“Every Filipino for himself!!!”

Posted by JoeAm on October 12, 2016 · 235 Comments 

By Joltin’ Joe America I had to toss a blog the other day. The title was something like “Why the Philippines is the stupidest nation in the world.” It was too angry. It was like kicking the dog or putting a fist into the wall, expressing the dismay I personally feel about the direction the … Continue reading →

Category China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

How does the President stop his slide? Propaganda, intimidation or good works?

Posted by JoeAm on October 9, 2016 · 205 Comments 

By Joe America A recent public survey gave President Duterte a 75% satisfaction rating. The result is typically characterized by the President’s spokesmen and much of the press as “very good”. Strong in relation to other presidents. That is one way to look at it, for sure. That’s the political spin, that’s the propaganda. Another … Continue reading →

Category China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Democracy on the brink in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on October 4, 2016 · 131 Comments 

By Joe America Democratic principles and institutions have always been an awkward fit in the Philippines. The nation remains tribal in the sense that people are fulfilled by being a part of a power bloc rather than a part of a system of freedoms and responsibilities. Loyalty to personalities trumps loyalty to principles because people … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

The (Im)moral Justifications of Duterte’s Anti-drug War

Posted by edgar lores on September 18, 2016 · 358 Comments 

w By Edgar Lores “Human rights are not worthy of the name if they do not protect the people we don’t like as well as those we do.” Trevor Phillips Three ethical doctrines have been asserted to justify President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug war. These are: o The utilitarian doctrine o The ethnocentrism doctrine o The … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

A modest explanation, and a thank you

Posted by JoeAm on August 16, 2016 · 165 Comments 

Thank you to all who have expressed their understanding and best wishes for me and my family. There are a number of reasons for suspension of the blog. At the root, as many supposed, is a concern for my family’s well-being, cast against the unkindness inspired by a leader who seems to want to use … Continue reading →

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