In the Presence of Vultures

The turmoil engulfing the tiny country of Honduras is all about personal gains. Personalities are battling for control and influence in this poor country. It is not so much as to addressing social problems but about influence and power. Because Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez is through his country’s oil is trying to expand his influence, many Latin American leaders have fallen prey to his antics. Honduras is now in the frontline of the battle.

Ousted president Zelaya, emboldened by Chavez’s gains and perhaps expecting doleouts from him, tried to subvert Honduras’s constitution to stay in power. It is not about the dismantling of oligarchies but about extending his term for personal gain. What behooves me is how the international community took Zelaya hook, line and sinker. Even the EU is clueless of the real events taking place in Honduras. Relying mainly on Zelaya’s claims bolstered by Chavez’s rhetoric, they concluded that what happened in Honduras was a military coup and not an adherence to the processes of law.

A country’s sovereignty is dictated by its constitution. Rather than seeing the crisis as an internal one, they relied solely on Zelaya’s story. What the OAS should have done is to study the Honduran constitution first and then dissect the events. What is happening now is that Zelaya and Chavez are using this to get support from the international community. Of course Zelaya would try to make it appear that he is a hero to the people and a victim of injustice. Are the members of the OAS this stupid? Have they no wisdom?

I raise these questions as the Philippines have gone through several coups and power grabs. But unlike the Honduran congress and its supreme court, ours are weak. I applaud the Honduran courts, congress and its military for being strong enough to pursue due process instead of giving in to pressures both from within and abroad. Zelaya I think forced the issue and disregarded the laws of the land. In the Philippines however, our congress is in the pocket of the president and follows her every whim.

If the crisis in the Honduras continues to be meddled in by both the OAS and the UN, it will never be resolved. Let Honduras handle its political crisis. They have no business sticking their noses in a country’s constitutional problem. Chavez and Zelaya are stoking the fires of unrest in Honduras. And Chavez because through the use of Venezuelan oil is whipping Latin America to toe their line.

As for the rest of the world, be discerning, be vigilant and don’t be fools. Don’t believe everything you hear especially from men who only want power. Mediation and meddling are two different things.

So the dingbats of the Republican party are at it again. I’m glad that John McCain did not win or America will surely lose its remaining credibility in the international community. So what if Pres. Obama refrains from using tough talk to comment on what’s happening in Iran. The problem with the Republicans is that they are so used to “gunboat” diplomacy”. Perhaps the Likes of McCain should look back into history and what caused the ouster of the Shah of Iran.

The Republicans are implying that Obama is too passive and would prefer to see how things play out in Iran before making a move. The US in the past had the habit of cuddling dictators that led to oppression and repression. The Philippines is no exception. The US propped up the Marcos dictatorship and only pulled out its support when they saw that Marcos is about to get kicked out. For years, the Filipinos suffered under a dictator supported by the US. It is in fact the same now. We are under a corrupt dictator who uses the military as her own private army. Never mind the hundreds of political killings, the repression and suppression of my peoples voice. Despite being a former colony of Uncle Sam, the US never bothered to “liberate” us. Perhaps because we have no oil that the US badly needs.

I agree with Obama. Its the US interest that he should prioritize on. Let the Iranian people decide their fate. What is wrong is to meddle in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. If the Iranians has had enough of their present regime, it’s up to them to what action they should take. We Filipinos decided we’ve had enough so we revolted and kicked Marcos out. If the US wants to regain some of its glory, they should allow other countries to decide for themselves.

The Republicans should rethink their policies. Talking through the barrel of a gun leads to more “hate” for the innocent people of the US. I suppose they couldn’t care less, it’s the average Joe that’s in harms way and not these Capitol Hill bozos who sit in their secured offices. If McCain and his Republican friends wants action, I suggest they form themselves into a “liberation force” and free the Iranian people from the shackles of their abuse government. I’d like to see these Rambos go into Iran and liberate its people. Words don’t make men, Wisdom do.

Watching history in the making  as Pres. Barack Obama takes his oath of office left me inspired and so full of hope. I’m not an American but I can feel how proud Americans must be. With Pres. Obama’s election, America has been freed from the shackles of discrimination. Once again, the United  States of America proved to the international community why the US is the leader of the world.

His speech was awe-inspiring and anyone who heard it will be left with so much hope. My country, the Philippines has experienced and is experiencing oppression. We kicked out a dictator 22 years ago only to put into office another oppressor who has been sitting in office for the last 8 years.

What gave me hope is when Pres. Obama said, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit, to the silencing of dissent, you are on the wrong side of history.” These words struck deep and touched me. Our current illegal sitting president stole the presidency twice. First was when she hoodwinked civil society into kicking a president out of office, and the second was when she rigged the presidential election of 2004. George Bush cuddled her because she supported Bush’s war on terror.

She is now trying to perpetuate herself into eternal reign by trying to change our system of government from presidential to parliamentary. Her term is set to end in June of 2010 and she had been pushing for charter change to legitimize her hold on power.

Her administration has been rocked by scandal after scandal. Every indignation by the people was met with force. During her term, killings and enforced disappearances has been continuously rising. Journalists, judges, student activists and members of the opposition has been either harassed or killed. Whistle blowers were slapped with spurious charges while her allies who stole the people’s money remain to be free. Her son’s are both congressmen and have been controlling  congress through bribery.

Pres. Obama started out as a lowly community organizer. Community organizers in my country who educate the people of their rights are branded enemies of the state. With Pres. Obama’s election and with the words he uttered during his speech, I am hoping that US policy with regards to my country will finally change. The UN special rapporteur found Gloria Arroyo’s administration guilty of human rights violations. I hope that Pres. Obama will be instrumental in helping my people be freed from her oppression. Not by force but making it difficult for her to further suppress and oppress my people.

America has elected its first Black president. It only shows that America has shed its prejudices and embraced change. Times are changing and as the world changes, America must learn to adapt. America has learned that it is part of a global community and the world does not revolve around it. Their brand of diplomacy and arrogance has alienated them and created enemies along the way. Obama brings with him a new brand of diplomacy where saber-rattling and gunboat diplomacy will not work.

America can only regain its lost glory if it learns to talk instead of imposing itself on other countries. Obama’s election also showed that Americans have matured and gained more confidence to leap into the unknown. No longer do Americans cower in fear that the Republicans used to throw at them. The election was a referendum on the Republican PartyThe GOP has been diminished to an all-whites-club with a very small minority membership. It has also shrunk as its moderate members shifted to a more progressive stance.

The support Obama got from all races shows that he can inspire and unite a nation. One thing that McCain lacks. Even the world celebrated Obama’s election. Americans have become more socially aware. They have thrown away ideology and replaced it a new perspective on humanity. Finally I can truly say that America can now claim to be the real world leader. Not because it is powerful but because they now have respect for others. Now I can truly say America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Americans showed they can accept change and overcome fear.

Despite its economic problems, I am sure that the new American ideakism will help it overcome its present trials. America is truly evolving into a great power and can once again claim its lost glory.

Now that Wall Street is reeling from a succession of failures, the greedy are running away with their loot. The sad part is the average investor is getting the short end of the stick. America maybe the most powerful country in the world but its economy is one of the most vulnerable. Now at least, the presidential campagn will now shift to issues instead personalities.

The greedy speculators and big business’s old boys club must be laughing at the poor retirees and ordinary folks who gave them their hard-earned money. But the stock market has always been the biggest casino in the world. Deregulation has allowed the greedy vultures to steal money from ordinary folks like you and me. We may not be players in the market but we are all consumers. When inflation wreaks havocs, those with deeper pockets have more bullets than us.

When oil and utilities were deregulated in the Philippines, we witnessed the birth of cartels. Neccesities like medicine and food became more inaccessible to ordinary people which brought poverty levels to new height. We were left to the mercy of big corporations who’s greed was simply insatiable. Our government gave tax breaks and holidays to big corporations to spur(?) investment. What happened was these companies shifted their expansion abroad. Oh I can see where America is heading, it will end up like the Philippines. Unemplyment is caused by big corporations investing abroad where labor is cheaper.

To arrest the rising rate of poverty, the middle class in the Philippines is now given tax cuts and even exemptions. If the people have more money in their hands, their spending will give the economy a big push. I suppose this is what Sen. Obama had in mind when he said that he will raise taxes on the rich and give tax cuts to 95% of the taxpayers. The American economists should focus more on the small entrepreneurs who invest locally and employ locals. Factories are closing down because sweat shops abroad offer lower production costs and give businesses a bigger profit.

The rich Americans should bear some of the responsibilties by paying a “little” extra. This is the patriotic thing to do. I know some of you will surely think this is absurd, but the Thais did not hesitate to give the Thai government their jewely just to prevent Thaindland from sinking during the Asian crisis of the ’90s. We have a saying in the Philippines that whenever America sneezes, the world gets the flu. No wonder that the European Union was created, this is to shield poor economies of Europe survive.

Everyone is now waiting with bated breath which company will crash. Somehow someone must be made accountable for this economi debacle. But NO, executives are walking away with fat wallets because the government sold the small investors out. So now the lowly taxpayer will have to prop up these companies so their CEOs and COOs can retire comfortably while the poor retirees who invested in these companies are facing a bleek future. When big businesses fall, it’s the little people who suffer. The domino effect of America’s financial woes has yet to reach its peak. When they fall, America falls. When regulation is nonexistent, the greedy always have a field day.

Tags: Add new tag, US eocnomics

Although I had took drink several cups of coffe just to keep myself awake, I had to endure the torture of the RNC convention just so I would know what McCain had to offer. I must admit, I got so bored hearing his story over and over again. My jaw dropped time and again while his gang praised the troops in Iraq. Those men wouldn’t be over there risking life and limb if not for the Republicans’ misdirected and totally miserable level of intelligence about where the real enemy is. Of course destroying Iraq could just be a way for the Saudis to control oil.

I also find stupid for America to drill oil in their own backyards. It’s a stupid economic move. Just imagine how America could monopolize their oil when the rest of oil producing countries have drilled themselves dry? America is a resource rich country and can tap different resources for their energy needs. The main reason why social services are lacking in America is because the Republicans decided to pour billions and waste young lives in Iraq.

I am apalled by the way the RNC expolited the people of Mississippi just to make it appear that McCain and his gang would looksympathetic and caring. I was also irritated by how the RNC showed pictures of 9/11 just to justify the war in Iraq. I heard the same rhetorics, the same scare tactics and the same garbage from McCain. Despite trying to distance himself from his party, knowing the way he operates, it was all a smokescreen. The real terrorists are those Republicans who are in government who continue to protect the rich and scare the people with talks that the whole world is against America.

Philippine politics is no different and by the way the RNC is conducting their campaign, the more I think that they are immitating Philippine politics. The RNC made the race personality based than address the issues confroting America. Does the RNC think that they have a monopoly on values and patriotism? Patriotism is not about dying in a senseless war. Values is not about how many children you have. I often say that tell the people what they want to hear and they will listen. This is exactly what John McCain is doing.

When one is so desperate to get elected, he will do and say anything. He will reinvent himself a million times over to portray himself to be the one you should embrace. McCain has been in the RNC for so long that he should have started the change he is advocating long ago. Instead he now tries “Flipflops are for the feet, they were never intended to be elected into office. So if McCain want you to fight with him, think again, he has millions and you don’t. He will have more left in his pocket long after yours is emptied. He is no working class citizen who has to toil day in and day out to make ends meet. The change he talks of should have taken place long before he entered the race for the presidency, it should have statrted the very first day he became a Republican.

Well it seems that the Grand ‘Ol Party just got greedier, er, grander. John McCain presented his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. I always looked up to American Political Parties as worth emulating considering that Philippine politics is in the gutter. I never thought that there simply isn’t any difference between political parties in my country and that of America. McCain showed how scheming he really is. My apologies to my Republican friends but McCain is one crude, calculating traditional politician by my standards.

Palin was chosen to cater to the 18million Hillary voters. Taking the cue from Palin herself, she is after the 18million cracks in the Democrat’s race. The Democrat presidential race alienated women who believe that it’s time for a woman to seek the highest office of the land. What better way to exploit the situation than name a woman for the VP. It was all a ploy and we all know that VPs are nothing more than globe-trotting presidential emissaries. Before, the Republicans made it an issue of race, then of experience, then of sex. When all else failed, they dug the past.

It’s all a ploy and I don’t think that American voters are not stupid like what the Republicans would like to believe. If we visit the past and study history, war and economic debacle has stuck with Republican regimes. Their foreign policies has made targets out of peaceful Americans. And that is the reason why  America is viewed with contempt by most countries.

As in my country, win-ability comes before issues. Obama took a risk with Biden instead of taking the easy way out and choose Hillary instead. But I guess the Democrats this time around has put the Americans first before ambition. Only time can tell if the Republican ploy will work. It could even blow up in their faces. It was not about audacity or out-of-the box thinking, Palin is a Republican Trojan horse put forth to grad the women votes. I just hope that voters will see though the smokescreen that is being thrown at them by the Republicans. But I suppose it’s irrelevant with me whoever wins. My country will still be running after the carrot that America will be dangling in our leaders’ faces.

Tags: american elections

Perhaps the United Nations should be dissolved. It has become a venue to socialize and for countries to flex their influence. It was created to protect the peoples of nations and to be a bastion of democracy and freedom. But what has it resolved in the past decade? Nothing! It came too late for the people of Rwanda, Yugoslavia, BMyanmar, Tibet and as of late, Sudan. Has it served its mandate? A resounding NO! Its Security Council is sitting on its balls so to speak. It has allowed China and Russia to shield murderers and left the Sudanese to a fate of damnation.

While millions shed their blood in the hands of their leaders, the UNSC is once again avoiding the “G word”, or GENOCIDE. Clinton did just that and hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in Rwanda before finally admitting that there is genocide being committed. With oil interests of China and Russia at stake, these two countries would rather protect their interests at the expense of human lives. The International Criminal Court has done its job, it is now up to the UN to use its resources to bring to justice those who have been accused. Is this how the UN addresses matters of human rights? Is oil more important now than human lives? Mere words of condemnation does not amount to anything, it just adds to the sufferings the people of Sudan would have to endure.

The UN may have its own charter to stick to but at what cost? I suppose it is just right for some quarters to call for boycott of the Olympics if only to force China to show its sincerity on the issue of human rights. Or maybe to show solidarity to the preservation and protection of human lives. It has nothing to lose really but could even benefit and improve its international image. Athletes of the world should not think of what Olympic glory may bring. They cannot and should never detach themselves from the goings on in the world. Let China feel that the Olympics cannot be used for propaganda. China’s veto only shows how callous it is when it comes to human lives.

Russia on the other hand is trying to show that it is still a world power despite the collapse of its socialist regime. While power brokers continue to argue, thousands perish everyday. Russia has its own human rights violations as well. In fact, it exports its abuses to every corner of the globe. Like China, millions of its weapons are employed in different conflicts around the world. The black market is flooded with weapons that can be traced to unscrupulous Russian syndicates.

Isn’t it ironic that we are sensitive to conservation of nature and yet watch idly by while millions of lives are slowly wasting away? Maybe we should all take a step back and examine what the world is coming to, that the future of humankind is at stake. Maybe that is what it is meant to be, a world without humans.

Tags: Darfur, UN