Which is the greater social evil? Drugs or plunder?

Posted by JoeAm on July 29, 2016 · 232 Comments 

Let me pose an argument here. Whether I believe it or not is beside the point. The argument just puts the topic in play. What I really want to know is what you think. It seems to me that drugs are in most cases a victimless crime. Much like alcohol. Why do we kill drug … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

A critique of the critiques of the SONA

Posted by JoeAm on July 27, 2016 · 237 Comments 

I have this personal quirk. When there is a major speech on television, I watch the speech and as soon as it is over, I turn off the TV. I don’t want the pundits cluttering my take-away. What I do instead is think about what was said, how it was said, and what it means. … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Education, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Fear and intimidation as government policy

Posted by JoeAm on July 26, 2016 · 282 Comments 

I support President Duterte for what he said in his inaugural address, that he would restore trust and confidence in Philippine government. Well, I thought President Aquino had been doing that, too, but if others need something more, who am I to argue? That said, I have some reservations about the early weeks of President … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Ang State of the Nation Ayon sa Isang Tricycle Driver

Posted by Wilfredo G. Villanueva on July 24, 2016 · 143 Comments 

w ni Wilfredo G. Villanueva Aaah, magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Binabati ko po si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte—binoto ko po siya—si Bise Presidente Leni Robredo—mas maganda pa pala siya sa personal—dating pangulong Noynoy Aquino—binoto ko rin po siya—dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo—binoto ko rin po siya pero bakit ang tagal niyang nakapiit eh kulang naman … Continue reading →

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

Regarding China: “Okay, so now what?

Posted by JoeAm on July 21, 2016 · 225 Comments 

Review We’ve had two excellent discussions touching on China recently. One was fueled by Lance Corporal X putting matters in a context of global warming which will see the Spratley Rocks (the arbitration panel said none of the ‘islands’ are life-sustaining; therefore, they are just rocks) submerged beneath the rising oceans. We are faced with a reshaping … Continue reading →

Category China, Ecology/Global Warming, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government