Look at what they do to military officers who stand for truth and justice:
By Anthony Vargas, Manila Times
THE wives of two mutinous Army officers on Thursday claimed their husbands were being “tortured” while under isolation conditions in a maximum-security area in the Army’s Fort Bonifacio headquarters.
Update:Military denies torture. Click here.
Wilma Baldonado and Venus Sarmiento said they have seen their spouses handcuffed and blindfolded during their weekly visits.
An officer “close” to the two officers also confirmed the report, saying the harsh treatment was to force them to issue affidavits against politicians that allegedly sheltered last year’s coup plotters.
Wilma is the wife of 2nd Lt. Aldrin Baldonado; Venus, wife of 1st Lt. Sonny Sarmiento.
The two officers were captured in July 2006 with other comrades accused of hatching yet another foiled coup against President Arroyo.
Sarmiento and three others charged with involvement in the Oakwood Premiere apartments Magdaló mutiny had bolted the tightly guarded Intelligence Security Group (ISG) compound in January 2006, setting off rumors of another coup.
Pale, weak
“They are applying mental torture … that what is the AFP is doing. They should take our husbands out of solitary confinement,” Baldonado’s wife told defense reporters in a telephone interview.
The two women said their husbands were being kept in cells so small that bed and toilet are crammed close. Each cell has only one small window and the men are not allowed daily outdoor time to get sunshine, their wives said.
Sarmiento’s wife said the officer looked “pale, thin and very weak’ during her last visit.
Army spokesman, Maj. Ernesto Torres Jr., denied the charge, saying the two officers are being treated fairly.
“The two are not being kept under solitary confinement. They are being treated well in accordance to their rights,” Torres said.
The Army spokesman also disclaimed knowledge about the affidavits being forced on the two rebellious officers saying their role is only to have them in custody.
“I don’t know that. Regarding the affidavits, the [Department of Justice] and the [National Bureau of Investigation] are the ones in charge. The role of the army here is on their [officers] detention,” Torres said.
Conspiracy
Sarmiento and 1st Lts. Patricio Bumindang Jr., Lawrence San Juan and Nathaniel Rabonza brought great embarrassment to the Army when they escaped last year.
San Juan was recaptured a month later in town in Batangas province, three days before the government forces foiled another alleged coup attempt.
Sarmiento, Bumidang and Rabonza, along with Baldonado, Army 2nd Lt. Angelbert Gay and Navy Lt. Junior Grade Kiram Sadava were captured in Quezon City last July.
Seized from them were several high-powered firearms, explosives and a blueprint of the Batasan Pambansa Complex where President Arroyo was set to deliver her State of the Nation address.
The officer close to the two inmates said the two are the only Magdaló escapees and fugitives that have not yet sign affidavits implicating several opposition figures in the alleged coup plot against Mrs. Arroyo.
Baldano cited security reasons for not signing, said the source, requesting anonymity.
“The people they are being forced to implicate could get back at his [Baldonado] on his family. He is afraid of the safety of his family,” said the source.
hayup talaga itong aso ni gloriang baliw na mukhang daga! palibhasa’y natatakot sa sariling multo kaya pinipilit pigain ang mga taong ang tanging yaman ay dangal at prinsipyo na hindi katulad niyang bulok ang pagkatao.
esperon, hindi estrelya ang dapat nakalagay sa mga balikat mo. dapat ay kalawit ni kamatayan o salapang ni lucifer. demonyo ka, supot!! wala kang kayang apihin kundi ang mga opisyal at kawal na tapat na naglilingkod sa bayan!
Mental torture is worse than physical torture. We can just imagine how these Magdalo soldiers are currently suffering.
Human Rights lawyers, Human Rights Commission, International watchdogs should all check the conditions of these jailed soldiers before it’s too late. Dapat malaman natin kung ano na ang nangyayari sa kanila sa loob. Isa pa itong si Gringo Honasan. Ano na ang nangyayari sa kanya?
They will all be found guilty at court martial or the RTC. Then they will be in the same situation as Daniel Smith, having nothing but the appeals process, all the way to the Supreme Court, to save them. Then maybe this comment thread will understand the supernal importance of the presumption of innocence and the way that a dignified people apply Justice.
Following the moral examples of some here, after they are convicted of mutiny and rebellion at the first instance, are we then justified at labelling them maniacal putschists, gang-rapists of the Constitution, arrogant despoilers of democracy and similar epithets?
What exactly is the difference as far another eternal principle is concerned:
All men are created equal! (Whether they are pinoy or kano, white or brown)
It seems like the only difference is the prejudicial hatefulness of the yellow journalists and leftist lynch mobs that pick and choose how justice is to be applied, and who gets the presumption of innocence (like the 3000 pinoy-on-children rapists since 1 Nov 2005 whom no one calls manyakis and tears their sovereign clothes off about on this thread!)
The problem with the labouring of the political correctness arguments we forget that the reason for both actions, great escape of smith & custody and torture of these AFP are for the same cause, that is to keep this evil fake in power. Arguments regarding political correctness can wait until after the torture is made to stop, don’t you think.
wwnl,
i agree with you 100%. we can debate & argue here till kingdom come, habang pinahihirapan ang ating mga kababayan. at hindi lamang ang mga magdalo soldiers ang tinotortyur sa kasalukuyan, kasama sa tinotortyur ang kanilang mga pamilya at kaibigan. i can empathize with these soldiers, for i have been there too. kung minsan, kapag sobrang sakit na ang nararamdaman mo (psychologically & physically) iniisip mo sana mamatay ka na lang para matapos na ang lahat. kagaya nung mag-asawang gallardo na taga pantabangan, nueva ecija, na uminom ng pesticide matapos pahirapan ng paulit-ulit ng mga miyembro ng phil army sa kanilang lugar.
kung kaya nila itong gawin sa kanilang kapwa sundalo, mas lalo nila itong kayang gawin sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan mula sa mga liblib na lugar.
isabel
There are some wonderful reasoning of law spewed out on this blog space, some I agree with and some I don’t but for sure simply put, who in the Philippines has most to gain from the Great Escape its the evil fake and her followers nobody else who’s on the Left. Also who has most to gain from the custody & torture of these brave afp men but only GeneralDogsBody Assperon and the other crooked Generals, afraid they won’t get confessions. Its the two persons who have never been confirmed as President or Chief of Staff.
Magno,
Ano na nga ang ibig sabihin ng supot?
Dean,
Re “(like the 3000 pinoy-on-children rapists since 1 Nov 2005 whom no one calls manyakis and tears their sovereign clothes off about on this thread!) ”
You are doing a marvelous job of exposing that – now why don’t you continue doing just that?
Now we know why they were eager to divide the marines on Mindanao.
Dean,
Even a super tiny brain like mine can understand that there is no need to be an incredible genius to see that in both cases, Gloria and her minions are thwarting the normal course of justice to the detriment of a dignified judicial system.
WWNL,
Yep! Divide and conquer (forget the “rule”)! Vini, vici!
I came and I conquered!
With the US-RP Balikatan exercises to be ‘re-exercised’ – now that Smith tucked safely away from the facist-psycopathic crowd of Manila – and the Aussie contingent to be deployed too, one may ask, why will we need any Philippine Marines in Mindanao at all?
Re “They will all be found guilty at court martial or the RTC.”
That may very well be true but I certainly will not label any commenter who will eventually agree with a court martial or RTC guilty verdict as psycopath, fascist, communist, terrorist, NPA, lynch mob, barbarian, etc.
Though when that happens, I will definitely call Esperon a dirty dog, a scalawag and a coward just as I’ve always done.
I also must admit I will not hesitate labeling Gloria a wanton harlot, a prostitute, a liar, a thief, a cheat, etc when that happens!
suya talaga, pag maganda na ang diskusyon, eto na at may bitbit na mga political tags, nadagdagan pa, medical ailments pa!
Hahahahah! “eto na at may bitbit na mga political tags, nadagdagan pa, medical ailments pa!”
2nd Lt. Aldrin Baldonado & 1st Lt. Sonny Sarmiento hopefully can continue to take the mental tortue a wee while.
There is a risk however that these brave, young men, already harbouring dangerous thoughts against civilian authority (don’t get me wrong, I understand that they mean well) will be forced to apply the same method on future junior military officers if and when they succeed this trial.
Let’s hope that they are made of sterner moral stuff!
Anna,
The means never justify the ends!
How do you even know that these accusations of torture are true?
WWNL–Great escape? This is a dishonest statement, a lie! To keep this evil fake in power? Non sequitur! You are insulting the Court and the intelligence of the Filipino people making such a wild and ridiculous claim, which of course you are merely repeating coz you read it here or in Lynch Mob papers like the Inquirer. But you don’t actually know any of the facts do you?
I don’t Dean!
I hope they aren’t true but I do know that there have been instances that the military leadership has turned a blind eye to the most gruesome torture on their kind – it’s a second skin to them particularly to those who come from the PMA. Therefore with that in mind, I’d rather we were prepared…
And if you read my post in the earlier thread on the same news item, I specifically mentioned to Ellen, “If true, etc…”
(Ellen, There’s another “torture” going on, well more like hurt amor propio, if we believe Manila Standard’s news item:)
Embassy turns down visa application of CA justice
By Rey E. Requejo
THE United States embassy has denied a visa application by a Court of Appeals judge to attend his niece’s wedding in Las Vegas, Nevada, but it was not clear why.
The office of Associate Justice Jose Mendoza yesterday confirmed the denial but refused to speculate on the reason behind it.
“It’s true that his visa application was denied, but we do not know why,” Mendoza’s wife Libia said in a telephone interview.
“There must be a reason, but it’s hard to speculate,” she said.
She declined to link the rejection to the case of a convicted rapist, marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, who was transferred to US custody from a Makati City jail on Dec. 29 following a flurry of diplomatic negotiations.
A source close to the justice said Mendoza felt humiliated when an embassy consul asked him to be fingerprinted first before deciding whether or not she would grant him a visa. Before that, Mendoza had to wait three hours before someone attended to him.
The source said Mendoza’s application was endorsed by appeals court Presiding Justice Ruben Reyes and then Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, but the consul denied him just the same.
“The magistrate could not think of any acceptable justification for the denial of his visa application,” he said.
Ahhh! There’s no fury like an American scorned.
Oops, Hell hath no fury like Americans scorned!
look how kapal the muks ni GMA imagine 10B pesoses WOWOWOWIE!!! ang laki laki nun ah…..kaya pala ang lalakas ng loob ng mga sudalong ito lalo na yang esperon na yan kasi tingnan ninyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved 14 supply contracts worth P10 billion for the military’s modernization program, military officials said.
Saan mapupunta yang mga yan?????
“[The contracts] were approved in record time, in just one day… Suddenly we are ordering P10 billion worth of equipment,” said Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
Esperon said that among others, the military would purchase refurbished UH-1H and MG-520 attack helicopters with night vision capabilities, watercraft for the Army, patrol vehicles, squad automatic rifles, radio equipment, and bomb detection equipment.
“These [purchases] are intended for internal security operations,” Esperon said.
The military only has P5 billion on hand and is waiting for the release of the additional P5 billion, said Vice Chief of Staff Antonio Romero, who heads the AFP capability upgrade program.
Tingnan ninyo meron na palang 5 Billion….naghihintay pa na kalahati…..sus!!!! ginoo….mahabag po kayo sa mga taong ito na naglalaway na naman sa mga pera ng sambayanan….
Samantalang andaming squatters hindi na halos kumakain ni sentimo sa bulsa ay wala???? Samantalang ang mga ganid at maka-hayup na mga opisyal na sundalong ito ay walang habas kung gastusin ang salapi ng bayan????? Mga TIMAWA!!!! darating din ang mga araw ninyo at hahatulan din kayo sa inyong mga ginagawa…..
God have mercy on our nation….
Dean:
Insult to the Court – wild and ridiculous claim, don’t make me Laff! the judiciary are an insult to themselves and the people. Maybe you should be told that I compare your laborious comments on this blog quite boring similarly to JDV when he rabbits on and on with his repetitive soap box speaches, that is until I change the TV channel rather than be sent to sleep.
Tamaan sana kayo ng KIDLAT sa mga gawain ninyo….sa labas ang ganda ng mga plataporma de gobyerno pero sa totoo lang under the table namang lahat yan in short “bulsa” at “mansion” na naman o kaya “bank account sa abroad” wow!!! okey talaga sa pinas BAHA ng PERA
balik tayo sa pinas maraming pera!!!!
roljen143,
Napakalaki ng suspicion ko na maraming tao sa AFP, DND, DBM, Malacanang at ilang tao sa Kongreso ang magiging napaka mayaman diyan.
Dahil sa isang EO (di ko lang maalala kung anong number)na ang DND na ngayon ay may direct authority to approve a recommended AFP or major service nacquisition without requiring prior Malacanang (through Exec Secretary) approval for an acquisition recommendation of up to I believe 100 million pesos for EACH endorsed acquisition contract, maraming tao na diyan sa DND ang yayaman.
Kung halimbawa ang isang equipment purchase is worth 500 million pesos, ang gagawin diyan ng AFP through Senga para walang pasikot sikot na ay paghahatiin sa 5 kontrata ang equipment purchase, e di wala nga namang gulo. Tapos si Gloria pa ang acting DND secretary, hahahahahah! Si Fatso tataba na naman!
Anyway, may suspicion din ako na ang 10billion cash allotment for the “AFP modernization” acquisition ay in reality, technically speaking 50 to 60 billion pesos worth lang ng equipment ang mararating. Para bang Forty billion pesos will disappear, i.e., private pockets. Optimistic pa ako diyan sa hula ko!
Heheheh!
Kailangang diyan tutukan ninyong lahat sa Pinas – lalo na ngayong na kailangan ni Gloria ng maraming pera dahil malapit na sa eleksyon.
Di ako maniniwala maski ano pa ang sabihin na honest ang bidding or straightforward in terms of cash, etc.
Kung gusto ninyo sa AFP (whoever from the AFP is reading Ellen’s blog) send me your tech specs and I will give you the real prices ex-works! Walang tanong ako sa inyo, wala kayong dapat ibayad, public service ko lang! Gawin ninyo ang gusto ninyo pagkatapos ninyong matanggap ang costing…
Padaanin ninyo kay Ellen para walang dudahan!
Ooops, FOUR billion pesos will disappear, i.e., private pockets. Optimistic pa ako diyan sa hula ko! (NOT FORTY! heheh!)
ibig kong sabihin, conservative estimate/hula iyan!
From where I sit, I can see that brokers, influence peddlers, etc in Manila are already virtually killing each other. All 5-star hotels today as we speak will have many foreign guests who will be dining, wining people from all walks of life in the military, DND, Congress, etc.
Imagine how much money they can make even from refurbished UH-1H and MG-520 attack helicopters with night vision capabilities, watercraft for the Army, patrol vehicles, squad automatic rifles, radio equipment, and bomb detection equipment? Boy, LOADS! Imagine how much cost paddings there will be? PLENTY and PLENTY and PLENTY GALORE!
Sorry roljen143, I will repeat na nga, mali pala. eto ibig kong sabihin:
Anyway, may suspicion din ako na ang 10billion cash allotment for the “AFP modernization” acquisition ay in reality, technically speaking FIVE to SIX billion pesos worth lang ng equipment ang mararating. Para bang FOUR billion pesos will disappear, i.e., private pockets. Optimistic pa ako diyan sa hula ko!
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved 14 supply contracts worth P10 billion for the military’s modernization program, military officials said.
Kung totoo iyan, tapos na ang boksing roljen143! Panalo na naman ang kampo ni Fatso!
We cannot change the world, if we cannot change ourselves. Much of what we find here are irresponsible comments by people who are not responsible in any of the events they are commenting upon and will never be called upon to account for those comments. That is why there is an unrestrained giving in to emotions, hatred, prejudice and ideology which are fed into a positive feedback loop that can push things to absurd heights. Like the accusation that Smith has “escaped.” Because we are free to do so, we do so. I only participate to change myself, to refine my own understanding of these issues against the whetstone of others’ ideas. It is futile vanity to think that you can change very many others purely by the force of your own logic, moral suasion and consistency. But I’ve always been vain and given to futile projects when I am convinced of what is right in the best lights of my own conscience and perception.
If Gloria has survived, it is only because those who oppose her do not have the moral superiority to rally the people to their cause, being stuck in the various ruts of hysterics and inconsistency.
Blogs are not pulpits. They are confessionals.
Hahahah! Dean, your conclusion “Blogs are not pulpits.” somehow contradicts what you’d just been preaching:
“We cannot change the world, if we cannot change ourselves. Much of what we find here are irresponsible comments by people who are not responsible in any of the events they are commenting upon and will never be called upon to account for those comments. That is why there is an unrestrained giving in to emotions, hatred, prejudice and ideology which are fed into a positive feedback loop that can push things to absurd heights. Like the accusation that Smith has “escaped.” Because we are free to do so, we do so.”
“If Gloria has survived, it is only because those who oppose her do not have the moral superiority to rally the people to their cause, being stuck in the various ruts of hysterics and inconsistency.”
More seriously now, I do see the utility of having a preacher/vicar/priest-like blogger like you preach from the pulpit and be there at the confessional to hear people who want to be there.
You have great intellect, the power of persuasion and are qualified to be the that person at the pulpit.
I am saying this without the least hint of sarcasm.
Bye folks its time to switch the channel over! See you tomorrow.
Army spokesman, Maj. Ernesto Torres Jr., denied the charge, saying the two officers are being treated fairly.
“The two are not being kept under solitary confinement. They are being treated well in accordance to their rights,” Torres said.
napakasinungaling ng Army spokeman. totoo na hanggang ngayon nakabartolina sila sa loob ng ISG compound pati na si capt dante lankit. kung gusto ni maj torres, samahan namin sya para makita nya. mas maganda ang situation nila capt gambala, maestrocmpo et al. Divide and conquer pa rin ang tactic nila thru psychological torture.
HIndi pa convicted mga officers na yan. wala pa silang kaso in civil court or GCM.
Nakakalungkot lang na pati phil army ay natuto na ring magsinungaling. malakas talaga ang impluwensya ng switik sa malacng at ni assperon.
Another stain to the rule of law, I suppose! Why would anyone would be surprised of the torture, after all this is the Philippines and we’ve a illegitimate Gloria the Rapist and her certified pigs running the country, we should be used by now. They only way to stop the torture is not to get caught, don’t give the Gloria the Rapist the opportunity, I’d imagine.
There are no easy solution to the problem, nor legal process available to have he sanity back in the Philippies, but to spill blood on the street. It’s not the answer I would preferred, nor I would consider, but if one has to examine the options, there are none at the present moment. The Gloria the Rapist is hunkered down and with resources ready to unleash to anyone ever think of kicking her out of her stolen power. Gloria the Rapist and her pigs has a way of eliminating their opponents, Nazi style. And won’t even think twice so Gloria the Rapist and the Arroyo family can reign like monarch in a third world country, and at the same time hiding their stolen loots in a safe places like USA, Germany, et al.
Over six years of Gloria the Rapist and Pigs are quite a long time more than anyone can imagine, but we can’t deny the facts that we are ruled by fascists and nothing better for them to have the whole country silent to their way of thinking. The political dead dead are reaching an unprecedentd number, not even Marcos look like a saint if we’ve to make comparison to Gloria the Rapist.
Most obviously, Philippines is not a sovereign nation with laws, but a county run by pigs and illegitimate Gloria the Rapist. Hence, might as well accept and get use to it, it’s going to be a long Yeare 2007.
Are we that barbaric nation?
Truth and Justice? Are there such thing in the Philippines with the Pigs and Gloria the rapist in Malacanang? Surely not. It’s only the rule of Gloria the Rapist what is now the most important agenda ahead of everything that matter most to an ordinary Pilipinos. The rule of law need to take a sit back, watch and learn from the master rapist of the constitution how things should be done to have a perfect crime, without going to prison. Gloria the Rapist should make a beliver of everybody, after all, she has proven over and over that her way is the most effective way of oppressing the sovereign rights of the people, and she has done it. Amen!
Why not let Smith and the two officers switch places so we can be fair? Let Smith experience how it feels like to sleep beside his toilet while cuffed and blindfolded. Let Baldonado and Sarmiento sleep in a big air-conditioned cell, exercise and enjoy steaks. Why should the people here be made accountable when in reality, there is no such thing as accountability in this country? The only reason GMA is where she is now is because of the Filipino’s patience which she knows how to exploit. She had also managed to send millions of possible rallyists to distant lands to work. Moral superiority is not the question but to allow due process to take its course. Why then are we gearing up for the elections if we are a violent race?
I won’t put too much on anything in Philippines and only very few selected people I will trust. I will not trust the legal system, nor the Supreme Court, I will not trust the Congress, I will not trust anything moving in the Philippines that ain’t nailed down, if you want trust, truth and justice, Philippines is not the place, at least not now, at the present circumtances. Not while the Arroyos are in power and the Gloria the rapist in Malacanang and her pigs are the only law. Almost 200 hundred Political dead are the testimony to the fact, the notches on Gloria the Rapist’s legacy.
Another thing, next election is just another process when the outcome has already been decided. It’s just a false hope, since the country has been rigged by the Arroyos and Hello Garci are in existant at every corner of the Philippines, bought and very well paid. Like I said many times, it’s time for the “One Million Warm Bodies” at the gates of Malacanang. It’s the only solution if you really want to rid of parasites. It’s the only one that make sense, since the Gloria the Rapist’s PNP and AFP doesn’t enough bullets to kill all the One Million Warm Bodies. Their money for the bullets has already been taken out of the country in the cozy foreign banks making good interest. In addition, the entire nation from within and outside the Philippines shores will be watching. It has been tested, it’s a win-win, can’t fail.
Anna,
No wonder the fake one has not appointed a replacement for Nonong Cruz, nasa DND ang pera. Sa kickbacks pa lang, yayaman ka na.
Prolonging the inevitable! Gloria the Rapist’s future and legacy has alredy been determined, it’s just a matter of completing the dates, when and how. Nothing on this world remain constant, so is the illetimate Gloria the Rapist’s government, sooner or later it will fall. Gloria the Rapist will die and vacate Malacanang. But, the people doesn’t have to wait, they can make it happen, the inevitable, not at Gloria’s time table, but the people, if they so wishes. However, if the people enjoy the political turture, killing, lying, cheating, among other things, my guess we’ve to wait until nature take its own course. But, I would rather the people of the Philippines plot its own course and destiny instead of hoping it will happen soon. I always believe on something and work hard enough for the good, somehow the hard work always get rewarded.
Nevertheless, it will bound to happen, Gloria the Rapist will vacate Malacanang.
i have a feeling that the soldiers are being tortured by the left.
Ayon kay Mrivera,”esperon, hindi estrelya ang dapat nakalagay sa mga balikat mo. dapat ay kalawit ni kamatayan o salapang ni lucifer. demonyo ka, supot!!” A millionX over.
***
Ang torture sa mga makabayang sundalo ay nakakarindi, nakakapanlumo, nakakadurog puso dahil hindi lamang ang mga sundalo ang biktima kundi kasamang natu-torture ni Glueria at supot Esperon ang mga asawa, magulang, kapatid, mamamayan at bayan!
Hirap sa physical torture ang mga magigigiting na sundalo samantalang ang mga bulsa ng torturers ay lumulobo! Prisoners of War ang labas ni Baldonado at Sarmiento at iba pang hindi lumalabas ang pangalan. Anong war? Gera ni Rapist Glueria para habambuhay na manatili sa ninakaw na poder!
Hanggang saan kaya ang patience ng mga pinoy?
GodSaveDConstitution Says:
January 5th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
The hatred you feel for smith is not personal but ideological, or psychiatric. Get help!
GSDC:
With due respect, I don’t have any personal hatred for Smith and for that matter, any in this blog. In fact, deep within, I’m rejoicing about Smith’s entry because it has become an added attraction to the Hello Garci! caper. Which could bring GMA down. And that’s the topic here.
But to say that because of the hatred we feel for Smith we should get help because we are ideological or psychiatric is preposterous, if not downright amusing. When I read your post, I could have replied immediately but my computer blinked. Baka nga I may need help. So, to be sure of myself, I instead went to my doctor friend to know if I’m become a psychiatric case because of Smith.He burst into incessant laughter and almost felled me with his martilyo.
With all the splendor of your words, you missed the point, dear professor. Very much.
The hatred is not for Smith. The hatred is for GMA because of the bad things she’s done and no need to enumerate because it’s all over this blog, in every thread.
The hatred, if I may repeat it again twice for the second around in double time, is for GMA because of Garci & Smith!
norpil,
Are you saying the torturers use their left hands instead of their rights hands? just the same. torture if there are evidence of existence, I believe is an International crime, or in violation of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Unless the Philippine exempt herself out of the Community of Nations, then it is duty bound to have Eliminated of forms of the above and using one’s Left hand instead of the Right is not considered as abiding by our obligations and duties to the United Nations..
Wow, Anna, unbelievable your report! Never heard in Japan. Kahit nga iyong mga komunista dito nakakakuha ng permit to visit the US sa totoo lang.
This refusal to grant a CA visit is clearly to force the CA to turn down the decision of the lower court in favor of the horny US soldier. Kailangan na talagang ihanda namin ang protest namin dito kapag dito ibabalik iyong malibog na sundalo!
Kawawang Pilipinas! Hanggang ngayon pa ba, hindi pa malaya ang bansang sinilangan? Kulo, kulo, kulo the dugo!
sorry vic.there had been so much talk about left and right somewhere in this blog that i try to be a bit logical.since soldiers are against the left or commies or leftists, i thought they are being tortured by the left, but there is a major flaw in this since they are being incarcerated by their co- soldiers or their own govt which is supposed to be a rightist.as for the existence of torture, when the wives say so, i have to believe. for why would they lie? it is torture enough that their loved ones are incarcerated.will the soldiers lie then?but why would they lie to their loved ones?
norpil, vic; torture by the left (hand)…that’s a good one! joeseg, getsing mo?
Well, Yuko that was coming from Mla Standard, Gloria’s friendly neighbourhood newspaper, so I suppose there’s some truth in that report.
While we are all having a kulo ng dugo, Norpil comes in silently with another one liner, “i have a feeling that the soldiers are being tortured by the left.”
Full of dry humor but with a powerful sting – no hystrionics. Hanga talaga ako Norpil!
Norpil, gotcha!
Anna,
His one liner bira, reason why I missed norpil, heheh! We need a break here, issue is too hurting!
norpil, I exactly knew what you were saying and I’m just putting some lighter side to the issue. But we all knew, that Torture as means of extracting confessions, even false confessions are still the norm in so many instances. We all have relatives on both sides of the issue. Police officers, which my own brother used to be, still use not just mental but physical torture not only to extract confession but by way of revenge or to humiliate their enemies. The same goes with the Military and the Insurgents as you say, some will classify as the Left and the Right. (honestly I classify myself as centre right, because i belong to the conservative party of canada) and our new democratic party here, classify themselves as Leftist and there’s nothing wrong with that and the liberals also call themselves centre left. As i’m typing this another liberal member Wajid Khan just cross the floor and is welcome by PM Harper to the conservative party. He is of South Asian Descent (Indian) and he is speaking right now and still have that very distinguishing Accent. That’s the beauty of our politics, Left,Right, centre left, centre right, indians,blacks, chinese, asians we had one pinoy before just fight it all in political fields without malice or personal interest, but all for Canada.
Pagkatapos kong basahin lahat ng opinion ng bawat isa ay nahalina or naengayo akong sumali sa mga makabuluhan talakayan nyo dito [take note; binasa ko lahat ng talakayan in 3 days ha?]. Sana lang magawa natin respetuhin ang opinion ng bawat isa, “we can agree to disagree” na walang batuhan ng insultuhan or bastusan.
Sobra akong na-impress kay Godsavedconstituion, poise parin kahit na nawawala sa lihis ang mga umaatake sa kanya. Korek si Ellen, meron tayong matutuhan sa pagpapalitan ng mga kuro-kuro, eksakto yan ang natutuhan ko kay GSDC yun relax lang n parang wala lang. Marangal at mahinahon parin syang sumagot sa mga banat sa kanya. Ano naman kasi ang makukuha natin sa insultuhan at bastusan, kung ang pakay lang naman talaga paano paalisin ang eskwater sa Malakanyang.
About Nicole, kahit babae ako ewan ko hindi nya talaga makuha ang simpatiya ko, siguro woman intuition lang sa akin. Mas apektado pa ako dun sa mga asawa ng sundalo na pinahihirapan ng kapwa sundalo!
Vic,
“That’s the beauty of our politics, Left,Right, centre left, centre right, indians,blacks, chinese, asians we had one pinoy before just fight it all in political fields without malice or personal interest, but all for Canada.”
I like Canadian politics, “Beyond Borders”.
Eh, ano naman kung di binigyan ng visa? Karapatan ng america kung sino ang gusto nilang papasukin sa bansa nila, pwes sila naman ang di natin papasukin… magagawa ba naman natin?
I like Burma politics, para makapagpahinga naman ang mga pilipino sa walang humpay na bangayan! Likas na pasaway ang mga pinoy… pangarap at mananatiling pangarap na lang yata magkasundo-sundo at umasenso ang Pilipinas.
O hayan, nalalapit na ang eleksyon pagkakataon na natin bumoto ng mga taong maasahan para ma-impeach ng tuluyan si Pandak. Dito tayo mag-focus, walang magagawa yun mga pagmumura at kung ano-anong kabastusan, magtulong-tulong tayo magkampanya ipaliwanag sa mga tao kung bakit kailangan natin mapatalsik si Pandak sa palasyo. Hindi makakadagdag ng bilang ng boto ang pag-iinarte at pagmumura, kilos ang kailangan!
ALIS DIYAN MAY KILITI AKO DIYAN!!!!
That’s right Chi. I’ve always admired Canada – it has the best of both worlds, the old and the new.
Pero gumagaya na ang Canada sa US ngayon. From being neutral and peacekeepers, naging bias at peacebreakers na daw. Their role in Afghanistan has made Canada unpopular these days. Isa pa itong kanilang Prime Minister Harper. Kung ano ang sinasabi ni Bush, iyan din ang kay Harper. Another thing I’m so confused about is the Canadian English. Coming from the Philippines and the US needs lots of adjustment in this English language. Halimbawa na lang: center naging centre, honor naging honour, labor naging labour. Pati sa petsa inuuna ang araw tulad ng 10/1/1958 na ang ibig sabihin January 10, 1958. This now makes me ask who and what country has the correct English. American or Canadian English?
mandirigma,
Ang Canada ay kailan di naging Neutral. Depende kung anong partido and tumatakbo ng Gobyerno nang Canada, iba iba ang patakaran ukol sa principio at ideohiya nang namamahala na partido. Hindi popularity contest ang hinahabol ng Canada, ukol sa role sa Afghanistan, ang original na mission nang United Nation Sanctioned ay talonin ang Taliban na nagbigay “protection” at training grounds sa manga terroristas na kung ma-alaala pa natin ang nagpabagsak ng twin towers. All things happening now are the consequences of the original mission, but Canada don’t leave the mission half cooked unless called home by its people through its Government. Our young men and women of the Canadian Forces, go where they are commanded and don’t cry like babies.
As for our English, it might have some French flavour, as this country two founding fathers were the French and the English. Which one is correct depends on how good the user with his/her grammar. We have a choice to use U.S. or Canadian and they are both well-understood here. We are not that choosy. One thing for sure, we are that mythical Utopia yet, no far from it, but I have been to quite a few countries, living the first 20s on our (my birth)country, but even when all equals, I’ll still prefer Canada from the rest. Although my siblings love the U.S.A. and they too are free of their choices.
Vic,
While the military mission of NATO in Afghanistan is defeat the Taliban, the NATO nation members, Canada included, have an ultimate political mission: win the hearts and minds of the Afghans.
I’ve written and posted many articles about this in my own blog. NATO is important to me and its mission in Afghanistan is not simply to engage in war – it goes beyond that. The war in Afghanistan is not just all about America it is about NATO member nations.
I meant to say: we are NOT that mythical Utopia yet, no far from it. sorry for the omission.
Sorry, that was rather brusque of me Vic, somehow the intro “Vic, allow me to add…’ got deleted.
I fully understand your position Vic. Ang mga paliwanag mo tulad din ng mga ibang pabor sa US like this Cocoy. Sa tagal niyo nang naninirahan sa ibang bansa, normal lang iyan. I think I should refresh my statement saying Canada has become unpopular. I should have said Canada is now hated by other countries unlike in the past. Ano man sabihin mo Kabayang Vic, isa sa dahilan ay ang participation ng Canada sa Afhghanistan. Many civilians have been killed by the Canadian soldiers na pareho ng ginagawa ng mga Kano sa Iraq. Pero para sa akin, ang dapat tingnan ay ang contribtution ng Canada na mas nakakarami. Compared to the US, I think Canada is still better liked by the world.
i like canada too though i have been there only once, in vancouver. i was dreaming of spending my retirement age there but was vetoed by the other member. english? i suppose canadian english is more uniform since american english, specially the oral one varies from state to state i suppose.besides they are still member of the commonwealth and therefore more british which is actually the inventor of the english language.
As in any conflict, there’s bound to be death and destruction. One thing that’s very important, NATO member nations did not UNILATERALLY INVADE AFGHANISTAN… NATO was invited by the Aghan govt and is officially UN mandated.
NATO cannot get involved in any military operation without a CONSENSUS among ALL member nations.
This is where it differes from the US invasion of Iraq.
NATO-Canadian troops in Afghanistan have been one of the MOST formidable and have suffered some of the highest casualties in Afghanistan having been on mostly front line combat mission while many, Germany, France, even the US and other nations have had an easier time.
We salute NATO nation member CANADA troops in Afghanistan. They exeplify extreme courage and sacrifice in Afghanistan beyond the call of duty. Those who don’t understand the sacrifices of these young men and women, average age of soldiers, 21 should know that without them, the world would be a far more dangerous place as we speak.
Yes Anna,
I’m just emphazising the original mission why the Canadian Forces and Canada was involved. Actually, after the initial success of the Campaign, we all were direrting our mission along with all NATO partners toward civil and community and political reforms and rebuilding of Schools and Infrastructures, but was interrupted with resurgent of Insurgency and that I said are all the consequences of the Original Missions and some critiques will always veer away from the very reason why we got involved in the first place. But we will always maintain our composure and will continue with the mission until the people decides to quit. It is always the people here who are going to decide by voting for the government that will bring the “boys” and “girls” home. That’s how our democracy works and we’re quite happy about it.
Right Vic. How I wish the AFP could learn from NATO troops military and political operations under the NATO SACEUR General Jones (an American) have the most extraordinary way of effecting their missions : winning the hearts and minds of the Afghans. Not easy but NATO nation members have the political will and are trying to put the resources required to achieve that.
The AFP cannot win the war against the insurgents unless they emulate some the extraordinary NATO commanders and see for themselves how modern ‘warfare’ operates.
Between all NATO nation members, they have the material clout to just shoot and kill the enemies in Afghanistan, Afghans and Talibans included and be done with it but they know it WOULD NEVER WORK that way.
NATO is providing sources of livelihood to Afghan farmers whose poppy culture they have destroyed by giving them the tools, the training and even the artifical market for their produce, creating markets for them, etc. and doing it through NGOs so that the Afghans don’t simply see destruction in their midst. That is but ONE example.
The AFP will never succeed unless the win the hearts and the minds of the insurgents. A bloody exercise in futility.
Gloria has NOOOOO clue that fighting the enemy is no longer just by means of bullets! The troops and their commanders must be absolutely trained to effect both missions: how to fight but first and foremoset, they must be trained how to win the hearts and minds of the insurgents. They badly need training along those lines. The AFP is still living in the warfare methodology of the 60s and the 70s! Ancient and littered with cobwebs.
Warring with the latest weaponry, the heaviest mortars, helicopter gunships, 155 mm guns, etc are not the only answers to defeating the enemy.
How very, very sad for the Magdalo wives ! I can only empathize, & imagine their pain ! Doesn’t it just make one HATE & ABHOR Gloria all the more ? Jeez!
*************************
On another topic, according to a report today from ABS-CBN News, Gloria says that “the gathering of world leaders in Cebu next week will be “a moment of pride” for the country as the Philippines hosts the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit..”
Strangely, in its issue today, The Daily Tribune reports that “Summiteers backing out of rescheduled ASEAN meet.” The report goes on to say that “United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has declined the Philippine government’s invitation to address the high-level meeting, and even scrapped the airing of the planned video message from him. Indonesian President Yudhoyono Susilo Bambang has given notice that he will be cutting short his trip. Australia’s foreign minister has sent his regrets. The Japanese foreign minister has done the same. And even the Japanese premier has reportedly scrapped the plan of holding a live press conference in Cebu to announce Japan’s policy in East Asia, with talks of making this announcement instead in Europe. And World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Pascal Lamy won’t be around for the Cebu summit either.” This tells me that even amongst our regional neighbors, Gloria AIN’T IMPORTANT ! She’s not on anyone’s list !
To top it all, travel warnings are again being issued prior to the Summit, specifically from Canada & the United Kingdom.
A JINXED Summit, if you ask me !
Oh my goodness me! Chabeli, Gloria is a walking disaster for the country…
Isn’t it, Anna de Brux ? The woman has turned into an ASEAN bacteria, or maybe an ASEAN plague, which could explain why the Summiteers are keeping away from her !
Maybe they figured that if Gloria doesn’t care about her own people, why should they care for her ? If Gloria does not respect her people, why should they ? Gloria just got what she deserves. After all, we get what we give.
One quote that I can partly recall from one of our Officers on the field: “people back home can’t imagine our fire power over here, but the day we indiscriminately use them against the innocent civilians, we might as well go home”. And can you believe that the troops are carrying ‘cold cash’ (no banking system yet in most remote Afghanistan) for the project. Can you trust those suitcases of cash to the AFP troops to get to their intended beneficiaries?
Since we’re talking about soldiers and Armed Forces here, let me say that China has produced new war planes. It looks like China is preparing militarily. Iyan ang isang dahilan kung bakit medyo nag-aalala ang Amerika ngayon. The US is bothered by China’s growing military strength in the military region. Kaya si Arroyo kung minsan kunwari tumatakbo sa China kapag galit ang US sa kanya. If she thinks this trick works, she’s dead wrong. Balewala sa US at hindi siya pinapansin. Hindi hawak sa leeg ng Amerika si Arroyo kundi hawak sa tuktok ng kanyang ulo. She’s too short to hold by the neck.
Sorry po: The US is bothered by China’s growing military strength in the military region (should be Pacific region). Back to the Magdalo soldiers, don’t you think we should make an accounting of those who are still detained? Baka may ilan sa kanila nasiraan na ang isip, may sakit o pinatay na.
gma cancelled the original asean meeting thinking that she can prevail over them as she does to the pinoys.in a way she is lucky that some are not coming like pascal lamy as reported above. i saw him in norwegian tv today for he is here in oslo as guest of the govt. he was lambasting his own hosts at their own backyard on farm subsidies.
Kabayang Norpil. Hindi din tayo nakakasiguro na matutuloy uli ang Asean meeting. Canada was the first to warn against terror and such call was followed by other participating nations. Kaya baka ma-cancel na naman uli. There is this alleged Vietnamese-American terrorist who they say is in the country. But of course such report comes from Malacanang and AFP. Another reason or excuse to cancel the meeting?
GodsaveDconstitution:
Oh yes, they will all be found guilty in any Philippine court. Why this is so? Because Esperon said so! If we recall sometime back, JAGO recommended the dismissal of the mutiny charges against these officers due to lack of evidence and instead they will be charged only for Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman. Esperon rejected it and arrogantly replied: “Whatever it is, it’s still my decision”. So that’s it, without saying, he telegraphed and sent out a signal that he wants these soldiers to be convicted even without any sufficient evidence. There’s no doubt about their conviction, maybe the only consolation is to put whatever trust left in us on the integrity and fairness of whoever conducts the proceedings and decide on the basis of the merit of the case and not to get swayed by the whims and wishes of the dictator.
Even if these soldiers are convicted, majority of the Filipinos who hate this corrupt and evil government will hail them as heroes. They will be seen as saviors who willingly sacrificed their lives, future and families to free them from the bondage of this evil government of cheaters, liars and thieves. Nobody will ever call them as maniacal putschists, gang rapist of the constitution, arrogant despoilers of democracy, except the Glue, Assperon and their minions. The people know who are the real power-grabbers who stole the presidency not once but twice; they know who are the real gang-rapists of the constitution and arrogant despoilers of democracy as in the case of Smith, the oath-taking as president when there was no vacancy in the presidency, and the brazen trashing and violation of all the laws of the land. The people know them by heart that’s why they want them out as soon as possible. Inip na inip na ang mga tao.
Mr. Professor, I think you are frozen in time. You are still talking about lefties, which mean the commies. They’ve been long gone, except China and Cuba and maybe others. The world is busy talking about terrorist, and you are stuck with the reds. I wonder why
florry, ano na nga ba ang mukha ni joema? heheh.
I feel sorry for the wives of the Magdalo who have stood their grounds. I hope they will remain steadfast and heroic enought to withstand the torture, isolation and deprivation, etc. that I don’t doubt they are being subjected to. I have heard of much worst tortures perpetrated even by the CIA (a great example is shown in the movie, “The Great Shepherd” that my friends in Basra say is nothing compared to the torture and brutality committed against Iraqi civilians, men, women, children and elderly)that will make anyone who hears them shudder and have nightmares.
Fortunately, I don’t have nightmares. In fact, I don’t dream unless it is more like a vision and warning from up above ala-Joseph of the amazing technicolored dreamcoat.
Yup, I don’t get nightmares of the Great Switik even when I hear of such threats on the lives of our dear Ellen or courageous Harry Roque. In fact, I am looking forward to seeing in my dream how God will answer the prayers of the sincerest of the 150,000 who joined the prayer rally at Luneta even when it was more or less led by some hypocrites in cloaks and froaks, and reason, I guess, why God must have stayed away and delayed answering their prayers until He sees it fit.
It is not anything like some supertitious fortune-telling, but more like a revelation. Over in our church, in fact, we believe in personal revelation that is freely given when one tries his best to keep in tune with God and listen to the Still Small Voice!
Now, if Baldonado and Sarmiento die in incarceration, it should be enough reason and incentive for others still dilly-dallying amidst their confusion to rise up against the graft and corruption that is now a well-established institution, far worst than at any time in Philippine political history, not even during the time of Carlos P. Garcia when he implemented his austerity program or during the Marcos’ Martial Law years.
Unfortunately, as evidenced by these treacherous acts committed by Philippine and US officials, the problem is that we are living at a time of chaos and confusion as prophesied in the Bible, a time when the world is saturated with vile and evil men as described by Isaiah in his books well quoted by Christ during His earthly mission: “For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.”
Yes, the world now is led by evil leaders, including those who call themselves “holy” NOT because it is the WILL OF GOD, but because of the iniquities of men, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor. 14: 33) “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work,” says the Apostle James in James 3:16.
If they cannot topple down this regime now, Filipinos may just as well wait for the fire and brimstones, and the baptism of fire prior to the Second Coming of Christ. The faithful may well be compensated by the fact that even when “false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect” (Mark 13:22) truth will still prevail in the end when “…Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matt.26:64)
Let me share with you a revelation received by a prophet in our church more than a century ago: “And again, verily, verily, I say unto you that when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season; And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand. But, behold, verily I say unto you, before the earth shall pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his trump, and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth—yea, even all. And the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father; Wherefore I will say unto them—Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (D.C. 29:23-28)
I would advice the members of the PIG for example to renounce their membership in this organization who leader has even boldly admitted and own to being the same legion of disembodied spirits that transferred to a herd of swines after being exorcised from a body of a man they possessed. This story is in fact in Mark 5:4-15. It is not yet too late as a matter to do so, even just to save their souls from eternal damnation. O:-)
Napanood ko rin ang CNN at may isang sikat na American evangelist ang nagsabi na may masamang mangyayari sa Amerika. Over in China, ang mga nakausap kong mga Taoist priests iisa ang hula sa hinaharap ng Tsina: Patuloy na asenso at paglago.
You bet, Florry! In the US in fact, they don’t talk about the Communists anymore. China and Russia are now the best of friends of the US, because Communism in their countries is now just an ideology that some senior citizens may still hold on to despite the return to capitalism as in the case of China, which now boasts of having more foreign reserves than any other country in the world!
I have actually posted in another loop an article on the dollar now being replaced by the Chinese yen, and reason I guess why the Great Switik has been trying her dumbest to link up with the Chinese so she can claim continuously about the strength even of the sagging peso versus the dollar. Stupid is as stupid does.
The trend now is to discriminate against the Moslems and those who look Middle Eastern with moustache, turban, scarf and all. Tama ka obsolete na ang Communist Scare! Diyan mo makikita ang backwardness ni Great Switik at iyong mga galamay niya, pati na iyong mga pinoy na gustong maging kanong hilaw! 😛
Siyanga pala mga pards tigilan niyo na ang pagbanat kay Dean dahil kakampi dean natin iyan.
Diwata: Huwag ka sanang magsawa sa pagbasa at pag-post dito kahit na walang pumansin sa posts mo. As my name “miron” suggests, hindi ako regular dito pero nalilibang akong magbasa, lalo na kung may ganitong civilized at intelligent debates, good prose, good analyses, etc. Nakakawalang-gana lang minsan kung may nagmumura o nambabastos. In any case, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and method of communicating. Every once in a while merong nae-edit. Ewan lang kung meron nang na-ban.
artsee: Sumisilip din ako paminsan-minsan sa sariling blog ni Dean at napapansin ko na duon din ay nagbabanatan sila ni adb.
“Yen” na rin pala ang currency ng China?
miron,
meron ba tayo diyan? he he, musta ka na? Ako nga rin noon ay gustong mag-miron lang pero ang lakas ng hatak ng blog na ito at di nga maiwasan ang tumahimik na lang.Marami na rin akong napulot na kaalaman dito at syanga pala ayon kay maam Ellen, meron na ring na-ban dito. Si Npongco.
Anna,
I don’t read the guy. What he is actually saying is that he is more superior than anyone blogging in this blog, and that what he says is the Gospel Truth! Any other argument not coming from him is trash! And any attempt to remove the Great Switik without the blessing of Uncle Sam is kaput.
Oh, yeah? That was what they said about the Vietnamese, too, you know, and what they are saying about the Iraqis or even the Afghans now.
We know what happened in Vietnam. We still have to see what’s gonna happen in Iraq or Afghanistan, which BTW is back to producing poppies and hashhish supplied to consumers in the great USA deliberately done, I guess, to ruin America!
Frankly, I don’t buy the US dig. It smucks of publicity, brainwashing more like.
If Hugo Chavez can call Dubya “Demonio,” and get away with it, why can’t anyone in the Philippines do the same? Huwag mong sabihin na mas maraming walang b-y-g sa Pilipinas?
Somewhere out there, I know, there is one for the plucking. Maybe Harry Roque? Who knows! Kaya siguro takot na takot sa kaniya si Great Switik and the Fatso! That is why they want him dead!
Anti-Americanism? No way! Just fed up with Filipino adulation of Americans, even a horny rapist! I thought they should have more confidence in themselves and stop clinging to Uncle Sam’s apron and being the proverbial “white men’s burdens.”
In fact, I belong to a church headquartered in the USA, and founded by Americans. Teddy Boy Locsin even pointed out to me the fact that members of our church are prefered to run such agency as the CIA! Why? It’s because we are no leftist, but plain and simple rightists, no in-between!!!
As for the “over here in Japan” thing, it is more because I am most familiar with the Japanese system. This is where I learned what real democracy is all about compared to the inequality and discriminations I witnessed in good ole America! At least, over here, I know the government cannot ignore me, regardless of whether or not I am sane or crazy. That, dearie, I know you also enjoy where you are.
Ist Lt. Sonny Sarmiento and 2nd Lt. Aldrin Baldonado are both gentlemen with adamant courage and principles.They don’t join the Salvation Army but a tough life of soldiery,they are a dead man walking fighting for last man standings.
I don’t even know what a devil posses in Esperon mind,All I can see is he is a coward.As I’ve been reading in this thread most,of you are sympathetic and that’s okey because maybe,some of you never expierence a life in the Military.
Esperon or whoever has an eagle or a star in there shoulder are only inducing fears and chaos on this Magdalo family so that they can convince there brave husband to comprimise.It is a phycological propaganda.
This Magdalo soldiers are train in this situation, they were taught how to be tough.You cut their limbs,you cut their heart apart or hang them upside down they will not surrender their beliefs and principles.This is how a good soldiers are.
The prosecutors have no solid evidence against them on mutiny charged because not a single shot was been fired. Maybe, a misdeamenor burglary or tresspassing.In the military it is only a slap on the wrist with 20 push-ups.
This Magdalo soldiers are unhappy if you show them weakness and sympathy.You are breaking there spirit.What they need is an encouragement.Be tough as what they are.
Hindi naman katulad ni Angleo ang mga ito na kaunting luhang patak sundo agad.Kasi pag ipinakita nating naaawa tayo sa kanila mas lalong nagdidiwang ang mga buwayang berdugong iyan na nagpapahirap sa kanila.Lalo silang pahihirapan para bumitaw. Matatapang ang mga iyan at ayaw nilang makitang lumuluha ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay pag dadalaw.Baka hindi magpapakita ang mga iyan.Isipin na lang natin sila ang ating magigiting na sundalong nakikipagdigma para sa bayan.Ang mga sundalo mas nanaisin pa nilang mamatay ng kabayanihan.
Anna:
When I was a little girl growing up in war-ravaged Philippines that took more than 20 years to be cleaned up of the remnants of war and the landmines as a matter of fact, I loved reading the stories of heroism and valor of those incarcerated at Fort Bonifacio during WWII.
One that impressed me most was about the courageous Ilocana, Josefa Llanes Escoda, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. It was why I joined the GSP when I was in Grade IV.
I bet the two Magdalo soldiers can do better even at the peril of their lives. Walang susuko! May araw din si Great Switik and Company, including iyong ungas na si Assoperon!
Next time pumunta iyan sa UP, huwag nang itlog ang ibato diyan. Kumuha na ng mga malalaking bato na ipukol sa pagmumukha at ulo ng Bangit na Pangit pang sipsip butong iyan!
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
TORTURE?
Ano ba yang mga Magdalo may tinatagong “WMD”, may ninakaw ng “KABAN NG BAYAN” at hinahanap kung saan tinago (balita ko sa Germany)Mga pusher ba sila ng pinagbabawal na gamot,Nang rape ba sila at pilit pinahihirapan at pinaaamin? Isa lang ang alam ko sa kanilang pag-aklas. Upang iparating sa mga namumuno ang kanilang karaingan, kakulangan nila ng mga kagamitan sa sadatahang lakas at kung ano ano pa.
Sorry na lang po sa mga asawa ng MAGDALO sana’y ang napangasawa nyo ay amerikano tiyak ko maitatakas sila ni “GLORIA DELA HUWAD” .
RE: The military yesterday belied allegations that Army custodians are subjecting to mental torture three junior officers linked to power grabs by keeping them in solitary confinement. Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Army chief, said Army detention cells at the headquarters in Fort Bonifacio passed standards of the International Red Cross.
OUTRIGHT DENIAL from Army Lt. General Tolentino without official investigation from the Army, JAGO, Human Rights Commission or any independent body is a baloney or whitewash. I hope there no cover-up to conceal human rights violation. Senator Rodolfo Biazon, chairman committee on national defense can initiate a senate inquiry on alleged torture. AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. is torturing and persecuting his own men in the name of blind justice and vengeance. Anyways, there is always be a payback time after the fall of abusive and corrupt Arroyo regime.
tikbalang, mas angkop yata na GLORIA DILA HUWAD. sinungaling kasi.
Hindi niyo ba alam na nakakulong si Ponga kasama ang mga Magdalo?
Good morning its a much better day today, sooo quiet.
Anna & Vic:
As you say the whole problem with AFP and also PNP is lack of modern training methods (training would be enough!) In both institutions they’re given a gun & uniform and called either military or police and follow their peers using violent methods because they’ve never been trained into the modern methods.
Canadians in the main have travelled, thats one of the reasons their populace has a mixed race, another reason that their institutions being of mixed races. Therefore Canadians understand and tolerate other races. But unfortunately in the main the Filipino hasn’t traveled and therefore in the main, only understand one culture that’s there own Filipino culture. If they go to Canada, as soon as they enter (other than tourist) they have rights, rights to work, rights to own property, rights to own a business and so on. What can we say about the Philippines, its the opposite to these Canadian rights, is that so?
Huwag kayong pumunta sa Canada dahil mawawala kayo. Kapag nandoon kayo hahanapin kayo. Ang sigaw ng mga kamag-anak at kaibigan niyo “Nasaan Cana-diyan?”
Kung talagang na-ban na si npongco dito, di ba ibig sabihin lang nun hindi siya puedeng mag-post pero siempre puede pa rin niyang basahin ang mga comments dito. Siguro atat na atat na siyang makipag-debate uli.
Chi,
Nasagot na ni artsee yong tanong mo tungkol kay joema. ang maidadagdag ko lang ay mukha yatang kaliwete.
artsee, thanks sa pagsagot mo.
May bagong patakaran si Ate Ellen na bawal na dito ang dugong aso. Kami ni Ate Chi may dugong Tai Chi. Nasaan na pala ang ninang kong si Soleil?
Ate Florry, ako naman kamukha ni Joemari Yllana.
First to be hanged was Gen.Yamashita,Then Saddam hussien,next Gen.Esperon for his depicable act in torturing his own men.
Anna,
Walang naloko ang mga ungas. Same old bunch lumipat from other fora as a matter of fact. The daughter I’m sure is blogging here likewise in some fancy name, a character from the Enchanted Kingdom of her lunatic Mom ala-Nero, who burned Rome a long, long time ago.
I don’t read them as a matter of fact. I find more pleasure in fact reading more sensible posts, honest to goodness opinions without imposing on anyone. I was going to name names but better not to kasi baka sila kainggitan.
May isa pa namang bakla yata na mahilig ng intriga kundi ba naman!
Anyway, tuloy ang batikos. Patigasan! PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
Ako yata ang pinatatamaan ni Japayuko. Idol ko din si Pimentel kaya huwag kang maasar sa akin. Idol ko si Pepe Pimentel.
miron,cocoy
matagal nang walang post si npongco..Nagalit yata si maam Ellen dahil pinersonal niya yung dalawang babae dito..Pati ako kung minsan binibira,pero okey lang sa akin..Malalim din ang kumag pero tingin ko, gusto niya ‘yes’ tayong lahat sa mga sinasabi niya.
Aba, hindi puwede tayong “yes” dito. Ano tayo gaya ni siRAULo? Ang tutoo may tampo din ako kay Ate Ellen kasi tinatanggal niya kung minsan ang mga post ko. Tatawa siya tapos tatanggalin din.
Artsee, hindi ako natatawa sa mga comments mo na palagi ay parang nambabastos na ng usapan. Okay lang yun kung ang gumagawa noon ay isang batang anim na taong gulang.Pero kung isang adult,parang nanloloko na.
Kung hindi panloloko ang pakay niyo sa blog na ito, sana yung matino namang comments.
Artsee:Ang Japayuko na sinasabi mo ay malayo sa akala mo,dahil sa tagal ko ng binabasa ang mga sinusulat ni Ystakei,palagay ko si Ystakei ay isang newscaster sa TV Asahi isang left- wing liberal T.V.station affiliated with Asahi Shimbun.Parang si Hiroshi Kume ng famous sa Tokyo’O kaya nasa right siya sa Fuji television affiliated with Sankei Shimbun.Matalino itong si Ystakei ganyan ang paglalarawan ko sa kanya.Nakarating na rin ako ng Japan sa Tokyo.
Yuko, what more can I say, communism is passe, cold war which primarily caused by ideological clash between communism and capitalism is a thing of the past, countries became friendly with each other and respect each other’s independence and sovereignty. The Philippines failed miserably to gain respect from others because of its subservient to foreign powers.
You are right too about China being the biggest and fastest growing economy in the world. And if you are an investor, or happen to play the stock market, go China. It’s all gain, gain..gain. And with the next Olympic games scheduled to take place in there, the economy will doubly boom. Trust me, that’s what I do for a living…
At least we can say that artsee thinks of himself as the jester of the court. Kaya lang baka ng royal court ni Reyna Engkantasya na may ubod itim na gilagid, duon tayo patay, dahil ibig sabihin panabla o panggulo lamang talaga pakay nito dito. Kaya nga honestly, I would rather read npongco’s posts than this china man’s Timog Ave. brand of comics. Saka artsee, ang isang komedyante kapag natatawa sa sarili niyang jokes, laos agad iyon, and the way I see it artsee, you’re the only one laughing at your own antics.
Now, on the reported tortures of the Magdalos, it’s really sad that this proves ones more that the AFP is now a the private army of gloria and her organization, with his whale of a husband as the Kingpin himself. They are not far from those cannibals in those Southern Pacific islands in Papua New Guinea, who turns on their own kind. At least those cannibals are dong it for their ritual beliefs, unlike esperon and his pack of wolves who do it for the sake of greed. The only big question now is when would gloria, chubby mike pidal, esperon, et al. would pay for all their sins to our Constitution, People, and Motherland.
Yuko-san, paborito ka talaga asarin ng mga kulisap na pinawalan ng mga alipores ni gloria dito sa cyberspace. I think it’s because next to our gracious host on this blog site, you are one of the most vocal critic of gloria and her unglorified empire. Madam Anna is a close second behind you. And by the way, you never told me that you are a tv newscaster of a left-wing Japanese station? Bago iyon ha ystakei, galing ng nag-profile sa iyo. 😉
I would like to see a video clip of Ystakei as a newscaster. Ewan ko lang kung kaya ipadala sa computer. Now wonder she’s very articulate at magaling sumulat. Kadalasan ang mga magaling sumulat magaling din magsalita. But the late Max Soliven was different. He was a better writer than broadcaster. Hindi ba may programa siya at hindi natuloy? He got a hard time doing the interview on the air and was constrained to get a partner to help him on TV. Naaalala niyo pa ba? But Soliven was among the best in his field. Saludo din ako sa kanya.
Florry:
No China. Wais masyado ang mga iyan. Even my Chinese friends in Japan do not do that. Sila mismo walang tiwala sa gobyerno nila. A lot many of them say, it is just on the surface. Wait till they boggle. Lots of dishonest people there. No way!
Spartan:
Takot kasi sa akin iyan. Si Switik,I mean. Alam niya ang nagagawa ng Takei na ito sa Japan. Panay kasi ang patawag kay Siason ng Ministry of Foreign Affairs namin everytime my group and I meet with members of our Diet and the MoFA.
Hindi ako kilala ng mga ungas. Haponesa ito, dear friend. Hindi madaling mag-give up lalo na may police connection pa ako. All the more reason why I should not be afraid. Besides, bawal ang baril sa Japan. May baseball bat naman sa bahay na pang-self defense although in Japan, hindi uubra ang katwirang self-defense kung makapatay ka ng tao kahit sa loob ng bahay mo ng isang intruder. Poposasan ka pa rin, tapos may tali pa sa beywang na nakatali doon sa handcuffs para walang ligtas.
Mga kapatid ko nga takot sa akin kasi alam nilang ako ang hapon sa aming lahat. Alam mo na, Kamikaze style! Fly with the sacred wind! Never give up!
You bet, iisang tao lang ang mga iyan o grupo na tawag ko Internet Brigade ni Great Switik. Bistado ko sila sa totoo lang. Sinabi ko naman sa iyo kung papaano mo mahuhuli ang mga ungas. Arguments naman niyan iisa lang. Worse ay ang pang-iinsulto sa mga kapwa nila pilipino na kung hindi ka magaling mag-ingles bobo ka. Parang sinabi nila na bobo iyong mga kano na hindi marunong ng tagalog!
Come to think of it, ang mga hindi alam na tubong Pilipinas ako ay hangang-hanga sa akin na magaling akong mag-tagalog aside from English, Spanish, French and a splutter of Ilocano, German and Mandarin, and our native Japanese. Karamihan kasi dito iisa lang ang alam na salita—wikang hapon.
Akala kasi ng mga hambug, lalo na iyong nagsasabing kamag-anak daw nila si Rizal na napapangewe siguro si Gemma Cruz na grandniece ni Rizal, ay sila lang ang marunong ng wika ni Limahong. Oops, Fookienese yata si Limahong. Baka hindi pa marunong ng Mandarin!
Maternal grandfather ko na may lahing English ay may lahi ring Cantonese. Kaya ako proud of Jackie Chan. First BF ko born in Shanghai anak ng isang pilipino at tsina, pero no talk. Pipi kasi. Kaya in addition to speaking other tongues, I also know sign language. I can read lips, too. No need ang earphone. Basta nakita ko ang bibig, alam ko ang sinasabi. Learned the skill from my BF and reading books.
Hindi kami natuloy kasi umalis na kami (pamilya ko at ako) sa Pilipinas. I also decided to drop him for strong family objection lalo na iyong maternal grandmother ko. Baka daw magkaroon kami ng anak na pipi!
Motto ko—Perseverance is genius in disquise.
Spartan,
There is no left-wing TV station in Japan. Communist Party dito ay legal, but I don’t support them. May diyaryo sila alright. Magagaling ang mga writers nila dahil dito kahit kumusta ka, subsidized ng gobyerno ang pag-aaral nila at ng iba pang mga hapones. Pantay, pantay. Iyan ang tunay na demokrasya!
I don’t appear on TV kaya diyan palang alam mo nang nangloloko iyong gagong nag-post niyan. Puro hocus-pocus ang intelligence ng mga gunggong. Tamad na magnanakaw pa. Ninanakaw lang ang pera allottted para daw sa spying activities nila. Huwag kang maniwala diyan. Baka masiraan ka ng bait. Sabi na ngang mga switik lang ang mga iyan!
Oops, hindi kumusta, komunista! Dagdag, I do parttime job for the TV (All TV networks) as a translator/interpreter and help in editing programs for TV, but I don’t appear on TV. Magaling talagang mag-imbento ang mga Internet Brigade ni Great Switik. Dito nakakasuhan iyan lalo na kung ang intention ay manira!
BTW, what we do against Great Switik at mga policy niya at mga galamay niyang switik ay batikos. Iba iyong pagbatikos sa paninira, you know. Allowed iyan ng free speech. Hindi papasa ang kagaguhan ng mga iyan dito sa Japan sa totoo lang. Kaya iyong CIA, etc. nahihirapang mag-operate sa Japan sa totoo lang! Proud to be in and from Japan. Wannabe proud of the Philippines, too, in time!
they are idealistic young military officials who dedicated their lives serving the country and fighting only for reforms. this inhumane treatment is deplorable that depicts the kind of leadership in the military establishment, its shameless and bogus commander-in-chief included.
terrorists and animals have their respective rights protected and observed, but why not these gallant men’s who have given the best in them for our country and people?
the present government becomes a beasts’ haven!
Spartan,
Sabi ng secretary ko dapat daw sinabi ko na kaya ako ang pinupukol ng mga tuta ni Great Switik kasi alam niyang hindi ako nagsisinungaling at mabubuking siya! Korekek!
Ystakei:Gominasai,Yuko san.Sumimasen.Ako iyong nag-profile sa iyo kasi matalino ka and I compared you to a person like Hiroshi whom I meet last 1984 over a glass of brandy in Orchids bar at Tokyo Hotel Okura in Taranomon, Minato-ku in Tokyo.I’m sorry,my intention is not what do you think.I admired your writting.I am not a spy of Malacanang and will never be.I am at your side although sometimes we differ in opinion.
Yuko, if you are not comfortable with China, thats OK. If you are a player you can play with companies in your own backyard like Toyota which is set to become the world’s largest auto maker this year surpassing General Motors of the US. A very good and profitable company.
Just a suggestion.
Thanks for the tips, Florry. I have hired a surveyor to do that for me as I have bought some stocks in the US.
I am not into buying new stocks right now, because it is risky. I lost a lot of money in the money market because I am not a gambler. I’d rather put my money in sure money-making businesses–full of hard work but pay—than lose more money in the risky money market.
I say pay a full tithe, and God takes care of me. It’s sound security to me as a matter of fact.
Spartan:
Iyan ang tinatawag na pakialamero. Sinabi ko na ngang hindi ako leftist, kung bakit ipinagpipilitan pa. Profiling you say. Baka idemanda ko iyan ng infringement of privacy. Mabigat ang parusa diyan sa totoo lang lalo na kung walang basehan.
Malinis ang papel ko. Kahit pagbali-baligtarin ang mundo wala silang makikita. Sayang na lang ang pagiging holder ko ng temple recommend sa simbahan namin. Besides, hindi puedeng maging police agent dito kung leftist ka. Dito a leftist does not necessarily have to be a communist sa totoo lang! Payag pa ako kung sabihing ultra-rightist ako, which I am neither kasi mahirap maging extremist!
I must admit na pamilya ng husband ko may phobia sa mga kano. Kaya nga hindi ko ma-convert ang asawa ko sa religion ko. Sabi ng mga biyenan ko sa kaniya na idi-disown siya kapag sumali siya sa amin dahil ayaw daw nilang maging Amerikano o parang Amerikano siya.
My father-in-law was from a family of Samurai na vassal ni Takeda Shingen ng Nagano. (Patay na siya kaya “was” na siya.) Iyon namang mother-in-law ko belonged to a priestly family—Shinto kaya matindi din ang emperor-worship. First governor ng probinsiya nila ang nuno niya. Genealogy ng father-in-law ko dates back to 752 A.D.
Ako naman, ang Japanese line namin connected sa Taira Clan of the fame “Heike Monogatari”! Proud of my family really!
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
Guys,
Kung paano magsulat si ystakei dito ay ganoon din siyang magsalita. No difference I can tell you. I’ve not seen her in person but we talked over the phone for over 2 hrs, the closest, next to physical ‘harapan’, one can get to assess a person. She is NOT a commie. Hindi pwede siya pasista dahil sa pinagsusulat niya dito. She is a warm person as to her voice, and cares so much about Pinas more than other pinoys. Oh, ayan kaya enjoy na lang tayo sa mga sensible posts niya. Actually, enjoy ako sa lutong magsulat niyan sa tagalog. At enjoy din ako sa style ni Anna, she has a total command of her second language. Cheers to everyone!
plus… what she says her job is, yon na!
btw, I’m not really sure if Anna’s mother tongue is tagalog (pilipino) or french. :).
Hi Chi,
Believe it or not, used to be (American) English coz early schooling was spent in the US.
I suppose, if we want to be technical, Tagalog should be it since Mom and Granny spoke the lingo to us kids even when we were living in the US.
Ate Ellen, payagan mo akong sumagot at ipagtanggol sa paratang niyo na isa akong bastos. Sa tanang buhay ko, wala pang nagsabing bastos ako. Kahit na nakikita mo ang mga Intsik na nagdudura sa kalye at tulo ang laway habang kumakain, iba ang breeding ko ate. Galing ako sa class na pamilya. Kung baga’y may lahi kaming “royal” dahil sabi ng lolo ko ang mga ninuno daw namin nagmula sa Emperador. Kaya kung akala niyo na mayabang ako, dala lang iyan ng pinagmulan ko. Sabihin niyo nang corny ako pero huwag bastos. Hindi ko naman kayo pinipilit tumawa. Ka linya ko sina Rod Navarro, Joey de Leon at Willie Revillamo. May pagka pilyo pero iginagalang din naman. Nasaktan ako sa bintang niyo Ate Ellen. Nang mabaso ko ang sermon niyo, napaluha ako. Hindi ko na kinain ang labing dalawang platong ulam na hinanda ng peronal Chef kong mula sa Peking. Ipinakain ko na lang sa mga katulong ko. Sinong nagsabing puro walang kuwenta ang mga sulat ko? Sa akin ninyo nalaman ang mga lihim na kasaysayan ng Tsina. Kahit papaano binigyan ko ng “balance” itong blog para hindi puro Hapon na lang ang nababasa niyo. Pero ngayon pa man, humihingi ako ng paumanhin kay Ate Ellen. Kung gusto niya akong tanggalin, okay lang. Mabuti pang daanin na lang natin sa botohan. Sino sa inyo ang gustong maalis ako? Aba, alam kong maraming tagahanga ako dito.
Kaunting koreksiyon lang sa sinulat ko. Willie Revillame (e) at mabasa (a). Nanginginig ang mga daliri ko sa labis na pagdadalamhati sa sermon ni Ate Ellen. Inutusan ko na ang assistant ko na tumawag sa personal physician ko. Baka kailangan na naman ako pumasok sa ospital.
Oh, poor Artsee… hayaan mo, pag naisip ko, padadalhan kita ng game boy sa ospital para malibang ka.
OK guys, I’m off to see Angelina Jolie. Be back tonight.
artsee, behave ka sa ospital, ha?
Salamat sa pagmamalasakit mo Ate Anna. Kayo lang yata ni Ate Chi ang nagmamahal sa akin. Ito naman si Mang Rivera puro hirit lang sa akin. Humihingi ba naman ng HDTV. Bigyan ko ba siya? Nandito na ang doktor ko at hinihintay matapos ang sulat ko. Kapag kailangan ako maospital, dadalhin ko na lang itong Apple laptop ko. Paki sabi lang kay Ate Ellen na huwag siyang mag-alala at hindi ko siya idedemanda sa pananakit niya ng damdamin. Kung iba lang ang gumawa sa akin, idedemanda ko ng $100 Million damages.
I just want to comment on Dean’s “What exactly is the difference as far another eternal principle is concerned: All men are created equal! (Whether they are pinoy or kano, white or brown).” Not that I dislike him, but I’m not sold to that Jeffersonian maxim that has become America’s most notable linguistic icon today.
“All men are created equal.” Did it come from the bottom of Thomas Jefferson’s heart? Was he sincere about his use of the word “equal” and did he really mean it for all “men” (of course, women are included here. I excuse him for his being out of tune with gender sensitivity).
Consider these: (1) Jefferson inherited and maintained hundreds of black slaves, and himself had 187 until his last breath; (2) he had sired children from a half-slave concubine, a half sister of his deceased wife, whom he freed (by will or by some other means), about the only record of his compassion to black slaves; (3) in Virginia, his hometown and political jurisdiction before becoming the third US president, slavery was commonplace and accepted. Blacks and slaves are interchangeable and meant the same, as chattel that can be disposed of and alienated, even brutalized if needed, and their women were subject to all forms of treatment (their white masters could have free sex with them and beget children, who are disowned as part of mainstream society).
The question that continues to bug the mind of scholars is: Are blacks and slaves during that time considered “human” or “men”? Surely, this topic eludes honest and intellectual discussion today, because it resuscitates a dark period of American society that people would rather consign to the dustbin of history. However, those who are willing to face it know where America stands, and what “equality” really means as philosophical and historical realities.
Today, America still lives under that shadow of a virulent racist past, and is hounded by the philosophy on equality as an Orwellian “double speak.”
Hawaiian, great piece!
Just a possibility that it might have occurred to him that men are created equal because he had dubbed in French philosophy; he had also fallen in love with a black woman while in france but at the time, moeurs and practices were different, most likely he was a prisoner of the traditions and social pressures of the time although he was already a real progressive.
given that this sort of mentality or practice was prevailing in the deep south in the US until the early 60s, one could imagine how difficult it must have been for jefferson.
this is a real life story: it’s about the son of an englishman who while on a colonial visit to various concerns in asia at the beginning of the 20th century went to pinas where he met a local beauty; eventually married the pinay in secret, the union produced an heir, a boy. the englishman who belonged to a rich family in England COULD NOT take his son to england coz the mother was “coloured” – his family never, ever met his son during his lifetime. when he died, the son inherited a property and a few trinkets that the dad owned in England which the son eventually sold away coz he hated “victorian england.”
sad, isn’t it?
Anna, that’s sad indeed.
I’ve been trying very hard to understand Jefferson as a public figure and as a person. Looks like every aspect of the self (Freud confirms this, and many others, too) has a reason for being. You may be right, his experience with French had a lot to do with his public self. But as we all know, sometimes rhetorics (or ideals)pass up as facts and realities. I think it’s best to always suspend judgment until we are pretty certain that there is no incongruence in something that we endorse. Or, we can treat such a thing (e.g., equality) as a value to be desired and aspired for, keeping in mind measures to reach it and correct the past.
We have yet to hear American officials “apologize” to those they harmed, or “atone” to their sins of yesteryears (enslaved blacks of history, Japanese interned during WWII, Indians dispossessed of their lands during the “wild” west expansion, Filipino vets of WWII who are yet to be recognized and given full equity, etc.). Very pleasing to hear, indeed, but equality is perhaps “color blind” or that some men are just more equal than others.
Ooppps, sorry if I get off the track. If equality is the term to describe the plight of the Magdalo prisoners, then Jefferson’s advocacy (all men be treated equally) is somehow in line with the discussion.
Thanks, Hawaiian guy.
On the atonement front, perhaps because America is still a young civilization. Marlon Brando tried to do something about it, didn’t he but got sidetracked.
Most recently, there was a furor in the UK over Tony Blair’s public atonement, if you may call his declaration that, over Great Britain’s participation in the black slave trade 200 years ago. I thought it was the only more admirable thing he’s done these last 3 years.
David Cameron, very young leader of the UK Tory Party, recently apologized to President Mandela and to the blacks of South Africa for Tory Party’s (under Dame Margaret Thatcher)harsh treatment of the ANC at the height of the apartheid issue in the 70s. I thought it was essential if only to move on.
France under Pres Jacques Chirac has ackwnoledged and atoned for the non-recognition of the Algerians who fought side by side with all-French troops in the 50s and finally accorded them the same veteran status with pension privileges and everything. I was one of those who were ecstatic about it.
Today, Turkey still refuses to acknowledge the Ottoman Empire’s Armenian genocide. For that reason alone, I believe that Turkey’s application to be part of the European Union should not be opposed.
Ooops…. I believe that Turkey’s application to be part of the European Union SHOULD BE opposed.
Hawaiinguy: “All men are created equal.” Did it come from the bottom of Thomas Jefferson’s heart? Was he sincere about his use of the word “equal” and did he really mean it for all “men” (of course, women are included here. I excuse him for his being out of tune with gender sensitivity).
*****
I saw that biopic on Thomas Jefferson, because I went to grade at the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, and was taught of the virtues and philosophy of this great stateman. I loved this advice on counting ten first when angry before saying anything.
I was disappointed when I found out that he had lots of slaves and had children by his female slaves!!! Talk of American hypocrisy indeed!
Anna:
What you said about the British guy rings a bell. It is the exact replica of the story of my British ancestor as told by the guy with the same family name as my mother who claims that his family is the keeper of the family record dating back to 10th century England.
I went to meet him at Leeds, and he called for the whole clan to meet me. They were very kind and cordial to me, kind of made amends for the sins of the father more like!
I actually wanted to take my mother there and have some kind of a family reunion, but she was not up to it even with the special stockings to prevent what they call as “Economy Class Syndrome” that afflicts especially old people on long trips.
I had the same American English when I went to England, Anna, but if I can help it, I stick to the Queen’s English now. My foster Mom used to refer to me as the Japanese-American even when I told her of my Filipino mother with British roots.
This should read, “I saw that biopic on Thomas Jefferson, because I went to grade SCHOOL at the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School…”
Groggy na, but can’t go to sleep. Gotta go to church now! See you later, guys!
Chi,
Thanks for the endorsement. I downloaded the new Jolie movie. Halos wala siya doon. Puro si Matt Damon lang.
Enjoyed the talk with you. Nag-worry iyong kuripot na kapatid ko sa phone bill mo. Babawi ako when I retrieve your phone no. Will give you a call from Tokyo pag gising ka.
Do you have a yahoo account or skyhype? Libre phone call via the Internet. Got a video cam but I don’t want to clog my computer with it.
Groggy na talaga ako. Nakapikit na ang kalahating mata! Decided to stay home and sleep. Will just go to the temple and make amends during the week. Chao, bambina!
Yuko,
Download mo ang “Children of Men” ni Clive Owen. You’ll like it.
I already have, Chi. I’m waiting for the better version. I use Nero for burning even AVI files. Bought Nero 7.0 at Fry’s. It’s good.
I like Clive Owen even with his thick British accent. Another British actor I like is Matthew MacFadyen. Unfortunately, I cannot find a copy of his “In My Father’s Den.” I was able to download only a portion of it.
I already have, Chi. I joined a downloading club and paid a lifetime fee. It’s legal. I’m just waiting for the better version.
I like Clive Owens and his thick British accent. Another actor I like is Matthew MacFadyen. He’s very good as Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” with Kiera Knightley.
When you download the movie, do you pay for it?
all men are created equal? of course not. socialists recognised this long ago. accordingly one of their doctrines is that society must strive to create them more equal.
Ellen:
Yes, Ellen, I paid a lifetime membership when it was still cheap. All softwares for downloading are also provided. I have also subscribed to authorized downloading site. I also share my own DVD files, especially documentaries that need to be distributed to as many viewers as possible as in the case of the Erap movie that I cooperated to put into a torrent file. No copyright infringement, just permit to reproduce them. Otherwise, I keep just a copy for my own collection, especially when the movie is not shown in Japan.
A friend recommended Nero for burning files, and I bought the latest version that can burn widescreeen DVD. I plan to make a documentary of my mother to distribute copies to her children and relatives to remember her by just in case. She’s 88, still strong but we don’t know. So far, she has not spoken of seeing some dead people the way my father, brother and cousin did before they died that was some kind of premonition of impending death, so I know she still has a lot of time to enjoy.
Her elder sister is 92 going on 93, and still strong in the head. I told her of the Japanese woman who started dancing hula at age 92, and lived longer.
norpil,
In Denmark (in our years there), Vietnamese immigrants used to hold rally in the plaza. Issues: same as the muslim’s that escalated in France two (a year?) ago.
Norpil, I can agree with you no more. (“all men are created equal? of course not. socialists recognised this long ago. accordingly one of their doctrines is that society must strive to create them more equal.”)
That principle stands on one foot, and has no (or little basis) for application in our lives today, as it was in the past. It can’t be used with great effect to justify or moralize something, when it’s nature and origin is itself under question.
In another respect, Nordic countries fare much better in this “equality” thing, judging from the way democracy is observed there. I don’t know how Sweden, the most “democratic” country on earth (according to the Economist, “The World in 2007”), characterizes itself in terms of a similar Jeffersonian dictum. I was laughing to myself when I found out that the Philippines is placed under the category of “flawed democracies” in the same way that Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, some countries in Latin America and Africa, and yes, Bangladesh (the most corrupt country in Asia according to Transparency International in one of its surveys) are called such. Particularly apalling is the very low score of the Philippines in “political culture” which ranks it similarly with Bolivia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Demo Rep of Congo, among others. But I was consoled to know that at least we beat North Korea, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Guinea-Bissau on this (see http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2007_v3.pdf). Shall I say more?
Ellen, what happened? I just submitted a response to Norpil but my post didn’t come out?
Darn it, now I have to reconstruct that long response.
Norpil, I can’t agree with you no more on the “equality” thing. At best, it stands on a shaky ground, with only a foot making it stand. Using America as the standard of this value is plain naivete.
Nordic countries are far better off on this than the widely known US of A, with Sweden being rated as the most “democratic” country on earth (according to the Economist, “The World in 2007,” http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2007_v3.pdf). I nearly got thrown off my seat when I found out that the Philippines is one of those classified as “flawed democracies” together with Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Suriname, and some other notorious Latin American and African countries.
“Political culture” as an aspect of democracy puts the Philippines in a worse light – it shares the same position as Niger, Sierra Leone, Demo Rep of Congo, and Bolivia, among others. But at least, we are consoled to know that this beloved country of ours beats some of the worst nations of the world (in terms of human rights violations)like Afghanistan, North Korea, Haiti, Ecuador, and Swaziland.
Now, who says there is equality and democracy in the Philippines? CHANGE this regime now and start anew!
Ellen, I re-posted another one and it didn’t come out – it’s the old one that came. What’s happening here? Darn it, someone must be playing a dirty cybertrick on me!
HG, It’s already there. It was submitted for moderation. The administrator sometimes do that.
Thanks, Ellen. Just wondering.
Hawaiianguy, suggestion: when you post a link, delete the http from the www xxxx link and the post gets published…
Thanks, ABD. I will next time.
Lakas talaga ng amat nitong intsik daw dito. Galing pala naman sa lahi ng Emperador, pasensyahan mo na kami kasi wala manl ang pala makakaagapay sa iyo dito pagdating sa linyada ng dugo. Wala naman kasi dito nagmula sa lahi nina Don Alfonso, Napoleon, Cuervo, at higit sa lahat ang pinaka-sikat sa mga brandy na pinaggayahan ng Emperador, si Fundador. And speaking of hospital, baka hindi magaling mga duktor nila sa mga mental hospital diyan sa Tsina, magpahatid ka na lang sa Mandaluyong, duon madadalaw ka pa lagi ni benjamin abalos.
and Yuko-san, not an iota of doubt. Kahit kailan hindi ako nagduda sa tunay mong personalidad. Kaya when I said na bago yun ikaw ay isa palang newscaster sa isang left-leaning tv station diyan sa Japan, I was being sarcastic duon sa nagpakawala ng komento na iyon.
Spartan:
You bet, no pansin ako sa mga inutil. Hindi ko binabasa ang walang katuturang pampagulong postings dito. China, you say? Bawal mag-blog doon. Nasa dyaryo ang balitang iyan.
Monitored ng gobyerno unless na may koneksyon siguro sa Malacanang!
i read somewhere that the pinas is no.6 when it comes to the most emancipated women in the world. i am so proud of our women except for one.
thanks, norpil. heheh.
the only one is not a woman, she’s a retard Satan.