"The Japanese have a completely different attitude to organized crime. They realize that prostitution, drug use and, to a certain extent, extortion are all inevitable expressions of certain sides of human nature. In the US we have a war on crime. In Japan they manage, channel, reduce the harm of crime ... The other side of this is that organized crime relates differently to the public. The organized crime groups have offices open to the public and the police often have liaison officers in those offices."

Sounds like we could take a few lessons from them. :-)

Out here in L.A. I am still getting opinions from people that if the Big One (major quake) is really bad then looting and mayhem are inevitable. We're not going to follow in Japan's footsteps. In a worst-case situation, our city may dissolve into total anarchy.

Yesterday my wife had a guy visiting her office. He told her during casual conversation that he was trying to buy as many guns as possible. She asked him why - since he didn't seem too crazy. He replied that his goal (after an earthquake) was to be able to distribute these guns to all his neighbors - so that everyone could defend themsevles collectively. He was concerned that individuals acting alone could not fend off attacks if a state of total lawlessness developed. So he is stockpiling guns and ammo.

That story is completely genuine. It's definitely on the far side - I haven't heard of anyone else doing this out here. But if we really do dissolve into anarchy ... then who knows?

Pete #2