Monthly Archives: February 2013

Debt, Growth and Politics – Which Way, Europe? And Why It Matters to Us

“O tempora! O mores!” – Cicero

by Paul Ballard
February 16, 2013
“ Don’t impose a property tax on a burned-out village.” –
~ Jelaluddin Balkhi known as Rumi, 1207-73

Like me, you will have noticed, since 2009 every few months, with great fanfare the political leaders of Europe huddle together in conference. Each time, the goal is to agree a grand solution to Europe’s lingering debt and growth problems. Continue reading

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Appoint an OFW to Comelec


by Rodel Rodis
February 16, 2013
Although it pledges in its website (comelec.gov.ph) “to find ways to provide opportunities for the Filipinos who are abroad to be able to cast their votes and have their voices heard in a very important democratic process”, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has actually done the exact opposite, by finding ways to deny opportunities for overseas Filipinos to participate in the Philippine electoral process. Continue reading

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A killer called cigarettes


by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
February 1, 2013

Do cigarettes really kill? With all the overwhelming scientific evidences the medical community now has on the deleterious health effects of tobacco (more specifically cigarettes) on various organs of the human body, there is no question whatsoever that cigarettes maim and kill. It may take years, but eventually the smokers (both active and passive) suffer the adverse health consequences of cigarettes and the various toxins in them from the very first puff. Without realizing it, or perhaps not wanting to admit it, smokers are killing themselves, committing suicide, slowly. Continue reading

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Juan Ponzi O’Reilly


by Fermin Salvador.
February 1, 2013
Sa hanay ng mga kapwa-Pinoy, ang pinakatanyag na may pangalang “Juan” sa kasalukuyan ay ang minsa’y ‘counter-puncher’ na nakaupong pangulo ng senado. Bihira na rin kasi ang binibinyagan sa pangalang Juan hindi paris noong araw na puro Juan ang pangalan ng kalalakihan kaya isang Amerikano ang nagbansag sa lahing Pinoy na “Juan dela Cruz”. Payag naman agad ang mga Filipino. Di man lang nag-isip na dahil ideya ito ng isang banyaga, posibleng may nakalakip ditong ‘private joke’ sa mga Filipino ang mga Amerikano. Continue reading

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THE SOULMATE CONSPIRACY The Rise of the Homosexual (Part 2)

by Fred C. Wilson III
February 1, 2013
“…and they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.’ But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, ‘Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly.’” *Gen 19:5-8* Continue reading

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Obama’s Protracted Battle With The NRA And Second Amendment Supporters


by Don Azarias
February 16, 2013
“Jesus asked the apostles, ‘When I sent you out without a purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘No, not a thing.’ [Then] He said to them, ‘But now the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.’’’— Luke 22:35-39 Continue reading

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On Plots and Subplots of Human Misery Part V – A Diary of a Broken Dream


by Arnold De Villa
February 16, 2013
Dear Diary,
There is no one else willing to listen to my woes. Although there are others whose daily bread is nothing less than the bitterness of tears, I have not had the chance to party with their misery. They do not know about my pangs in as much as I am ignorant of theirs. More than often, we who live in misery are selfish to our own pains. There is no good to share our tears when there is no one who could know the depth of suffering except for those who truly suffer Continue reading

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Should the Philippine Senate be abolished?


February 16, 2013
The recent scandal involving the “cash gifts” – or, bonuses – given by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to 18 senators has brought to the forefront of debate the very existence of the Philippine Senate as a productive legislative body. Has it outlived its usefulness? But even its “usefulness” in the past is now being questioned! Continue reading

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A.N.A.K. (Ang Natatanging Anak Kabanatuan)


To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. Continue reading

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Hope for Dreamers


February 16, 2013
“We define ourselves as a nation of immigrants. That’s who we are — in our bones. The promise we see in those who come here from every corner of the globe, that’s always been one of our greatest strengths.” Continue reading

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