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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Obama and Iraq
By Antonio C. Abaya Written on June 17, 2008 For the Standard Today, June 18 issue This should be interesting to watch. The presumptive Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, has challenged the presumptive Democratic candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, to a series of Town Hall-type debates from now to just before Election Day in November. I am not aware if Obama has accepted the challenge. Perhaps he is wondering if he is being invited to walk into a trap. Or perhaps he and his team are strategizing how they can accept the invitation and then turn the debates into a rout for McCain. There is no doubt whatsoever that Obama is by far the better debater and speaker. Obama is naturally eloquent and articulate. McCain, like the incumbent George W. Bush, tends to speak in clich�s and is often at a loss for the right words. Why McCain issued the challenge, in the first place, boggles the mind. Would a cross-eyed epileptic with a severe nervous tic challenge a proven sharpshooter to a shoot-out? Like I said, this should be interesting to watch. And what would they be debating on? According to the latest surveys, the number one concern of the American electorate is the faltering US economy. Iraq is only number two. And well it should be. Some 350,000 Americans have lost their jobs since January 1 of this year. Some 1.1 million Americans have had their homes foreclosed by the banks since the sub-prime meltdown in July last year, because they could no longer afford to pay their monthlies. And with gasoline retailing at more than four dollars a gallon, how can the economy not be the number issue for most Americans? Does McCain really feel he can win this one against Obama? At the start of the primary season last February, McCain made the startling candid admission that he didn�t know anything about economics, an admission that his Republican rival, Gov. Mitt Romney, tried to make a mountain of. But, to no avail.. Some Americans apparently do not mind if a candidate openly admits that he does not know anything about economics, even while the economy is falling apart, as long as he makes the right noises about staying in Iraq for up to 100 years, if need be. For all we know, Obama does not know anything about economics either, but he exudes self-confidence and credibility as he wins brownie points, among other Americans, with his promise to bring home the troops from Iraq in 16 months after he is inaugurated president in January 2009.. Is McCain banking on his 100-years-in-Iraq to win over Obama�s 16-months-out-of-Iraq, even if the primary concern of most Americans is the faltering economy, for which neither candidate has any sure-fire solution? Possibly. The latest surveys put Obama only a few percentage points ahead of McCain, a statistically insignificant lead since almost 20% of the electorate are still undecided. In my article Obama and Israel (June 05), I raised the possibility that the neo-cons in Washington might collude with Israel to bomb Iran�s nuclear facilities just before the November 4 elections, knowing fully well that a President Obama would most likely NOT initiate such a move. A President Obama would thus be stuck with a fait accompli from which he cannot and will not retreat, given his unequivocal support for Israel stated during his recent speech before AIPAC, the powerful Jewish lobby group. A further complication would be the recent (June 05) disclosure, made by The Independent newspaper in London, that a secret deal is being negotiated in Baghdad that would give the Americans 58 permanent military bases in Iraq, control of Iraqi air space up to 30,000 feet, immunity of American troops and contractors from Iraqi law, and the right to launch military operations without prior consultation with the Iraqi government. President Bush �wants to push it through by the end of next month so he can declare a military victory and claim his 2003 invasion has been vindicated�.The timing of the agreement would also boost the Republican candidate, John McCain, who has claimed the US is on the verge of victory in Iraq � a victory that he says Mr. Obama would throw away by a premature military withdrawal�.� This could be what gives McCain � an authentic Vietnam War hero - the confidence that he can beat the more seasoned debater Obama in a series of debates: a combination of faits accomplis, in Iran as well as in Iraq , from which Obama � who has never served in the military - cannot retreat without his patriotism being questioned. All this while the 9/11 Five � led by mastermind Khaled Sheikh Mohammed � are being tried by a military tribunal for the most devastating terrorist attack ever on US soil, which would put hang-tough patriotism above what would be disparaged as weak-kneed disengagement.. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. More articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com. . To subscribe, send as blank email with the subject heading Subscribe. To unsubscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Unsubscribe. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Obama and Iraq � More Reactions to �Obama and Israel � More Reactions to �Desperate Housewife� More Reactions to �Life on Mars� More Reactions to �Prelude to 2010� More Reactions to �Electoral Reforms� On the under-rated Kamote On Palawan as part of Moroland On Hocus-Pocus Dear Tony, We don't shoot heroes in America Tony, even with an epileptic nervous tic. That is cold coming from you my friend. This mannerism is a result of being starved and hanged upside down for two solid days while being violated by the Viet Cong. If a man can survive such a horrible ordeal he can only be truthful, honest, realist and dependable as a leader of the free world. He'd been through hell and back and won't play stupid games to compromise America .. In addition, we Respect, Honor Heroes and Elect them. Unless one is a far left, lunatic loon which he is not.. I beg to disagree with your assessment of Obama as a sharpshooter. He may be to many people and the media but he is shooting Blanks. What is the CHANGE he is offering? Simply Blank Rhetoric's. I have not heard anything new on his plate? His strategists have done a tremendous job to put non Blacks on a defensive mode. To the extent any mere mention of race the bombastic condemnation follows. And yet 90% to 95% of the black voters vote for Obama. Who is playing the race card? The time table of 16 months withdrawal from Iraq is not strategically and even politically correct. That volatile region, a breeding ground for terrorist would welcome such a plan. Iran would be dancing on the streets to see Americans leave, So do Syrians and Palestinians. What is Obama's take on Lebanon , Saudi and other small oil producing countries strangled by the big bad wolf Iran who will continue to develop nuclear capabilities. And then finally there is Israel . What now pussycat? My dear friend Tony, you got socked into the 100 years Obama rhetoric's which surprised me because it is not what the essence of MCCain's comment. To put emphasis on withdrawals rather than the prevailing conditions and time is shallow and meaningless. There are places where the US has deployed troops to maintain peace and balance. Korea is an example. Not 100 years perhaps but a bit of hyperbole. (63 years, to be exact, and counting. I mentioned this in my article �Obama and Israel � which you obviously missed. I am not for Obama any more than I am for McCain. You seem to think I am for Obama, hence your hyper-ventilation. But I suggest you read my other article �Obama, Osama, O Mama� which you obviously also missed. ACA) I am much older and do not fall flat on my face with rhetoric's and demagoguery. I remember the Camelot and John Kennedy Years. He offered a fresh air of needed change America needed. But certainly not Obama. The media are overly protective of him and even enamored of sort. The fireside and town debates hopefully will expose Obama's weaknesses and media's cover-ups. MCCAIN is considered good on close and personal meetings because as a hero you get what you see, even with the nervous tic. We older people deal with time tested realities. Not FADS and not what everybody is talking about. We know fully well these fade away as quickly as they come.. MCCAIN is steady rudder and time tested. He is my money man. Regards, Oscar Apostol, (by email), Roseville , CA , June 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Democrats have more money than Republicans in this Presidential campaign with Obama receiving more donations. He was alble to tap the younger generation and the masses thru the internet and their party web sites. Even small donations but many when collected summed up significantly. McCain 100 years is merely a figure of speech and I dont know why people make a big deal of the number. It simply means US will be in the Middle East for a longer period to protect its interest. The war in Iraq is about PetroDollar. Oil money is the American interest because oil is traded in US currency. Saddam tried selling oil in Euro currency then his action sealed his fate violating the American interest. Not too long Americans were in Iraq kicking his butt. This time Iran is opening an oil exchange to rival the other major stock exchange of US, Britiish and the Dutch. It prefers to trade in Euro currency and perhaps their Iranian money. Another violation of the American & the Brits interest , a reason why the westerners are in the Middle East aiming to block the Iranian influence in the region. But of course the Irans support of Hezbollah & Hamas with money and weapons are adding some flavour to the American headache in the region. The previous sunctions didn't work so US& Brits extend to include the Iran Melli bank compelling Iran to move recently their $75B to gold and Asian banks. I just noticed Russia and China were becoming timid lately maybe because they also have huge dollar reserves realizing that if the US currency falls significatly their wealth goes with it as well. China bought a significant amount of US treasury bills unless they want US to pay them back in a devalued money then that is their prerogative. With the shift of US Dollar to Euro (if ever) as the major world currency many countries will be affected and one of them is our very own Philippines . It looks good to pay our debt in a devalued US money but our nation does not produce dollar from thin air. We have to send OCF outside our nation to bring in foreign money. OCF will feel the pain of a devalued dollar and so our economy because our exports are not that competitive. I just dont know how much Euro reserve does our country have? Nonoy Ramos, (by email), Pennsylvania , June 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Large meetings are not McCain's forte. McCain is a boring speaker. His gaffs are too frequent; his brain could no longer store large information, retrieve, and process them faster than Obama's brain that is less than 50 years of constant use and occasional abuse. I believe McCain could not inspire large crowds like Obama. Townhall meetings tend to favor McCain because the crowds are generally much older and Caucasians, they ask politie questions, and they are more toelrant and forgiving if McCain misspeaks. It is true that economics is not McCain's strongest suit because McCain did not take interest nor did he make serious attempts to learn beyond war and military warfare and strategy and venture into the realm of the pocket book and foregin policy. Furthermore, there is serious memory deficit that normally occurs with advancing age. For example, while visiting Iraq with Lieberman, McCain misidentify Al Qaeda with Shites and Iran until Lieberman came to the rescue and pulled him out from further public embarrassment. Americans are very concern about the economy, rising gas prices, inflation, home foreclosures, and rising unemployment. The war has been relegated to the backseat. Obama will never be lured to meet with McCain on small townhall meetings where quesstions are rehearsed and solicited. Recent polls show that Obama is 6 points or more ahead of McCain in voters choice for President. Why give McCain a chance to narrow down the lead? Dr. Nestor P. Baylan, (by email), New York City , June 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, It was the 9/11 humiliation of the Americans that led to the occupation of Iraq . McCain must capitalize this emotional reason to win the American voters. The big question is, are the Americans ready for a black president? To Filipinos, the question is, will Obama or McCain allow more Filipinos to immigrate to the US ? (This issue is so parochial I doubt if either of them has even thought about it. ACA) It will be an interesting election, for sure. Hector Tarrazona, (by email), June 18, 2008 Col. (ret.), Philippine Air Force wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: There is no way George W Bush can claim real military victory in Iraq and claim, further, that such a victory would vindicate his invasion and occupation of Iraq. But before his presidency ends by the end of this year--and he goes into the twilight, into retirement, and into oblivion--he could very well claim a fictitious military victory there, in the same manner that he shamelessly claimed "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq ,on the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier, clad in a fighter pilot's G-suit, not soon after he invaded Iraq in March of 2003. I would not put it past George W! Neither is there any way George W. can ever do anything between now and the end of this year to vindicate his invasion and occupation of Iraq . Why? There is evidence to the effect that George W. had already planned on taking out Saddam Hussein long before September 11. September 11 merely gave him the excuse he needed to invade and occupy Iraq--preemptively and unilaterally: 1) he claimed that Saddam had ties to Osama bin-Laden and al-Qaeda, 2) that Saddam was pursuing a program to make nuclear bombs, 3) that Saddam was buying yellow cake from Niger, and 4) that Saddam posed an imminent threat to the United States. (Not only that. It is known that Paul Wolfowitz, who became deputy secretary of defense under Donald Rumsfeld, planned the invasion of Iraq as early as 1997, when the neo-cons first grouped together under the rubric of the Project for the New American Century. The neo-cons in the Bush Team: VP Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Donald Perle, Douglas Feithe, Elliot Abrams, John Bolton, etc. most of them now resigned or fired ACA) The "evidence" George W. claimed was available to him, however, was intelligence that proved to have been inadequate, misleading, false, and even "doctored." People will recall that pathetic presentation of some of that "evidence" by then-Secretary of State Colin Powell before the UN Security Council. George W. took full advantage of General Powell's high prestige and credibility to make the presentation which soon turned out to be a complete fiasco; it is doubtful whether General Powell could ever live down that fiasco. The Iraq War is "George W's Folly." In Iraq he has recklessly and unnecessarily squandered the lives of around 4,100 U.S. troops (as of now). An additional 30,000 U.S. troops have been injured, more than 12,000 so severely as to require medical care the rest of their lives. In terms of U.S. treasure, in Iraq George W has squandered the humongous sum (again as of now) of over $1 trillion in direct and indirect costs. Even now, he continues to squander around $12 billion of precious U.S. taxpayer funds every month. This is the war which Republican presumptive presidential candidate John McCain has vowed to pursue, if elected President, till he achieves military victory-- even if it takes him a hundred years to do it. (And even if he bankrupts the U.S. Treasury in pursuit of his Quixotic dream?) Barack Obama fully realizes that in the November 2006 elections, the American people made it quite clear that they want U.S. forces out of Iraq , quickly but responsibly. Sensitive to the expressed wishes of the American people, Mr. Obama has promised to get U.S. forces (now numbering some 168,000) out of Iraq within 16 months. If elected President, Mr. Obama will have to deliver on that promise. Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers , NY , June 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww As usual, Mr. Abaya's observations on Obama and Iraq are very cogent and well thought through.These are my humble opinions:. Mr, Obama, if elected, will modify his stand on precipitate withdrawal from Iraq . The Americans can still win the war, or at least fight to a draw, instead of retreating in defeat. Their forces are 100% volunteers, not reluctant draftees. And if the economy is bad, there will be more volunteers, especially among immigrants who are not yet US citizens. Jose Dado, (by email), June 18, 2008 US Military Academy , �55 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww There's just a fly in the ointment of McCain. People are tired of Bush's trapo politics and either-you're-with-me-or-against-me rhetoric. The youth are energized and, basing on the primary results, have translated their enthusiasm into votes. The last time around this happened was when JFK and RFK ran, ; but Obama has a bigger plus: the internet and his replicating his successes in community-organizing on the national level, something remarkable and a beauty to behold. As the old saying goes, "there is nothing like an idea whose time has come." Destiny has beckoned him like it did Cory. There is no stopping the tidal wave of Barack's movement of hope. His great organizing skills in the primaries are a taste of his executive excellence. Hillary was the Democratic flip side of McCain. And she made Barack a stronger candidate by sparring against him and throwing the kitchen sink, including race-baiting. Finally God writes straight with crooked lines. Obama has Bush to thank for. Americans have found out that one's white skin color and cowboy posturing do not necessarily equal excellence. You can fool the American people once, twice... but not thrice. I predict a blowout for Obama by at least 10 points, most probably by 14 points. Hernan Hormillosa, (by email), June 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww A well balanced article on the Mc/Oba piece. While Oba may be eloquent, he is only so in front of a teleprompter or reading a speech by puppeteer David Axelrod. Otherwise, he is a bumbling idiot. I can send you actual sound bytes or transcripts if you want. The guy is really an empty-suiter with vacuous speeches with a razor thin resume' to boot. Mc's not too hot either but he's got my vote. Furthermore, this favorite phrase the O man uses: Failed policies of the past. Hmm, I hope that includes Carter's, Clinton's and the rest of the left leaning liberal wackos. I could go on but you get the idea. [email protected], June 19, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr Abaya, Methinks Iraq is an economic question; i.e. could Obama bring Arab oil into the US , despite a troop pull-out from Iraq ? In other words, could he, by just relying on diplomatic initiatives using his closer (Muslim) ties with oil-producing nations? On the other hand, McCain promises to engage the Arabs in a protracted war in order to arrive at the same result. What will it be, war or no war, for Arab oil? Willy Calinawan, (by email), Pasig City , June 19, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, The US elections are just a few months away and already, the Republican smear machine is at full speed. Right wing talk show hosts like Limbaugh and Hannity have started their attack at Obama. The sad thing is there are still a lot of blinded Americans who believe them, especially the Bush die-hards. Hopefully, new voters will come out and register and provide the support that Obama needs. The US needs the change that Obama brings. Hopefully, it'll be enough to cure the damage that the Bush and Cheney administration has brought not only to the country but to the entire world. Cheers. Chito Salalac, (by email), Mississauga , Ontario , Canada , June 19, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �Obama and Israel � (June 05, 2008) Dear Tony, I seem to be on your mailing list. I remember you as the owner of Erehwon which I used to frequent on Padre Faura .about a millennium ago. haha. Did some surfing on the Israel lobby in the US and it is staggering. They are not monolithic in the sense that there are several operating independently, and they often disagree on approaches. But they are well-funded enough to make a big difference in US foreign policy. They also work through various institutions and media personalities. It is probably with a great resolve not to let the Holocaust happen again. But it is frightening demonstration of the thesis that the victim becomes an oppressor. Tess Abesamis, (by email), June 22, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww :Mr. Abaya: Sana mabasa ang mga columns ninyo at ang mga reactions from your readers ng mas marami pang Filipinos, not only the readers of the Manila Standard and serious users of the internet. Unfortunately, even our young Filipinos who go to the internet cafes are not seriously using the internet. Instead, they play games online or click on junk mail. Even our lawmakers and other government officials are the same. I do not read any reactions from them. Maybe your writings are too intelligent for their brains. Or maybe they are too busy committing graft . Jose Dado, (by email), June 23, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, You said to Pacifico Talens, USN (Ret), Virginia Beach , Virginia "I suggest you re-read my article without your anti-Obama eyeglasses." Please also suggest to him..... for God's sake stop reading the Daily Mail !!! D. J. Adams , (by email), United Kingdom , June 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On Semantics, Obama Mr Abaya --- Your readers' comments on foreign phrases you sometimes employ are often interesting, though some are pretty pedantic. When you once compared a political shenanigan to "scheisse," a reader wrote to correct your German spelling of that word which means excrement. But at the time I wondered why you didn�t use "mierda" instead, seeing as how we were once a colony of Spain ! Now someone approves of your usage of the French "plus ca change" phrase, which made me think that the phrase which migrant workers here in HK always use about the situation at home, "walang nagbabago," would be equally appropriate. The intriguing item from the UK 's sensation-seeking Daily Mail sent to you by another reader confirms that the anti-Obama mill is grinding away at full throttle. The sender (who I gather is Pinoy) used the crude American phrase "knocked up" to describe Obama senior's impregnation of the white American woman he met in the US . That mother of Barack's is described in the introduction to his book "Dreams from my Father" as someone who "worked in distant villages of Asia and Africa, helping women buy a sewing machine or a milk cow or an education that might give them a foothold in the world's economy. She gathered friends from high and low. . . she wrote reports, read novels, pestered her children, and dreamed of grandchildren." He says she also read the drafts for his book and made corrections before she died, and that they had an "unbroken bond." All of which make me wonder why he chose to give prominence to the parent who disappeared from his childhood by putting him in his best-selling book's title. Perhaps it's a reflection of his yearning for a father? Isabel Escoda, (by email), Hong Kong ), June 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �Desperate Housewife� (June 03, 2008) I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH PEOPLE WITH CONSTRUCTIVE AND POSITIVE IDEAS. I AM WITH YOU. I THEREFORE CHALLENGE YOU ALL TO DO YOUR SHARE OF HELPING OUR COUNTRY IN ANOTHER WAY FOR THE BENIFIT OF THE POOREST OF THE POOR FILIPINOS. I AM NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE SO I NEED A FINANCER TO GET THESE THINGS DONE, BUT I HAVE ALL THE TIME ON EARTH AND THE EXPERIENCE TO MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN. PLEASE LET US JOIN HANDS FOR A VERY NOBLE PURPOSE. LET US START NOW, PLEASE CONTACT ME SOONEST. Ben Pinlac, [email protected], June 18, 2008 (I doubt if many will contact you if you do not say what it is you plan to do. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, What the country needs is real honest to goodness family planning. What is a greater sin: to practice family planning, or to bring children to this world we cannot feed, shelter, and educate. Regards. Ernie Aragon, (by email), June 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Cyclone Gloria and Jun Lozada Typhoon Frank�s passed by us. Cyclone Gloria�s not passing away. Poor miserable Philippines . Jun Lozada lit a candle to help find a way out. Others followed suit. One would think that the rest would appreciate the torch parade. Alas, this would not be the case. Some would rather torch the light bringers! Oh yes, there�s so many blogs whose main purpose for being is to destroy the Jlo. And some of its bloggers are doing their thing right at his blogs. Some of them are easy to detect, some are not. But they are assigned only one task: to try to make Jun�s shit appear as big and as fetid as Gloria�s mountain of filth. It matters not to them that the profligate is now on a junket at the US with her lapdogs, and that her expenses for the trip will dwarf whatever money Jun Lozada may have stolen, if indeed he had. It matters not to them that, as Bernie B�s post say, �the DPWH spent P20 million in an old house in Panacan, Davao City so the so called president can stay there while in Davao for one fudging nite�. Would the loot attributed to Jun Lozada, perhaps, anywhere approximate this expense for a one night stand? Meanwhile, one of the most persistent of intruders in Jun�s blogs, when confronted with the lies he is peddling, says that he will only express his opinion on matters that he is interested in, even if his only interest is the destruction of the whistle blower who foiled the attempt of Gloria and the greedy group to make themselves immensely richer, and saved the country some 390 million dollars.. It�s obviously not an obsession with him. It looks more like an occupation. Eustaquio Joven, (by email), June 23, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �Life on Mars� (May 30, 2008) Mr. Abaya, just a piece of my thought on the interesting topic "Life on Mars". The debate has been going on, and most likely will continue for as long as there are people on earth who search for the origin of life and indeed, where it is headed. Was/is there an Omnipotent Super Being who created all of these things we see today, or are we just a product of "serendipity", "chance occurence" in the galaxy, or "freaks of nature"? Where are we to base our personal belief in this issue that has puzzled thinkers, astronomers, scientists, sages and religious persons during the past 1000 years? Is the Bible the sole explanation for everything, or does the key to understanding whether we are unique and alone in the universe lie in the facts stated by science and reason? Personally, I am neither too religious to condemn science and its "what if" approach to this issue, nor am I completely dependent on science to explain how we came to be what we are. I know I'm excited by the thought that one day, in my lifetime, I would read in the papers that NASA has found a planet that is completely similar to our own planet, perfectly habitable and capable of sustaining life as we know it here on earth. Would that planet be as pristine as the earth was before our "age of progress"? Will we find what the Bible says "God's Paradise ", or "a new Earth"? How will we get there? How will the inhabitants look like: perfect beautiful humans or ugly green slobs of flesh with a very strange language? Remember, back in the 1400's, the Europeans believed that if they sailed too far from Europe , they might reach the "edge" of the earth and fall off into the abyss. They believed in strange lands that were supposedly inhabited by monsters, nymphs, strange humans with big feet and with faces in their stomach. They were constantly searching for "Prester John", the mystical land of Golds , and other supernatural beings that were later on proven to be non-existent. (except for gold). Man's curiosity hasn't changed at all. Franki Javier, (by email), June 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reaction to �Prelude to 2010� (May 13, 2008) Dear Sir: I thank you for your email concerning politics in the Philippines for the year 2010. I am happy to know that Filipino people still have the spirit of hope despite calamities around us. I am now born again Christian and I am studying and doing a research of the end of times as written in the Revelation. We are indeed in the end of times and the USA will be wiped out in the world map as what is written in the Bible. The year 2012 will mark the end of man self rule. I know that Filipinos are solid Catholic but do your own research because I found out the truth. All religions have flaws, Sabbath day is not Sunday, Christmas is not the time when Jesus was born, Easter should not be celebrated because it is not in the Bible. We should observe Pentecost not Easter. We are like the Jewish people that was blinded and do not listen. Natural calamities are now all over the world. The United States have more flooding that it should never happened. Let us think about God, before it is too late. Please do it for the whole family and for the whole country. The Philippines will be saved but the people will suffer during the Mark of the Beast (666). All people who have the 666 mark will be thrown in the lake of fire when Jesus will come down from heaven. I hope you take time to study or have a bible study group and help the community so that the soul will be save. God Bless Grace, [email protected], June 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On the subject of religion, before the word came to existence, we were all pagans worshiping different kinds of idols. Organized religion came later after starting with Abraham which was followed by Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, etc. All these religions are relatively recent in terms of the age of planet Earth. As the different religious societies developed, so was their different dogmas and practices, a tangle web of confusion to the uninitiated. Let us not forget the role of millions following the tenets of Confucius. In numbers, I think they are the most numerous and dedicated. Although their influence had not been mentioned in biblical times, today they are like the civilization to watch. Tony Dedal, (by email), Sydney , Australia , June 19, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reaction to �Electoral Reforms� (May 20, 2008) Dear Tony, I am happy to inform you that i have received and spent time in reading your messages and its interesting to know that a lot of people are getting aware and interested in participating or sharing their insights about our situation in our mother country, Philippines. One of the issues that catched my attention was your suggestion about the electoral reform. I understand your ideas are ideal and are believed to be effective by nature, if only properly implemented. However, due to the present set up and mind setting, culture, environment, political patronage and all sort of corruption, your suggestion seem to remain a suggestion unless a miracle happens. In this regard, may I just share what I think is somehow practical, weird in nature but worth to entertain about this "electoral reform". this is how it goes.. Since we can't deny that money is the main factor to become an elected leader, why not we just base our election on raising money? say, whoever party who raises the biggest fund during election shall win the position. And the amount of money that they raised shall be the starting budget for the winning party to spend for their projects. In this way, we can get rid of political patronage because they would not give the fund to the voters in terms of cash but by projects. And those loosing parties' fund shall be automatically added to the budget of the winning party. This is basically patterned to a fundraising project of a miss or mutya ng barangay... the fund shall be used in a certain project that an organizer wishes to promote. Dito bansa ang pinaguusapan. So di pa man nananalo ang candidate, may fund na ready na gastusin para sa mga projects. Plus yung annual budget pa natin. What do you think tony? Am sure you can express this idea more than i could to your readers. Ika nga e lets start thinking out of the box. Nep, [email protected], Sydney , Australia , June 19, 2008 (You described it best: weird. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On the �under-rated� Kamote Tony, I don't know if I am supposed to reply to letters you publish from other people (as opposed to your own writings). But here goes:- It has always surprised me that even Pinoys who say they like and enjoy eating kamote add words to the effect "but it is a vegitable and so is not suitable as a substitute for rice". My comment would be that kamote is undoubtedly a very nutritious food which is well suited to be the 'staple' food in any balanced diet, but I suspect that pushing it by listing virtues such as " kamote lowers hypertension, bad cholesterol and even blood sugar; prevent cancer; a "super food that heals." (although these possibly have some truth in them).is more likely to make people dismiss it as 'yet another health fad' than accept it as potentially a very good component of a balanced diet. Although a balanced diet can be achieved by only eating one staple carbohydrate source plus a small range of other ingredients, It is more probably achieved by regularly eating a larger range of ingredients. So why suggest kamote as a substitute for rice rather than an alternative to rice? E.G. Rice some days and kamote on other days (why not gabi as well?) which is done in many countries where wheat products, potato, (and often also rice) are all eaten at different times as the alternative main carbohydrate part of a meal. It is just a matter of habit, and nobody who would be listened too will suggest other than 'every Philippine meal should include rice'. For that matter 'nobody who would be listened too' seems to be brave enough to suggest that poor people who are on the verge of malnutrition should, eat brown rice rather than white. The 'bran' part of brown rice is also said in some quarters to: "lower hypertension, bad cholesterol, blood sugar and even prevent cancer", but if it does not do that, at least it contais many of the same beneficial substances found in kamote. D.John Adams, (by email), United Kingdom , June 08, 2008. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On Palawan as part of Moroland? This should not be true!!! I do not know if media is reporting this correctly. I have circumnavigated Palawan twice; patrolled Palawan on the RPS Iloilo and RPS Catanduanes for almost a year (homeported RPS Catanduanes at Balabac) and certainly would not consider it as part of "Moroland". Chuck Agustin, (by email), June 11, 2008 President, National Defense College of the Philippines Government agrees to include portions of Palawan as Moro land "Antonio F" [email protected] Mon Jun 9, 2008 9:38 am (PDT) wrote: The Philippine government negotiators are not doing their job as negotiators. Instead they are behaving like negotiators for the MILF or if you want to be kind to the government negotiators, they are acting more like Mediators instead of Negotiators. It seems to me that the government negotiators are pressuring themselves or taking it upon themselves to forge a peace at any cost. Why doesn't the Philippine government hold a referendum on the areas that will be taken over by the MILF if the people in those areas want to be part of MILF areas? This is so commonsense. Peace is good but not peace at any cost besides what is our guarantee that even if the Philippine govt agrees to all the MILF demands, that another rebel group will just replace the MILF just as the MILF replaced the MNLF in southern Mindanao? .When another rebel group rises, we will go through another cycle of peace negotiations. In the past, we gave the MNLF the ARMM, and now the government negotiators want to give expanded areas and powers to the MILF. What will happen next? Give the whole Mindanao and Palawan to the next rebel group? Bottomline is to have a referendum and let people decide if they want to be included in MILF areas. I cannot believe, the government negotiators are bending backwards to help the MILF, instead of protecting the government interests. Mr Garcia and his fellow negotiators should change jobs and serve with the MILF negotiating panel instead. See article below: Government agrees to include portions of Palawan as Moro land By Joyce Pangco Pa�ares, Manila Standard, June 9, 2008 THE government has agreed to include portions of Palawan , where the Malampaya natural gas platform is located, in the proposed Bangsamoro homeland of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, peace negotiators revealed yesterday. But chief government negotiator Rodolfo Garcia said Article X of the 1987 Constitution and at least three national laws must be amended to accommodate the MILF demand. He said government negotiators had recommended the amendment of laws even as they wound up the review of the MILF�s proposed homeland pact, which is scheduled to be presented to the Cabinet on June 17. �The Constitution is our measuring stick. There are some consensus points that fall out from that ambit, or even go above it, but that should not be a limitation,� Garcia said. �We are recommending the amendment of our Constitution, in particular Article X, which defines autonomous regions, the Local Government Code, the Fisheries Law, and the Mining Code, among others. We have to move the peace process forward, and it is easy to amend laws if we can have the support of Congress.� Revising the Local Government Code, Garcia said, would allow the MILF to enjoy a 70-30 percent wealth-sharing formula in favor of the MILF, while amending Article X of the Constitution and the laws on mining and fisheries would �resolve issues on defining territorial waters, strategic minerals and jurisdiction.� Garcia said the MILF proposal was to form a �Bangsamoro juridical entity,� which would include several villages in Palawan in addition to the whole of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao covering the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Marawi City . �We are not giving them the whole of Palawan but just portions of it. There should be no problem because all the areas that would be included in the [Bangsamoro juridical entity] will still have to be covered by a plebiscite,� Garcia said. He said the mandate of the International Monitoring Team, which is tasked to oversee the implementation of the 2004 ceasefire agreement with the MILF, was expanded in November to include Palawan . The Cabinet security cluster had taken a hard line on the inclusion of Palawan in the proposed Bangsamoro, as well as on other MILF demands that were deemed unconstitutional, such as allowing the secessionist group the right to draft their own constitution, declare their own citizenship, and use the natural resources of the areas under their proposed homeland. Among the Cabinet officials who questioned the concessions were Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. Garcia said he hoped the Cabinet security cluster would be more open to the revised draft so the talks could move forward following the last informal talks in Malaysia in January. Kuala Lumpur has yet to schedule another round of informal talks because the government had asked for more time to study the draft homeland agreement. ***** wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On Hocus-Pocus Hi Tony, Being of German language by birth, I never heard up to now that hocus-pocus has been meant to mock Catholic religion or masses. We had hokus pokus (fidibus) usually in our fairy tales as what wizards, magicians (Zauberer) used for making their wonders. And is was also used to describe something which had changed or happened in a sudden, without any sign of how and why. With Philippine languages has it really nothing to do. But sure, if one does not believe some of the Catholic (or even other) religious ceremonies, he could say "that' is for me like hokus pokus", but that could also be said like to Faith Healing etc., happenings which claim something to have done that can not be proven real, visually. Kurt Setschen, (by email), Switzerland , June 20, 2008 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO All reactions to [email protected]. To subscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Subscribe. To unsubscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Unsubscribe. |