How Filipino Personal Independence Undermines Community
I notice that Filipinos don’t do “unified” particularly well. They don’t do “compromise” or “concede” particularly well. Do I need to do a recitation of examples, or will you stipulate that I am right and save me the time and words? Okay, a couple of quick examples. Senator Sotto did not concede or compromise. He … Continue reading
"My Mind is a Blob"
When I was teaching high school for one frightful term, education was moving to a “New Math” which involved set theory; unions and intersections and ways of looking at mathematical truths. I never quite got the hang of it, beyond drawing circles, nor did anyone else, for the schools quickly tap-danced away from that teaching … Continue reading
Fire in the Belly: "Filipinos for Filipinos"
Let us assume that most Filipinos accept that people in power have advantages. The powerful can appoint sons, daughters, wives and nephews to important government jobs, whether qualified or not. They can squeeze out a little cash from awards to favored contractors for the building of roads and bridges. Their position gets them cars, staff, … Continue reading
The Matter of Ms. Arroyo’s Health
Former President Arroyo is reported to be in bad health and considerable pain. President Aquino is not inclined to provide her any special rights to get medical care, pointing to her prior use of medical cause to try to flee the Philippines. Holding Ms. Arroyo to account is one of the central planks of his … Continue reading
Snuffle . . . I Love Youse Guys . . .
Any of you in Los Angeles the 80’s or 90’s? Did you listen to sportscaster Jim Healy? His 30 minute radio show was a highlight of my drive home many days, 5:30 to 6 pm. He made that solid mass of metal called a drive-time freeway survivable. Healy would intersperse his commentary with a lot … Continue reading