Of second terms and judicial overreach

Posted by JoeAm on August 14, 2014 · 66 Comments 

One would think that a constitution ought to be a stabilizing document, a force for clarity and reason and good behavior. But the Philippine Constitution is not. It is a tool vested interests manipulate to get their way. You see, that is the problem with adopting American style democratic constitutional processes in a nation has … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Filipino ethics: inside out

Posted by JoeAm on August 12, 2014 · 38 Comments 

It struck me that I am a ship out of water when I argue for ethics in journalism, here, in the Philippines. Like other cultural constructs, the matter of “ethics” has a different shading in the Philippines. It is not comprehended in the same way that westerners grasp it. The definition is more along the … Continue reading →

Filed under Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

The striking evolution of the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on August 10, 2014 · 36 Comments 

Researchers have been studying the evolution of dinosaurs into birds. The transition took about 50 million years. The dinosaurs became smaller and more lithe to better evade preditors. Eventually they started climbing trees, either to escape predators or find food. Next they started gliding from tree to tree, then added feathers for warmth or aerodynamics. … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Government

Economic war with China (rev)

Posted by JoeAm on August 7, 2014 · 18 Comments 

I have greatly simplified this blog from its original version. It seemed to me upon re-reading what I had originally done to be a rather presumptuous engagement by a foreigner in affairs that are not really his business. So what is left are a few facts I gathered to try to understand what the impacts would … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Kris Aquino: the Philippine National Empath

Posted by JoeAm on August 5, 2014 · 45 Comments 

Did Star Trek run in the Philippines? Are there any trekkies hereabouts? Star Trek was a highly popular television series in the US, with the original weekly series running from 1966 through 1968. It spawned four follow-up television series and 12 popular movies, from Star Trek: the Movie (1979) through Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013). The … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Entertainment