Miyerkules, Agosto 7, 2013
One Down!
A grueling week of exams has just started two days ago and I'm beginning to feel the heat. Force! be with me!
Martes, Agosto 6, 2013
10 Things I like about The Big Bang Theory
1. The actors are funny. I love the intellectual wit of Sheldon, the libidinal confidence of Howard, the borderline geekiness of Leonard, the gynecologic induced aphasia of Raj, of the cuteness of Penny, the steely bitchiness of Bernadette and the academic buffonity of Amy.
2. The lines are witty. Best line: Leonard: "What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?" Sheldon: "Screwed!"
3. It's about friendship. Who would not want a story about the joys, ups and downs of friendships, it's the story of all of us.
4. Yes, it's also about science. And you never thought science could be the object of a funny skit?
5. It's about family. And how family shapes all of us, whether we like it or yes.
6. It's finding love. Like we all do.
7. Some people are just born geniuses. Learning to live with them is another story.
8. Some people are just born like the rest of humanity. That's what makes humanity a mystery in progress.
9. It makes TV viewing both fun and educational.
10. We all have something in common with at least one of the main characters - and that's why I really like it.
2. The lines are witty. Best line: Leonard: "What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?" Sheldon: "Screwed!"
3. It's about friendship. Who would not want a story about the joys, ups and downs of friendships, it's the story of all of us.
4. Yes, it's also about science. And you never thought science could be the object of a funny skit?
5. It's about family. And how family shapes all of us, whether we like it or yes.
6. It's finding love. Like we all do.
7. Some people are just born geniuses. Learning to live with them is another story.
8. Some people are just born like the rest of humanity. That's what makes humanity a mystery in progress.
9. It makes TV viewing both fun and educational.
10. We all have something in common with at least one of the main characters - and that's why I really like it.
Lunes, Agosto 5, 2013
Tips on Being a Good Student
1. Believe you can be a good student.
2. Begin being a good student.
3. Set out an objective.
4. Plan to reach your objective.
5. Eat, sleep, exercise and rest well.
6. Find a comfy place to work on.
7. Think positive thoughts.
8. Believe you can succeed in the things you set out to accomplish.
9. Set a timeframe to achieve goals.
10. Relax, be happy.
2. Begin being a good student.
3. Set out an objective.
4. Plan to reach your objective.
5. Eat, sleep, exercise and rest well.
6. Find a comfy place to work on.
7. Think positive thoughts.
8. Believe you can succeed in the things you set out to accomplish.
9. Set a timeframe to achieve goals.
10. Relax, be happy.
Linggo, Agosto 4, 2013
Jerusalem: The Unholy of Holies
Jerusalem is a paradox. No city in the world is as much fought for, thought of and venerated to than Jerusalem. Indeed, it is sacred to three religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. However, it seems god has not spared Jerusalem the most inhumane cruelty, suffering and pain that was ever inflicted on man. No city incites much passion, hatred and single-minded determinism than Jerusalem.
Iran's new president, Hasan Rouhani, recently called Israel "an Old Wound." The occasion was the annual celebration called "Al-Quds Day," Arabic for Jerusalem. Rouhani, like the rest of the Arab world, wants to exterminate Israel for dispossessing the Palestinians of their land. They claim that Palestine (Judea and Samaria) to the Jews, is Muslim land.
If history is any guide, Palestine became a Muslim country because of great Muslim warriors like Saladdin, who conquered and retained Palestine from its Christian possessors, who in turn took it from the Jews when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. In all these historical events, it is clear that possession of Jerusalem changed because of the use of force, nothing else.
The Arab world had a great opportunity in 1947 when the United Nations approved the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab sectors. The Jews approved the plan, but the Arabs rejected it, opting instead to retake the whole land by force. And so came a series of wars designed to unilaterally wrest Palestine solely for Arabs. The 1948, 1963 and 1972 Arab-Israeli Wars were a testament to such plan. However, the Arabs overwhelmingly lost the fight. Since they made bullets the deciding factor, and they lost in that bet, they should be mature enough to accept that Israel has now the right to the land, as it always have. Indeed, the Jews have occupied Palestine before the Roman Empire was even born, before Christianity was ever conceived, and certainly way before Mohammad founded Islam. So if anything, the Jews have a historic right to Palestine, such right was taken away from them by the prevailing powers of various actors that came and went throughout history.
It seems that the Arab world has no capacity for self-reflection. And this shows by their sheer arrogance, even in the face of brutal defeat, no less a war they started, to see that the historic opportunity given them to have a reasonable piece of Palestine in 1947 was the best opportunity lost forever to ever have a piece of Palestine. Yet now they complain so vociferously about their state of being landless, only thinking of themselves as the sole and legitimate owners of Palestine, when history has clearly shown otherwise.
Rouhani's speech is symptomatic of the self-delusion of the Muslim world with regards Palestine. They have lost the the decency of clear and reasoned thinking, dwelling instead on empty, religiously fuelled schizophrenic ramblings that incite nothing but violence and bitterness. Yet yearning for the right to retake their so-called "land," at the expense of and without regard for, those who even have an older right to the land.
Unbelievable! That is why Israel can never truly live in peace, and can never truly give up the West Bank, and should forever retain Jerusalem as an undivided capital of Israel. The interest of freedom, justice and yes, peace, will best be served under an Israeli flag than under an Arab extremist government. Unless the Palestinian's fight for a secular and tolerant government, terror will always define Palestine.
Iran's new president, Hasan Rouhani, recently called Israel "an Old Wound." The occasion was the annual celebration called "Al-Quds Day," Arabic for Jerusalem. Rouhani, like the rest of the Arab world, wants to exterminate Israel for dispossessing the Palestinians of their land. They claim that Palestine (Judea and Samaria) to the Jews, is Muslim land.
If history is any guide, Palestine became a Muslim country because of great Muslim warriors like Saladdin, who conquered and retained Palestine from its Christian possessors, who in turn took it from the Jews when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. In all these historical events, it is clear that possession of Jerusalem changed because of the use of force, nothing else.
The Arab world had a great opportunity in 1947 when the United Nations approved the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab sectors. The Jews approved the plan, but the Arabs rejected it, opting instead to retake the whole land by force. And so came a series of wars designed to unilaterally wrest Palestine solely for Arabs. The 1948, 1963 and 1972 Arab-Israeli Wars were a testament to such plan. However, the Arabs overwhelmingly lost the fight. Since they made bullets the deciding factor, and they lost in that bet, they should be mature enough to accept that Israel has now the right to the land, as it always have. Indeed, the Jews have occupied Palestine before the Roman Empire was even born, before Christianity was ever conceived, and certainly way before Mohammad founded Islam. So if anything, the Jews have a historic right to Palestine, such right was taken away from them by the prevailing powers of various actors that came and went throughout history.
It seems that the Arab world has no capacity for self-reflection. And this shows by their sheer arrogance, even in the face of brutal defeat, no less a war they started, to see that the historic opportunity given them to have a reasonable piece of Palestine in 1947 was the best opportunity lost forever to ever have a piece of Palestine. Yet now they complain so vociferously about their state of being landless, only thinking of themselves as the sole and legitimate owners of Palestine, when history has clearly shown otherwise.
Rouhani's speech is symptomatic of the self-delusion of the Muslim world with regards Palestine. They have lost the the decency of clear and reasoned thinking, dwelling instead on empty, religiously fuelled schizophrenic ramblings that incite nothing but violence and bitterness. Yet yearning for the right to retake their so-called "land," at the expense of and without regard for, those who even have an older right to the land.
Unbelievable! That is why Israel can never truly live in peace, and can never truly give up the West Bank, and should forever retain Jerusalem as an undivided capital of Israel. The interest of freedom, justice and yes, peace, will best be served under an Israeli flag than under an Arab extremist government. Unless the Palestinian's fight for a secular and tolerant government, terror will always define Palestine.
Sabado, Agosto 3, 2013
China's Creeping Imperialism in the West Philippine Sea
China's slow, calculated encroachment on Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea is alarming and destabilizing to world peace. Any show of brute force by a rising power in complete and total disregard of the sovereign rights of another country shows only that China will not peacefully abide by the conventions of international relations.
While indeed the Philippines is no match, nay a feeble caricature against a towering wall, China, of all nations, should learn from its long history that always there is a point where one rises to the pinnacle and a point where one crawls in the sand. To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, "Be kind to the people you meet on your way up because you might meet them again on your way down."
China's actions will reverbate for history to be immortalized, and there will come a time when it's actions in the West Philippine Sea will come to bite it again - and bite it will come. Right now, it can do what it wants and the Philippines can only mutter a whisper of protest, then again, history has always shown that those on top do not remain on the pedestal for all time.
While indeed the Philippines is no match, nay a feeble caricature against a towering wall, China, of all nations, should learn from its long history that always there is a point where one rises to the pinnacle and a point where one crawls in the sand. To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, "Be kind to the people you meet on your way up because you might meet them again on your way down."
China's actions will reverbate for history to be immortalized, and there will come a time when it's actions in the West Philippine Sea will come to bite it again - and bite it will come. Right now, it can do what it wants and the Philippines can only mutter a whisper of protest, then again, history has always shown that those on top do not remain on the pedestal for all time.
Biyernes, Agosto 2, 2013
Taxing Self-employed Professionals in the Philippines
The airwaves is abuzz with the news that many self-employed Filipino professionals are in fact not paying the correct taxes. Indeed, a physician in Makati paid only a 2012 tax of PHP 13,000, in other words barely earning PHP 5,000 per month. One accountant paid only year's tax of PHP 20!!!
Clearly dishonesty is not only rampant among so-called professionals, civic consciousness and responsibility is also dead. A friend of mine once said, "Why pay the correct tax when it only goes to corrupt politicians?" Well to that I say, if every one of us thinks like that, then our country will have no future to look forward to. While corruption is without a doubt a perennial cancer in Philippine politics and governance, it can never be solved if the Filipino populace do nothing about it! As the old saying goes, if we want to change the world, we have to begin with ourselves. Eliminating corruption begins with each citizen paying the correct tax, that will make each of us invested in ensuring that those in government do their damn job well. And how do we send that message to our politicians? We vote wisely, prudently and responsibly.
Corruption is the scourge, the bane and the curse of any nation. It enriches the few but ensures that the vast majority will wallow in poverty, suffering and chaos as manifested by poor public services. Poor public services results in social strain, dampens confidence and discourages investments. Decreased investments in turn will mean fewer jobs which leads to fewer tax collections - which again strains even more the already inefficient and overburdened public service sector and the cycle continues.
Efficiency in governance will begin when the Filipino people rises to the challenge to consciously and forcefully fight for a better Philippines, and unfortunately at the moment, a long road has yet to be taken with commitment. Even then, we have to remember that our success as a nation depends on none other than our collective dreams weaved into the fabric of national development. That is our hope, which is in fact ourselves.
Clearly dishonesty is not only rampant among so-called professionals, civic consciousness and responsibility is also dead. A friend of mine once said, "Why pay the correct tax when it only goes to corrupt politicians?" Well to that I say, if every one of us thinks like that, then our country will have no future to look forward to. While corruption is without a doubt a perennial cancer in Philippine politics and governance, it can never be solved if the Filipino populace do nothing about it! As the old saying goes, if we want to change the world, we have to begin with ourselves. Eliminating corruption begins with each citizen paying the correct tax, that will make each of us invested in ensuring that those in government do their damn job well. And how do we send that message to our politicians? We vote wisely, prudently and responsibly.
Corruption is the scourge, the bane and the curse of any nation. It enriches the few but ensures that the vast majority will wallow in poverty, suffering and chaos as manifested by poor public services. Poor public services results in social strain, dampens confidence and discourages investments. Decreased investments in turn will mean fewer jobs which leads to fewer tax collections - which again strains even more the already inefficient and overburdened public service sector and the cycle continues.
Efficiency in governance will begin when the Filipino people rises to the challenge to consciously and forcefully fight for a better Philippines, and unfortunately at the moment, a long road has yet to be taken with commitment. Even then, we have to remember that our success as a nation depends on none other than our collective dreams weaved into the fabric of national development. That is our hope, which is in fact ourselves.
Huwebes, Agosto 1, 2013
Reza Aslan: The Interview That Sparked Conversation
Reza Aslan's interview with Fox News drew a lot of fire, mostly against Fox News, but the very off-beat, defensive, and frankly unprofessional answer Aslan gave to a seemingly neutral question got me thinking - he does not know much about what he is really talking.
First, his claims of being a historian is indeed a misrepresentation of his academic credentials. As explained by this blog Aslan is more of a sociology thinker than anything. His insistence on being a historian is again shown in this interview with CNN.
Second, his doctoral dissertation is not based on any work involving the origins of the bible, and so he is not much qualified actually to speak on the matter. At best, he is a mere commentator in the true sense of the word. No has he studied the bible in all its aspects, linguistic, historical, sociological and theological. Indeed, he has not delved into the theological underpinnings of bible and its relations with the growth and development of Christianity.
It would have been better if he instead focused on Islam and the Koran. I have not seen any major scholarly Muslim thinker focus on the fundamentals of Islam in the same way that many Christians have done on the bible. A study of the Koran conducted in a dispassionate way would have helped in opening up the rigidity and inflexibility of the Islamic faith. This would have been a great opportunity to foster internal reflection on the underpinnings of a seemingly intolerant religious text in the same way that the reformation opened up the exclusive monopoly of the Catholic Church in the interpretation of biblical "truths."
Anyway, I don't find any interesting tidbits of wisdom that would come out of his book as better and more qualified authors have done a more thorough and comprehensive analysis of the bible, Christianity and yes, Jesus. Aslan has not conducted any thorough study of the aforesaid topics to warrant any new knowledge can be gained from a reading of his book.
First, his claims of being a historian is indeed a misrepresentation of his academic credentials. As explained by this blog Aslan is more of a sociology thinker than anything. His insistence on being a historian is again shown in this interview with CNN.
Second, his doctoral dissertation is not based on any work involving the origins of the bible, and so he is not much qualified actually to speak on the matter. At best, he is a mere commentator in the true sense of the word. No has he studied the bible in all its aspects, linguistic, historical, sociological and theological. Indeed, he has not delved into the theological underpinnings of bible and its relations with the growth and development of Christianity.
It would have been better if he instead focused on Islam and the Koran. I have not seen any major scholarly Muslim thinker focus on the fundamentals of Islam in the same way that many Christians have done on the bible. A study of the Koran conducted in a dispassionate way would have helped in opening up the rigidity and inflexibility of the Islamic faith. This would have been a great opportunity to foster internal reflection on the underpinnings of a seemingly intolerant religious text in the same way that the reformation opened up the exclusive monopoly of the Catholic Church in the interpretation of biblical "truths."
Anyway, I don't find any interesting tidbits of wisdom that would come out of his book as better and more qualified authors have done a more thorough and comprehensive analysis of the bible, Christianity and yes, Jesus. Aslan has not conducted any thorough study of the aforesaid topics to warrant any new knowledge can be gained from a reading of his book.
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