Tuesday, July 17, 2012

OMG! We're ALONE!


I've read a couple of headlines in popular media that basically take the stance that the Philippines is "alone" among Asian nations in opposing the aggressiveness of China.

"Poppycock!" I say. "Poppycock!"

China has succeeded in making the Philippines SEEM alone. Score 10 points to China for dividing the Asean meeting this past week. It is the first time in 45 years the group has failed to develop a consensus statement. Consider China far ahead in executing its strategy to deal with . . . and intimidate . . . each nation one on one.

So the emotional Philippine press have fallen for China's bait. They have gone deep six on this, wavering and weeping like an abandoned child. China must be wringing its hands with glee. "The Philippines is on the run!" they probably chortle, noodle juice dripping on the crayon drawing of the nine-dash map.

Other nations are of course cautious about offending China. They have deep trade relationships with China. Why risk putting that on the line over a situation that is still developing? But if you went off the record with any of the leaders of nations with coastlines on the West Philippine Sea, you can bet they would be sympathetic to the Philippine situation.

The Philippine media is so SHALLOW and SENSATIONALIST. It makes me mad, it does. Those stupid, emotional, non-factual headlines.  This idea that if you are not WITH US, you must be AGAINST US!

 I don't know what insults to use to properly express my disgust at what shallow-minded, fear-mongering wimps these reporters and their editors are. "Girlie men!" I can't use that any more. "P******!" No. I can't use that, for sure. The late great George Carlin would have a list of about 100 names, but I can't go there, either. I'll have to work on it. Right now the best I can serve up is "sensation-mongering, wrong-headed, non-professionals." I'm sorry that is so bland. It does not accurately convey my disgust.

Here are some things to think about.

  • It is China that is driving the agenda, not the Philippines. If the Philippines does not stand up for its rights, China will take them away. What choice does the Philippines really have? It MUST respond confrontationally, alone or otherwise.

  • Japan is currently on a head-to-head confrontation with China over another group of islands. So clearly, the Philippines is not "alone". Viet Nam has had conflicts in the past. Indonesia broke off relations with China for a time. Many nations are sympathetic to the Philippines . . . guaranteed.

  • How can the Philippines be classified as "alone" if it is working vigorously to build defense alliances with the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea? The newspapers reported on these steps, also in sensational fashion, some even suggesting that the Philippines was giving up sovereignty by having alliances. Boy, that is putting the nation into an no-win box.  Criticized if acting alone, criticized if having alliances.

  • Being in the lead, being a LEADER, is a lonely position. Ask President Aquino, or President Obama, or any president. Get used to being a leader. It is better than being some beggar sycophant,  weeping and cowering behind mama's skirt. (Can I say that?)

  • It would be a mistake to try to force Asean countries into the impossible predicament of declaring themselves supporters or else considering them to be "against" the Philippines. That is in the Filipino tradition. Win, lose, for me or against me. It would be a mistake to expect other countries to put aside their self interest to pursue Philippine self interest.

That is the danger of these "we are alone" headlines. Some people may want to start criticizing other countries for not "standing up". Well, that is poppycock, too.

The Philippines should do what it has to do and let other nations do the best they can do. Here's what the Philippines can control:

  • Define its economic zone clearly.

  • Issue its own Code of Conduct for the area, given that one is not forthcoming from Asean.

  • Understand exactly what defensive aid allies are prepared to give, other than provide materials. Will they shoot if Philippine boats are rammed or fired on?

  • Prepare for military confrontation to prevent China from establishing a physical presence in the Philippine economic zone. Develop a guerilla style maritime fighting capability. Rockets from speedboats works for me. Commando Joe don't need no stinkin' destroyer.

  • Prepare to ban Chinese imports and nationalize Chinese businesses operating in the Philippines.

  • Work actively with allies to get materials, training and armed backing if it comes to that. Work actively behind the scenes with other nations to keep misunderstandings, and idiot press headlines, from ruining relationships.

IN OTHER WORD, BE A FRICKIN' LEADER! Learn to love the loneliness and exhilaration of being in charge of your own destiny.

And stop reading or watching these idiot reports from local media. Switch-'em off. Boycott them. Use them in the bathroom.

10 comments:

  1. From: Island jim-e (aka: The cricket)

    1. Whats new? From what I have been able to
    witness the "luzon media' is mostly made up
    of "counterfit" entertainment-puppets (stealing
    international program topics/content and
    ideas to adapt for PH advertising profit and leverage)! Too bad, soooo sad, don't waste
    your breath on a bunch of self serving wimps!

    2. Question: Has anyone seen any "full page,
    front page (above the folds) picture-stories
    regarding specifs of each disputed island, a
    feature story about each, profiles of the
    people who live on these islands, construction
    projects underway or planned, and historical
    pictures, stories, etc..?

    3. Has any island tv news departments sent
    reporters and photo-journalists to provide
    live on line images, stories, etc., and most
    of all live or file photos of tresspassing
    china flag vessels? If not, why not?

    chirp?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good questions. I don't know if they are too cheap, too lacking in journalistic skills, or believe their audience only wants titillation and gore. I'd guess all three.

      I have argued for an FCC type regulator here, because self-regulation keeps the Philippines wrapped up in fluff. Stations should be required to operate in the public interest. Right now, they help keep the Philippines as a lightweight nation of little intellectual substance. I generally find the editorial pages are the best read, and television is a complete waste.

      Delete
  2. classic playing of the "victim card". only in the philippines. even in a school setting (which i'm not quite sure is relevant, call me crazy) proper leaders are hard to find. and when they are found, they usually end up doing all the hard work. everyone else just rides his/her coattails towards the goal. media more or less just plays to the sympathies of the (Luzon) people. what comes out is usually what goes in.

    Andy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the "poor us, all alone" victim card. Or the "poor us, the U.S. is trying to take our sovereignty" card. As if WE had nothing all to do with the situation, and WE can't do anything about it.

      "what comes out is usually what goes in". Yes, I didn't know if I should criticize the media or the readers of the media who buy or view the pap. I chose the media, figuring they ought to be opinion leaders rather than followers.

      Delete
  3. Reuters posted a story yesterday on the goings on at that ASEAN summit meeting (ASEAN Way founders in South China Sea storm). Clearly, other member countries are just as disappointed at the outcome.

    Maybe the Philippine press will soon pick up. Link below in case you haven't seen yet.

    http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/07/17/uk-asean-china-idUKBRE86G09R20120717

    Cha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Cambodia got the worst of the deal, not the Philippines. They were forced to bend to the economic power of China. Everyone else, I am sure, left dismayed. Except China, of course. China left gleeful, having furthered the notion that divided, Asean falls . . .

      Delete
  4. FROM: Island Jim-e

    1. Is it true that Cambodia as the host allowed a disfunctional
    audio system to cut off one or two of the particapating
    memebers when they attempted to bring to the table the
    question of "ocean rights", the rule of law, and a code of
    conduct?

    2. Now you would think that a nation who reputedly birthed a Military General who invented the "game of Chess" would know better! As the Asean governmental community has just
    "passed the buck" to the International Community to deal
    with! Tresspassing-enroachment by any definition is a
    criminal act! I can understand that the asean community
    would prefer to stay in the shaddows and be content to
    let the world power-team do it's "thing"!

    3. So now we "wait for the rest of the story-page #2"...
    How the world governments decide to deal with the "dipper"
    (pick pocket term)! Worst tomes to reality the
    insects are said to be the "last bugs left standing"!

    Happy thoughts from Island jim-e/chirp!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting, chess, eh? I didn't know that. Well, I think China castled their king, or whatever that slick move is that seems to be cheating, but ensconces one's king safe and sound in the corner. Meanwhile, the Philippines is adrift on the board, a drunken bishop, perhaps, wondering where that Queen that looks a lot like Uncle Sam has gone off to.

      Thanks for the visuals . . .

      Burp, burp!

      Delete
  5. Actually, there's an ASEAN draft code of conduct, which the group submitted to china for review. but without the communique, the draft is in limbo, and China can easily dismiss it as a useless white paper.

    Please see my blog: http://thenutbox.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/who-took-the-asean-communique-hostage/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the note, J. And especially the link to your blog. I can add you to my reading list. And a very nice summation of the Asean debacle.

      Delete

Please take up comments at the new blog site at joeam.com.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.