WHAT’S BETTER ― LOCAL OR FOREIGN?

There was a tiny discussion in my household recently, as to whether it would be better for local mining companies to exploit the country’s natural resources, as opposed to having foreigners do it.

If a local mining company is franchised for a certain project or area, which would mean purchases and profits occurring within the country, then it might seem like, ‘local’ is better.

‘PERA NG BAYAN’ ― WHAT A LAUGH

Much of false belief is not based on an active false premise of a believer, but rather a mere taking-for-granted that neglects what are actually relevant premises. Hence in this blog, I often find myself saying “It is taken for granted that...”.

With regards to the Finance department’s ‘Pera Ng Bayan’ campaign, it is taken for granted that it is okay to steal property as long as this is legislated.

THANK GOD FOR SMUGGLING

Check this story out. Basically, smuggling is made out to be the culprit in the weak growth of the local auto industry.

It is taken for granted that what increases profits in one sector, constitutes economic growth. This is the kind of muddled thinking that makes for catchy political rhetoric, but it has no basis in reality.

PHONY ANTI-CORRUPTION, PHONY MARKETS

The business group Federation of the Philippine Industries (FPI) laments the loss of P127 billion due to smuggling, while urging the administration to do something about it.

FPI chairman Jesus Arranza’s statement reeks of protectionist rhetoric, and ignores economic laws and human nature, resulting in bad policy recommendations.

MY BRUSH WITH THE LAW, a.k.a. HARRY POTTER AND THE SADISTIC NATIONALIST

“Ipapakulong kita!”

When I woke up yesterday morning I had no idea that I’d be threatened with such a thing.

SUGGESTED REPLACEMENTS FOR ‘PILIPINAS KAY GANDA’

* Where the wine doesn’t suck *

* Kahit hindi mo ‘to naiintindihan, punta ka rito sa Pilipinas! Maganda siya! *

* If you’re held hostage, we ship you back free! *

INVOKING MOTHER NATURE AS COMPLAINANT, a.k.a. UNICORNS HATE CORPORATE GREED!

This is my 100th post in this blessed, colorful rag. Congratulate me. Although I only have 96 entries, this is because I had deleted some entries I found to be not of the same high standard as the other articles, or were too astray from my main line which is ‘Philippine society and politics’. And now, on to the show!

When it comes to environmental issues, ‘Mother Nature’ is often taken to be a literal person with rights just like any other, for which lawsuits can be filed against greedy capitalists who care nothing about the environment and only about money.

WHY THAT LABORER YOU HIRED IS INCOMPETENT AND YOU CAN’T FIND A BETTER REPLACEMENT

Without beating around the bush, I’ll just say it: time preference.

CLINTON CONTRA CELDRAN, a.k.a THE BATTLE OF THE SALSALS, a.k.a. MORONS

‘Salsal’ is a wonderful term used by newsmen when referring to stories that are not exactly fabricated, but pretty much come about only thanks to some creative angling or spinning by the reporter or editor. For example, if an unsuspecting bishop, upon being asked a loaded question by a journalist, answers that excommunication is “a possibility” for a President who disagrees with the Church’s stand against contraceptives, we find tomorrow’s headlines reading: AQUINO FACES THREAT OF EXCOMMUNICATION.

As with the literal sense of the word, the issue has to be jerked a bit for something to come of it.

THE POLITICIAN’S GUIDE TO... PACQUIAO-MARGARITO

This is the first installment of what I see to be an eternal feature of this blog entitled ‘The politician’s guide to…’

Basically I relive my days when I used to work as a propagandist (not a very good one, admittedly) for a senator, by providing a hypothetical (sometimes not so hypothetical) politician with soundbites and populist rhetoric, regarding a variety of issues. Come to think of it, I have done this somewhat in previous entries of mine here, such as the one concerning Lito Lapid.

As with today’s installment regarding Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Antonio Margarito this Sunday, November 14, 2010, I will often come up with reactions to two possible scenarios (Pacquiao victory or Pacquiao loss), the contrived statements of which at times will show politicians for the two-faced lying thieves that they are.

FIGHT COERCION WITH COERCION?

Even in disputes between representatives or employees of the state, there is often a battle between the individual seeking to uphold their freedom, and the instrument of oppression.