Message 14 of 52 in the Usenet group SOC.CULTURE.FILIPINO        Subject thread: Great plan to help Philippines

Hi Gary,

Thank you for your comments and thank you for visiting the site.

> If you are going to say that Italy was both a friend and foe, wouldn't you have to include the RP in that category? And you forgetting both China which was an American ally thoughtout the *whole war* and Taiwan which if I  remember correctly was under Japanese rule at the beginning of the War.  China is a very interesting example in this regard, as the United States sent a great deal of help in the war and after the war.

The statement that I should include the RP as BOTH a friend and foe is intriguing, please elaborate.

I'm sorry, the status of China and Taiwan during WW2 really is beyond the realm of my concern.

> Why don't you study other allies with a similar economic circumstance before the war and after. examples of other *allies* Peru, Mexico, Cuba, (Cuba is a  particularly interesting case as *it* wasn't kept by America after the Spanish-American War, yet was an ally during WWII). The reason I bring up these contries is that they had a Spanish history, as well as being Allies during WWII. I further suspect that the economy of Cuba is worse then that of the RP, but I don't think that the USA has "backstabbed".

I'm sorry, the status of these countries during WW2 is also outside my realm

As far as the USA backstabbing the RP, I addressed that issue in another thread, which I'm sure will be continued for some time.

<snip>

> I think you have to go further back, you might study the differences between  nations controlled by Spain Vs. nations controlled by England. For instance, I think you would find attitudes in Canada to be more like Australia, New Zealand, Falkland Is., Gibraltar, and the Bahamas. And attitudes in  the RP to be more like those of Cuba, Bolivia, Morocco, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, etc. It is my opinion that attitudes about work, business, money, government, private property, in these two groups are what influences their success in the world economy today ( natural resource *aside* )

Morocco, Huh? I would also venture a guess that THE WAY Spain and England controlled these nations was another factor. Could the geography also be a factor? Meaning those countries with real winters had to stay busy and store/save for the winter, whereas, the countries closer to the equator didn't have that "save" priority and then, in the summer, it was just too hot to do anything.

> Most of the industries of Japan were destroyed, The head of Sony attributed their economic ascendancy in the 70's and 80's due to the *fact* that  everything *was* destroyed during W.W.II, (which meant that they restarted with state of the art equipment when they later went head to head with the USA in manufacturing).

Again, this issue was addressed in the other thread.

> That's funny given your *explanation* for the RP current economic circumstances. Tell me, if the RP's economy takes off and becomes a "tiger" economy, will it *also* be because of America, or the hard work and  intelligence of Filipinos?

I'm sorry, I lost track. What was my "explanation" for the RP current economic circumstances as you understood?  Was the second part a trick question?  IMHO,  I don't think the RP ever really wanted a handout but a hand up and failing that, pretty much just lay there and took whatever came along.

> You might try advertising in European NGs they would have more soccer shoes and might even *like* your anti- American slant on Filipino history. Good luck in your efforts.

Thanks, I might try that. As far as the "anti-American slant", I have lived my whole life in the USA and have only seen the American side of things. Up until a year ago, I didn't even care about Filipino History (my history, my heritage)... but I would die inside when someone would make fun of the Philippines, "Sick man of Asia", Marcos jokes, Imelda jokes or hear elderly Filipinos try to talk in broken English, Olongapo City, any one of a million things Filipino... and now, through the Internet, I am beginning to learn a lot and if one Filipino kid sees my stuff, understands, asks more questions and can stand proud, then I have done something worthwhile.

Thank you for your time.

Take care,

Steve

RASSLE Co.