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

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

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

Have you adjusted your morality lately?

By Joe America “Have you adjusted your morality lately?” I had to ask myself this question when a self-confessed amoral reader said there is nothing wrong with being moral, but imposing one’s values on others, especially with a scornful sneer at them, is wrong. Well, sure, being disrespectful is wrong if one’s moral bearing emphasizes kindness. … Continue reading

HALL OF SHAME – SSS PAYOUT HIKE

By Chemrock Of all the economic planning that the government undertakes, policy decisions regarding SSS payout hike are actually the easiest. The simple reason being they are based on actuarial sciences. The actuary works on certain assumptions like life expectancy, demographics, interest rate, inflation rate, when a person retires, etc etc. Re-calibrate anyway we want, … Continue reading