Filipinos are the Indians of the Wild, Wild East

Posted by JoeAm on July 29, 2019 · 104 Comments 

By Joe Am The American Indians lost the great ethnic war of the Wild West. They were out-gunned and poisoned with diseases and betrayed, when they tried to talk. But they had their victories, ask Custer about that. Settlers plodding across the nation in covered wagons circled their wagons for defense against attacking Indian bands. … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Twitter as a source of real information

Posted by JoeAm on July 26, 2019 · 40 Comments 

By JoeAm I’ve found that my best source of information is Twitter. I had not expected this when I first signed on a few years ago. But it is not just a chit-chat medium. First of all, there is a lot of information flying around in our news universe, some trustworthy, much not. I can’t … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Education, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

The principles of criticism

Posted by JoeAm on June 26, 2019 · 161 Comments 

By JoeAm Excoriate: verb, to criticize (someone) severely I was excoriated on a social media posting recently when I said Secretary of Foreign Affairs Locsin was a patriot. It was a beat-down like I have never received before. Then I received another when I tried to explain that there was a context for him calling … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Education, Technology/Internet

Is good government possible in the Philippines?

Posted by chemrock on June 13, 2019 · 44 Comments 

By Chemrock “In defeat, malice; in victory, revenge” quote from the TV series “Yes, Minister” characterizes the perennial political battles in the Philippines. There is no ideology, no platforms. A senatorial candidate admitted he does not know what is the job of a senator. It’s all personal, very personal. And so, as often the case, … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then

Posted by JoeAm on May 16, 2019 · 128 Comments 

By JoeAm Those song lyrics were penned by rocker Bob Seeger in 1981. He was talking about a girl, but it perfectly characterizes my relationship with the Philippines. When I started engaging in on-line conversations a decade ago, I was inspired to know about this friendly, undisciplined, small-town nation.  Now I know too much, having … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government