No Bystanders

What happened to our sense of right or wrong?

What happened to the saying, tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are?

If you seriously think that Gibo Teodoro is the least evil of all presidentiables, then go for him.

But you might want to consider these:

Won't your vote for him at vote to acquit GMA of her crimes?

Do you think Lakas-Kampi's endorsement comes with NO STRINGS ATTACHED?

Do you want your next president to support charter change to have a parliamentary system with NO TERM LIMITS?

Do you want your next president to break the law (premature campaigning) and claim there is nothing wrong with it?

Do you want your next president to spend the people's money to promote himself, and claim there is nothing wrong with appointed officials using public funds for personal gain?

Do you want your next president who saw nothing wrong with the corrupt GMA, and thus continue serving her? Isn't his stay in her cabinet an endorsement of her policies? Would you want the same policies to continue for the next 6 years, and beyond?

How can you expect someone who is part of a gang (who we call the administration) guilty of making people disappear(remember Karen ans Sherryl of UP?) not commit the same crimes on his term? At the very least, he turned a blind eye on this issue as DnD Sec.

If you can be proud of voting for him (by telling the whole world about it), then go for it.

If not, then I guess you would know better.


Patuloy na umiibig sa Pilipinas,
At naniniwala sa galing ng Pilipino,

Froilan Grate | GreenMinds
www.NoBystanders.blogspot.com

Filipino jokes I can't laugh about.

JOKE Number 1:
Why did GMA pardon Erap, the Aquino-Galman killers, Jalosjos and soon, Daniel Smith? Because Danny Lim, Antonio Trillanes, and hundreds of juvenile delinquents are in prison.

JOKE Number 2:
Why is Gaite the new SEC Commissioner? Because Jun Lozada is still protected by the La Salle Brothers.

******

What kind of government pardons plunderers, killers, and rapist and yet imprisons those who call for change, and ignore the plight of children who are imprisoned?

What kind of government rewards those who lie and plot to kill a witness, but at the same time harass those who stood up for the truth?


Patuloy na umiibig sa Pilipinas,
At naniniwala sa galing ng Pilipino,


Froilan Grate | GreenMinds
www.NoBystanders.blogspot.com

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

- Barack Obama, Inaugural Speech as 44th President of the U.S.

When Obama made this comment in his speech, many Filipinos believed he was referring (one of, at least) to the Philippine President, Gloria Arroyo. This was further fueled by the fact that GMA tried to meet with Obama, to no avail. Even Secretary of State Clinton did not include the Philippines in her first visit to Asia.

I personally admired Obama for this. At least, he doesn't want to be used by someone who is indeed clinging to power through corruption and deceit. That's why it came as a surprise to read on the news that it was Obama himself who called Arroyo early this week. What could have prompted the US president to call someone he snubbed repeatedly even while he was still running for president?

Ah. Of course, you just have to read the news and make the connection.

People are calling for the transfer of Daniel Smith, who was found guilty of raping a Filipina and the scrapping of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which many sectors believed to be one sided in the favor of the US. The case of Smith was proof to this.

So, Obama called GMA to affirm his country's commitment to the VFA. Commitment to the VFA? The US Congress did not even ratify the treaty! They would have the guts to cite it's provisions when it it convenient for them and it supports their cause.

This is the kind of change that Obama promised? Is this the foreign policy that he wish to pursue? The kind that disrespects the laws of other countries? The kind that treats other nations not as equals but as partners of convenience?

People say the Philippines needs an Obama. I say, no thanks! We have enough of people like him already.

Patuloy na umiibig sa Pilipinas,
At naniniwala sa galing ng Pilipino,

Froilan Grate | GreenMinds
www.NoBystanders.blogspot.com

Consider these events leading to this sad news:

1. Despite the public humiliation, Nicole stood by her accusation - she was raped by Daniel Smith.

2. The court finds Smith guilty of raping Nicole.

3. Smith was transferred to the US embassy, clearly violating the terms of the VFA.

4. The Supreme Court ordered the transfer of Smith to Philippine custody.

5. People started calling for the scrapping of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

6. Obama called GMA, in support of the VFA.

7. The Chinese sent patrol ships to Spratly's. Certain politicians said we should invoke our Mutual Defense Treaty with the US.

8. Nicole went to the US. The US!!!!

9. Nicole recants.

Wow! This country is fucked up. We've been colonized before, our forest and our women raped, and why would we allow these things to happen now?

Patuloy na umiibig sa Pilipinas,
At naniniwala sa galing ng Pilipino,

Froilan Grate | GreenMinds
www.NoBystanders.blogspot.com

GMA's gift to the Filipino nation. Watch this excellent video.


God, 12 scandals are not enough? When will we say enough is enough?

Today, the Committee on Justice of the Philippine's House of Representative's dismissed the impeachment complaint against GMA as insufficient in substance.

(You may read the news here.)

The vote was 42-8. What the hell????

Only a stupid person would think GMA is not guilty of any of the crimes enumerated in the complaint. Oh, I forgot. Maybe they are all stupid.

The report will now be forwarded to the plenary for adoption or rejection. Now we know that majority of the Committee on Justice members are stupid. Next, we will know if the entire House is composed of stupid people.

I believe only one third of the plenary is needed to transmit the complaint to the Senate. I hope this will not be reduced to a mere numbers game. Please, write your congressmen.

And finally, I would like to share this insight. With the allegations of 500,000 that was given to each of the congressmen, one is tempted to say "Mga buwaya talaga sila."

But my friends, I agree with my friends from the Crocodile Conservation in Isabela:  
It is a great injustice to the crocodiles!