Knowledge rising in the Philippines

By Joe America I think the Duterte Administration has a new enemy much stronger than the “Yellows”.  It is knowledge, an awakening of Philippine universities and students to the offensiveness of the Marcos burial. An awareness of history, a compassion for victims, and an understanding that this sneaky burial was simply not right. An awareness that … Continue reading

The Philippines leads the world into post-truth modernism. It’s ugly.

By Joe America In the post-truth world we live in, we define our values according to utility, and so we paint the factual world around us as we need to in order to get what we want to get. Okay, okay, I know that is vague, a lot of words chasing an idea but not … Continue reading

Are you a social media bigot?

By Joe America Often, we are the problem, not someone else. Have you ever been driving the car down the expressway taking your mother-in-law to the doctor’s office when some twit in a big black SUV zooms past and cuts you off? What do you say? (1) Nothing? (2) Mutter quietly, “What an idiot!”? (3) … Continue reading

President Duterte: a matter of faith

By Joe America Faith is not truth. It is confidence and commitment. If ever there were a case study to prove the point, it would be the 75% satisfaction level for President Duterte. What are the components of faith? An emotional need for community, purpose and hope. Organized faiths promote a set of rules, often … Continue reading

“Dear God, please spare my land these indignities . . .”

By Joe America This article is a gift to Sir Tomas “Buddy” Gomez III, a man not of modest age, but still of great energy, wisdom and enterprise, just like other Filipinos who have served the Philippines with earnest work and hopes for a modern, well-respected nation. He visited with my family in Tacloban a few weeks ago. What a gracious, … Continue reading