SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
'Shortly before Diosdado Macapagal took office, we were second only to Japan in economic potential. Shortly after his daughter, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, took office, we were second only to Indonesia in corruption.'
SOUNDING BOARD
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
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Philippines: second most corrupt country in asia
Somehow, this did not come out as a surprise, although I felt a bit embarassed that Vietnam is perceived to be less corrupt. I hope we will not be able to get the trophy from Indonesia. My Indonesian friend in Indonesia Corruption Watch would gladly hand it over to us, I'm sure. If Cambodia was included, Indonesia will face stiff competition. When one of our local staffs went to a major bank in Phnom Penh to get a swift code, the teller asked for money to buy snacks to facilitate the transaction right on the teller booth. I paid 400 US dollars to a government agency as penalty for expired visa although the amount stamped on my visa was GRATIS. Talk about institutionalized corruption.
posted by Allan at 10:04 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
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On media blackout vs terrorists
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), an alliance of Philippine radio and television outfits yesterday pledged to deny air time to terrorist groups after the Armed Forces complained some media sectors were serving as virtual mouthpieces of the enemies of the state (INQ7.net). Apparently the armed forces had complained about giving airtime to NPAs and Abu Sayyaf which the US has braded as foreign terrorist organizations.
This move not only prevents transfer of coded messages, as Ruperto Nicdao, Jr., President of KBP claims, but also blocks advocacy by the terrorists that may cause misinformation and incite sedition. For Abu Sayyaf, the eventual application is quit clear as the government has tagged it as a 'terrorist' group. The gray area (at least for hawkish members of the Arroyo government's armed forces) is how to treat the New People's Army. The government has been doing peace talks with the NPA up until last year.
posted by Allan at 8:53 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Monday, March 07, 2005
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Are you happy?
Somehow, I stumbled upon this article criticizing the recent news that the Filipino people are one of the happiest people of the world. We even ranked higher than most people in western nations, and the highest among Asians. Why is this difficut to accept offhand? Maybe because one doesn't need a Phd to know that happiness is relative and oh-too-personal. I was reminded by what a colleague told me years ago: it's better to be rich and unhappy than to be poor and unhappy. I still feel it's better to be rich and happy than poor and happy. Agree?
posted by Allan at 7:17 AM (GMT+8)
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