Michael Cole (wrestling) and List of political parties in Japan: Difference between pages

Revision as of 12:45, 29 July 2006

Revision as of 21:13, 28 June 2007

Line 1:

{{Merge|Political_parties_in_Japan|date=June 2007}}

{{Infobox Wrestler|name= Michael Sean Coulthard

|image=Michael_cole.jpg

|names='''Michael Cole'''

|height= 5 ft 9

|weight= 152lbs

|birth_date =[[December 8]], [[1966]]

|death_date =

|birth_place =[[Sharon, Connecticut]]

|death_place =

|resides=[[Amenia, New York]]

|billed=

|trainer=

|debut= [[1997]]

|retired=

|}}

{{Politics of Japan}}

'''Michael Sean Coulthard''' (born [[December 8]], [[1966]] in [[Sharon, Connecticut]]) better known by his [[stage name]] of '''Michael Cole''' is the current [[play-by-play|play-by-play announcer]] for [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]'s ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'' Originally his partner was [[Jerry "The King" Lawler]] but was later replaced by [[Tazz]] after the WWF vs. WCW/ECW invasion storyline. As of [[June 16]], [[2006]], [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] is his new partner.

'''Political parties in Japan''' lists [[political party|political parties]] in [[politics of Japan|Japan]].

<!--:''The general rule on naming applies. That means: the parties are named in the English translation and the original native name is placed on the first line of the article unless the native form is more commonly used in English than the English form. Rationale and specifics: See: [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (use English)]]''.-->

==Journalism career==

Prior to becoming a WWF/WWE announcer, Coulthard was a [[journalist]] with [[CBS Radio Network|CBS Radio]]. In [[1993]], he was sent to the [[Branch Davidian]] church in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]] to cover the entire 51-day siege and resulting conflagration.

==Major parties==

In [[1994]], Coulthard was sent to [[Sarajevo|Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina]] for what was supposedly a six-week assignment covering the [[war]]-time siege by [[Serbia|Serbian]] forces, but it turned out to be a nine-month stay, which would change his life. He would report daily from the city, narrowly escaping bullets and bombs. His [[documentary film|documentary]], titled ''Voices of Bosnia'', has won several awards.

*[[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]] (LDP) ''Jiyū Minshū-tō'', or ''Jimin-tō'' 自民党([[Conservatism|conservative]], 1955-)

**The LDP is Japan's largest political party and the senior partner in the current governing coalition. Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe]] is a member of this political party. It is a [[Conservatism|conservative]] party of the [[right-wing]] and is made up of various conservative and reformist factions. The LDP has been in power almost continuously since [[1955]], when it was formed as a merger of early postwar Japan's two conservative parties, the [[Liberal Party of Japan, Occupation]], and the [[Democrat Party of Japan, Occupation]]. The party is characterized as being very conservative on social and foreign matters.

*[[Democratic Party of Japan]] (DPJ) ''Minshūtō'' ([[social liberalism|social liberal]] 1998-)民主党

**The DPJ is Japan's second largest party and leads the opposition. It is a [[social liberalism|social liberal]] party. It is the largest opposition party, and was formed in the late 1990s as a result of the merger of several anti-LDP parties. Quite [[Liberalism|liberal]] and oppositional on key issues, as well as moderately [[social-democratic]]. It is against the Iraq war, and was led by Seiji Maehara until the end of March 2006, when he resigned due to a crisis involving a DPJ member (Hisayasu Nagata) making false allegations that the son of LDP Secretary-General ([[Tsutomu Takebe]]) illicitly received money from former [[Livedoor]] president [[Takafumi Horie]]. As of [[April 5]][[2006]], [[Naoto Kan]] and [[Ichiro Ozawa]] are running for DPJ party president.

*[[New Komeito]]* ''Komeitō'' ([[Conservatism|conservative]], [[theocratic]] [[Buddhist]], 1998-)公明党

**formerly [[Komeito (Former)]] ([[centrist]], [[theocratic]] [[Buddhist]], 1964-1998)

**formerly [[Komei Political Assembly]] ([[centrist]], [[theocratic]] [[Buddhist]], 1961-1964)

**The Shin Komeito Party (Japanese name for the New Komeito) is Japan's third largest party and the governing party's junior partner. It was formerly known as the [[Clean Government Political Assembly]] and the [[Komeito (Former)|Komeito]]. The party is a [[Conservatism|conservative]] party of the [[right-wing]], but it is also well supported by organizations like the [[Soka Gakkai]], a sect of [[Nichiren Buddhism]]. Therefore, it is also considered a [[theocratic]] Buddhist party. It has moderated its stance however. Because it is partners with the LDP, it is unopposed to the war in Iraq. It is now led by [[Takenori Kanzaki]].

*[[Japanese Communist Party]] (JCP) ''Nihon Kyōsan-tō'' (communist, 1922-)日本共産党

**The Japanese Communist Party is Japan's fourth largest party and the middle partner of the opposition coalition. It is a [[moderate]] [[communist]] party of the [[left-wing]]. Though it is communist, it is not against religion and does not want the [[emperor]] to step down. It supports multi-party democracy and does not advocate the imposition of radical change on Japanese society. It is considered pacifist and skeptical of the [[United States]].

*[[Social Democratic Party (Japan)]] (SDP) ''Shakai Minshūtō'', or ''Shamin-tō'' (socialist, 1996-)　社民党

** formerly [[Japan Socialist Party]] (JSP) ''Nihon Shakai-tō'' (socialist, 1945-1996)日本社会党

***a breakaway group formerly known as the [[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)]], now defunct, (social-democratic, 1960-1996)

****in 1948 split up into the [[Rightist Socialist Party of Japan]], (moderate social-democratic, 1948-1955), and [[Leftist Socialist Party of Japan]], (extreme socialist, 1948-1955), in 1955, reunified into JSP.

**The Social Democrat Party of Japan is Japan's fifth largest party and the junior partner in the opposition coalition. It is a [[moderate]] [[social-democratic]] party of the [[left-wing]]. It is seen more as a [[moderate]] social-democratic, and [[populist]] party rather than a [[revolutionary]] [[socialist]] party. It grew out of the [[Japan Socialist Party]] and the [[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)]] It is opposed to the war in Iraq.

== Minor parties==

Experienced in covering tragic events, in [[1995]] Coulthard was sent to [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] after the bombing by [[Timothy McVeigh]] at the [[Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building]], which took the lives of 168 people.

*[[Liberal League]] ''Jiyu Rengo'' (liberal, 1994-)

**The Liberal League is a [[right-wing]] party in Japan, which, despite its name, is actually [[Conservatism|conservative]]. The Liberal League has 1 seat in the Diet.

*Other minor parties

**Japan has other minor parties with national support, mostly with [[communist]] and [[socialist]] ideologies, as well as a few [[nationalist]], [[reformist]], and far [[right-wing]] parties.

*Dissidents from the LDP formed the following parties in 2005 :

***[[People's New Party]] (PNP) ''Kokumin Shintō'' ([[Conservatism|conservative]], 2005-)

***[[New Party Nippon]] (NPN) ''Shintō Nippon'' (2005-)

***[[New Party Daichi]] (NPD) ''Shintō Daichi'' (2005-)

===Existing national parties represented in the Diet in the past===

Coulthard also covered three presidential elections--in [[1988]] with [[Michael Dukakis]], in [[1992]] with [[Bill Clinton]], and in [[1996]] with [[Steve Forbes]] and [[Bob Dole]].

Current political parties that used to be in the Diet but aren't currently represented:

==WWF/WWE Career==

He came to the World Wrestling Federation in [[1997]], where he became the host of the old ''[[WWF LiveWire|LiveWire]]'' show alongside [[Jim Cornette]]. He was also a backstage interviewer. From the end of 1997 to [[August 1999]], he was the host of ''[[WWE RAW|Monday Night RAW]]'' and when ''SmackDown!'' debuted, he was chosen to be the play-by-play announcer.

* [[Dainiin Club]] ''Dainiin Kurabu'' ([[centrist]], 1983-)

Unlike his ''RAW'' co-hosts, lead announcer [[Jim Ross]] and [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]], Cole wrestled only one match (which he won against Heidenreich in 2005.) and is rarely involved in [[angle (professional wrestling)|storylines]] (however, he was involved in a [[running gag]], where his former partner Tazz made comments or asked questions about Cole's [[sexual orientation]]). In [[2001]], he was attacked by [["Stone Cold" Steve Austin]], leading his broadcast partner Tazz to defend him. In [[2004]], he held up a sign for [[battle rap]] between Cena and [[Kenzo Suzuki]], and ended up the subject of a cruel joke of Cena's. In [[2005]], he was [[kidnapping|kidnapped]] by the "crazy" wrestler [[Jon Heidenreich|Heidenreich]]. Cole had taken up the [[nickname]] "The Big Dog" as given by his commentary partner Tazz, but the name was immediately dropped after three weeks. Cole also claims to have a [[tattoo]] of a battleship on his chest, as said by Tazz.

* [[New Socialist Party (Japan)|New Socialist Party]] ''Shin Shakai To'' (socialist, 1996-)

* [[Sports and Peace Party]] ''Supotsu Heiwa To'' (centrist, 1989-)

* ''[[Takeru]]'' (centrist, 2001-)

===Other parties===

Cole was in the ''[[Taxi Driver]]'' [[parody]] trailer in promotion of ''[[WrestleMania 21]]'' showing off his physique.

* [[Rainbow and Greens]] ''Niji to Midori'' (green)

* ''[[Ishin Seito Shimpu]]'' (far-right, 1995-)

* [[Women's Party]] ''Josei To'' (Feminist, 1993-)

* [[Internet Breakthrough Party of Japan]] (Led by Iron Chef Comentator and Judge and former LDP member Shinichiro Kurimoto)

===Cole'sRegional rising popularityparties===

Some of the main regional parties represented in regional assemblies:

When he first became a steady play-by-play announcer subbing for Jim Ross when Ross became struck with another episode of [[Bell's palsy]] in [[1999]], and when he first became the "voice of ''SmackDown!''" during that same year, Cole was berated by fans, and sometimes still is today. However, as his years of experience grew, so did fans who have gotten accustomed to his style. Some fans near [[2004]] and 2005 have been saying that he had surpassed longtime favorite Jim Ross in skill, due to the notion that Cole was faster at delivering the play-by-play, and that Ross had lost his touch from his heydays in the peak of the [[World Wrestling Entertainment#Attitude Era|WWF Attitude Era]]. Some also credit his recent popularity to his former broadcast partner on ''SmackDown!'', [[Tazz]], who regularly gets him out of trouble, and regulary gets involved with him in [[kayfabe]] arguments and witty discussions. This is because many have felt that Cole's partner during his inexperienced years was Jerry Lawler, who has been criticized for making any play-by-play commentator other than Ross (such as [[Jonathan Coachman]] and [[Joey Styles]]) sound awful, and this criticism had stuck all up until Ross' departure from the ''RAW'' commentating team.

* [[Kanagawa Network Movement]] ''Kanagawa Nettowaku Undo'' (Yokohama, socialist)

Most recently, at the ''[[Royal Rumble (2006)|2006 Royal Rumble]]'', Cole commentated alongside Lawler once again for the ''Royal Rumble'' match, quelling the critics to the Lawler criticism. Cole had commentated the ''2006 Royal Rumble'' match because Ross, who had commentated the last three ''Royal Rumble'' matches with Tazz, had been "fired" in the storylines and replaced by former [[Extreme Championship Wrestling|ECW]] play-by-play man [[Joey Styles]], who some feel may not have been ready to call a ''Royal Rumble'' match just yet.

* [[Seikatsusha Network]] ''Seikatsusha Nettowaku'' (Tokyo, socialist)

* [[Okinawa Social Mass Party]] ''Okinawa Shakai Taishu To'' (Okinawa, socialist)

*[[Green Niigata]], ''Midori Niigata'' (Niigata, communist)

**formerly [[Niigata New Party for People]], ''Shimin Shin-to Niigata'' (Niigata, communist)

==Defunct parties==

On [[April 26]], [[2006]], WWE announced that Cole would become a Managing Editor for WWE.com. This has been met with criticism, with some people upset over Cole turning WWE.com back into more of a [[kayfabe]] website.

* [[Association of Independents]] ''Mushozoku no Kai'' (centrist, 1999-2004)

On the [[June 9]] edition of ''SmackDown!'', Cole's broadcast partner Tazz defected to ECW, leaving Cole at that moment without a broadcast partner.

** formerly [[House of Representatives Club]] ''Sangiin Kurabu'' (centrist, 1998-1999)

*[[New Conservative Party]], (conservative, 2002-2003)

**formerly [[Conservative Party of Japan (2000)]], (conservative, 2000-2002)

*[[Liberal Party (1998)]], (liberal, 1998-2003)

*[[Democratic Party of Japan (1996)]], (liberal, 1996-1998)

*[[Good Governance Party]], (liberal, 1998)

*[[New Fraternity Party]], (liberal reformist, 1998)

*[[Sun Party]], (liberal reformist, 1996-1998)

*[[Democratic Reform Party]] (liberal reformist, 1993-1998)

* [[Midori no Kaigi]] ''Environmental Green Political Assembly'' ([[ecologist]] [[Conservatism|conservative]] [[reformist]], 2002-2004)

**formerly[[The Sakigake Party]], (conservative reformist-ecologist, 1998-2002)

**formerly [[New Party Sakigake]], (conservative reformist-ecologist, 1993-1998)

*[[New Peace Party]], (conservative, 1997-1998)

*[[Japan New Party]], (liberal, 1993-1996)

*[[Japan Renewal Party]], (liberal, 1993-1994)

*[[New Frontier Party]], (socialist/liberal, 1994-1997)

*[[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)]], (social-democratic, 1960-1994 - broke off from JSP)

*[[Democratic Party of Japan, Occupation]], (agrarian conservative, 1945-1955)

*[[Liberal Party of Japan, Occupation]], (conservative, 1945-1955)

*[[Great Achievement Association]], (conservative nationalist, 1889-1909)

**formerly [[Conservative Party of Japan (1880)]]

*[[Constitutional Liberal Party (Japan)]], (liberal, 1882-1931)

*[[Constitutional Progressive Party]], (moderate liberal, 1882-1934)

*[[Liberal Party of Japan (1881)]], (liberal, 1881)

**formerly [[Aikoku Koto|Aikokusha]], (liberal, 1872-1881)

*[[Liberalism in Japan]]

At ''[[ECW One Night Stand 2006]]'' [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] announced he would replace Tazz as color commentator. This proved true five days later when he appeared on that weeks edition of ''SmackDown!'' as Cole's newest partner.

Japan has other minor parties not represented in Parliament (which have never been represented before), mostly [[reformist]], [[liberal]], [[nationalist]], [[socialist]], and [[communist]] parties.

==Outside of wrestling==

On [[February 3]], [[2006]], it was announced that he and Tazz were starting a [[radio]] show on [[Howard Stern|Howard Stern's]] Howard 101 radio station on [[Sirius Satellite Radio|Sirius]], airing Thursday - Sunday at 8pm. The show was a trial run that only lasted a couple of weeks.

:''Ways to browse Wikipedia for political parties are by [[Index of political parties|name of the party]], [[List of political parties|country]], [[List of political parties by ideology|ideology]] or by [[List of political parties by ideology#Trans-national world groupings and parties|membership of internationals]] and through the category system: especially by [[:Category:Political parties by country|country]] and [[:category:political parties by ideology|ideology]].''

==Controversy==

From late 2005 into [[2006]] controversy has followed Cole. The first of which stemmed from a 2005 episode ''[[WWE Byte This!|Byte This!]]'' where Cole said, "The WWE repeats the same storylines over and over again every 6 months..." It was at this point in the broadcast where Tazz pulled an 'air rifle' and pretended to shoot Cole (there was no physical gun). Cole has refused to give an apology.

[[Category:Japan-related lists|Political parties]]

More controversy emerged when Tazz and Cole were on their radio show, and a fan called in and said that he would like to see Tazz do ''SmackDown!'' solo and that he sometimes mutes his TV when Cole is talking. Outraged at hearing this, Cole launched a verbal attack on the caller, saying that he (Cole) must be doing a pretty good job since he's called 337 (and still going) episodes of ''SmackDown!'' and that's he's also on national television, accompanied by a vast usage of the [[Fuck|"F" word]]. Some fans feel, however, that the caller deserved Cole's tougue-lashing, due to the caller being somewhat obscene himself, and providing no basis to his opinion.

[[Category:Lists of political parties|Japan]]

[[Category:Political parties in Japan| ]]

[[es:Partidos políticos de Japón]]

However, the most talked about controversy stemmed from ''[[WrestleMania XV]]'' in 1999. During a promotion for WWF merchandise, Cole mentioned merchandise for both [[The Rock (entertainer)|The Rock]], and the "new [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]" Stone Cold Steve Austin, before their match ever took place (Austin would win the WWF Title from The Rock later on). Thus, many felt that Cole ruined the entire event, as the match was projected to be a huge draw for the PPV. Although a lot of fans have since forgiven Cole for this [[botch (professional wrestling)|botch]] due to him being inexperienced at the time, some members of the internet wrestling community still berate Cole to this day for the incident, and have used the botch as a base for other criticisms about his commentary style.

[[ja:日本の政党一覧]]

[[vi:Đảng phái Nhật Bản]]

Recently during John Cena's "Five Questions segments" on WWE.com, Cena has attacked Michael (brawler)Cole as the man that's ruining the internet. A more recent attack claims that Cole is the only person in the world that doesn't enjoy "boobies."

== Job titles ==

*''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'' [[play-by-play]] announcer

*''[[WWE Velocity]]'' play-by-play announcer

*Backstage interviewer

*WWE.com Managing Editor

==Championships and accomplishments==

*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''

:*2001 Worst Television Announcer

[[Category:Professional wrestling announcers|Cole, Michael]]

[[Category:People from Connecticut|Cole, Michael]]

[[Category:People from New York|Cole, Michael]]

[[Category:1966 births|Cole, Michael]]

[[Category:American journalists|Cole, Michael]]

[[Category:Living people|Cole, Michael]]