Border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia; Cambodia calls for ceasefire

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Increasing tension on border crisis between Thailand and Cambodia turned into a shooting war with Cambodia calling for ceasefire after 4 days.

May they agree on their differences and peace return

Declining tourism in US? Used to bring in trillions of $ in revenue

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Airports empty, no hotel visitors, lay offs?  What caused sudden decline in number of visitors.   US is top tourist destination in the world with over 20M visitors, the highest in the world.  But in stunning reversal, policies by the US govt (or Trump has driven away tourist.   Stringent rules vs visitors and immigrants, $250.00 fee on US visa.  Deportation of illegal immigrants.   Lopsided trade deals (20% and above tariff and 0 tariff on US imports) have all but killed the US tourism industry.  

These adds to all ready impoverished US population.  Poverty in USA?

           

Why UK economy is f...ed?

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1.  Huge debt

2.  Lost manufacturing capacity, focussed on financial services

3.  Energy crisis and Ukraine war -  reduced access to USSR gas, and more budget for defense to support

     Ukraine

4.  Low productivity

5.  BRICS exit;   increased cost, made UK a risky investment site

8.  Rising interest, higher inflation

9.  Less access to labor market

10.  Austerity that reduced expenditures for for infrastructures and public services

The sun never sets in British empire, now fast becoming a third world country

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Once vaunted as the capital of the world, the world's financial center, UK is now becoming dilapidated and cant even provide for the basic benefits of its people.  How could this be?

A period of wage stagnation, but image of luxury persist.   

History of empires; they follow the same pattern.

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From writing of John Glubb, a general.  He said that empires last for roughtly 250 years and follow 6 stages....

Patterns on rise and fall of empires; why US is next

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History repeats itself.   Why US could be next?!

Destruction does not come from outside;  it comes from decay within.  

Prediction on end of US empire

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Will US follow the cycle, the pattern of rise and  fall of empire.  Here is a terrifying prediction about the end of US dominance and superiority.  This post hopes this is going to end well.

The primary cause:    as with Roman empire, the high cost of maintaining its huge network of military bases worldwide would eventually consume itself.  80 military bases in 70 countries  But the investment in high tech military hardware drains US resources at the expense of domestic improvements:   $13B for an aircraft carrier, $2B for a bomber.  $1 million for a smart missile.  While domestic infrastructure and welfare suffer.    All ready Trump is executing countermeasures by asking say NATO to pay the cost of military hardware, and stopping military aid to Ukraine.

But the other cause of loss of economic productivity -  US has outsourced its manufacturing prowess

Rise and fall of empires; Karma on large scale

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I was watching a movie about an Asian sniper who took revenge on another Asian country soldiers because he witnessed the latter executing his father.    Now we know that this Asian imperialist is experiencing various difficulties:   weak currency, failures among its mega businesses world wide, high debt and more.  Could it be Karma.

Moving on we go back to history about countries or Empires that wrought havoc on other countries causing death destruction and misery among conquered countries:    Macedonia led by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan,  Spain, Portugal.  And lately UK.    And maybe who knows:  USA.         

End of bloodbath, fireworks at Legislature? SC rules VP impeachment unconstitutional

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The much awaited impeachment of VP Sara is most likely not going thru as SC rules the impeachment vs the VP is unconstitutional.  Some quarters, netizen, anti VP are quick to conclude that there has been a change of PHP for this ruling (What a shame for the netizen).  But it is truly fair and just.  We respect the SC and its cogent ruling.   The end of story... of bloodbath... We can now refocus and rebuilding the country after the flood:   search for the flood control projects that did not work.  Do a no nonsense work of country governance and maybe seek advice for the leader who seem clueless as to the reality in the country.   And make more sensible statements.   

Mt Marapi volcano erupts (others reported Krakatoa)

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 A volcano in Sumatra Mt Marapi erupted. End of the world signs? No Its the earth renewing itself. Sign that the earth is alive

Tariffs meant to protect domestic producers caused closure of US automakers plants

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They closed not because of anything else but due to tariffs - meant to protect domestic automakers.   Imported parts, steel increased in prices.    Car prices went up.

Washington did not react;   it said pain is temporary.   But workerxs, factories are suffering.

Natural disasters and 2025

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Praying we do not encounter one         

10 Reforms that shock the Vatican; refocuses on the Gospel. Do you agree with the new Pople

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Pope Leo X1V has decreed 10 reforms that will surely shock traditional conservative clerics in the Vatican.  This calls for leading a modest life, including reduction of allowance visits to the missions in Rome.  This will ruffle the feathers of the old and entitled bishops and cardinal

Do you agree with these reforms?

Pres PBBM enjoins kababayan to accept "new normal"

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One hallmark of humanity is ruling over the vagaries of nature;  it is mandated in Genesis that man shall be Gods caretaker of his creation and thus must rule over the challenges of nature.  Thus we rise inspite of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions typhoons.   Our population grew to more than 7B because we have believed in our ability to transcend rise above what nature throws in our path

So it is very disappointing that the leader of this land enjoins our kababayan to accept the new normal (it was an old normal to be viisted at least 20x by typhoons annually in the Philippines) An act of resigntion or laziness.  As leader he must find his hard and use all available resources and power in his office to lead and make this country fight the vagaries of typhoon.

At the risk of being an armchair pretenders may this post suggest:

1. Pres m ust change his mindset and do what he is supposed to lead.  Inspire us amidst these challenges

2.  Make people accountable for the flood control funds last year - almost 1/2 trillion.   Anong overwhelmed.  UK and Dutch govt were able to mitigage effects of flood.  Bgc in our very own country has flood free streets.   Even Pasig  

3.  Use our PHP budgetr wisely.

4.  Be a President.  Kung hindi sayang ang funds ng govt just to elect you. 

LPA bagyong Emong na ngayon, Signal No 4 sa Western Luzon

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Ang isang LPA west of Luzon ay isa nang ganap na bagyo at Typhoon Signal No 3 -4 na sa Northern Luzon.  Mag ingat ang lahat

Pork barrel ng Senate President, insertions sa 2025 budget? Di lang HOR Speaker

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Nakakalungkot ito kasi dalawang mataas ang katungkulan sa Legislatura  magkatulong sa paglabag ng batas sa pagbubudget.  Mga singit, mga palusot.

Dalawa sa nasabing rehiyon nagtulong para isadlak bayan sa korupsyon at trilyonng utang.   Hindi lang si BBM and responsable.      

Did the Air India Flt 171 pilot commit suicide with the rest of 241 passengers and crew?

It is more fun criticizing This is another angle, theory. So many theories on Air India crash of June 12, 2025

Is Japan, the 3rd world's largest economy in deep trouble? Economy as bad as Greece?

It is more fun criticizing Should the rest of the world, or Japanese be worried?

PHL President PBBM gets 1% reprieve on US 20% tariff to the PHL, 0 tariff for US cars

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PHL Pres BBM got a 1% discount off the US planned tariff to PHL exports US cars export to PHL 0 per cent.   Pres. Trump PBBM a tough negotiator.  (Tough?)

This is seen by PBBM as significant achievement.

Many PHL experts think PBBM should have asked for more given that we agreed to EDCA and we are in possession of REM.  But PBBM was in the White House in US, trump territory.  

Experts believe that 19% would have minimal effect on PHL economy given that semicon has 0 tariff, and exports to US has been down, but higher with China.  There are other countries to which PHL can export

Clearly US wants to live alone, and disrespectful of World Trade and has bullied many  nations.   We will not be wondering if there are angrier nations and or allies becoming enemies.    

We should really be independent of US policies and not be another  proxy country fighting for US vs Russia or China.  Time to be tough 

Motorists stranded at NLEX for 6 hours

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It was nightware for many motorists who were stranded for several hours.  And declared not passable at Valenzuela.  Traffic was for several kilometers

The pumping stations could not cope up with volume of water.

Where are the flood control projects

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Amidst the wide spread flooding, people are asking about the vaunted half trillion flood control projects.  Were they "overwhelmed ?"  Or swept by floods.   Let us be honest.

Usec Castro of PCO blasts people for spreading fake police report on Tantoco death

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This post wishes all the best for the said Cabinet official for doing her best to do her job.   We are not sure these days who is true and who is false.  The truth will set us free.       

Practical cattle fattening by Sec. Manny Pinol

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 He used to be the DA Sec. He has continued to explore the feasibility of improving food productivity at social media.

Cong. Elect Joey Chua Uy is a natural born citizen under the 1987 constitution

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In an interview over the TV, Teresita Ang See, an activist for the Fil Chi community (formerly the spokesman of Fil  Chi community vs kidnapping decades ago, noted that under the 1987 constitution is a natural born citizen.    He was born in 1972 (the Constitution was specific before 1973)   by a Filipina mother Emilia Chua.  Hence the said gentleman was allowed to run as councilor for several terms

According to See, no less than Fr. Joaquin Bernas ++ Rip clarified to her that she, being the same situation like Joey Uy, is also a natural born citizen.

The complaint by Cong Abante was based on 1935 constitution.     How could Comelec en bank have erred?   There seems to be a lot of controversial decisions at present Comelec.  

Will Comelec en banc see the light?

ARTICLE IV

CITIZENSHIP

Section 1. The following are citizens of the Philippines:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

[1] Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;

[2] Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;

[3] Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and cralaw:red

[4] Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.cralaw:red