Honor. Are you up to it?

By Joe America As I watched a video of the Independence Day flag-raising ceremony in Marawi with planes flying over the battle zone in the background, the American “Star Spangled Banner” moved easily to my lips, “the perilous fight”, “the bombs bursting in air”, “the hope through the night that our flag was still there”. … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government

Absurdistan: the Philippines under Duterte

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 →

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

A wry, unscientific, but very meaningful poll

By Joe America I posted a poll on Twitter and got the results shown below. Let’s talk about it. The first thing those who don’t like the results will say is that “It is not scientific. It is flawed.” Haha. Okay, sure. But of course it is not meant to be scientific. It is a … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Economy, Philippine Government

Has democracy decapitated respect and decency?

By Popoy Del R. Cartanio Feeling like I am putting a grandson to sleep with a bedtime story and avoiding the Once Upon A Time formula, I began the hypnosis with a yawn . . . I read long ago in some libraries, about the year 399 before Jesus Christ was born and 30 years … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Anatomy of the battle of Marawi

  By Chemrock In the age of Mocha symbolism, I quote military historian Byron Farwell “….. armies stand as disturbing reminders that democratic processes are not always the best”. When the army is activated to quell an internal strife, it is often a fine line whether it is propping up or dismantling democratic institutions. The … Continue reading →

Filed under Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics