To get a better understanding of Miguel's post look at a history of his past posts. His post should not surprise you. Do not give it too much of your emotional energy, just happily move on ....to a "happy place" as Happy Gilmore would say.
I would very much be interested to hear Trump's take on Duterte's comments to the ambassdor. I'm betting I would agree with whatever it was he had to say about it. The US does not need the Philippines. The advancement of long range bombers and nuclear powered ships have made the Philippines completely irrelevant. The shipping lanes can be protected from the bases we currently have in the Pacific and the bases China has built on the Spratley Islands have fixed addresses and pose absolutely no threat to the US (those can easily be dealt with from 1800 miles or more away from the islands). It is the Philippines that needs the US. Duterte can be as "macho" as he likes but that won't do anything to deter the Chinese from claiming every island in the archipelago that they please. Duterte speaks loudly and carries a tiny twig (the twig being the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard). Maybe he is stupid enough to think that sinking a Chinese battleship is as easy as sending his death squads out to kill impoverished 3rd world drug dealers though. If Duterte wins the election I really think the US should reconsider their defense treaty (along with all foreign aid) with the Philippines.
Well, meaning for wench is a spiteful, malicious person which she clearly is. And Goldberg is Jew. So? Of course these political figures are making derogatory statements on one of the most respected PI politicians. Who has a chance to become next president of PI. And then
Is there any reason why the US should not reconsider their defense treaty (along with all foreign aid) with the Philippines sooner?... that would even make Miram Santiago happy... . It seem like the many Filipinos feels confident that can defend themselves from China. Have you ever gotten a splinter of bamboo under your finger nail, that can bring you to your knees. Anyone who reads the news, knows that at least the press admits that 35% of anything given to the Philippines is mis-appropriated to others than the intend projects or people, but I guess many here would not be happy if there was not free aid available to the undeserving.
Whether it is "two wrongs make a right" or not, making discriminate remarks are off base on our forum and should be considered a violation and suspend the poster and maybe he will join another forum.
I see this as a human rights topic, thus it is a global issue. The rape and murder of women is just plain wrong and not to be joked about no matter how black your gallows humour may be. An aspiring President of any country needs to watch what s/he says as they aspire to lead a nation in a global community. Mr D talks about raising his people, breaking the shackles of corruption that keep the majority in grinding poverty. Lofty, laudable aspirations. Just as important is breaking the injustices of macho culture that condones this sort of violence - after all roughly 52% of his voters belong to this gender and populate this green earth. A bit more humility, a bit more of a softer edge would go a longer way to enhance his message that he will serve ALL Filipinos. Part of that is demonstrating that you were wrong and made an error of judgement in speaking the way he did 20+ years ago. As it is he just seems to dig himself deeper and deeper to me. I fear for the future if this guy wins - a likely bloodbath, purges, gulags, extra-judicial killings, the lot. I also fear for him, if he fails, the people will turn on him. Glad I am stuck on a pretty relatively unimportant little island. The older folks here remember the days of Marcos. Their take on it is that those excesses barely touched them. If he does get elected, l hope pretty much the same thing happens. Over and out, C
Politics Published on April 21st, 2016 | by The Maharlikan 316 Duterte to US & Australia: Our alliances are over when I sit as President MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has warned the United States and Australia that he will cut alliances with them when he sits as President. “If I become president, go ahead and sever it (ties with the Philippines)”, said by Rodrigo Duterte in his recent press interview. Duterte even added, “Australian, American ambassadors: Shut your mouth.” The Davao City mayor made the comment on Wednesday, a day after his tirade against Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely, who had criticized him over controversial comments he made regarding the rape and death in 1989 of an Australian missionary at a Davao prison. “Rape and murder should never be joked about or trivialised. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable anytime, anywhere,” Gorely had said. United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg had chimed in on the criticism. “I can only agree with the colleague from the Australian Embassy,” Goldberg said in a television interview. “Any statements by anyone, anywhere that either degrade women or trivialize issues so serious as rape or murder, are not ones that we condone,” he added.
I don't think the U.S. works off pride. The U.S. works off national interests. Look at the crazies we have backed in the past. Saudi Arabia? These guys hate us. We don't care, just as long as things are going our way. Anything you say positive or negative is potentially influencing voters. That's especially the case when it comes from a significant position such as a U.S. ambassador. Even this thread should probably be in the controversial section. Given what he said about S. Korea and Japan, he might welcome cutting ties. The U.S. doesn't need the Philippines as a regional base. The U.S. just needs for countries in the region to be on team USA rather than team China. It's part of the balance of power game. As mentioned above, if Trump gets elected and gets his way, then Duterte may not have to do anything. Trump may just decide to pull out of the region.