A battle of the gods in Manila: the Rizal statue

Posted by JoeAm on August 31, 2014 · 38 Comments 

I love the invigorating panoramas of nature, of seascapes and rugged rocky mountains, of sunsets and rainbows and rice terraces rising from sea to heaven, of glacial ice fields and storm-swept coasts and lighthouses in the mist. I just don’t expect to find them in the middle of cities. That separates me from Carlos Celdran on … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Economy, Laws and Ethics

Why President Aquino is right to push back against the Supreme Court

Posted by JoeAm on August 20, 2014 · 55 Comments 

Context is everything. When we want to judge something accurately, we need to get the context right or we are likely to end up with the wrong judgment. I think that is broadly what has happened regarding President Aquino’s “push-back” against the Supreme Court on the Court’s DAP ruling. And his comments about a second … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

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 →

Category 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 →

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

Why discretionary authority is a good thing

Posted by JoeAm on July 30, 2014 · 48 Comments 

I am struck by how different and isolated my view about DAP seems to be. I view DAP as a GOOD tool, and have argued consistently to that point since it became a popular issue. I favor significant executive authority and discretionary power. I don’t know how to get a troubled nation going and growing without it. … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Philippine Government