Here's a vote for Obama

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I read this quote on a forum post and had to mention it...

"I think america is ready for a black president. i mean we just had a retarded one".
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Bank welfare reaches its zenith

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This story highlights the pathetic state of corporate welfare in Australia and other western countries. The policy is being adopted in Australia, the USA, Britain and Scotland, and I dare say it will be copied in other countries.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Filipino Sense of Entitlement

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I have made the point that a great many Filipinos have a sense of entitlement that stretches around the world. Here is a dialogue between my girlfriend and a relative that strikes me as not too unfamiliar. See 'A Sense of Entitlement'. The targets for such behaviour are foreign boyfriends (sometimes called sugar daddies), siblings and cousins living abroad. Fortunately these Filipinos abroad are greatly influenced by their foreign cultures and the way their relatives treat them, so enventually I think they tend to confine their gratuities to parents, and maybe siblings.
Usually the foreign boyfriends die, as they are usually old men chasing young girls.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Feedback on Philippine politics

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It was to be expected that my comments on Philippine politics would draw some heated replies. I even got a subtle threat, but its part of 'life in the Philippines'. So what do we draw from this feedback. Well I am accused of generalising. Yeh. I did and will continue to do so as a matter of logic. I have made the point on others blogs that argument is about breaking ideas apart - generalising is about defining principles or the essence of ideas, differentiation is about identifying and explaining the things which account for differences. Most people of course have not studied logic so they are disparaging on all generalisation. Of course one should not make sweeping generalisations, as they are over-simplifications. Many people however are disparaging of all generalisation. They don't differentiate between sweeping generalisations and the process of generalisation. Why? Well usually its because:
1. They are anti-conceptual, or ineffective thinkers
2. They have a collectivist or social identity.
3. They lack self esteem, so they are threatened by others critical remarks.

These issues are actually related. I have made some disparaging remarks about Philippine culture or values. So these offended people can't formulate an argument to counter mine, can't formulate an argument in defence of Philippine values, so instead they resort to threats and smear. Really they just reveal themselves as part of the problem.
The next issue is the social identity. Most countries have a social identity; certain characteristics that define the nation's pride. For the Japanese its Mitsubishi, for the French its wine, for Australians its the beach and lifestyle, for the USA its cheap petrol and the right to pay $6/hour. But where is the tangible value in such 'pride'. Really its quite false. Firstly I reject that idea that pride has anything to do with collectives. Pride is an attribute of the individual. Even in the context of a team, what is pertinent is how much you contribute to the team, not that the team one. Same goes for cheer leaders. The Japanese citizen who takes pride in their national icons is a fake. I might add that Japanese companies are amongst the least efficient companies in the world. Why? Because their profitability is based on the extent to which workers sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of the corporate bottom line. Because they have a tragic sense of life, they accept that plight.
Lastly a person with self esteem is not threatened by other people's feedback. They instead accept that others have differing views, whether they have less respect for them, or choose not to read their material. Certainly they dont where the burden of collective tags.

Anyway to all the critics.... keep it coming. I love it. And to the few supporters. Thank you for proving there is hope for the Philippines. Even if its the hope of being on the next flight to LA :) Well you can't lose your sense of humour. Not unless you can't get a visa.

Some critics cited by poor English and grammar as the basis for their criticism. Isn't it interesting what people choose to focus on. Firstly I dont feel compelled to follow the rules of English. Why because they are illogical. In defence of Filipinos. Why should they have to learn such an illogical language. I have no knowledge on Tagalog, so no comment. Also I dont edit my posts often because I dont have the time. The disparaging remarks do prove that at least that the most anti-conceptual among you do understand the words, even if you dont make the connections, and I dare say thats because these ideas raise conflicting premises in people's minds. Some people are scared by contradictions. We are greatly challenged in the modern society to know more. People are intimidated by the burden. Some people dont know how to cope. Repression is ever present. People refuse to acknowledge what is. Other people enable them. Its not just the Philippines. I dont know any country which is free of this. Its a very human CHOICE.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

The misuse of the media

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The sad reality is that every media is subject to manipulation, misuse or mismanagement. A corporate with the intended to service a certain goal can be maligned to serve the interests of one (or a group) of shareholders or employees. A web site which is intended to provide information can be used to misinform or malign another person. That is what we are seeing with respect to Brian Gorrell. Brian has his problems, but in the minds of DJ Montano and his partners in his shared delusion we are seeing an attempt to malign the truth to preserve the fraud - not just an attempt to misinform, but to hide their own vulnerabilities, as well as the weaknesses embedded in the Filipino culture. Every culture has its weaknesses, just as every culture has its strengths. There are qualities amidst the Filipino people which I dont see anywhere else - both on the side of good and bad. The problem is too many of the bad have too much power. And the rest find it hopeless or otherwise just sit on the sense because they are making money.
In the following links you will read about the maligned mind of 'Lulu'. The story starts with my comments on Brian and BJ on my blog, and the Philippines is general. People might not like generalised statements, but the reality is that human knowledge (logic) is based on generalising and differentiating. Its how we understand the world. So please brace yourself as you come to terms with a dubious Christian soul called 'Lola'....Lola, Looola, oh oh, Lola, oh, oh, oh, Looola. He He. See This post.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Team Brian vs DJ

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The Philippines is under seige. You might be wondering whether Brian Gorrell is a con artist after recent revelations i have seen on the internet. I am starting to read a lot of scandalous stuff on Briab of late. There are several reasons why I am suspicious:
1. It took a long time for the accusations to come out
2. No one is actually stepping forward in the public eye to state the facts

Several observations I have:
1. DJ Montano has a vested interest in undermining the credability of Brian. Apart from the fact that he is destroying the life of DJ, he is also undermining the credability of his family. They are being pushed into a corner with no where to go. Its not like they are rich enough to go to another place, and who wants a 'coke head' for a migrant.
2. The Philippines is full of people with a distorted sense of reality
3. The Philippines is full of cheap labour. People who would write alot of shit for the sake of a few busks, so DJ has a few people he could employ.
4. The Philippines is full of cheats. As much as I dont like disparaging 'collectives' or countries, if the shoe fits, then wear it. Does that mean all Filipinos are cheats? No. Does it mean there is likely to be one in the family? Most likely. And its likely that 80% of the family will distance themself from a cheat, but 20% will defend him, and there reputation, just to retain their deluded sense of importance. Of course cheats need victims, as do parasites that live on other family members. The Philippines 'culture' is supportive of this regime. I went to a party last night. I was not obliged to take any wine or beer. Of course someone has to provide. I guess someone socialite is the best bet. Someone who wants to display their success, or their parents. Of course no one talks in such terms, they are not honest enough too, but that is the crux of the social interactions. Those that dislike the Philippines culture leave the country. Thats why there is a disparity between those Filipinos who live outside the country and those maligned souls that live within. The church is an institutional sham for distributing political power and money to those that prop up the system.
5. Are Filipinos among the most scandalous people in the world. Actually I think so. I think they are among them, 'collectively speaking', up there with the Russians, Arabs and Chinese. Its not genetic of course, its generally speaking cultural. But what is culture? If you want to be specific - its values.

So why do I suggest Filipinos are so bad? Well Filipinos are very affable people, very easy going, so very easy for some people to take into their confidence. It is afterall how they live their lives, 'in each others pockets'. That's how they live their lives. Thats why most want to get out of the country. Well aside from the money, well-paying jobs abroad. They offer trust (sometimes because they have nothing to lose, sometimes so they can make you feel guilty), but they mgiht expect it in return. Be careful. Westerners are not so accustomed to pushing for trust, you earn it in time, so you might be coerced into giving it because they are such naturals at winning our confidence. The crucial difference is then, do they use that trust to screw you or not. I think having the opportunity is one thing. Then they have to justify it. I find a great some Filipinos have a highly distorted sense of reality. I think this comes from the maligned values from being conquered as a nation, the hypocrisy of the religious instititions, the '2nd-hander' social values which defines people by how much money they have, who they know. I think in the business sector fewer people earn such credit (money & power) that way, through rout. I think they are more shrude in their dealings with people, but they still use graft to great effect.

On that note, I look at my knowledge of Filipinos. Well most of them are poor, so I dare say most of them are not going to come to my attention, for good or bad. It is actually very rare that I have any sought of relationship with them. Alot of them smile like I'm someone's desert, like I'm someone's ticket out of the country. I'm told they have a special respect for foreigners, but no. I think its more like relish. So I get the sense that they feel they have been dealt a bad hand by being born 'Filipino' and they relish the opportunity I present. If not as a boyfriend, then as a sponsor for a visa, a free 2nd hand computer, advise on immigration, a little generosity. Some are more tactful than others. Some are very patient. My landlord asked me for my computer only after being a tenant for a year. Only met her a few times.
So what are Filipinos recognised for? Well this is not fair. If I was to ask what Australia is famous for it would be kangaroos, beaches, etc. So maybe that means little. There are people from both country working hard and doing great things. Well I know after last night that not all Filipinos are great singers, and seldom with an original song, at least not in English. Some Filipino won the boxing lately. But then it turns awry. I know a Filipino home nurse managed to screw a billionaire magnate's family out of money in Australia. More pathetic was the ostantaceous way in which she conducted herself on TV. I know that a Filipino Michael DeGuzman was implicated for fraud in the Canadian Bre-Ex scandal worth billions to some. There is all the prostitutes in the Philippines, all the young girls that are dating guys 30-50 years older than them. Why? I guess money is more important. The Philippines is not alone. It happens in Thailand as well. Then just in the news yesterday, there is the news that a Philippines health insurance defrauded the US military out of $US100 million. Well I guess we should not be surprised that it was the US government lost the money, the way they throw it around. See the story US military health scandal. To be fair US military were implicated as well. I wonder if they were enabled by the culture. Travelling around Asia I find a great many Westerners of dubious ethic. No doubt they entered Asia with a bad ethic, just it was enabled by the local culture. But look how the problem fested under US government sanction.

Living in the Philippines there are other reasons why I think Brian and his backers are on the right (truth) team. I observe living in the Philippines a few cultural reasons why people are more inclined to cheat, defraud, etc. There is a weak sense of reality, and there is a tolerance of deceit. Afterall this country has the worst ranking for corruption in Asia. Corruption here is a joke, and its seldom ever reported. If it is, no one is likely to investigate it. An keen invesigator will likely be paid off. Lastly I think the country's religious convictions are to blame. If its moral to give, its practical to take. This country would have to have the worst sense of entitlement. What is yours, is to be shared.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Source of Filipino problems

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Philippines Daily Inquirer journalist Gemma Dimaculangan, in a call to all Filipinos, exclaims in print “We can do much more for our country” (23^rd Apr08, page A14). This is nothing more than an empty appeal to nationalist pride, which is the typical nonsense from public dignitaries. Filipinos need something more concrete. They need accountability and they need public figures to set the example. If you want effective leadership from your political leaders, first you need measures that ensure compliance. Western governments had lawlessness on the ‘wild west’, and there is two qualities that eradicated it:

1. Enforcement

2. Accountability

Once the enforcers outnumber the transgressors, the number of transgressors falls. It is no longer practical to be a criminal. Today corrupt officials act with impunity because senior officials laugh it off as ‘Filipino culture’. So how do you end corruption? Well it starts at the top, not at the bottom.

1. Journalists gather to establish a position of unity that says ‘No to corruption’. Journalists establish a union or membership, with the rule being they agree not to engage in corruption. If they engage in corruption they lose their membership. The peak body needs to secure the agreement of media groups. Members need to tell corrupt officials they cannot be bought, that they cannot be blackmailed, they cannot be threatened.

2. The journalist peak body needs to have an amnesty where journalists who in the past have been paid to write certain articles will not be punished for prior transgressions. They should be able to confidentially divulge their acts to the peak body.

3. The peak body and media groups need to train journalists to become better critical thinkers, to know how to identify a story, to pursue the facts. The reason that corrupt officials act with impunity is that they are not accountable. Journalists are the only people with the capacity to ‘name & shame’ officials, and as a consequence prompt the government to increase enforcement.

4. Harsher penalties are likely to follow since the government will not want to convey any sympathy with corrupt officials.

5. Journalists need to maintain their vigilance in ensuring the government does not just respond with rhetoric, but responds with meaningful action. They need to ensure corrupt officials are dealt with in accordance with 'due process'.

The Philippines is not corrupt because of corruption as this article states. This country is in ‘bad shape’ because the people with the power to end corruption don’t take the necessary steps. The corruption was there from the start. Its always been like that. Its always been practical to buy loyalty. The solution to the problem starts with journalists. The Philippines needs journalists who engage in investigative journalism....so called 'intellectuals'.

You can't expect lesser people to turn down opportunities for graft if the opportunities are taken by others. These people get rich by robbing the poor, middle class and rich. Really they make no distinction. Everyone pays a huge opportunity cost. The poor have no education to avoid it, even if they dont have much to lose. The aspirational middle class are greedy for more money, so they are inclined to be held back the most. For the rich its a significant cost of doing business.

But Gemma is on the right track. She needs I think to incite disgust among her fellow journalists, to organise them under a pact, as opposed to making empty statements about how bad things are. We know the general state of things. She is one in a position to take action in the right forum. This is a start, but its a false start. There are corruption cases that we never get to the bottom of. There needs to be a campaign of disclosure. The media should create a 'hotline' for members of the public to call when there is a politician sniffing cocaine, or a one paying bribes. A lot of these deals are done behind closed doors. Fine. It takes two to make a deal. Sometimes they are rejected. Let the facts remain on the record. There will be attempts to discredit people. But actually thats harder to do than you think. Bad people have a track record. Cynics will say that they just have not been caught. But more often than not they start small and scale up their indiscretions.

For teachers to enlist students in empty rhetoric because the democratic process really gives them no power. What good is a choice if you have 'no choice'. Why is multiple competitors good in the private sector, but not desirable for government?

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com