Love to Survive
[Ivan Aivazovsky, Ship in a storm, 1887; Wikiart]
(An Open Letter to our daughters, sons-in-law, future sons-in-law)
We remember it well. One of you even peed in her pants. It was a horror house of scary dinosaurs. Jurassic Park was popular at that time, and you had reason to be afraid, besides you were 10, 9, 8 and 2 years old at that time I think. Mommy was quiet and subdued; I thought the scene wasn’t affecting her. It turned out she had her eyes closed all the time. It was that scary. I knew exactly that these were faux dinosaurs, so my amusement was in your screams of honest fear.
I am writing you all because we are somewhat in a horror house again, and because of my age, I may not see the end of it with you. You are starting your own families and it behooves me to pass on to you the little knowledge and courage that I have, possible mainly because I am head of the family and cannot show discomfiture towards fears real or imagined.
But this time, we are not dealing with make-believe dinosaurs. The false alarm in Hawaii, of a ballistic missile strike, makes me think our boat is in stormy seas, and I as captain have to tell you to don your life vests. (As I write this, the whole town is in a tizzy. The Securities and Exchange Commission has shut down Rappler for “violating nationality restrictions on ownership and control of mass media entities” as reported by Rappler itself.)
You will have to survive.
Survive what? Let me count the threats:
A smoldering threat of nuclear war between North Korea and the United States. There has always been a threat, but this time, the heads of both countries seem to come from the same kiddie playground and have taken it upon themselves to compare peeing power to the detriment of everyone else on the planet. Armageddon has become a contest between two boys teasing each other with (real) buttons of mass destruction.
The leader of the Free World doesn’t act as one, is divisive, vulgar, has low IQ and even lower EQ, and is ready to sink his nation if only to prove his mettle.
The leader of the Philippines? Hmm. Just copy and paste here ______________ what I just said about the president of the United States of America. It is a subject of intense wonderment for me why at this particular juncture in the history of mankind we—the USA and the Philippines—are saddled with mirror images of the same leader. I cannot quite make heads or tails of this phenomenon. Seems to have a biblical ring to it, a chastisement sort of thing. What’s the opposite of miracle? That’s the word.
To those of you who are not taxpayers in the country, this doesn’t concern you but since you come home on Christmases, all of you may probably be affected by skyrocketing costs of goods and services when government shifted revenue source from income taxes to excise taxes. We can only hope that the tax people know what they are doing, unless we assume that they deliberately want to throw a monkey wrench on our functioning economy, the envy of the world in times past.
China seems to own us. It has been given free pass to explore our natural resources, including Benham Rise to the east of Luzon—in waters separate and distinct from the South China Sea.
On top of these man-made disasters: The Big One, the impending earthquake along the West Valley Fault; also big storms courtesy of climate change. And did you read about snow in the Sahara? Unreal. We love movies as a family. I wish we were just in one.
Is the world spinning out of control? Are we like lemmings, blindly following our leaders in institutional, state-sponsored destruction of its citizenry?
Let’s take the problem apart one by one, if I may.
The population bomb has exploded. Here’s a riddle: Frogs live in a pond. They double in number every day, so, arithmetically, Day One, one frog; Day Two, two frogs and so on until the pond is completely filled up on Day 30—meaning bursting at the seams, cannot hold additional frogs anymore. Question: On what day is the pond half full?
Answer: on the 29th day.
That’s why it’s called a bomb, because it will explode in our faces and we wouldn’t know what hit us. It can come any day. Has it exploded already based on what’s happening now?
Having so many people means short fuses for everyone, killings will be rampant, it’ll be a survival of the fittest—law of the jungle, the devil takes the hindmost. Maybe that’s why Duterte gained traction among the voting population, across the board, regardless of socio-economic brackets. People are just tired trying to cope with so many demands of modern life, with so little time, with limited resources, living in ever shrinking environments, and yet insatiable in our entitlement.
If the population bomb has exploded, its consequence is precisely totalitarian regimes, because nations in flux will have ungovernable populations. Meaning, for as long as I’m not affected, go ahead and kill every last one of them. Chaos, have it your way.
If countries are in turmoil, jobs will be threatened, businesses will have to run to stay in place (have you read that Amazon employees hardly sleep, that’s how it’ll be in an insanely competitive business environment), families have to make do with one parent while the other has to work abroad in heart-rending indenture.
Enough of the threats. Our minds can only take so much.
How can we counter this drift towards self-destruction?
One, stick to the basics. Since you were born and raised Roman Catholics, don’t change denomination or religion. Changes will come at you like a hundred horses charging at full gallop and you will need firmness or confidence in your stand. The God whom you know since childhood continues to be the light and deliverance of humankind as you understand it. Don’t ever forget that. Our God is not a toy to be discarded for a better one. Besides, we’re a tight, little community. How can we reach out to each one when we have changed our jargon to the exclusion of others?
Two, just as you are impressed by successful people, be more impressed by people who survive in harsh conditions: a runner lost in the desert in a marathon, with little water, and still finding his way back to civilization; a castaway on an island in the middle of the ocean; parents who stayed together to take care of their children with quality and quantity times. Read up. Classics, New York Times, National Geographic. Hit the tv channels, like History; Netflix or iflix if you want but imbibe stories that test the mettle of the characters in fiction or true-to-life. You have to be psychologically prepared for sudden changes, and your response must be swift after you have planned based on what you know, what you have read. Get a doctorate in Survival. Make it your twin.
Be a leader in good times and bad. There will be many people who will be lost and bewildered. Don’t be one of them. With your Holy Rosary, sacraments, success stories, stick-to-itiveness, never-say-die attitude, show people light, don’t turn it off. Be walking homilies of hope and resilience.
Enjoy life as it comes. Acceptance of all possible things has to happen before you can take proper action. Shorten your time for denial, grief; shoulda, coulda, woulda; unforgiveness. What’s done is done and you simply have to deal with what’s on the plate to survive.
Remember your lessons in faith, hope and love. We are nothing if not for the belief system that binds us. Others will have their own convictions—let them be—and you will encounter people who will be unchanged in their intrinsic humanity no matter what. Be like them.
Don’t leave anyone behind.
Love one another.
Enjoy Christmas.
Laugh lots.
Pray for each one.
Look at the blue sky once in a while. It always stays the same.
Remember us, for by remembering us your parents, you will know how we would have done it, but make sure you can do it better.
Finally, we are insignificant but our love will make us significant. Love. Lay that weapon down and be prepared to be defeated.
What a wonderful world it will be after all is said and done. Storms rearrange the landscape, but it bounces back. Picture yourself as winners. Your Mom and I raised you well so that in times like these, you will have pride of place, you will know right from wrong, and you will succeed. It will be a life worth living.
Love,
Dad
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
“Remember your lessons in faith, hope and love. We are nothing if not for the belief system that binds us. Others will have their own convictions—let them be—and you will encounter people who will be unchanged in their intrinsic humanity no matter what. Be like them.’
Natumbok mo Will. I guess this applies to all peace-loving Filipinos. Thank you for this enlightening article. You’ve described precisely what some of us can’t. Good morning!
This is a feathered Kuya Will 😢. Quo vadis Philippines?
Tearjerker, sorry😢
Heart is targetted, stpaul. Thanks.
Good morning, Arlene! I have wanted to write something like this. Finally found the words.
Am in the Senate hearing today on charter change, Sen. Kiko presiding. Let’s see.
So far we have an intellectual powerhouse from the invited guests to the Senate Hearing on Constitutional Change or Cha-Cha
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The hearing has come up with a brilliant solution to stop Alvarez in his tracks.
All the Senate has to do is — do nothing!
*****
Please recast your timetable, haha. I noticed something in the hearing that we don’t see with Gordon, young Pimentel, Alvarez, and that bunch of manipulative gameplaying gamers. Sincere passion for the Philippines.
Normally, there comes a time when even a good leader with a great mind, concern for the people and acts accordingly, people get bored or impatient. But when you have the likes of Alvarez, Gordon, Panelo — no matter the propaganda and troll support — people will somehow see soon enough. Perhaps this Senate Hearing on the Cha-Cha and the looming impact of TRAIN — where there is already a gut feel that what was given, a reduction in income tax, is taken away more with the increase in prices of almost everything — will give some momentum on the pushback.
Yes, edgar may have to adjust his timetable. 🙂
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If the Senate holds its nerve, Con-Ass is dead in the water.
Duterte is left with the RevGov option.
*****
I’ve watched it on TV.
Kuya Will, you were asking why trump and dut happened? I highly suggest the work of prof Edgar Dewey, “Cycles, Mysterious Forces That Trigger Coming Events.”
Sige. I’ll google. Thanks.
For information, I have googled and found this:
CYCLES – The Mysterious Forces That Trigger Events by Edward R. Dewey with Og Mandino
(Published 1971)
https://www.scribd.com/document/12843443/Best-Cycles-Edward-Dewey
I find these last two paragraphs of the book worthy of consideration:
I am reminded of some words spoken by Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr at at commencement exercise several years ago.
Nothing that is worth doing can be accomplished in your liftetime; therefore, you will have to be saved by hope. Nowthing that is beautiful will make sense in the immediate instance; therefore, you must be saved by faith. Nothing that is worth doing can be done alone, but has to be done with others; you must be saved by love.
💓🙏
Ganda.
You can save it.
Click to access BEST_CYCLES.pdf
That is even more convenient to read in pdf, and of course, to save. Thanks, karl.
Welcome.
About God..
Pacquiao on Headstart this morning defending death penalty…
As a born again Christian i am against death penalty but God also created governments who can do death penalties…so….no problem……
Exact words…
“I am a born again Christian. I agree thou shall not kill. I believe that. Ang gusto ko malaman nila, we are not talking individually. Ang sabi ng Panginoon, huwag ka pumatay sa kapwa mo. Huwag mo ilagay ang batas sa kamay but there is authority meaning the government which is established and instituted by God,” the senator said.
“Puwede tayo parusahan ng government,” he stressed.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/639988/pacquiao-defends-death-penalty-for-drug-lords-wala-naman-drug-lord-na-mahirap/story/?top_picks&order=4
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“…the government which is established and instituted by God.”
The Preamble says different.
*****
Election promise..no more boxing…..Soon this april again boxing.
Also he said he don’t care if they abolish senate
Also he don’t care if Duterte will extend his 6 years…
So…call him what ever you want…..
http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/17/18/pacquiao-not-retiring-eyes-lomachenko-fight
Wil,
Dark days ahead, indeed. But in times like these, I am reminded of the time when Hitler was invading Europe one by one and Japan doing the same in Asia. One can be forgiven for thinking back then that the end times was near. But good eventually prevailed over evil, though with much pain and losses.
Today, politicians like Trump and Duterte operate on a Faustian bargain- you accept my depravity and wrongdoing but I will give you something in return. I will give you tax cuts, but you have to look past my racism. I will get many of the poor killed, but I will build you a subway. I will resurrect a plunderer’s career but I will fire execs who travel frequently. I will give away our nation’s patrimony, but you will have infrastructure. I will deal with immigration, but you will have to accept Russia’s role in our poltical life.
Using this framework, one understands why the likes of Speaker Paul Ryan (a devout Catholic) or the evangelicals who still back Trump, as well as our local leaders who in a past life have demonstrated some degree of faith are doing what they do.
I don’t think anyone of these despots is the anti-Christ. But they are surely paving the way for the emergence of one, since there will be much chaos and misery in the wake of their policies. The anti-Christ will emerge as a unifying, extremely charismatic leader who will restore order after their terms are over. He will show his fangs only much later.
Hi Andrew! Nosebleed.
Yes, Andrew. What you wrote makes sense. Thanks.
I get the feeling you are advertising for Lance’s prepper boot camp with sessions on Will’s Love, Edgar’s humanistic logic and Sonny’s Catholicism.
🙂
chemp,
I agree. Though I read it more as the Book of Job, God and the Satan’s idea of a wager.
Then I remembered this Catholic Chaplain’s advice, about praying. I’m sure something he’d read , but basically telling the troops that the best place to pray is outside, with the best times when the weather’s not so cooperative (instead of praying when you’re comfy).
I know i’m the guy here that’s known for my advocacy for the prostate gland, but my focus lately has actually been how to hit the Pineal gland (which I call the P spot), no luck so far, just lots of hit & miss meditation , but the praying outside is something I do regularly (meditation is communing with self, much harder; praying is communing with God, easier ? ),
I don’t know about Love & prayer’s relationship, but I do know that praying outside makes you closer to God, and i’m sure closer to how Job felt than being in some comfortable room “praying”.
My point, be more like Job (only try to get the last laugh 😉 ).
http://cuppingforlife.blogspot.com/2011/11/yintang-most-requested-acupuncture.html
Accuncture?
Also for the prostate.
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/742-prostateub33
Chempo, I feel flattered to be mentioned in the same breath as Lance, Will and Edgar, three of the colorful, power-commenters and writers in Joe’s Blog. I wish I could share the Catholicism you attach to me with the same depth as Lance, Will and Edgar deliver their thoughts. The truth is that I speak of Catholicism in a rote and historical sort of way and hope that those who read my short thoughts will somehow be curious about the religion I show allegiance and loyalty to. My upbringing does but allow the capability to hang significance and meaning to life’s ups and downs and maintain a modicum of sanity for myself and hopefully communicate these to others.
Keep at it, Sonny. Even if we touch just one person by way of our writing, we would do right by our cause, advocacy, mission, perspective. One person makes all the difference. JoeAm, Jover, Jozy, the senators, media men, activists, all of them, just one person, who does not look back and surges forward with purest intent. Power is in our hands.
Thanks, Chempo! I like the way you spelled love with a capital “L.” Knowing you through FB, I know you take love to heart.
Break time.
CAPITALISM EXPLAINED
(Magnify or zoom in to read the text in the jpg image.)
On that last one, is man then the bull, thus coming full circle with the first example?
PHILIPPINE CAPITALISM
Government gives them two cows. They butchered one cow for the fiesta. Another cow for Christmas. No more cow. Blame government for not giving them enough cow.
And getting angry that the cow did not lay any eggs, or make beer.
🙂
Off topic
Net trust rating of VP Leni Robredo improves to ‘very good’ — SWS
Q4 2017 52%
Q3 2017 36%
Q42015 29%
The trust rating of Robredo improved to very good in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao and stayed moderate in Metro Manila in the fourth quarter of last year.
http://beta.philstar.com/headlines/2018/01/17/1778612/sws-leni-robredo-trust-rating-very-good
Off topic : The attempt by the Dutters mob to clsoe down Rappler is being watched & reported elsewhere :
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-17/rappler-closure-philippines-duterte-and-freedom-of-the-press/9335552
great article…!
Thanks, Dagger! Stick around more. Learning’s to be had here.
Wil, I am amazed that you can be aware of the population bomb and it’s consequences for the Philippines, and simultaneously exhort your family to remain true Roman Catholics.
The RC church is a huge stumbling block on the road to lowering population growth. It actually is calling for more, more of the same for everyone. It’s all very funny but even more it’s so sad.
No use to question one’s beliefs, this already happened with Micha before. Let us live and let live as far as our faith is concerned.
As for the population, that is vey hard, even for me, a Catholic, where contraception is discouraged, well, I am willing to be enlightened by fellow Catholics like Wil.
I think we can only educate, Karl. Having x number of kids is a personal choice. The State has no right to intervene. It can tweak population growth, but God is sensitive. He knows where his blessings are welcome. People have souls and souls come from God, therefore He is proprietary. Every human being is born with a soul; his or her origin is not a matter of speculation. Actually, I don’t know what I’m talking about. Theology is not science.
No Wil, and it would seem that theology has no concept of mathematics either…
However you do say ” Having x number of kids is a personal choice.” Exactly Wil.. And that applies to all churches… As I have said before priests do not have any right going into married people’s bedrooms…
Or unmarried people’s bedrooms either for that matter, especially given the number of pedophile Catholic priests. Now there is a global crisis !
The pope is in Chile this week apologising for the abuse of kids there by Priests !
Bill, I feel it is time to re-acquaint yourself with the Church of your youth. It is indeed a kingdom with many mansions if you’ll just give her a chance. I’ll keep you in my prayers for however it takes. 🙂
Sonny, Francis in Chile has turned into a episode of defending the pedaphiles. As reported by the Weekend Australian this morning.:
“Pope Francis has accused victims of Chile’s most notorious pedophile of slander.
The pontiff’s claims brought an astonishing end to a visit meant to help heal the wounds of a sex abuse scandal that’s cost the Catholic Church its credibility in the South American country.
Francis said that until he sees proof that Bishop Juan Barros was complicit in covering up the sex crimes of the Reverand Fernando Karadima, such accusations against Barros are “all calumny.”
The pope’s remarks drew shock from Chileans and immediate rebuke from victims and their advocates.
They noted the accusers were deemed credible enough by the Vatican that it sentenced Karadima to a lifetime of “penance and prayer” for his crimes in 2011.
A Chilean judge also found the victims to be credible, saying that while she had to drop criminal charges against Karadima because too much time had passed, proof of his crimes wasn’t lacking.
“As if I could have taken a selfie or a photo while Karadima abused me and others and Juan Barros stood by watching it all,” tweeted Barros’ most vocal accuser, Juan Carlos Cruz.
“These people are truly crazy, and the pontiff talks about atonement to the victims. Nothing has changed, and his plea for forgiveness is empty.”
The Karadima scandal dominated Francis’ visit to Chile and the overall issue of sex abuse and church cover-up was likely to factor into his three-day trip to Peru that began late on Thursday.”
The world wide Catholic church with it’s determination to be run by a celibate clergy has become an object of ridicule, not respect.
Hi Bill! I think my reply to you is the same as my reply to Karl.
Thanks for your reply, Wil!
“Every human being is born with a soul; his or her origin is not a matter of speculation.”
Although I’ve quibbled on the minor details (with i7sharp here mostly, but sometimes in a round about way with sonny too), I’ve always agreed with the above, Wil.
and this sentiment especially,
Dear Dad,
Thank you for bringing us into this world without us asking. You wanted us You needed us to keep your marriage intact. You used us a bond of your love contract. Don’t die now, Dad, we are your responsibility to keep us safe. To school us. To feed us.
We cooed you say cool. We giggled you asked Mom to Google giggle. I babbled you dabbled. You made me three-egg pancake and milk for breakfast. You and Mom drove me to school. You left me there. I ran after you. The teacher hold me back. I cried. I never forgot my first day in school.
It is OK, Dad. I forgive you. I graduated pre-school to post-graduate school. You and Mom were proud and beaming. You gifted me your most precious possession: 1965 Ford F150.
“Are you sure, Dad?”
“Yes, it is yours, Son”
“But you never had me drove this. You love this truck more than you love me”
” I did not want you to wreck my gift to you. ENJOY!”
To this day, I still have my 1965 Ford F150. Not a ding. Not a scratch. I cover it when I am on a long trip like I covered my Dad when he passed away for his long journey.
Love you Dad
LOL!
This one I’m printing out and framing!!! LOL!
Fascinating. I had placed the comment in trash because I found the tenor mocking. Then I took it out because I know Will is an adult of large perspective. That you find joy in the comment illustrates how far from my editorial values you are inclined to go to score pogi points. I’ve now got you both in moderation. Tomorrow’s blog article may provide some insight as to why.
I’m not reading it as mocking Wil’s article, but as a stand alone, Joe. Read it again, I’m picturing SB writing (honestly writing) his Dad. The insight is in how SB views his parents and his Dad, and i guess parenthood in general.
It does go well with Wil’s article , but not in mocking it (it is simply two perspectives, top-down and bottom-up , though SB’s is more satirical… it’s truly funny, Joe!).
Thanks, SB. You’re doing great. It is our duty to find joy even in unspeakable moments. Why? We’re one big living and breathing organism capable of great things if inspired. See more of you.
This read like ” Mi Ultimo Adios” ( Adios, Patria adorada, region del sol querida, Perla del Mar de Oriente, nuestro perdido Eden!), Kuya Will. I am glad that the tempo lightened towards the conclusion. Whew!
I am glad you are still full of love despite the fact that the constitutional ammenders are contemplating on dropping the word from the Preamble.
I am sad about what is happening in the US and PH. I still have a lot of faith that US will correct itself because most of its people take their rights and responsibilities seriously. For PH, I have some doubt about people who revere and lionize its misguided and imprudent leaders. The recent citizen approval polls of Trump (30’s) and PRD (80’s) says it all.
Keep the faith, Kuya Will. All WE need is LOVE.
Just talked with a close friend, highly credible and well-placed. He said he talked with Mercy Abad of Social Weather Stations, and yes, Mercy said, PDuterte’s 80 per cent job approval rating is real and unqualified. Why, I asked, why the near unanimity? Mercy said the charge against elitism has gained traction across the board and it would take a significant event for a correction. Like someone dying or having been killed, Ninoy style, I asked? Yes, something like that. Are we in for the long haul? Yes, he said. What we are doing, those in the anti- column, is it making a dent? Dumudulas lang. Sliding off.
Thanks, JP!
A nationwide survey is weighed by an average Filipino who says my day-to-day life is not affected and I “hear” more saying that this Admin is doing better. But when that TRAIN — perhaps an apt picture metaphor — starts to hurt significantly then the picture may start to change for that average Filipino.
In this context I find Sup’s post below (January 18, 2018 at 9:02 am) related. Everything is being done — especially with a more than ample budget for communication, etc — to manage the picture that this Admin is a Superman: all bright ideas spring from this Admin. By osmosis that average Filipino is impressed, especially since he “on the average” ain’t hurt yet.
Sliding off. Wonderful and apt description.
Maybe our kababayans need to be acquainted with the word “big man risk.”
“Companies often encounter so-called “big-man risk,” when a successful CEO or chairman becomes too dominant. ”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/strongman-xi-jinping-now-a-big-risk-for-chinas-economy-1516175212#comments_sector
As the article above demonstrated, too much concentrated power in an administration could lead to fatal outcomes. I hope it will not take Filipinos dying of starvation or the PH becoming the sick man of Asia again to correct PH present trajectory.
The bottomline is, it is the citizens who are ultimately responsible for the checks and balances of the nation.
JP, that is an interesting concept.
This “leverage” of concentrated power I translate to the greater probability — as the article implies — that orders of the supremo is followed unquestioned, compared to lesser probability if the power is not so concentrated or that power is over several bosses.
There is a positive thing that can be said, if the single supremo keeps his head and reforms go through a thorough mill of study by a group the supremo can certainly harness — rather than several bosses who may act precipitately, each competing for influence. The wide-scope reforms are more likely to succeed with one supremo, under this scenario.
But I agree if the orders come out wrongly or in haste and the implementers out of “fear” executes this, then disaster comes out on a higher scale if wrong, and if reversal of the order is not acted in a timely manner. (May this latter case be the PH case rather than the China case?)
I have already mentioned that the Philippines may be in a similar situation to Iran, early 80s. The “elitists” – both the corrupt elite around the Shah and the Westernized professionals of an already modern country – were forced to leave or keep quiet.
It has taken nearly 40 years of Ayatollahs ruling the masses there for the common people to realize what they are losing – not counting the pain of those who have chosen to live their lives elsewhere for good reasons, 1.5 generations lost to Persia.
Correction: Mercy Abad is not with SWS. She is with TNS, the outsourced field work contractor of both SWS and Pulse.
I hope Author Ninotchka Rosca is not right: “Perhaps Filipinos will have to lose their country to regain their link to their land.” is what she writes – in her scenario waiting will help only a few.
Her theory is one that the Chinese are looking for “Lebensraum” – room for their population. That the killing of mostly Malay (brown-skinned, flat-nosed) Filipinos via shabu and tokhang is just the beginning, that Filipinos will become a minority, like the aborigines of Taiwan in the end.
As preposterous as it may seem, nothing can be discounted with the way things are going. When the madness is over, I fear there may be a terrible backlash for the Chinoys. So you silliy Bong Gos and the Sys and the Angs, watch your ass.
Bong Go reminds me of the Japanese Kempetai officer always behind Emperor Pu Yi of China when he was the puppet emperor of Manchukuo (Manchuria) from 1934-1945.
He is ALWAYS with Duterte, not far-fetched if he is the PRC watcher.
I’ve thought for some time that Go is less the puppet and more the master.
Thanks for sharing this outrageous “Lebensraum in the South” theory with us Irineo. I guess we need to have a closer look at PDP Laban’s funding mechanisms and long-term agenda.
Welcome… it may or may not be far-fetched, but one even a semi-colonial set-up with Chinese (and some Chinoys maybe as “Insular Chinese” in status) higher in privilege than Filipinos in the Philippines itself would be awful. And I think nastier than anything before it..
Off topic
Ok, let us grant Trump’s spokesperson Sanders label on retiring Sen Jeff Flake as a sore loser is credible, but does the latter’s Senate Speech on Trump not credible? To me it is akin to saying that on a clear day, the statement, “the sun is bright,” is not credible.
http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/17/politics/jeff-flake-speech/index.html
Excerpt:
“An American president who cannot take criticism — who must constantly deflect and distort and distract — who must find someone else to blame — is charting a very dangerous path.”
“To be very clear, to call the Russia matter a ‘hoax’ — as the President has many times — is a falsehood.”
My issue with Sen. Flake is simple, NH. If Trump is indeed such a clear & present danger, isn’t he then duty bound to stay? Why doesn’t he stay and give Trump a good run for his money? He knows Sen. McCain is dead soon… next two AZ senators, Trump’s???
I found the senator’s speech about media very eloquent and passionate. Patriotic. Nice to hear.
As I understand, Senator Flake’s poll numbers suggest he will lose. I think he has likely also taken a lot of heat from within the Republican party for his contrary stand. I’m sure that is wearing. I don’t think he is duty bound to run, and to suggest so is a sly way to demean him for lack of courage. I think he has proved courageous, just not popular among ‘take no prisoners’ conservative Republicans.
The connection to the Philippines is his outspoken criticism of President Trump’s railing against media. It is so ‘spot on’ regarding Duterte’s vendetta against Rappler, a publisher that actually investigates things.
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Seems pretty plain to me.
’McCain and Corker were both in attendance of Flake’s Senate floor speech Tuesday and gave him a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks — as did Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso.
“One of the greatest people I’ve served with,” Corker said after the speech, describing Flake and adding later, “He’s what I would call a real conservative.”
Corker said Flake told him about his decision after the lunch among Republican senators earlier Tuesday.
When asked what it said about the Senate that Flake said he couldn’t fit into the current Republican party, Barrasso said that is up to every senator to decide.
“Every senator speaks for themselves. I continue to be very privileged to represent the people of Wyoming and hope to continue to do that in the future,” Barrasso said.’
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/24/politics/jeff-flake-retirement-arizona/index.html
In other words, a principled man.
*****
“In other words, a principled man.”
But at what cost, edgar? Why leave now, especially with Sen. McCain’s cancer? A futile exercise in principle , when on-the-ground, Trump’s minions will surely take over. Wouldn’t it be more principled (especially with McCain’s health) to stick it out?
A simple calculus really.
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Indeed, it is a simple calculus.
The Three Primary Virtues explains it — Loyalty, Honor, Duty.
Senator Flake is loyal to his Republican values. Values that he thinks Trump, a Republican president, is not loyal to and does not honor.
As a principled man, Flake believes he must honor these values. It is his duty.
He thinks he cannot support an apostate President.
Therefore, he thinks it is his new duty not to seek re-election.
Personal integrity is a greater prize than other considerations such as the triumph of Trump’s minions. After all, Trump is where he is because many Republicans miscalculated, became complicit, and did not preserve their personal integrity.
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No love for Pnoy.
DPWH Villar was at ANC/CBS Headstart this morning..
Davila asked him several times who started the projects and Villar refused to name the Pnoy/Aquino administration..He said it started under Ramos, GMA..but never mentioned Pnoy/Auino?Singson in 45 minutes…..
Are the afraid the Duterte fans will find out who did start most projects Duterte claims under ”his”build/build/build/?
Actually, Sup, it all started so many many many decades ago like the story of Makati. Captain Pedro de Brito, A retired aide to the Spanish army chief of staff acquired 50 sq km Makati thru public auction in 1589 to make it into a financial hub It took him 428 years to this day.
Let us be clear Pnoy/Aquino dream was the dream of people before him all the way to Ret. Captain Pedro de Brito.
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Out-of-Topic that breaks my heart it may not be to many, obviously.
“Former Palace Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao told Rappler that the letter dated January 18, 2017, in which he invited Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad to a meeting in Malacañang’s New Executive Building, is real.” – RAPPLER https://www.rappler.com/nation/193978-undersecretary-christopher-lao-bong-go-frigate-deal
Lao told Rappler
Rappler did not ask Lao for copy of white paper and letter
Why?
This kind of reporting cannot stand a chance in Washington Post editorial board.
Well … what the heck … if Rappler had copy of the white paper and letter, obviously, they deny it as fake just like Donald Trump.
://www.raissarobles.com/2018/01/16/salient-features-of-the-house-draft-constitution-intends-to-turn-duterte-into-a-dictator/#comments
It is a good thing to try to fan hope and posit the personal power of love in a looming horizon of deep darkness and despair. However, the above link from Raissa’s site is a reminder that at this very moment, the forces of tyranny and evil are drafting the very constitutional mechanism that can and will establish and perpetuate their absolute unchecked power. Be vigilant, be informed, and while it is now unclear what can and should be done to prevent Duterte’s corrupt minions from installing this unfettered dictatorship, it is crucial at this critical juncture to understand and share the details of this evil scheme for those of us who still dream of a less corrupt and more democratic government.
On Wed, 17 Jan 2018 at 8:01 AM The Society of Honor: the Philippines wrote:
> The Society of Honor posted: “by Wilfredo G. Villanueva (An Open Letter to > our daughters, sons-in-law, future sons-in-law) We remember it well. One of > you even peed in her pants. It was a horror house of scary dinosaurs. > Jurassic Park was popular at that time, and you had reason” >