Debate the details all you want, fact is, power corrupts, and absolute power, corrupts absolutely. Sadly, the human condition requires that many of us must learn this lesson over and over, forever.
Jay or anyone else in the know, did Marlon Manalo turn out to be good for the Philippines, or a corrupt politician? What position did he attain? Is he still in office? I'm purely curious from a pool player perspective.
Debate the details all you want, fact is, power corrupts, and absolute power, corrupts absolutely. Sadly, the human condition requires that many of us must learn this lesson over and over, forever.
I will pontificate a little more since it seems to please you so much. The Philippine people are some of the warmest, most welcoming people you will find anywhere on planet Earth (and yes, I've been to a lot of places!). They are typically joyful and happy in their daily lives and laughter is their common denominator. Walk through the malls and visit the stores and you will observe playful behavior by the employees. Foreigner or not, they will smile at you and greet you warmly.
They are quick to offer help and render aid if need be. Filipinos are a polite, considerate people and a pleasure for me to be around. True, there are some bad guys, but we can find them anywhere we go. I have so far had no trouble avoiding them in my many travels there. Overall, I find the Philippines to be much safer than most American cities, large or small. The more friendly environment over there is a big plus for me.
I do agree that their politics is rife with corruption, but by appearances Duterte is doing his best to clean it up. He is draining the swamp of the most corrupt of the bunch. Their political system is a model of ours, with a Congress, a court system and a President. It remains to be seen what will happen in the next election, but it's very doubtful given his popularity that Duterte will not get re-elected.
Now make that ugly face of yours and do your best to tear me down.![]()
I don't know Jay. I have respect for your views and know this is all close to home
--and I actually know quite little about the Philippines-- Imelda's shoes Duterte's extrajudicial killings.... whatever...
I don't doubt your description of the people, and it is possible Duterte's approach is effective. But there is a reason we should see it as not OK. His approach HAPPENS to align with an outcome you favor. But it doesn't have to. The same approach could be motivated by ethnic cleansing, for example. There is a reason civilized societies have rule of law.
Thanks Mike for your thoughtful response. It's true that Duterte's response to the drug epidemic in the Philippines is heavy handed and brutal, but that's how he cleaned up Davao (the third largest city in the PI) when it was rife with corruption and violent criminals. Basically he killed all the bad guys who didn't reform. Now Davao is the safest large city in the PI.
This is what he knows and what's worked for him before and the "people" (80% of the population) believe in him. How it will all end up remains to be seen. To clean up an entire country of corruption and criminal activity is a big undertaking and I'm not sure that even Duterte can accomplish this. He is a target for the oligarchs who control most of the wealth in the country currently.
Seriously, I have a question.
Is it bad to call someone from the Philippines a Pinoy?
In this politically correct world, I was afraid to say it.
Isnt that terrible?
Ken
173 NPA rebels surrender to Armed Forces field units
Published December 14, 2017, 10:53 AM
By Mike Crismundo
CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Field units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have received more rebel surrenderees than attackers, according to the regional spokesperson and Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division (10th ID).
Capt. Jerry S. Lamosao, in a statement on Thursday ,said that some 173 members of NPA have surrendered to 10th ID through 1001st Infantry (Pag-asa) Brigade since July 1, 2017."
That's Duterte scaring the hell out of these rebels.
Everyone likes a Dictator it seems. :thumbup:
And o would add that pool players are notoriously unconcerned with politics and social issues.
They just want to knock balls in holes.
I'm going to mainland China via Hong Kong for my dayjob at the end of March. I might be able to piggy back a trip to the Philippines on the cheap from HK. If I go by myself, and walk around with a pool cue on my back, and only want to play pool, will I be kidnapped and held for random, or some other crazy stuff like that?
Thanks.
I know this is slightly off topic, but I've been wondering about this for quite some time. I keep hearing about the war on drugs in the Philippines and how out of control it is, people getting gunned down in the street by police, thousands of suspect deaths and a possible out of control police force, with an out there President.
My question is if any of you are friendly with any Pinoy's (maybe you shouldn't mention any names, especially the ones on visas), how do they feel about this, do they even talk about it or is it the 800lb gorilla in the room, or maybe they agree with it? I'm very curious as I love pool and did plan on visiting there one day, being I smoke pot that's not happening now.....
... D. Mac lived in his own special penthouse in the Manila Hotel. ...
I'm going to mainland China via Hong Kong for my dayjob at the end of March. I might be able to piggy back a trip to the Philippines on the cheap from HK. If I go by myself, and walk around with a pool cue on my back, and only want to play pool, will I be kidnapped and held for random, or some other crazy stuff like that?
Thanks.