The end of the world and us

Posted by JoeAm on November 7, 2021 · 103 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By JoeAm I’m fascinated by our circumstances, our context, our situation. It’s different than in the past, in case you haven’t noticed. Global warming is giving us floods, firestorms, and rising seas. Fake news and fascists abound, people actually living in their conspiracy theories, totally detached from truth. Disease rampaging across the … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Education

PAREX, the monster of Manila

Posted by JoeAm on October 1, 2021 · 289 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By JoeAm PAREX is the Pasig River Expressway, a Build Build Build project granted to San Miguel Corporation (SMC) under a Toll Operations Agreement with the Duterte Government. Critics abound, mostly environmentalists, some disliking privileged car drivers, and some objecting to the rushed administrative process. I took up a pro-SMC position on … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Economy, Philippine Government

When we stop being opposed, can we build something for a change?

Posted by JoeAm on September 26, 2021 · 96 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By JoeAm Opposition to President Duterte is creating some strange happenings. For one thing, people who helped him for five years suddenly grew integrity, or a conscience, and started pointing fingers at him. Or a different way to express their opportunism, more likely. Then, amusingly enough, we have Trillanes and Colmenares on … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Economy, Education, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

China’s Viral Belt and Road Initiative

Posted by JoeAm on July 27, 2021 · 221 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Dean de la Paz Hegemony takes many forms.From conquests, and colonization, the menu now includes terraforming watery shoals, foreign debt-compromised infrastructure with sovereign guarantees that hock patrimonial assets, the invasion of online gambling armies and battle-ready battalions of foreign construction and factory workers. The most farfetched form of domination is inflicting … Continue reading →

Category China, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government

“Biggest Scam” Awards, Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on July 8, 2021 · 173 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America Excellence is driven by constant self-assessment. Transparency. Objectivity. Rigorous study. But the Duterte Administration does little of this. Energy is spent blaming people, making excuses, hiding data (the price of Sinovac; how intelligence funds are spent), and snowing citizens with propaganda. The Government takes credit where blame is due. … Continue reading →

Category China, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government