The Left Is Out To Lunch

The Humpty Dumpty New World Dictionary provides us with the following definitions: Left. (noun) That branch of politics that thinks government ought to take care of the people broadly as a top priority. Right. (noun) That branch of politics that thinks the people benefit broadly if government allows capitalism to work with little restraint. Note … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Politics

The Philippines: Tiger or Stuffed Kitty?

The Philippines is fascinating, a nation with well-developed democratic institutions but underdeveloped democratic principles, a nation of broad economic reach and almost no economic depth, a nation of foul-weather patriots who rip money from the civic coffers and fair-weather patriots who tie their soul to the fists of a boxer and lash out with indignant … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Philippine Government

Of Nuts and Bolts

I must say the blogging scene in the Philippines is getting dry and dull. Politics is at an ebb because Congress is not into a production mode and all the President’s men and women are so busy we can’t keep pace. Top Blogger Raissa Robles seems to have slowed to a crawl, perhaps because of … Continue reading →

Filed under Humor/Satire

Envy, Integrity and Missing the Mark

My wife watches “Voice of the Philippines” every Saturday and Sunday evening. I stop by if I can watch the singers singing, rather than watch the judges rationalizing or commercials selling. The singing contest is an interesting set-up, with competition at two levels. (1) The singers compete with each other, and (2) the four coaches … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Entertainment

Snowden. Is the Issue Privacy or Trust?

The Snowden affair seems to have little to do with the Philippines, other than give critics of the United States an issue to rally around. But it may be useful to reflect on the underlying issues because they may shade how we look at FOI or other acts of the Philippine government. The battleground in … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Technology/Internet