Current location:travel >>
VOX POPULI: LDP lawmakers’ remarks about political funds create a paradox
travel71387People have gathered around
IntroductionThere exists a famous paradox involving a Cretan who claims, “Cretans always lie.”If we assume this ...
There exists a famous paradox involving a Cretan who claims, “Cretans always lie.”
If we assume this statement to be true, it implies that the speaker, being a Cretan, must also always lie.
Consequently, the statement “Cretans always lie” cannot be true, creating a contradiction with the initial assumption.
I remember hearing this paradox in junior high school and being utterly confused by it.
Now, let us shift our focus from the Cretan’s statement to the statements of certain lawmakers, who are often called “sensei,” and assume they are true.
Senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party’s faction once led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe uniformly made a claim at a recent session of the Lower House Deliberative Council on Political Ethics.
They claimed they were not aware that so-called “kanpukin” funds--part of the money raised for the faction through fund-raising parties that exceeded the quota of individual politicians and was returned to them--were not declared in the political fund income and expenditure reports.
The Abe faction members said they believed everything was being properly handled.
In 2022, it seems, they apparently paid no attention to the words of then faction Chairman Shinzo Abe about this matter.
At the time, Abe reportedly decided to stop the practice of refunds, calling it an “opaque" scheme that could “raise doubts.”
It’s hard to imagine that these politicians did not ask Abe what he meant by “opaque” given that the boss’s decision would reduce the political funds they desperately wanted.
Subsequently, the faction’s policy concerning this matter flipped back to continuing the dubious practice.
If these politicians still claim they were unaware that the funds were not being duly reported, that would mean all the blame falls on the faction’s clerical staff responsible for accounting.
If the politicians are telling the truth, it means that despite knowing the practice to be illegal, such staff kept completely silent, informing none of these senior members of the faction.
However, this whole scenario seems implausible.
Instead, it seems likely the initial assumption that the faction leaders told the truth at the council session is incorrect.
The statements of these sensei lawmakers lead to contradictions.
Far from dispelling political distrust, it seems their remarks have only deepened the feeling.
Are Cretans always liars?
We can enjoy such a paradox because it is an intriguing play on logic.
Politicians’ claims, however, are part of the real world.
We cannot afford to be merely bewildered by their words.
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 3
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Corridor news portal”。http://mauritius.shellye-mcdaniel.com/content-71d099924.html
Related articles
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
travelTravis Kelce was spotted taking a whiskey shot from a slice of bread in true southern fashion as he ...
【travel】
Read moreStock market today: Asian benchmarks are mixed while US seems committed to current rates
travelTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were trading mixed Wednesday, as expectations resurfaced that U.S. interes ...
【travel】
Read moreDanny Dyer horrified to learn son Arty, nine, is a fan of controversial influencer and self
travelDanny Dyer has spoken of his horror at learning his young son Arty is a fan of controversial influen ...
【travel】
Read more
Popular articles
- Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
- The chemicals in your garage that may raise risk of incurable muscle
- Who will win the NHL's top awards this season? Here are AP's predictions
- Solomon Islanders vote in key election for their country, region — Radio Free Asia
- The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro
- Brian Austin Green says he's learned to 'pick his battles' while co
Latest articles
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
Paul McCartney's psychedelic Wings 1972 double
MotoGP racing for new momentum in America, with hopes of riding an F1
Israel says it will retaliate against Iran, despite the risks
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
Taylor Swift teases The Tortured Poets Department album release week with Spotify message
LINKS
- Colombia's president says thousands of grenades and bullets have gone missing from army bases
- Roman Josi and Alexandre Carrier score goals and Predators stay alive with 2
- Darvish earns 1st win of season and Machado hits 3
- Study says El Nino, not climate change, was key driver of low rainfall that snarled Panama Canal
- California reservoir is filled to capacity for first time since 1998 after drought
- Emerging trends for upcoming May Day holiday
- Ashley Roberts cuts a stylish figure in a £723 Fiorucci printed co
- MILF Manor 2 contestants nearly QUIT over fears the controversial show would ruin their reputation
- Escape the ordinary: Top 10 irresistible spring travel tips, from sun
- Police clear pro