Mamasapano: on proximate cause and the butterfly effect

Posted by JoeAm on March 18, 2015 · 144 Comments 

 Why Napena’s Oplan is the “proximate cause”, and not the break in chain of command by Andrew Lim With the Board of Inquiry’s report and the Senate Committee’s report now both out, everyone has an opinion on: who is to blame (to hold responsible or to place responsibility for; very imprecise and can be based solely … Continue reading →

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

The raging of the righteous: Senator Alan Cayetano

Posted by JoeAm on March 17, 2015 · 138 Comments 

right¡eous ˈrÄŤCHəs, adjective, (of a person or conduct) morally right or justifiable; virtuous. “He is a good, righteous man, I am sure”, synonyms: good, virtuous, upright, upstanding, decent.   We have a condition, a rather unnerving one, that seems to be arising more frequently within democratic institutions lately. Let’s call it “the raging of the righteous”. Reader mcgll wrote: “. . . it … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics, USA/Americans

Vindictive justice

Posted by JoeAm on March 10, 2015 · 134 Comments 

What is it about vindictive justice that thrills people so? Pope Francis talks about compassion and mercy and Filipinos turn around 10 days later to lay vindictive accusations on everyone from the President to the mothers of babies who grow up to be BIFF thugs. To err is human, to forgive divine, and to blame is … Continue reading →

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

Why Grace Poe should not run for president in 2016

Posted by JoeAm on March 8, 2015 · 332 Comments 

The background rumor is that Senator Grace Poe has been exploring a presidential run. She has apparently contacted at least one “name person” in search for a vice presidential pairing. We also read a few weeks ago that the Liberal Party was noodling on a Roxas/Poe tandem for President/Vice President. Well, no wonder. That is the presidential “dream … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Day 4 of the Senate Mapasapano hearings

Posted by JoeAm on February 23, 2015 · 101 Comments 

The 4th day of public hearings focused on the responsibility of the President in the Mamasapano fighting, the engagement of the cease fire team, the role of the US, the commitment of the MILF to Philippine law and order, and, pushed back to private hearing, the operating failures and lack of coordination between PNP and AFP. … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government