Ang mas malaking kasalanan

Off topic, but thanks to all who sent me an email re the North Korean crisis. No damage here, and I am not worried. Nor are people here, for this matter is the responsibility of those who sit in the government. Besides, my family and I are prepared for this kind of disaster, basta huwag lang matamaan ng diretso ng bomba! I have a food supply for at least a month kept in plastic storage containers, and each ward (borough)in Japan has a warehouse of emergency and relief supplies that will be enough to feed people here for as long as necessary. We are actually just told to prepare an emergency kit each person for at least 72 hours until the government relief comes. Sa Pilipinas, golly, kawawa ang mga victims! Mamamatay sila ng gutom bago dumating ang tulong kasi iyong Bansot ninakaw na ang perang pambili ng relief goods, at busy na tawag dito, tawag doon sa ibang bansa para manghingi ng abuloy na hindi naman nakakarating sa mga biktima!

Anyway, would like to share this note from our Jun-chan (Koizumi):

Protest against North Korea’s missile launches/
Japan-US alliance in the global context

Junichiro Koizumi here.

From the early hours of yesterday, North Korea fired ballistic
missiles on several instances.

North Korea went ahead with the missile launches in spite of
advance warnings from the countries concerned including Japan.
This is a serious issue from the standpoint of the security of
Japan and the peace and stability of the international community,
as well as from the standpoint of the non-proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction (WMDs), and may constitute a violation of the
Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration.

Japan has immediately lodged a vehement protest against North Korea.
We strongly urge North Korea to reconfirm its moratorium on missile
launch, to follow through on the moratorium and to expeditiously
return to the Six-Party Talks without preconditions.

The Government has decided to impose sanctions against North Korea,
including a ban on the entry of Man Gyong Bong. Japan will further
enhance its cooperation with the United States (US) in accordance
with the Japan-US alliance, as well as further advance its
coordination with the countries concerned including other parties
to the Six-Party Talks. At the same time, Japan will call on the
United Nations (UN) Security Council to take appropriate measures.

Last week I visited Ottawa, the capital of Canada. On June 28,
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and I discussed cooperation toward
expanded economic relations between Japan and Canada, as well as
the issue of North Korea, the G8 Summit and other matters that
require cooperation between Japan and Canada in the international
community. This was my first meeting with Prime Minister Harper who
took office in February of this year, and the two of us were able
to have a very thorough discussion.

I arrived in Washington, DC that same afternoon, and on the next
day, the 29th, I had a meeting with President George W. Bush
following the Arrival Ceremony at the White House.

In addition to bilateral relations including the issue of the
realignment of US forces in Japan, our discussions covered wide-
ranging topics relating to the peace and safety of the world and
other issues such as the fight against terrorism, reconstruction
assistance in Iraq and Afghanistan, North Korea’s nuclear, missile
and abduction issues, Iran’s nuclear development, UN reform, energy
and environment, and poverty alleviation and disease control
measures.

We talked at length on the issue of North Korea. President Bush
said he was moved when he met Mrs. Sakie Yokota, a family member of
one of the abductees. Anyone whose child suffered a similar tragedy
would naturally be grieved and Mr. and Mrs. Yokota’s grief is
shared by every Japanese and American.

Japan has attached importance to Japan-US relations over the 60
years since the end of World War II. We have also maintained
international coordination while recognizing the importance of
Japan-US relations because we have continued to believe that this
was the best choice in light of the lessons of the War.

This is the basis of Japan’s foreign policy and this will remain
unchanged.

There is a view that if Japan-US relations are no longer favorable,
this should be offset by Japan’s relations with other countries.
I, however, do not share this view. My belief is that the better
the relations are between Japan and the US, the more favorable
Japan’s relations will be with Asian countries such as China and
the Republic of Korea (ROK).

There seems to be some misunderstanding. I am by no means saying
that what happens to Japan’s relations with other countries is of
little consequence as long as Japan-US relations are good. I am
simply saying that no relations are as important as Japan-US
relations.

Japan achieved remarkable growth and development after the War.
This was possible only because Japan learned from the lessons of
the War, attached importance to Japan-US relations and built
international coordination. Japan intends to cooperate with
countries around the world to resolve the various challenges faced
by the world by reinforcing and enhancing the Japan-US alliance in
the global context.

At the State Dinner at the White House on the evening of June 29,
I gave the following remarks in English:

Mr. President,

It was exactly five years ago, June 30th, 2001, that I first
met with you. After our talks, the President and I played catch
in the woods of Camp David. Since then, based upon our
heartfelt friendship, we have nurtured this vital bilateral
relationship and have joined together as close allies to tackle
a diverse set of challenges.

Actually, I believe it was thanks to that game of catch with
the President that I was able to feel confident when I stood on
the pitcher’s mound and threw out the first pitch at Yankee
Stadium in September 2004. USA Today reported that it was, and
I quote, “a near perfect strike!”

The President often mentions in public that Japan and the
United States went from being enemies during World War II to
become the closest of allies and leading members of the
community of free and democratic nations.

In the new year of 1946–only several months after the end of
war–then Emperor Showa composed a Japanese traditional poem,
which reads, “Courageous pine–enduring the snow that is piling
up, color unchanging. Let people be like this.”

I can imagine the Emperor gazing at a pine tree in his palace
and reading out this poem, at the time when our land was
devastated and our people were depressed by Japan’s defeat. The
snow is heavily piling up, and almost all the trees’ leaves are
either gone or have changed colors. However, this pine stands
firm without losing its needles or changing its color. I think
the Emperor wished our people to be like the pine, when he
wrote this poem for encouraging the people in the most
difficult of times.

Since then, the people of Japan have strived to fulfill this
poem’s spirit by hard work and discipline. At the same time,
Japan will never forget that it was also the generous support
provided by the United States after the War that contributed
heavily to Japan’s remarkable postwar development.

During the War, the people in Japan were taught to fear and
hate the Americans as if they were monsters, but the Americans
who arrived in front of us in fact came with warm and generous
hearts. The Japanese people are still impressed with, as well
as grateful for, the generosity of the United States and the
American people.

In March 1865, just before the end of the Civil War, President
Abraham Lincoln spoke to his audience in his second inaugural
address,
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, . . . let us
strive on . . . to bind up the nation’s wounds . . . to do all
which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among
ourselves and with all nations.”

I believe, it was this American spirit that lifted the hearts
of our Japanese people, made Japan’s reconstruction possible
and built a foundation for the solid friendship between our two
nations.

It is such an impressive thing that our two nations, who once
fought against each other, now share common values and together,
as close friends and allies, are tackling a wide variety of
challenges around the world.

9/11 was an attack not solely against your country. It was a
challenge against all of us, the entire human race, and all
those who respect human dignity and freedom. Terrorism and the
proliferation of WMDs threaten the basic fundamentals of our
life. I would like to pay my sincerest respect to President
Bush, who has been so steadfast and determined in protecting
freedom and democracy.

I sometimes see the image of the United States as Gary Cooper
in my favorite movie, “High Noon.” Marshal Cooper stood up
alone with courage and justice against four outlaw men. However,
there is one huge difference between that marshal and the
United States. The United States is not alone when facing the
evils that exist today. The United States is always with its
allies and friends. And Japan stands by the United States of
America.

The President and I both recognize the importance of the Japan-
US alliance as we, at the same time, cooperate with many other
nations around the world, as well as with the United Nations.
Japan is determined to further develop this cooperation with
the United States on a wide variety of issues ranging from the
fight against terrorism, to democratization and reconstruction
of Afghanistan and Iraq, to alleviation of poverty, to natural
disaster relief.

Tomorrow, the President, Mrs. Bush and I are going to visit
Memphis, Tennessee, home to Elvis Presley. When I was young, my
exposure to “America” was Presley, which is a vivid memory of
my youth. The first English song I ever learned by heart was
Presley’s “I want you, I need you, I love you.”

Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to propose a toast to the further enhancement of
the Japan-US relationship. In the words of Elvis, “I want you,
I need you, I love you,” as those lyrics suggest, I hope that
our two nations, sharing fundamental values and interests, will
continue to be essential to each other, will cooperate for
world peace and prosperity, and will further enrich our
bilateral relationship.

Kanpai!

I visited Memphis, Tennessee the following day, where I was greeted
by Ms. Priscilla Presley, the former wife of Elvis Presley, as well
as Ms. Lisa Marie Presley, their daughter. I lost my sense of time
as I studied the many memorabilia of this great star at Graceland.
I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to the people of the
US beginning with the President and Mrs. Bush, who welcomed me to
their country.

Memphis is also where the father of the American Civil Rights
Movement Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., known for his famous speech,
“I have a dream,” was assassinated. I also visited the National
Civil Rights Museum, where the site of his assassination is
preserved.

The Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and
Structural Reform will be decided this weekend. The policies will
serve as the fundamental guideline for our mid-term economic growth
strategy and restoring financial health. Next week, I will visit
Israel, Palestine and Jordan in the Middle East, then attend the G8
Summit in St. Petersburg in Russia.

Japan, as a responsible member of the international community, will
further engage in efforts to tackle the various challenges faced by
the international community with the Japan-US alliance and
international coordination as the basis of foreign policy.
****
Pihado ko inggit si Bansot kay Koizumi kasi sakay ng Air Force One touring US skyspace with Dubya! Kasama pa sa Graceland!

O may isa pang ulol dito na nagmamagaling, akala mo sino. Bistado naman! You bet, Ellen, maraming pinadalang spy si Bansot dito! Matira ang matibay! Tignan natin kung sino ang tama at sino ang mali. Me, I have only one standard—TRUTH AND RIGHT! Just listen to that Still Small Voice!

Alam mo Schumey, isang ugali ng mga pilipino ang dapat nilang baguhin dahil nakasanayan nilang hindi mabuti ay ang pagiging pahamak lalo na kung ipit na. Dito ang mga pulis ay tuwang-tuwa sa mga pilipinong nahuhuli nila kasi ang mga ungas akala kapareho sa Pilipinas na kapag sumigaw sila gagaang ang kaso nila. Kaya nangkupo, mag-boboluntaryo nang magsisisigaw ng mga kasama sa krimen. Okay lang sana kung pati sariling ginawa ay buong-pusong ikukumpisal e hindi. Ibibintang pa sa iba ang sariling kasalanan sa totoo lang. Kaya tawag ko sa kanila, PAHAMAK!

Noong araw naman ay may kaunting dangal pa ang mga pilipino gaya ng sinabi mo tungkol sa mga magulang mo at kung papaano kayo pinalaki. Ganyan din kasi ang mga magulang ko. Hindi umaasa sa anak. Bagamat inaasahan nilang igalang namin sila. “Honor thy father and thy mother.”
sabi nga ng Panginoon “that thy days may be longer.”

Ngayon dahil sa ehemplo ng mga kriminal na nakaupo ay papaanong titino ang mga pilipino lalo na iyong mga ipinanganak at lumaki nang umupo iyong sinungaling at magnanakaw?! Diyos mahabagin!

Kawawa naman talaga ang mga matitinong sundalong pilipino. Nasisiraan dahil sa mga tarantadong mga sundalong kanin na ito ng sipsip na sipsip kay Bansot! Pwe talaga! Ang point, bakit hindi sila kumikilos? Hindi kailangan ang gentlemanly approach sa Bansot dahil bastos naman iyan!

Anna:

The reason why they have not really acted on Lim at the moment is they fear what such step would entail with the kind of devotion and support the marines gave Lim in February. Now, the crooks must have felt they have tamed them to submission that they are now willing to tell tales on Lim. So confident they are that they are now revealing the “secrets” about this Lim tape.

Last February, I saw the whole ABS-CBN unedited transmissions where Defensor even told Korina, et al to make sure that they would not be held legally liable for showing scenes that would constitute a crime of sedition and inciting the people to commit it.

I was called in to transcribe the video transmissions from Manila, and I actually felt disappointed when nothing really significant happened then that was worth flashing on Japanese TV.

I could not help feeling sorry for the Marine (what was his name?) who was made to look like a sorry lot crying for the people to come to their side as they ready themselves for the worse, but in the end,they were cajoled to give it up after realizing perhaps that Lim could be killed on the spot, and there would be nobody to lead them with all their friends now and then in jail.

It’s really pathetic to see how the Philippine military has been so demoralized that in times of war, you can bet your bottom dollar, these soldiers will not be able to defend their country and their people, even themselves for that matter.

On the other hand, we may be able to see a new bunch of guerrillas who will show their will and resolve to survive and save their country even from a fiend like the Bansot now pestering them. Perhaps, this time, Francis Escudero would act like his grandfather who was the father of the guerrillas, because the elder Escudero was in fact the main instigator of the guerrilla movement in the Philippines, especially in Luzon, in WWII.

E ano ngayon kung ilabas nila ang Lim tape? Matutuwa pa nga ang mga taumbayan na bangas na bangas na kay Bansot na malamang may isang tunay palang matapang na sundalong pinoy at hindi sundalong kanin labas ang tumbong! Tignan lang natin kung hindi lalong dumami ang magmartsa para matanggal na si Bansot!

Sa isang banda, anong klaseng husgado meron ang Pilipinas ngayon? Kunya-kunyarian? Noong umalis kami ng Pilipinas, marami na ring kapalpakan (ang pangulo noon ay si Macapagal) gawa nga ng ubod ng luho at utang dito at utang doon ang ginawa ng ama ni Bansot. Meron ngang nabalitang hukom noon na namatay sa stroke at na-overdose ng cantaridas na kapareho yata ng Viagra ngayon. Dalaginding ako noon pero kahit hindi makasabat sa usapang matanda ay naririnig ang usapang matanda at saka nasa diyaryo kaya nababasa ko.

At least, noon kahit papaano hindi hawak ni Macapagal ang Senado at Congress. Ngayon grabe, nilahat na ng peke namang nagmamagaling na presidente daw siya. Kaya nang tumakbo si Marcos, panalo siya! Ironically, ang nakalaban naman niya pagkatapos ay isang kapampangan din!

Dominique,

You bet, nagpa-panick na si Bansot, kaya itong mga heneral niya tense na tense at mabibiyak na ang mga ulo sa kaiisip kung ano-ano pang kabulastugan ang gagawin nila para mapahinto ang mga taumbayan na magmartsa sa Mendiola! I should mention the attempt now to quell people on the Internet from bombasting the criminally inclined, the mother of lies and deceit and the wannabe worst occupant of the palace by the murky river.

I was going to say, “worst president the Philippines has ever had” but this crook has never been elected to that position and therefore has no right to hold that title! And this is the reason why I can’t see why good soldiers like Lim should not say what he allegedly did in front of a video camera. No good soldier I think should serve and follow someone who has deliberately defied convention and violated the laws of the land that he has taken an oath to uphold to protect the land he loves and pledges to sacrifice his life for.

To all those soldiers who really love their country and want to serve it right, we say “Mabuhay! Ipagtanggol ninyo ang mga karapatan ninyo, ang bayan at kapwa ninyo mga pilipino!”
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! PATALSIKIN DIN ANG MGA SUNDALONG KANIN, LABAS ANG MGA TUMBONG!