In yet another blow to American supremacy, it looks like we no longer have a monopoly on conservative assholes blaming natural disasters on the moral failings of the victims.

The governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, has apologised after suggesting that the tsunami that has so far claimed at least 3,000 lives was "divine punishment" for the "egoism" of the Japanese people.

Ishihara, a conservative who will seek a fourth consecutive term as governor next month, retracted the remarks and offered a "deep apology".

[...] On Monday, Ishihara said: "Japanese politics is tainted with egoism and populism. We need to use the tsunami to wipe out egoism, which has attached itself like rust to the mentality of the Japanese people over a long period of time."

He went on to describe the disaster as "tembatsu" - divine punishment - but added: "I do feel sorry for the victims."

Well, at least he feels sorry for the victims. That makes it okay then.

But wait... don't count American assholes out quite yet:

Ishihara is not the only public figure to have offered unhinged explanations for the disaster.

The rightwing radio talk show host and TV presenter Glenn Beck said the earthquake could be a "message from God".

Speaking on his radio show on Monday, Beck said: "I'm not saying God is, you know, causing earthquakes," but added: "I'm not not saying that either."

U S A !!!