Looking at the SONA through its different audiences

Posted by JoeAm on July 25, 2017 · 73 Comments 

By Joe America President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) meant different things to different audiences. Let’s reflect on them. These are my guesses, and you can add your own interpretations in the discussion that follows the article. The Congressional majority and even some minority members who do not want to be seen as … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Absurdistan: the Philippines under Duterte

Posted by JoeAm on June 14, 2017 · 57 Comments 

By Joe America My thanks to contributor and blogging colleague Irineo B. R. Salazar (Filipino-German Learning Center) for the perfect characterization of the Philippines in 2017. Absurdistan It is absurd when killing is adopted as a state-enterprise, in the guise of fighting drugs . . . without the compassion that recognizes drugs are a symptom of the … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Family/Parenting/Children, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Open Discussion #1: Who is the enemy?

Posted by JoeAm on April 27, 2017 · 133 Comments 

Open discussion blogs can address any subject, even the clientèle of Donald Trump’s hairdresser.  But let me kick this one off with a starter conversation: * * * * * Traditionally, the enemies of the Philippines have been: (P1) Islamic terrorists: Abu Sayaff, BIFF and other splinter groups, and recently ISIS (P2) Communist groups seeking … Continue reading →

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

A fragile world teathers in volatility: will there be a World War III?

Posted by alrhozigma on April 17, 2017 · 50 Comments 

by Popoy Del R. Cartanio Will there be a World War III? Let readers imagine that opinions not based on research or results of scientific experiments on what is happening in our world today are really believable, of great value and are good bases for predicting events likely to happen in the coming days. Put … Continue reading →

Category China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, USA/Americans

Navigating the minefield of President Duterte’s pivot to China

Posted by JoeAm on March 20, 2017 · 121 Comments 

By Yvonne The episode in the popular TV show ‘Madam Secretary’ aired on CBS network on March 12, 2017, depicted a fictional Philippine president whose pivot to China alarmed U.S. leaders to the point that the ‘Secretary of State’ made a visit to the ‘President’ to dissuade him with an offer of more military aid … Continue reading →

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