Posts
Reactions to “If
More Reactions to “PAKStan into
More Reactions to “Snappier Elections”
More Reactions to “A Moral Alternative”
On George Carlin
“Sinking Currency, Sinking Country”
“The Dumb, the Greedy and the Ugly”
I use to be scared of the Arabs, but I am more concerned with
Korea
Lets count our blessings, at least we only have a corrupt president,
not a demented one.
Mike Delgado, (by email), Nov. 21, 2007
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Dear Tony: You're quite right. George W and his coterie of neo-cons are faced with a very grave dilemma in the event that President Pervez Musharraf of
You can be sure that George W and
But judging by the recent statement of George W, they have not found one.
And so comes this recent astounding emanation from the mouth (or the pen) of George W: He says that the "general [referring to Gen. Musharraf] hasn't crossed the line," and "truly is somebody who believes in democracy."
"Hasn't crossed the line" when the general has suspended the Pakistani Constitution, declared Martial Law, and arrested and jailed those who oppose him?"
"Truly somebody who believes in democracy" when Gen. Musharraf rigged the last "democratic" elections in
Given the stark fact that Pakistan is now under a despot in the person of Gen. Pervez Musharraf, but whom Bush & Co. obviously are compelled to continue to support for want of a more embraceable alternative now, what is the world to make of George W's much-ballyhooed and obsessive "freedom agenda" being implemented primarily by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice through her "transformational diplomacy?"
Let us just say that George W &
Mariano Patalinjug, (by email),
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Dear Tony, If Pakistan collapses, it will be a nightmare for the
The presence of European nations in the
Dr. Nestor P. Baylan, (by email),
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Yet another war is being planned. This time against
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/19/opinion/edkagan.php
This madness would never end unless the Israeli-Palestinian problem is solved.
Louie Fernandez, (by email),
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Tony, Excellent post.
My take: Musharraf is not going to fall any time soon. If he did, the army would simply take over. He recently appointed the chief of intelligence to the highest post in the army which will probably not allow either Benazir Bhutto and her discredited cohorts or the Islamic militants to take over.
The worst case scenario of those neo-con pundits in the States, i.e. the nuclear facilities of
Question now is why the neo-cons are trying to sell such doomsday scenario.
George Reyes, (by email), Nov. 21, 2007
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More Reactions to “PAKstan into
On November 5, 2007 the world mass media reported that Pakistani lawyers had launched massive non-violent protest actions against the declaration of national emergency (read: martial law) by Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf.
According to Reuters, Pakistani police baton-charged and scuffled with lawyers protesting outside the High Court in
Musharraf seized power in 1999 in a coup. This is his second martial law adventure..
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a bid to distance her superior Pres. George W. Busch from his own puppet Musharraf, urged the latter “to rejoin the road to democracy”, with a warning that US aid to Pakistan would be placed under review.
The
The Pakistanis believe that Musharraf’s main motive in declaring martial law was to preempt the Supreme Court from invalidating his reelection as president last month.
In the light of the Pakistan experience, what action must the Filipino lawyers take to express their unity with their oppressed and injured brothers and sisters in the legal profession in that country, considering the principle of universality of justice, freedom, and truth?
So far, I have heard no strong institutional response and expression of support from the Philippine bar associations on this matter, especially the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
Musharraf cited the judicial activism of the Supreme Court as one of his bases for the sudden declaration of martial law.
A president who is frightened by the alleged activism of an independent and scholarly Judiciary and who expresses such unfounded fright thru the abhorrent forms of martial law, oppression of his constituents, clamp on basic freedoms, and destruction of institutional democracy is bound to be exiled, at the least, if not killed, by his own people.
This statement should serve as a warning to our own militaristic president Pres. Gloria Arroyo and her generals and to the leaders of the overstaying military junta of
I propose the following:
1. That the IBP convene an ad hoc national convention of leaders of all bar associations in the Philippines to adopt a formal resolution condemning the Pakistani martial law, the destruction of its Constitution, and the prostitution of its judiciary;
2. That the said convention discuss ways of pressuring the Philippine Government to unite with other concerned members of the United Nations and its mandated human rights organizations to establish a semi-permanent UN monitoring office in Pakistan that shall conduct continuing contacts and mediations with the martial-law president and military leaders of that country to work for the restoration of democracy therein and to protect the life and limb of protesters, NGOs and the opposition in its major cities;
Manuel J. Laserna Jr, (by email), Las Pinas, Nov. 11, 2007
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More Reactions to “Snappier Elections” (Nov. 15, 2007)
More and more, Tony, I see how providential your device in compiling all the feedback from all sources re their reactions to your column topics. Why, it is like having a global summit with delegates participating individually.
The next step perhaps is to put them into some anthology for people to study and learn from. Bravo Tony! Your friend from that great religious boys' school.
Tony Joaquin, (by email),
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More Reactions to “A Moral Alternative” (Nov. 08, 2007)
I would dare say support Gov. Ed Panlilio for PRESIDENT in 2010 - to curb graft and corruption in the country and stop politicking of those who think they know better. He's the perfect candidate for PRESIDENT. If he wins, he won't have a FIRST LADY, he won't have a FIRST FAMILY neither would he build a political dynasty. He's all by himself, thus saving the government of "operational" expenses in Malacanang.
He can show the way of good governance and telling the truth in six years. How much of graft and corruption would be reduced? Think about it ~
Mariquit Soriano, (by email), Nov. 25, 2007
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Dear Mr. Abaya, I can gather from your exchange of emails with Mr. Mar Patalinjug on this subject that the
A Singaporean friend of mine explained in two sentences how they attained their present status in the world.
(a)
routes was recognized by Sir Stamford Raffles from the very
start anchoring his belief that, "Our objective is not territory but
trade."
(b)
nationhood because "We inherited the island without its hinterland,
a heart without a body."
The island's unique location for trading ships became the basis of its economic power.
The island's lack of a hinterland spurred self-help in its inhabitants and no one could better personify the struggling Singaporean than Lee Kwan Yew.
In an analogy, my friend said, "You Filipinos - when you lose your job and don't have money, where do you go? Don't you go back to your barrio to lick your wounds and recover your wits while your folks feed you 'til you're strong enough to return to the city? We, Singaporeans, knew very well we had no barrio to go to. We had no alternative but to succeed on our only island."
After six years of self-rule and 25 years of independence, or within one generation, with Lee Kwan Yew at the island nation's helm, the economic growth of
Now, the question is: Will one single Filipino leader be able to imitate Lee Kwan Yew?
Long after he had stepped down from office, I remember Sir Lee Kwan Yew's visit to the
In his speech, the Cambridge-educated prime minister gave helpful hints on governance, hope for the economic future of our country and the region, and praise for the capabilities of our people. He was given a loud standing ovation.
And then everybody turned around and went home and...and...and things went on as before with nary a hoot about Lee Kwan Yew's words, like they were pearls thrown down into a pig sty.
We are overpopulated. We are not in a unique location for trade. There is always one barrio to run to. We do not have a strong moral fiber.
For the years you have been crying out about the foul deeds of government officials, big and small. Do you note that almost every reader has agreed with you and lauded your opinion, has been disgusted with the criminals and has condemned their foul deeds too? For years and years, the problems have been exposed and defined, yet ,alas, we have never taken the next step which is for us to find solutions. Yes, you have offered hundreds of solutions as some readers have put forward their own. So, where, o where, are the people in or outside the government who are willing to put their thinking, their time, their material or financial support behind these solutions? You have given pearls us but we have thrown these again to our fellow swine.
What I'm trying to say is no one man can save us. In order to attain good government and a strong economy we, the people, must bear his task as well.
So, if the people's moral fiber remains weak and stays prone to dishonesty, even a Filipino Lee Kwan Yew will despair when asked to lead us. And all your damning will fall on deaf ears. I am inclined, at this stage, to believe only in divine intervention. Heaven help us.
Lionel Tierra, (by email),
(South Korea and Taiwan do not straddle pivotal strategic trade routes, and they too suffered a high level of government corruption and widespread poverty. Yet they were able to turn things around under visionary (though authoritarian) leaders with the right economic strategies, without pleading for divine intervention. Buddhists do not believe in a personal God who intervenes in the affairs of men and women. ACA)
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Thanks a lot, Tony. We are praying Roilo Golez will become our next President of the New Republic of the Philippines, considering his sterling track record, never been involved in graft and corruption, and excellent scholastic records, a U.S Naval Academy
Top Graduate and a Manny Paquiao in his boxing career during his times in the Military, in short he has the discipline and leadership to lead our country!
How can we help him propel to the highest post of our country ?So we Filipinos abroad will be back home cause we will be safe back home...Thanks of sharing our sentiments to our countrymen. God bless you! blessings,
Gerry Garay, (by email),
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On George Carlin
Dear Mr Abaya, I looked up in Google the author of that marvelous piece which ended your recent RX and learned that George Carlin is an American writer of black humor who's just turned 70. What he wrote may apply more to inhabitants of advanced countries, but it should be digested by those of us in a developing country which has been seduced by all things Western.
Truer words have never been spoken -- they point to plain common sense and simple humanity which unfortunately not many Pinoys (politicians and ordinary citizens) possess these days.
Renata Lopez, (by email), Nov. 25, 2007
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Dear Mr. Abaya: As one of the regular readers of your column, I was greatly disappointed that you attributed the "Paradox of Our Time in History" to George Carlin. You simply could have visited his official web site to know that he has denied writing the said piece. Mr. Carlin's web site, http://www.georgecarlin.com/home/home.html
Actually the "Paradox of Our Time in History" can be found in http://www.xdude.com/paradox.htm.
Once again, your mistake proves for the nth time that not all we read on the Internet -- even those coming from one of the
(You discovered that only now? That article was forwarded to us, without any websites mentioned, by someone with the email address psmagic@aol.com, and we reprinted it, as received, in good faith. Maybe you should send your complaint to him/her. ACA)
For the record,
Bobby M. Reyes, (by email), Nov. 26, 2007
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(Copy furnished) It is okay, Bobby - it is not the author that was important for me because I frankly do not know who George Carlin is. It was the message that I was more interested in disseminating. And whoever wrote it had very good insights. I am ignorant who George Carlin is but I am sure if he read this he must have felt that he should have written it. Such a pity for the real author - he should have just put his own by-line. Why the hell does he use the name of someone else?
Ernestina Peralta, (by email), Nov. 27, 2007
P.S. It is also okay to be deceived by malicious and mischievous people who like to give false information - it just goes to show that deep down inside all of us, we are very trusting and have a tremendous faith in the inherent goodness of man. That is why there are some of us who get taken. No harm done with this message, I suppose.
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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Misael C. Balayan)
Source: http://www.cw.com.tw/english/article/373142.jsp
By Shelly Lee
Published on Jun 6, 2007
From tourists and entertainers to appliances and infrastructure projects,
You’re in the
The
Dive shops along the beach are packed with Korean tourists. Korean-style restaurants line the surrounding streets.
Last year
It’s not just the tourist spots that give one the feeling of being transported to
Elmer C. Hernandez, Philippine Undersecretary for Industry and Investments, makes light of these visitors making themselves at home to an unprecedented degree, saying, “It’s just like being in
Koreans treat the
An hour of private English instruction costs 10 to 15 US dollars here, five to eight times less than back in
Korean families aren’t the only ones anxiously internationalizing; corporations are also making aggressive inroads.
Among them, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction invested US$1 billion last year in a shipbuilding facility at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
“Koreans push themselves hard and are very ambitious. Before, you could only reach the island where the shipbuilding facility is located by boat, but they’re building two bridges. Almost overnight they’ve grown to 30,000 employees, so they’ve built a primary school, a church and an expatriate school in just a year and a half,” bemoans Susan Ho, director of the Taiwanese Business Association of Subic Bay. Compare that to Taiwanese company Wistron, which had 5000 personnel in the
Even on isolated islands separated from the world, as long as Koreans see a potential market, they can smell business opportunities.
“Koreans haven’t come here to establish Little Koreas; they’re here for the market. Hanjin’s sister company is none other than Korean Airlines, which also came here with its sights set on the growing number of Korean tourists,” relates Armand C. Arrenza, chairman of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Koreans have already become the largest contingent of internationals in the
The “alternative colonialism” on display in the
Colonialism with a New Face: Economic + Human Might
On the walls of an underground passageway between a new exhibition center and the
The situation is similar in
Koreans are also the number-one overseas visitors in
Second Only to
LG products are status symbols in
The transition from treating Southeast Asia as a market and not just a factory marks a strategic shift by
Establishing trade niches has spurred
From electronics to shipbuilding and steel, Korean investments have targeted industries long in competition with Taiwanese businesses.
Steel industry firm Posco invested US$1.2 billion in
Korean companies are large in number and size of investment, and Korean business people band together more than their Taiwanese counterparts.
Government Backs Two-pronged Strategy
The most striking example is
In 1996
“The
In line with their rising investment, Korean businessmen are becoming increasingly influential in the
Taiwanese business representatives, historically the sixth-largest foreign investors in the
Spurred by government strategic initiatives, corporations, families, and individuals have coalesced together in this Korean wave across
In this game of money and power, commanding land and diplomatic clout,
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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Ray Eced)
Sinking Currency, Sinking Country
Nov. 02, 2007
The euro, worth 83 cents in the early George W. Bush years, is at $1.45.
The British pound is back up over $2, the highest level since the Carter era. The Canadian dollar, which used to be worth 65 cents, is worth more than the U.S. dollar for the first time in half a century.
Oil is over $90 a barrel. Gold, down to $260 an ounce not so long ago, has hit $800.
Have gold, silver, oil, the euro, the pound and the Canadian dollar all suddenly soared in value in just a few years?
Nope. The dollar has plummeted in value, more so in Bush's term than during any comparable period of
Is it all Bush's fault? Nope.
The dollar is plunging because
The prime suspect in the death of the dollar is the massive trade deficits
In 2006, that
A sinking dollar means a poorer nation, and a sinking currency has historically been the mark of a sinking country. And a superpower with a sinking currency is a contradiction in terms.
What does this mean for
As nations realize that the dollars they are being paid for their products cannot buy in the world markets what they once did, they will demand more dollars for those goods. This will mean rising prices for the imports on which
The Chinese, whose currency is tied to the dollar, and Japan will continue, as long as they can, to keep their currencies low against the dollar. For the Asians think long term, and their goals are strategic.
China—growing at 10 percent a year for two decades and now growing at close to 12 percent—is willing to take losses in the value of the dollars it holds to keep the U.S. technology, factories and jobs pouring in, as their exports capture America's markets from U.S. producers.
The Japanese will take some loss in the value of their dollar hoard to take down Chrysler, Ford and GM, and capture the
Asians understand that what is important is not who consumes the apples, but who owns the orchard.
Other nations that have kept cash reserves in U.S. Treasury bonds and T-bills are watching the value of these assets sink. Not fools, they will begin, as many already have, to divest and diversify, taking in fewer dollars and more euros and yen. As more nations abandon the dollar, its decline will continue.
The oil-producing and exporting nations, with trade surpluses, like China, have also begun to take the stash of dollars they have and stuff them into sovereign wealth funds, and use these immense and growing funds to buy up real assets in the United States—investment banks and American companies.
Nor is there any end in sight to the sinking of the dollar. For, as foreigners demand more dollars for the oil and goods they sell us, the trade deficit will not fall. And as the
The chickens of free trade are coming home to roost. *****
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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Louie Fernandez)
The Dumb, the Greedy, and the Ugly.
Louie Fernandez, (by email),
| Manny's millions shake banks |
| |
| By Jun Vallecera |
| Reporter, BUSINESS MIRROR |
| |
| A LOCALLY-BASED thrift bank and two branches of regular commercial banks based in Informed sources said Pacquiao withdrew all his money from a bank in General Santos City as he conducted a personal audit and found he spent more than P140 million in election-related expenses but was still trounced by his diminutive political opponent. The withdrawal triggered similar withdrawals in two other banks in the city whose own clients heard of the sudden Pacquiao withdrawal, according to the sources. None of the banks was identified but two of them are branches of two Manila-based commercial banks and the other is a locally-based thrift institution, the sources said. Sources said the banks hit by sympathetic withdrawals dealt with their problems by accessing the overnight market to service worried depositors. According to the sources, Pacquiao, who ran under the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), was miffed that his Metro Manila-based political principals did not deliver their end of the bargain as he sought the reimbursement of expenses arising from his decision to seek an elective position in his native
There was a reported deal for Pacquiao to spend from out of his personal pockets, with the principals pledging to reimburse every centavo spent at the end of the campaign period.
According to sources, Pacquiao called his political principals as it became clear just days before the actual May 14 elections that he would lose his bid to get a congressional seat, only to have them cut the phone line abruptly.
Subsequent attempts to reestablish contact proved futile, and this led Pacquiao to take all his money from the banks, ostensibly so the boxing champion could take stock of what was left of his personal wealth, the sources said.
Temporarily illiquid banks, such as those hit by mass withdrawals, borrow from others on very short term basis and return the money right after. That the problem was addressed adequately by the overnight market and without the intervention of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was a clear indication of the relative strength of the banking system as a whole, the sources said. Meanwhile, a member of Team Pacquiao said it was possible that the superstar boxer did lose that much money in his attempt to become a congressman. "The P140-million plus Manny lost, [that] could be true," a Pacquiao confidante said. "Definitely, it's not lower than P100 million." One instance relating to how Pacquiao was duped is how two operators charged the boxer P500,000 but never worked for him after being paid. The operators said they would help Pacquiao in his campaign but would only do so if Pacquiao paid them the initial sum. Pacquiao never heard from them again. He later found out that they were already working in his rival's camp. ***** |
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