The honorable, the corrupt, and the blind

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America We mistakenly hold that there is only one kind of patriotism in the Philippines, the one expressed in the Constitution. But in its actual operation, in the deep state forces that drive government’s acts and the acts of people under that government, there are three. Let me identify the … Continue reading

The Philippines is no longer chopped liver

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America The Philippines is alive and well, front and center, gaining traction, and lookin’ good. The Philippines is no longer chopped liver. “Um, hey Gemini, explain that idiom.” With much of the world in turmoil and generating hate, the Philippines is moving away from hate to sense, stability, and peace. … Continue reading

Philippine democracy is looking surprisingly good

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America The seismic shift of leadership in the Philippine Senate this week was stunning. The pro-China, pro-Duterte cabal was identified as destructive and yanked from power. Their abuses were offensive to the old-timers who prefer respect and tradition. The old timers gathered together those offended by Senate President Escudero and … Continue reading

The Philippines is absurd

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America When I was in college, “absurd” was a word the intellectuals would use. You know, the smart kids. It would often be accompanied by a reference to the great Czech author Franz Kafka who wrote big thick obtuse (barely understandable) German novels about the absurdities of life, and politics. … Continue reading

It’s greed vs freedom in the Philippines, and greed won

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America This analysis is as simple as simple can be. The Duterte clan is aligned with China, not for social good or the economy, but for greed. They want to run scams like Pharmally, drugs, and smuggling through their crony pals and take some of the money. They want the … Continue reading