Reminiscing Raul Roco

Endlessly scoured for this vid, finally, a copy of Raul Roco’s TVC ad to proliferate and impart to the global populace. It is, by leaps and bounds, the best composition for any Philippine presidential candidate hitherto (ooh, deep word... yes, an outright attempt to declare the author's supposed above average intellect).

A Giant's Downfall

An epic melancholic piece on why a US superpower is now on its last stretch. Uncle Sam’s dominance and influence are waning as other economies recover (though at a sluggish pace) from the recent global recession. You may or may not agree with the article but the figures are convincing and substantiated extensively.

Here's the gist on the numbers and stats so graciously showcased throughout the piece:

Jobs. The International Monetary Fund predicts that the U.S. unemployment rate will be 9.3 percent for all of 2010. That's lower than in some European nations, but it's higher than in Canada and a lot worse than most countries in Scandinavia and Asia. Overall, the U.S. unemployment rate is about average for advanced economies and likely to stay that way. It could be worse, but middling job creation isn't a sign of global leadership.

Economic growth. The IMF also predicts that the U.S. economy will grow 1.9 percent in 2010. That's a tad better than the average for all advanced economies, but at least 10 developed nations will grow faster. Woo-hoo. Three cheers for mediocrity.

Poverty. The U.S. poverty rate, about 17 percent, is third worst among the advanced nations tracked by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In that sample, only Turkey and Mexico are worse.

Education. American 15-year-olds score below the average for advanced nations on math and science literacy. But don't worry, our nation's future leaders are still ahead of their peers in Mexico, Turkey, Greece, and a few other places.

Competitiveness. In the latest global competitiveness report from the World Economic Forum, the United States fell from No. 1 to No. 2. Sure, let's console ourselves that the No. 1 country, Switzerland, is a tiny outlier nation and that getting bumped from the top spot doesn't really mean anything. Add an asterisk, and we're still No. 1.

Prosperity. The most prosperous nations, according to the Legatum report, are Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. These fairly homogenous European countries are the teachers' pets of global rankings, often appearing near the top because of right-sized economies and a relatively small underclass. For a huge economy like America's, a No. 9 ranking is still respectable. And part of the drop from last year's No. 4 spot is a change in methodology that puts more emphasis on the health and safety of citizens. Still, in the index's subrankings, the United States isn't even in the top 10 for economic fundamentals, safety and security, or governance. We should do better.

Health. In the Legatum study, the United States ranks 27th for the health of its citizens. Life expectancy in America is below the average for 30 advanced countries measured by the OECD, and the obesity rate in America is the worst among those 30 countries, by far. And, of course, we spend far more on healthcare per person than anybody else—but get no bang for the extra buck.

Well-being. In the United Nations' Human Development Index, which attempts to measure the overall well-being of citizens throughout the world, the United States ranks 13th, one notch lower than in the prior set of rankings. Norway, Australia, Iceland, and Canada are at the top.

Happiness. The United States ranks 11th in the OECD's measure of "life satisfaction"—behind Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, and other usual suspects. That's not bad, but the United States is one of only four countries where life satisfaction is going down, not up. The other downer nations are Portugal, Hungary, Canada, and Japan. Plus, the research behind these rankings predates the recession, so it's likely that Americans are a lot less satisfied these days.

Source: 9 Signs of America in Decline

Enough

Recently, the much speculated and overly ridiculed Senator Lacson bowed down from the presidential race -- that’s one less option among the many we have for the highest post. His reasons are quite apparent, it came after the restoration of the Bobby Dacer Case plus his abysmal poll results. However, the ever-enigmatic senator chooses to site the burgeoning costs of running a campaign as the sole reason why he’s bowing down from the most coveted race in the country.

We may believe it, we may not. But his surprisingly straight forward declaration of how corrupt, twisted, and fraudulent our electoral system is should be seriously considered and taken into account. Most educated individuals know the erroneous and corruptible tendencies of our electoral process. Unfortunately, government bodies supposedly existing to serve the interest of the citizen at large disregard its purpose. The system is absolutely corrupt, and corrupt it will be until a massive reform takes place.


I propose a single independent body where all campaign contributions and funding will come from a single source. It will serve as the official medium from where all the candidates will have equal exposure to announce their platforms, proposals, and economic strategies to our countrymen. This independent body will be organized by ordinary citizens from various sectors and industries. And from there, all manner of political funding and contribution from various parties will be funneled into this organization – lobbyists alleviated in the process.


Different parties will be contributing for the electoral process not for their bets. They’ll contribute to infuse positive action to a currently pitiful democratic system, NOT to push for their self-interests and gain. The funds will be equally distributed to each candidate, and individual campaign shows would be a thing of the past. The campaigns would require all candidates to campaign simultaneously. Each political rally would be a debate and showcase of each candidate’s charisma and intelligence in tackling various social issues plaguing our long under-developed economy.

The independent body would likewise organize events and produce ads concerning each candidate’s message or even personal branding. True, less revenue for TV networks and publications, but this approach keeps in check the expenses incurred, no more bloated campaign costs and insane amounts of TVCs flooding the airwaves.


The electoral mockery for the highest office in the land would finally end. Generations upon generations of Filipinos have suffered too long with such deceit and systematic trickery. And perhaps the integrity the Office of President that was originally conceived would at last come into fruition.

To conclude, despite the proposed solution’s imperfection and questionable methods, it’s but one of the many possible approach we can devise to produce a more equal, fair, and democratic electoral process for the Presidency. The ultimate goal is a President for the people by the people.

Faltering Privacy

Recently read a piece bout Facebook’s monumental value for online marketers. Astounding on how much personal information people freely and willfully publicize online – either due to their incessant need to get noticed or simply to feed their narcissistic fetishes. Whatever the onus for such gratuitous acts, expect online marketers to grab the opportunity by the balls.

Note that there’s completely nothing wrong (legally) with subtly peeking through private data – a trade-off for the free services Facebook provides. But if you feel violated with the quasi-questionable methods these marketers instigate and the withering essence of the word ‘private’, you always have the choice to cut ties.

Question is, can you?

Read more

On Genocide

Genocide, a term coined by a Polish-Jewish legal scholar, Raphael Lemkin. Quite fascinating that less than a century ago, the mass extermination of a certain race, religious or ethnic group wasn’t considered a crime, nor did it violate any international laws or human rights. Not until CPPCG (Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide) was held in December 9, 1948 did the ‘term’ genocide gained its malevolence. CPPCG eventually drafted the laws against such atrocity on January 12, 1951, more than two years after the first convention.

Genocide has to be the most destructive crime humans are capable of. It encompasses rape, torture, mutilation, murder, suppression, and all types of repugnant and morbid acts executed on a massive scale.

Why then is there such reluctance from government bodies to acknowledge and address this burgeoning issue? By far, it has been ignored and sidelined by members of the UN and its respective members. The UN Security Council has consistently disagreed on the necessity to quickly oppose and act against it when it occurs.


CNN recently ran an investigative report on the subject matter -- recalling all the major genocides that occurred throughout the last century. One observation reverberates time and time again, the international community’s reluctance to intervene. Such apathy is highly questionable and morbidly intriguing. Why do governments shun such atrocities and disregard human life so recklessly?

With Genocide, one’s survival depend on his/her race, nationality, and ethnicity. Never mind that by default you have the right to live. Never mind that you have the right to be free from fear and oppression. Genocide is the complete dismissal and disregard of our fundamental characteristic as human beings to empathize.


The inaction of government bodies further fuels conspiracies of an ominous shadow government conducting a silent extermination of ‘useless eaters’.

Preposterous indeed, however, matched with the current facts and behavior of the UN and its major members the past half-century, the argument of a global conspiracy to rid of ‘useless’ homosapiens sounds more plausible as each new genocide bears its spiteful façade.

The Age of Obama

So the age of Obama has begun. Beyond all the drama and repetitive hyperbole, reality sets in like a painful sting. We are in a global recession, job cuts and company closures have become the status quo these past few months. But what gives the majority of the global community that hope for a better tomorrow?

This African American US president brings in that undeniable charm and oratory skill that Bush lacked. Furthermore, he intelligently uses the illusion of change by banking on the uniqueness of his race.

He may not bring the change to Washington that he seems so intent to do, but perhaps he may have the tenacity and passion to achieve some form of change -- a more moderate, regulated, and foreign-friendly US.

In return, perhaps the financial crisis would eventually end and a less volatile environment in the global arena transpires. Here's to the next four years, err, make that 3 since on the 4th, Obama would be too preoccupied making sure he gets another 4.

To Sarah Palin:

Oh Sarah Palin, your stranglehold over mainstream media bemuses me. Media devours every image and interview of you as if the elections were still ongoing. But it’s over, campaigns have wrapped up, a winner has been chosen among countless low balling, libel-magnet accusations in the longest running US political campaign in history.

What keeps images of you glued to the screen and internet pipelines? Has it been your inability to eloquently channel your thoughts to media that has made you a hyped-up baby doll therefore attracting media attention the likes of Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan (even greater)? Perhaps it’s the silent desire of the press to see a Palin mishap and portray you more of a national embarrassment than you already are?

You stubbornly stick to your campaign lines as if you were still campaigning in one of your declared Pro-American states. Perhaps you’re not to be blamed for this preposterous sensationalism that has gripped the US. Maybe the media's to blame? It has been feeding you this insane volume of attention for the past few months, but how can anyone ignore your obvious and explicit thirst for coverage?


Is it your political maneuvering for 2012 that has you obsessed and indirectly (or directly) defined a new meaning to narcissism and self-absorbed commentaries? You are a walking contradiction, pledging your support for the President-Elect in the morning, and addressing statements to the media in the afternoon that are irrefutably an anti-thesis to the concept of ‘support’ and ‘pro-active stance on mending partisan politics’.

Sarah, can I call you Sarah? Your ambitions are too high, let it go for now. Get back into the limelight once you’ve fixed your most glaring shortcomings. Indeed, you are a master in the showbiz aspect of politics. However, basic knowledge in myriad political hot button issues should also be familiarized and mastered.

Ultimately, it’ll go down to 2012, either you’re running for a seat in the US Senate or the highest office in the land, the political landscape is, without a doubt, you’re personal playground.

President Obama

After a draining 2 year campaign for the White House, at long last, Barack Obama’s been declared President-Elect – making him the 44th US President and the first African American commander in chief. He not only brings in a whole new ball game in American politics but also a symbolic rise of an individual of social minority descent.

His win would set a precedent for social reform and a slew of foreign policy shifts. The Bush doctrine is over. I strongly hope that the change Obama promised and preached throughout his campaign does happen. Great leaders rise from crisis and desperate times, let Obama be that symbolic and inspiring leader that millions of Americans and the world aspire him to be.

A better future for all? We’ll see. The Obama administration will officially begin next year on the 20th of January, from there, how his administration will handle the worsening global economy and strategic foreign relation disasters the Bush administration carried out would be left to American and international scrutiny.

It’s an exciting time to witness history. To live and actively observe this momentous event in mankind's social evolution's indeed an emotional and gratifying experience.

Demo Democracy

Following the US elections has been a roller coaster ride through the ups and downs of the greatest democracy in the world. Sad to see election issues in the battleground state of Florida, they seem to have run out of ballots for eager voters. They unwittingly unable to predict such a high turnout of voters. Instead of finding solutions to the issue, they had no choice but to reject these voters, well, uuhh, from voting – so much for the ‘greatest democracy’ label.

Absurd! This issue shouldn’t have been an issue. The number of ballots or whatever you call the paper/material used for voting should be in the same volume as registered eligible voters in every town/state. To assume that the registered voters won’t vote and turn them away in the end is to undermine Western democracy as we know it.

As a model of democracy for which democratic nations look up to, the US ain’t much of a model.

Stability for Insanity

It baffles me on how ineffably greedy these Middle Eastern Oilmen are. Sure, the world’s financial system’s crumbling, reductions in workforce, and little Jennifer can’t get a damn safe milk from China. Yes, the world as we know it is on the verge of a financial collapse. And people said The End would be triggered by WMDs.

Greed has become the sole cause of this financial crisis, and it seems the overabundance of it is apparent all too well with the grandfather of oil manipulating bastards, OPEC.

They impulsively decided to lower current production volumes on oil that their much hated and yet needed organization churns out. One morning they suddenly realized that world demand has decreased and prices of their precious produce have simultaneously slid. The only way to curtail such a downward spiral of price, according to their chief, is to abruptly reduce production.


OPEC has publicly declared their desired stable price range for their money making black gold, at a ‘steady’ $70 to $90 barrel -- fair enough (well, not really).

However, the unstable price range of $145 per barrel was never perceived by OPEC as a price concern. Guess on their end, it was still pretty ‘stable’.

As such, as defined by our oil producing brothers, ‘stable’ oil prices means $70 and above while ‘unstable’ prices lands at $69 and below. Genius.

The Republican Base

Currently have no plans on significantly updating the blog, however, I just couldn’t resist the overwhelming temptation to post this. Being way north of liberal in my political and social views, I have associated myself to the principles of the Blue Party – democrats.

The rhetoric may be strong from both parties but its crystal to which character assassination is done religiously and the source of such rhetoric.

If this is the Republican voter base the McCain-Palin tandem is oh so proud of, then I have nothing but sympathy for democrats and other sane and thinking individuals in the US.

Obama/Biden ‘08

CNN Poll: Obama Wins Debate!

A recent poll conducted by the trusty old name in news concluded that majority of viewers strongly believe that Obama won the first bout against his aging rival. Apparently, CNN quickly interjects a disclaimer:

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey is not a measurement of the views of all Americans, since only people who watched the debate were questioned and the audience included more Democrats than Republicans.

Yes, thanks CNN for conducting a useless Poll. It reminds me of a professor in Harvard who did a brilliant study on the percentage of vegetarian women ages 20 to 24 who'll choose to eat meat over veg. Amazingly out of a hundred veg women surveyed, all chose to eat, you guessed it, veg. -- by all accounts a self-fabricated story to drive my point.

You can read the entire CNN piece right here.

Please Humor Me, It's a Monday (errr, Tuesday)

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Rebuttals

Here’s another round of anti-videogames remarks from a US Democrat presidential nominee to a NY Times writer...

“We’re going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children, and that’s going to take some time.”

- Barack Obama

‘This is not because of anything wrong or bad about video games or heroin or teenage parents. It’s not even because of game-induced homicide or web-grooming of little girls by perverts - serious problems, but statistically low-risk. It’s because, compared with everything else on offer in a kid’s life, video games and heroin and teenage pregnancy are a colossal waste of time.’

- from NY Times Byron Review

On Obama:

You’re 46, you may seem the younger choice among the US presidential lineup but you sure do have the same aging vantage point on what video games is to the populace. Isn’t it through televisions, you were propelled from an unknown US senator to becoming the next US President? You’ve spent millions on donors cash to air your campaigns ads -- at least pay some respect to the medium that brought you to where you are.

What assurances are there that when a child turns off the videogame systems will he/she excel in life? There are numerous professionals who are earning top dollar developing games. Video games is an art, an expression, where excellence can stem from numerous facets. Don’t undermine the potential of this medium to create and inspire a whole new generation of creatives and artists.

To say that video games leads to failure and mediocrity is a pathetic narrow perspective that is commonly associated to individuals who haven't experienced and witnessed the rich emotions, memories attached to gaming.

On the Byron Review:

Great sarcasm. You had the mercy to state that videogames is neither ‘wrong' nor 'bad’ although as if to confuse the readers, through the rest of the paragraph, lambast the hobby by comparing it to highly proven and factual activities that deter humans from success and happiness.

Oh, so you think that ‘game-induced homicide or web-grooming of little girls’ ain’t ‘wrong or bad’? Why sarcastically characterize videogames as something neutral from the start then sarcastically contradict it throughout? Absurd.

At least now readers know how narrowly minded you are, it’s quite clear to any level headed individual that video games compared to Heroin and Teen pregnancy is entirely in a different aspect on its effects to people. Your arguments are essentially flawed, just shut up, and try to understand this form of entertainment before you publish another misinformed and one track minded editorial.

Political Ramblings....

Earlier in the week, a US governor, known for his ultra conservative remarks against Take 2's Grand Theft Auto, was discovered to be part of an elaborate client list of a high - class prostitute syndicate. And this was his statement back in 2006:

"Media content has gotten more graphic, more violent and more sex-based ... Currently, nothing under New York State law prohibits a fourteen-year old from walking into a video store and buyin ... a game like ‘Grand Theft Auto,’ which rewards a player for stealing cars and beating people up. Children can even simulate having sex with a prostitute ..."

- NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer (source: destructoid.com)

Well, politicians are politicans, and we all know the phenomenal level of hypocrisy this segment of society has -- probably was riding on the band wagon during that time -- gain publicity of sort. There is nothing inherently wrong in videogames simply mirroring what society does - whatever the norm is. And to portray videogames as a medium mainly targeted at kids is an obsolete and old-aged notion.

A generation or two from now, politicians like these will simply fade -- by that time, future politicians would have grown up with videogames, and they'd certainly have a much more lenient and non-conservative stance regrading this type of entertainment medium.