The long noses are coming back! Philippines to Let U.S. Build Military Facilities on Bases - Bloomberg
This is a wholly misleading story based on a sliver of fact and a pinch of truth, and is causing a lot of huffing and puffing and hot air to be spouted at Malacanang. It gives the impression that US troops will once again establish a foothold in the Philippines, but that is not the case. They are being given "joint" use of the facilities at some bases, including those in Manila, Clark, Palawan, Cebu, La Union and Nueva Ecija. They conveniently overlook, of course, that most bases, airfields and facilities here were built by the US in the first place. You can bet your boots that if they do allow the US to create additional buildings inside the bases, it's because they want someone else to foot the bill for a facility that they can claim as their own, and then allow the provider and financer to occasionally use it with their generous permission. You'd need to be some kind of cynic to think that being offered additional facilities at a time of growing aggression from China is just a coincidence. The US already involves 6000 troops on annual joint maneouvers with the Philippines forces, and naturally pays the lions share of the bill. There are also 500 US troops on permanent rotational duties in southern Mindanao to help with counter insurgency as the Philippines cannot handle it on its' own. False indignation and phoney national pride, continually over playing its abilities and capabilities, maintains a state of perpetual stagnation. I get somewhat cynical when I hear of the country loudly proclaiming its' independence, when in truth it depends entirely on other countries to prop it up. There is a lot of posing and posteuring of how super efficient they are, and the misplaced belief that "we can do it alone", yet when the big bad international bully makes threatening noises at the front door, they are the first to squeal for help. But when the crisis is over, they will bite the hand that was held out to help them. Personally, I would like to see the US pull the plug, prove that independence means not depending on anyone else, stop pouring billions of dollars into a bottomless black hole, and use the tax dollars for the benefit of its' own citizens.
I have a tendency to agree. I realized the other day that the Philippines if dependent on the world for most critical services provided by a government for the people. The Philippines is relying on the world for jobs for citizens, and that is illustrated that the fact of the number of OFW's around the world. The Philippines can not supply the jobs the citizen need, so they must "sell" themselves to the world. By not allowing foreign investment to create more jobs, the politicians keep control of the their beloved county and source of wealth. The reality is that the Philipines can not respond to is own natural disasters. By definition it known that Natural disasters will happen, both "natural" and "disaster" meanings that are quite clear through out the world. But there seems to be no apprehension or effort to prepare for Natural Disasters other than to hold the hand out to the rest of the world quickly, just as fast as the beggars do to the foreigners that walk the streets downtown. Obviously the Philippines can not defend itself militarily. Even though Filipino netizens are aggressive in their words against China, they have no military hardware to back themselves up, except what they beg, borrow or steal. This seem to be height of "Filipino Pride" to me. Although one of the big arguments against the presences of any foreign military centers around the proliferation of prostitutes caused by the foreign military presents. I question that thought, if that was was really true then McDonalds here in Dumaguete could be considered an active military base with a large contingency of Military personnel (Even though most my be past navy seals, etc. they are not actively in the military at the present time., based upon the number of young ladies ready and interested in the local foreigners in exchange for some material enhancements. It takes two to tango and there is a lot of dancing going on in this county that bans prostitution except in a few places. The question came to mind then what does the Philippine government do. It seems to try to keep the focus of most of its citizens on obtaining their next meal, so the citizens do not focus on the actual behavior of the politicians. That behavior seems be to mass great wealth for themselves as the average citizen tries to put food in their families mouth. Meanwhile the politicians seem to deny and blame the rest of the world as the world waits for the outcome of the justice system. or until the politicians die and a statue is put up for them somewhere.
Maybe better all round if the US were to buy the RPI. Make it the 51st state. It could save the US a lot of money/heartache & resources in the long run At the very least, give the common people a chance to move on a little. Just a thought JP
Just a small correction there JP, there are 57 states; according to Barack Obama, so the RP would make 58. Just Saying!O-|
How any states left? I think JP maybe right, there may be fewer than 57 states left. . There are some rumors that some of the states in the US, may be thinking of leaving the US if President Obama will treat the states as nicely as he treated Ukrainian areas that succeeded . I am concerned about any concentration of high density of Russian immigrants in the US that may cause succcessions in the near future. That would bring the number back down to less than 57 states that President Obama thinks he rules over now. I am heard from a reliable source that one state. the State of Confusion, is not interested in leaving the US. I believe that Putin may have got some of the other of those 57 states back this last week that President Obama previously thought he had control over. Written with tongue in cheek, but certainly not with my nose of around the anal area of some politician. .
