, critical of the fishermen who cried foul over the documentary "The Cove," expresses a reasonable criticism. He then loses all claims to reason when he suggests that "Japanese culture bears a stark streak of cruelty."
His list of supporting examples borders on the ridiculous if he means to say that they are somehow unique to, or especially representative of, Japan. While one might agree with one or all of his examples, similar or worse cruelties exist in most cultures. Indeed, they seem to exist in the human species.
charles gates
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