Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 18:11:23 -0800
Reply-To: Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: jack, costs
In-Reply-To: <ccafde0904101517136ab89e3a@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
While I respect your concern regarding "subtle racial references", I think
you're mistaken. There's nothing racial about a concern about the sometimes
crappy quality which comes from (your choice of country), although I agree
that terminology is sometimes unfortunate.
I think your accuracy needs some attention, too. The statement, "myth of
poor Japanese quality was perpetrated by the Defense Department" is
incorrect. I'm curious where you picked up that piece of mythology. I
don't remember the DOD ever telling me how junky the stuff was; not
necessary, I saw it with my own eyes.
And my Swiss knives were made in Switzerland although I made the mistake of
buying a cheap copy once, made in China. The steel will not hold an edge so
it sits in a drawer as a reminder that buying cheap doesn't pay.
The Japanese didn't import "Arasaki rifles and Mitsubishi Zeros" into the
U.S. unless you want to count Pearl Harbor. The big problems with quality
involved imports during the years right after the war. Most of the stuff
was junk. Cheap. But junk. Yes, there are reasons why that was but it's
another subject.
Also another subject, but it was an American who went over and helped the
Japanese get their quality under control. Unfortunately, Duran wasn't able
to do the same with American industry. The rest is history. If imports
from China follow the same pattern, I'd expect the the quality to gradually
improve as they lock down the markets. Probably already happening.
My point: We're discussing quality. Don't read something else into it.
You may be unaware that there is a tradition on the list to diverge from
pure Vanagon discussion on Fridays. This is Friday.
Your English is fine, probably better than mine.
//Jack
Date sent: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 17:13:50 -0700
Send reply to: BenT <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
From: BenT <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: jack, costs
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> OK, people. Since TomC is probably too busy attending to all things
> Vanagon I feel a need to respectfully ask you guys to stop injecting
> subtle racial references to this quality control issue.
>
> I understand that most of you do not realize that saying things like
> "... Chinaland..." is almost as bad as the referring to the people
> from that region in the same tone. Suggesting the Chinese should stick
> to making bamboo baskets.. etc. that's really just plain unacceptable.
> Heck, even the reference to "krautboyz" was not appropriate. Further,
> the myth of poor Japanese quality was perpetrated by the Defense
> Department during a time of war. Those Arasaki rifles and Mitsubishi
> Zeros were manufactured to the same level as anything the west was
> putting out during the era.
>
> So please, please, please. Stop now. Enough is enough.
>
> Poor quality is reserved to the third world as many of you know. For
> the most part, you get what you pay for. The only reason this certain
> Asian country is getting a lot of attention is because so many
> products are coming out of there. The crappy stuff is remembered and
> discussed by most. There is rarely any discussion about your
> appliances built there which are buzzing away somewhere in your homes.
> No discussion about that souvenir you bought from Paris with the tiny
> (made in XXXXX). That name sure didn't sound French. Have looked where
> your Swiss Army knife is made in?
>
> My point (no pun intended) is:
>
> Let's get back to Vanagons. I promise not call you guys a bunch
> VW-hugging rainbow necks. If my my English is incorrect, please excuse
> me as it is my second language.
>
> Respectfully Yours,
> Benjamin E.S. Tan
> just another vanagon fan