Short and Grumpy

I'm behind in my writing so no official blog today. In lieu of thinking, I offer up this trash, a concoction of generally grumpy comments.

Two articles have been posted on the Freethinkers web site regarding the PNP threatening those who criticize the PNP on Facebook with action under the latest Sottolaw, the libel provision of the Cybercrime Law. The first article revealed the intimidating language on the PNP Facebook account, the second the PNP denying that that was the "Official" PNP Facebook account.  I opined in response to the second:

• Yes, this proves what a fool's mission the internet libel law is. Any Joe Schmoe can post offensive, "libelous" accusations all over the internet under the name "Joe America" and then the libel cops will unplug my blog and file a summons to report for interrogation or whatever heavy handed methods they will use. Probably put my balls in a vise or yank my fingernails, slowly slowly, to make me admit it was me who did the offensive postings. When it was not. That is the slippery slope this idiotic Sottolaw has us on.

On Angela Stuart Santiago's review of the new Enrile novel, I wrote:

• Perhaps he is a desperate man nearing the end of his life, terribly concerned that his past is a few too many arguments short of significant. It is surreal that he seems determined to exit leaving sourness in our memories when he could have had admiration.

Perhaps you have seen the new Tourism video. It is spectacular. Brilliant. Downright emotional for those of us who see this video in superduper slow motion, in our lifestyle, day by day.

Now we need some creative video wonks to do the match showing the underbelly of the Philippines, you know, the poor, skinny people putting salt on their rice or flopping a dead dog onto the carving table. Rather than the smiles, show the Ampatuan snarls or Sotto dumb looks. Rather than islands of green, those little plastic ones floating down the Pasig, or the mountainous ones of trash with little kids clambering all over them searching for lunch. Or dead motorcyclists without helmets and fat rich oligarchs. The visual opportunities here are endless.

Jun Abaya for President.

Did you know that if you think about ANY Filipino, you find it hard to imagine them as President. They all seem so small and real and human and fallible. Then, you elect one and suddenly, in office, he fits. He's bigger, stronger, more competent, and we grant him our trust.

The office makes the Man* and the  Man* makes the office.

*"Man" is defined in the Humpty Dumpty New World Dictionary to include Woman, as in "mankind", or "one small step for man". You ladies sometimes get real bitchy about these inconsequential word uses. I know, I have to deal with Maude. You don't, and thank your lucky stars. Or your God, whichever you believe in most.