See if I care (the poll saga)

First of all, do not ever subject people to an 18-question poll. People have lives to live (well, uh, maybe except for me as I am even blogging about this).

Here are some of the questions that I am answering to channel out my annoyance.

How concerned are you about the rift between China and Japan?
a. Very concerned
b. A little concerned
c. Not concerned
d. Makes no difference

My we-are-an-Asian-media-organisation answer would be: Very concerned
My real answer is: Not concerned. Life goes on. Do you seriously think they will go to war? Of course their big trade partners such as the US won't allow that to happen! Duh!

I feel the differences between the two are mainly because of:
a. personality clashes among leaders
b. historical factors
c. economic rivalry
d. China's rise as a regional power

Journalist answer (to which I agree): historical factors
Real answer: If you check the forums at the time of Memoirs of a Geisha, te real answer would be -- why did Zhang Ziyi have to play a Japanese and why did she have to be under a Japanese man during a love scene? Go figure.

Who is mostly responsible for the rift between the two countries?
a. China
b. Japan
c. the US
d. other countries

Journalist answer: Japan
Real answer: What kind of multiple choice is this? Wala bang both? Pareho sila ano, China and Japan! Pataasan ng ihi! Although I think the former Japanese PM was sutil, China was also being overly pusong mamon.

The Japanese Prime Minister should be allowed to visit the Yasukuni shrine:
a. strongly disagree
b. disagree
c. agree
d. strongly agree

Journalist and real answer: Agree, but he should display sensitivity in conducting such visits. Make it low-key and not on the war memorial dates. And ban coverage so everyone can live in peace!

How do you feel about the war time atrocities by Japan?
a. very strongly
b. strongly
c. no strong feelings
d. time to move on
e. not sure

Journalist and real answer: Time to move on. Sometimes it's good to have a short- term memory, just like Filipinos. Our culture is very forgiving (and forgetful). The past has its war scars, yes. But we have to go beyond that and not allow those scars to prevent us from attaining world peace. (Pang-beauty pageant answer din ito.)