Military honor in the Philippines is dying

By Joe America My bias is that of an American soldier, trained under the hot, humid Missouri sunshine, taught to forgo personal comfort for success of the unit, taught to kill with a rifle, bayonet, grenade, cannon, or bare hands. Taught that victory and honor are more important than life. Taught to leave no man behind. Americans worship … Continue reading →

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

China’s 9 Dash Lines and the demise of the $ (Part I)

By Chemrock I had wanted to do a follow up on my November 2016 blog on the Rube Goldberg US$ printing machine, but following Distant Observer’s article on “Scarborough Shoal, it’s not about fishes or oil, it’s about power”, I decided to tie 2 issues together. Due to its length, I’ll publish in 2 parts. … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government

Three elephants in Malacañang Palace

By Joe America “The Elephant in the room” is an English metaphorical idiom for an obvious truth that is going unaddressed. The idiomatic expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss, or a condition of groupthink no one wants to challenge. [Wikipedia] People keep pointing out the good things being … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Philippine Government

Enemy of the State

By Joe America What do human rights advocates think about the Philippines? And people who believe in the goodness of democracy and Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal? What do the Yellows think, and those accused of being Yellow even though they are critics of LP? Kindly allow me to dial it in straight. No wishy washy … Continue reading →

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

Scarborough Shoal. It’s not about fishes or oil. It’s about power.

  By A Distant Observer Some time ago, I offered to contribute here with an article about Scarborough Shoal, its political and legal aspects. While The Society of Honor was discussing matters of various kinds, the country with the most powerful military in the world just elected a demagogue Hitler himself would be proud of. Hence, … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans