No mouse in the House!

If there ever was a virus that could be created to do worst damage possible to humans using XP Pro it may have hit me today. Or perhaps in my carelessness, I struck a master delete stroke and I deleted the folder, or someone else, using my computer id.
I still can't figure it out or how, but somehow, my driver file for my mouse is gone from my system.

I stared at my PC trying to remember all the hot keys. I hit F1 for help; then grabbed the mouse to look for a topic. Okay, nothing. Now what?! So I did the old Alt-Tab to shift between windows. I went to Ctrl-Alt-Del to go to Task Manager. I tabbed and tabbed, shifted and shifted but nothing happened. I did the piano on F-keys, i banged away in every combination possible, mixed with all the Alts, Ctrl, Shifts that would have made Beethoven proud; it finally brought down a tab.

Since I had hit so many keys, I tried to remember what to do next so I did an old thing I used to do with my older windows 3.1 (or was it 2.5 or 5.0?!). I hit the key to minimize. It shut down my PC, saving all the setting for whatever piece of keyboard strokes I had done in the process!

I called our resident geek-of-this-condo; he came in after the PC rebooted and powered up. Took one look at my settings and ran screaming down the hallway. I don't know what I had done but there was this screen saying Missile Launch Confirmed. Have a nice day. The rest was in Hindi... oh well...

Another friend got in touch; he told me, no problem - hit Win-M to minimize and Win-D to display a window. Cool... I only had about 170 windows. And half of them flashing with the words ‘funds transferred’ and ‘funds deleted’, and all in Russian - something else I couldn’t understand. So I hit Ok, Ok, Ok.

Then the Power went off and stream of black vans came up the driveway.
No, it wasn't me. They were there for the neighbor. He kept screaming, “We’re all doomed! We’re all doomed! Were all doomed! “, as those nice men in white jackets put him in a nice robe with sleeves that wrapped around his back.

I also learned, from another friend who called, Alt-F4 closes a window as well as other important keystrokes. I am trying to write this to see if both my hands work and I can actually write something without cutting and pasting from something, somewhere else. The feeling is actually refreshing.

It has only taken me five hours to get this far.

Okay, now my friendly neighbor is back. He seems so relaxed in the stretcher. I'll just go to the window to say hello. Wait.

Ok I'm back. He was fine ‘til he saw me. Then he started screaming again.

This time, all I need to do is use the master control: Ctrl-Alt-Shift-Throw-the-PC-out-the-window. I think I'll try it now...

In brief: Can you imagine the impact of something like that would have on, say, a system filled with people who don't know hotkeys, who don’t know what to do if the mouse dies?! What would you do when there is no mouse in house? Or touchpad on the laptop? The pointer device is perhaps something that deserves the Nobel Prize, or a heck of royalty check. But I must admit, the hotkeys are fun and bring me back to a yesteryear of early PC'ing.

So I see I can still write…well, a little. Perhaps it’s not all that bad, after all…

Okay, gotta go buy a new mouse or PC, or see if I can figure out why I’m suddenly on all these new fun chatrooms.

And, oh, some guys have come to visit. Why are they wearing those helmets and goggles and dressed in black, though....

" Mexico's Congress approved a bill Friday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin for personal use —"

Ok, the headline is bit of a stretch. but I can see it as one solution to a major problem that Mexico has been unable or unwilling to contend with.

i can also see Jay Leno's Tonight Show and those guys from Comedy central's writer's pool and a lot of Hollywood getting ready to write punch lines to jokes; With the same message I had in my headline. While others will be doing it in hotel rooms in Mexico to be there when the bill is signed into law.

" The only remaining step was the signature of President Vicente Fox, whose office indicated he would sign it. Supporters said the law would let police focus on drug smuggling, rather than on busting casual users. The bill also would stiffen many drug-related penalties: for trafficking, for possession near schools, and for possession of even small quantities by government employees." - FOXNEWS.com reports.

I do expect if the law is enacted; a lot of those using and abusing the "personal use" law will be Americans and people from other countries who use and abuse drugs.

I can imagine those drums along the Border in "TJ" where people can dump contraband oin return to the USA will be full of "personal use" items of people returning to the USA.

But; the bottom line, it is a surrender to drug barons and drug dealers in way - however domestic consumption in Mexico is a problem that is encouraged by the huge demand across the Border.

The major problem is Mexican jails are filled with tens of thousands of people who technically are addicts in need of rehabilitation. They need to do a Malaysia and Philippine solution which is to save the user- "rehab" them - and kill the pusher- as provided in the death penalty for drug lords and drug barons.
Read the rest on the website link to FNC.

In light of recent ruling in the United States where a Federal ruling has overturned some states use of medical marijuana it may be way for those who suffer from ailments to seek treatment and may be a move to cash-in before US "smoke rooms" are shut down .

Do not get me wrong; I do not use drugs; I said no a long time ago - nor do I condone the use of the illicit drugs mentioned above for sale illegally or as is now legally allowed in Mexico when Fox signs it into law.

To do such is a surrender; A failure to being able to enforce drug laws effectively or failure to be able to stop the trade.

But what I am saying is it a sad day for those engaged in fighting the sad social scourge and I am sure will be abused extensively by many who are in the drug trade.

Vicente Fox could still Veto the measure; but it is unlikely seeing it is an election year in Mexico.

In fairness to Mexico; in the Netherlands, a similar law was introduced. It was not successful and later redrawn with stricter policies and change as drug abuse and drug tourists visitors escalated to levels many could not tolerate.

Newsflash: Mexico legalizes drug use… may have to put up wall to keep Americans out!

Nordin top- JI leader eliudes capture

Raid in central Java vs. JI leader “Noordin Top” safehouse 2 dead 2 captured Top still at large:

JI Leader Noordin Top eluded police and military personnel - reports say - and pursuit action is underway in the area of central Java radio reports monitored in Jakarta tonight claim the leader of Jemaah Islamish was able to elude arrest. Radio Reports say two men have been taken in custody, two were killed.

Initial reports say that Police killed two men and discovered explosives and captured important documents.; police confirmed they had killed two suspected terrorists and caught two others in a raid on a house in Binangun village, Wonosobo district, Central Java, Two others are in custody.

The men killed have been described as involved in series of attacks in Jakarta in the bombing campaigns there of JI.

Another was reportedly part of the Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta that killed dozens and enraged Indonesians as most of the victims were visa applicants and local..

Reports coming out of Jakarta a little while ago describe a major operation that nearly captured the "JI leader" ; the raid in central Java in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday was first heard by residents and described as a "major police action" gunfire and explosions were heard.

The suspects killed Salahudin who was believed to have been involved in the bombing of Atrium Plaza, Senen, in Central Jakarta in 2001 and Mistahudin who was believed to have played a role in the bombing outside the Australian Embassy in South Jakarta on Sept. 9, 2004.

A plot or no plot?

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Alert levels up... Plots thicken...

Police on high alert reports of dawn to dusk major protests and actions here in manila

PHILIPPINE security forces were placed on high alert today ahead of a planned May 1 Labour Day rally in Manila calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Police are worried afterall this is coming on the heels; of reports and a raid on safehouse that there have been attempts by JI-ASG teams to target the crowds h a team of bombers is at large and police are worried they may attempt to create chaos in the Philippine capital and target the crowds.
Also there is a alleged new plot called operation mangagawa which is a threat developing from police claim ;NPA rebels and right wing mutinous solders who attempted already two coups but have so far failed.

"We will go on full alert today for the May 1 celebrations," said Manila police chief Vidal Querol. "We will exert maximum tolerance against the protesters. I can assure you that violence will not come from the police ranks."Mr Querol said about 5000 anti-riot police officers would be deployed in the capital" The Australain reports on its website.

May Plot? what plot? says Gringo aide

Being the fair and balanced correspondent I am; even on a blog-
A aide to former Sen. Gregorio Honasan denied today any plot or role of the group headed by the now fugitve ex-senator, ex-soldier, and in the words of his "aide" one more title "ex-coup plotter." the retired Col. Ernesto Macahiya told DZMM radio in a report carried by the fastest name in philippine news on the web -abs-cbnnews.com

An aide of former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan who was arrested Friday for allegedly taking part in destabilization efforts against President Arroyo denied his group was planning to sow terror during Labor Day rallies on Monday, DZMM reported Saturday.

Retired colonel Ernesto Macahiya said the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI) will not join mass demonstrations in celebration of Labor Day. Macahiya is PGBI spokesman.

He also dismissed accusations that the Honasan-led PGBI is involved in efforts to overthrow the Arroyo administration. ABS-CBNNews.com

A plot or no plot?

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Alert levels up... Plots thicken...

Police on high alert reports of dawn to dusk major protests and actions here in manila

PHILIPPINE security forces were placed on high alert today ahead of a planned May 1 Labour Day rally in Manila calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Police are worried afterall this is coming on the heels; of reports and a raid on safehouse that there have been attempts by JI-ASG teams to target the crowds h a team of bombers is at large and police are worried they may attempt to create chaos in the Philippine capital and target the crowds.
Also there is a alleged new plot called operation mangagawa which is a threat developing from police claim ;NPA rebels and right wing mutinous solders who attempted already two coups but have so far failed.

"We will go on full alert today for the May 1 celebrations," said Manila police chief Vidal Querol. "We will exert maximum tolerance against the protesters. I can assure you that violence will not come from the police ranks."Mr Querol said about 5000 anti-riot police officers would be deployed in the capital" The Australain reports on its website.

May Plot? what plot? says Gringo aide

Being the fair and balanced correspondent I am; even on a blog-
A aide to former Sen. Gregorio Honasan denied today any plot or role of the group headed by the now fugitve ex-senator, ex-soldier, and in the words of his "aide" one more title "ex-coup plotter." the retired Col. Ernesto Macahiya told DZMM radio in a report carried by the fastest name in philippine news on the web -abs-cbnnews.com

An aide of former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan who was arrested Friday for allegedly taking part in destabilization efforts against President Arroyo denied his group was planning to sow terror during Labor Day rallies on Monday, DZMM reported Saturday.

Retired colonel Ernesto Macahiya said the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI) will not join mass demonstrations in celebration of Labor Day. Macahiya is PGBI spokesman.

He also dismissed accusations that the Honasan-led PGBI is involved in efforts to overthrow the Arroyo administration. ABS-CBNNews.com

State Departmnt report card out on US CT

New counter-terrorism progress report out

New report released on counter-terrorism efforts of the USA; which lead to success in some areas including here in the Philippines according to the report just released.

• “In the Philippines, authorities have regained control of the island of Basilan and, increasingly, the island of Jolo, both areas of operation for Abu Sayaff and Jemiah Islamiya.”

I am kind of questioning the lead sentence of the press release- which seems to say the US has downsized terror groups in smaller, leaner, and meaner groups. Not the thing you might want to “high-lithe” but it is a truthful statement.

link to the report is below as well.

Mike-

======================================================

U.S. Counterterrorism Coordinator Crumpton Announces New Report

Country Reports on Terrorism 2005 finds terror groups smaller, more sophisticated

By David I. McKeeby
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Thanks to the successes of the U.S.-led multinational counterterrorism effort, terror organizations are now smaller and more sophisticated, and more challenging than ever to bring to justice, says Ambassador Henry Crumpton, coordinator of the State Department’s counterterrorism office.

An annual report developed jointly by the State Department and the National Counterterrorism Center, Country Reports on Terrorism 2005 is produced to provide Congress information on progress in the fight against al-Qaida and the 41 other identified terrorist groups active in the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia, Crumpton told journalists in an April 28 press briefing announcing the release.

Among the broader trends identified in the report, Crumpton said that terrorist groups are forming smaller, harder-to-detect cells; becoming more technologically sophisticated, particularly in their use of the Internet; and are building closer links with international criminal networks. He also said many terrorist groups continue to focus their efforts in Iraq to provoke sectarian violence and derail democracy, making continued international support of the Iraqi government essential.

FORCE BUYS TIME, SPACE TO DEFEAT TERRORISM

Military force alone cannot defeat terrorism, Crumpton said. “We must fight the enemy with precise, calibrated force to buy space and time to transform the environment and the conditions which terrorists exploit.”

He said the report emphasizes the need for a multilevel strategy “utilizing all the instruments of statecraft” to counter violent extremism and disrupt terrorist networks globally; using regional partnerships to deny terrorists safe haven; and improving security by using development assistance programs to help countries build institutions that support the rule of law and address political and economic injustices.

“This is not just the right thing to do; it also enhances our partners' capacity to resist the terrorist threat and address conditions that terrorists exploit,” Crumpton said.

The report finds that al-Qaida’s core leadership no longer has effective global command and control of its networks, Crumpton said. Confined to an increasingly smaller territory along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Crumpton says that al-Qaida’s senior leaders increasingly are frustrated by their lack of control and “desperate to claim Iraq as their own,” resorting to propaganda to demonstrate their continuing influence by inspiring terrorist attacks.

“Al-Qaida and its affiliates are attacking what they fear the most, the development of a global civic society -- a society characterized by global networks of liberal institutions, free speech, democratic organizations, free-market forces, and law,” Crumpton said.

Although international cooperation has succeeded in denying them safe haven in Iraq and elsewhere, the ambassador said, “We must maintain unrelenting pressure against al-Qaida -- we know they aim to attack the U.S. homeland and seek to match or surpass the terror of 9/11.”

PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES

Crumpton said that the report features regional overviews and reports on the terrorist situation in individual countries, marking not only the progress made but also the challenges remaining.

Among the examples of success he cited:

• In Colombia, local police forces have returned to all 1,098 municipalities throughout the country. They successfully have demobilized 23,000 paramilitary fighters, and are making progress in their fight against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC).

• In the Philippines, authorities have regained control of the island of Basilan and, increasingly, the island of Jolo, both areas of operation for Abu Sayaff and Jemiah Islamiya.

• In Indonesia, leaders launched a broad counterterrorism campaign that has gained momentum, featuring new legislation, successful prosecution of terrorist operatives and an emphasis on moderate religious theology to blunt radicalization.

• In Saudi Arabia, the government is taking steps to counter radicalization, opened a Financial Investigation Unit and has captured or killed the top 26 senior al-Qaida operatives inside their country.

The report also identifies several countries that the United States considers state sponsors of terrorism. Most significant among them is Iran, which Crumpton called, “the premier state sponsor of terrorism, provid[ing] a national safe haven for its own operatives and members of al-Qaida and Hezbollah.” (See related article.)

Iran’s ongoing vocal support of terrorist attacks against other countries, combined with its failure to disclose the true extent of its nuclear program to the international community also raise the continuing concern that it may facilitate future terrorist attacks utilizing weapons of mass destruction, Crumpton said.

The full text of the new report is available on the State Department Web site.

For more information, see Response to Terrorism.

Al qaeda at sea? are multiple maritime plots afoot?

In the Movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still," a alien ambassador seeking to get the world's attention stops time and makes the world - stand still.

Kerry Collison; avid author and mega-blogger may feel like the alien ambassador trying to warn people in the USA of a problem we in SE Asia know only too well, It is recurring fear for many in the region, a coordinated attack by Al Qaeda and it's allies in the region on the Straits of Malacca.

While ASEAN has put up joint patrols versus the repeated acts of piracy; amidst reports of hijacking of ships where-in nothing was taken and seemed more like training missions. Warnings have emerged over the last four years of a possible major terror attack on shipping in the area.

There are among the Navies of the region a worry expressed both by Military people and members of both the international shipping companies and leaders in the region.

A growing fear; rising over the years; about a possible attack on or near Asia’s choke point in the Malacca Straights.

A lot of people are expressing renewed concern Now at this time of extreme oil prices if a Attack on or near Straits of Malacca near Singapore could hold up traffic for a few days what it would do to the global economy. One analyst says a few days of tension could see a $120 a barrel "As not impossible."

" The same conditions that allow pirates to operate in Indonesian waters can also be conducive to militant groups such as al Qaeda or its Southeast Asian offshoot Jemaah Islamiah. Maritime attacks and attacks against oil infrastructure and transportation...." Stratfor report quoted by Collison

Collision’s post based a report of the STATFOR organization; But that threat of a attack here near us is in part based on one that occurred before while it was off Yemen and en-route to the entry to the Suez Canal.

" An attack similar to the one against the MV Limburg off of Yemen in October 2002 would bring an immediate international response --....The economic fallout, however, would have already begun " Collison quoting Stratfor

But going beyond the STRATFOR warnings; speaking to analysts they say one area of extreme concern is if “multiple choke points are hit link up several events,” imagine a much larger scenario; not just Malacca, And here is where talking to the people I have been discussing this with in the last few hours see something.

“But what if Hormitz, in the Gulf; or on Oil tankers in the Suez and Panama canals; then that were followed by attacks on oil pipelines and or refineries.” my sources say such actions taken over period of days;

World be enough to send oil prices soaring “They would skyrocket.”

At first I asked if “such a plot had been considered even a remote possibility?” the answer given to me; "There are several actual intelligence reports on individual attacks plots versus these targets." I was told by not just one security analyst - But the same quote repeated almost in the same words by another who cited intelligence information gleaned from detainees and captured documents.

I and my counterparts in the news media have done stories with topics like this; to try and get these concerns aired- on occasion we do a pretty good job Looking for these things and hopefully raise concern enough for us to see some action taken to prevent events like this from happening but we are not always successful. .

But reading and re-reading this possible path of action; the thought of something going on at multiple point’s worries me repeatedly I have been told;

Analysts say "it is not far-fetched."

"If one looks at past actions of Al Qaeda for example they have arranged for attacks to be carried out in different hemisphere’s or countries before, " one senior fellow of a major think tank told me when I asked him about the subject said; " I would not think it impossible."

Groups like Al Qaeda are able to commit multiple attacks across the globe; One need only look at the assassination of the leader of the northern alliance in Afghanistan around the time of the 9-11 attacks; Then embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the string of bombings across the globe that almost move across time zones like a clock.

I often wonder why the Madrid Attacks were never linked to the bombing of Superferry 14 and the attacks on other targets in an around the same timeframe.. I am suddenly worried about the new message of the leaders of Al Q. I wonder; and worry, if indeed as mentioned in the statements “Oil supply” is now the new target, weapon, and, threat next. plot to make a real life; World Standing still….. waiting in gas lines and trying to figure out how move about.

I hope I'm not the only one thinking this way. Something I am sure is being done to prevent this on a individual level at the various places; If not - we'll all be walking for couple of days and trying to recover from the chaos of a world standing still.

I post here what I wrote on PCIJ's site- I double posted by mistake there...

To me this is much "bruhahah" over nothing; I know the men of the NBI STF and they are fair and professional, If Atty. Ed Arugay is still heading it; Probe will get a fair review. that said- all I can see here is a request letter for a copy of a tape of program which is subject to law- a requirement all Broadcasters have to comply with. It is something aired at sign on and sign off for all stations nationwide.

" A one-sentence letter was sent by NTC Regional Director for NCR Delilah Deles, on April 26, to ABS-CBN Network’s Vice President Manoli Manalastas. No explanation for the request is contained in the letter." - again per the Law- none is required!

It says - I read it posted on this website 'May we request a copy of the program aired...." Not the master tape- but a copy of the tape aired? you can challenge it court BUT; if it only wants copies of the"program aired" the broadcaster has to comply with a lawful order..

Now, Cong. Gilbert Remulla and another Congressman (sorry forgot his name) introduced a bill recently to amend laws governing broadcasters and freedoms of speech and press.

What every TV station manager or owner or news director and or producer learns "DAY ONE"... is Broadcasting has specific rules and conduct which makes this field of journalism subject to "Government review" and regulation that sets it apart from other Journalism.

I got that lecture from Che-Che's old profesor at UP; Miss. Lulu Ilustre a former KBP president who pounded it into us at the Palawan Broadcasting Corporation.

"Responcibility, you must be able to present a report that will be able to face all forms of scrutiny." In our case at that time we were the only station on the Island.

So you better believe we were made to make sure everything we reported was balanced, fair, and clearly capable of facing anything. I often joke with former students of Tita Lulu; you only had her as a instructor and profesor- to us- she was part Boss, Part Mom part judge jury and executioner! Boy this brings back memories...

On a global view of this - There is a common legal opinion, not only here in the Philippines, But in the USA, the EU, etc. "That as a private franchisee of a public resource- the airwaves- broadcasters are subject to strict regulation."

If you look at the KBP code and Broadcast franchise licence of a TV Station, it’s all there. .Most of those are copied from the FCC code in the USA; stations there go through this a lot - but- when raw production tapes are demanded. There in lies the difference.

Then there is no the "KBP code" which governs broadcasting here as specific rules on sensitive subject mater in newscasts.aired - that is another mater- but not a mater raised here or so it seems in this order.

So until broadcast laws are amended this "one sentence letter' or similar type of communication is all that is required, for "ANYTHING AIRED" Broadcasters; be they news or entertainment shows may be required to submit to until such a time laws are written or made as such to extend other protection provided for print media..

If it raw material- or video not aired being requested - Then A classic case a few years back in the UK where a series a IRA interviews were seized from a local BBC station under censorship & security rules. In that case commando team was sent in and nearly everything taken - and this is in the UK. Where specific laws exist for this.

Mind you- I have had my own experiences with "tapes taken" I don't ever want to go through again r- but as explained to me then - i was on "exclusion or private property" not a public place when that happened. Hence; I did have to allow my tapes to be taken, personal opinion aside of my views on that incident.

I do hope at some point; more laws will be passed to cover this kind type of case but until such. One can fight it out in the courts. Good luck! Oh, by the way... if anyone in guesthouse ever sees a beta cam tape... someone seized... years ago... uh... I had to pay for that out of salary… could I have it back now please?

Police on manhunt for JI-ASG "strike team" in Manila

Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday are searching for and checking on the reports that a joint JI-ASG strike team is in Manila to carry out attacks during the May1 "Labor Day" public events that is often a mix of celebration and always large crowded protests.

The Chief of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, or, CIDG, Asher Dolina, in Metro Manila, says his men will continue to monitor the apartment they raided. The CIDG, is looking for members of the ASG team in manila believed to number between 4 to 6 men who are at large.

"They will continue to check on reports of alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) activities in the capitol "

This comes after a raiding team led by Lt. Col. Nelson Yabut,, raided a home n Marikina City, at 21 Champagne St. residence village, where they recovered explosives and firearms inside several rooms. Six Anti-Personnel grenades and a small IED were found, it is also believed the group may have "other safehouses" in the area. Police believe the strike team had intended to use the weapons on crowds taking part in protests and other May Day activities.

Tension is rising;

But, some feel the reports and attempts come on renewed concerns by most people who are more concerned about domestic issues more directly affecting their lives than Political infighting.
The current prime concern in most surveys is "rising fuel prices" as well as "Employment and Income", However the Philippine street political scene is always fluid.
However, new survey numbers, made by the Social Weather Stations, a more conservative and far more complex survey research group, there's a lot of them here.
A lot of those figures were released full page ads indicating that a majority of people want to move on with their lives and are interpreted by analysts to mean they are less willing to take part in "protests and people power" events.
There is a large sector of "undecided".
What cannot be surveyed however is if Violence is factored into protests and large number of people are hurt of worse - this could mean two things; that people will be even more less likely to follow the opposition or it may shift public opinion versus the administration.
Either way; the Terror group at large couldn't care less, if their past actions are to be looked at - they only want to create chaos.

sources: direct / radio / TV / news wires

Motion to reduce charges dismissed vs. Subic USMC accused

At the Makati RTC; Judge Benjamin Pozon of Branch 139 dismissed a motion of the prosecution to reduce the charges filed versus 3 of the US Marines accused in the Subic Rape case.

The Motion filed by the Philippine DOJ, was "Dismissed" for "lack of merit" and furter the Judge ruled that the motion be expunged from the record of the case.

Earlier the DOJ, had sought to reduce the charge of rape versus three others accused in the case, The three will continue as "principle accused"are Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis, and Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier. Who along with Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, the principal accused of the accused in the case will be facing the full case at this time.

The men are scheduled to be seen for the first time as they are formally arraigned at the makati hall of justice at 2pm, Friday, the case was reassigned after "difficulties" in the original venue for the case; when the original judge inhibited himself in the case.

The US embassy has assured the men would face the court as part of the process of the trial the embassy has custody of the men under a joint military agreement with the Philippines on cases filled versus US personal accused of wrongdoing under the visiting forces agreement.

Meanwhile the Legal Panel of support for the victim in the case has been beefed up;

" A former vice president, a former senator, and a law dean have joined the team working as private counsels for the complainant in the Subic rape case. Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., former Sen. Rene Saguisag, and Lyceum of the Philippines College of Law dean Pacifico Agabin have joined lawyers Evalyn Ursua, Honorato Aquino, and Anna Lisa Gonzales in lawyering for “Nicole,” the 22-year-old woman who was allegedly raped by four U.S. Marines in Subic, Zambales in November last year. " More at bulatlat.com

The case has galvanized "Leftist or progressive groups"depending on your point of view; Anti-American, Anti-War, and, Anti-US forces groups have rallied behind the victim, in the Philippines who see the case; in their eyes as "all that is worng with the presence of US forces in the Philippines." or thierwebsites nad statements issued go...

In particular the RP-US VFA or visiting forces agreement, which gives legal protection to US troops charged with criminal offences, a measure of protection under the agreement not provided for in US law. Where off-duty Military personel who would be charged in a offense would face a civilian court - like anyone else.

http://counterterrorismblog.org/mt/pings.cgi/2664

Zackary Abuza; has a summary of recent Mindanao activity that is full of information - the entire site actually is very good with expert information on intentional topics and scope of the problem from a global perspective.
just FYI-
Mike

Threat of May One violence confirmed in Police Raid

Militant Extremists of the Abu Sayyaf and not military rebels may have thier own "G plan" for the upcoming may day rallies in the Philippines. a total of six granades five hand granade and a rifle granade as well as a unfinnished IED and blasting cap fuse wire were recovered by Philippine Police.
When operatrives led by Lt. Col. Nelson Yabut of the CIDG NCR ; raided a compound in the suburban city of Marikina where at 21 champaign street in residence village in Marikina they found the weapons cache.
I know Nelson - he was Lt. Yabut of the WPD or Manila's western Police district when I first met him a long -long time ago- myself- like other reporters used to sneak into his office to get instant coffee! (what does that tell you about how long ago that was!) All I can say it was a much happier if not interesting time. A lot of us - learned quite a bit from Nelson... i dont know why but - a watering hole in front of WPD's press center comes to mind - spent many late nights there learning the trade in what now seems - a long time ago.
Now Lt. Col or perhaps Col. Yabut - he should be General soon I hope; I know many Cops; not Yabut, Nelson is a "Police Officer".
Anyhow he explained to reporters the purpose of the raid - and the need for a higher level of vigililance by all groups in the days ahead.
Among those seen at the compund were higher ups in the ASG - they believe that a plot to throw grandes into crowds of rallists protesting this labor day- may have been the purpose of the group that reports say numbered anywhere for four to six men. Who are "at large" by the way at this time.
A trademark of the groups here though - was seen at the site- the blast wire- I can't go into details but perhaps I can talk about it in another blog.
"Fusewire" was found at the site as well as wrapping paper for more - alert levels have been raised. Police in the City of Manila are on a high level of alert to deal with anything untoward other groups attempt to create chaos in the days ahead.
the six men included a cousin of the Abu Sayyaf leader Kadaffi Janjalani.
I'll keep an eye on this one...

mikeinmanila

"Let's impeach the President"- Neil Young's new song....

On the same Day fox News Anchor Tony Snow takes the Podium as press secretary - Fox News scoops the rest of media with the lyrics of Neil Youngs soon to be very controvertail song.
"Lets Impeach the President."

No it has nothing to do with anytihng here in the; its all about the USA.

Neil Young: Exlusive 'Impeach the President' Lyrics - It starts off strong - and I expect it to be a major protest song - not only in the USA.

" Let’s impeach the president for lying... And leading our country into war... "

You can see the rest of the story on Foxnews.com ; I don't think it was on the playlist at Tony Snow's farewell party last night. Fox is Fair and Balanced alright...

ERAP-LACSON: willing to testify in Spy Case....

Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada says he will consult with his legal panel on the allegations raised against him by a Federal Prosecutor in New Jersey in a court hearing. Monday, reports reaching manila said Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl Buch, for the first time publicly named; Estrada and two others, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and former Speaker Arnufo Funtebella.

Prosecutor Buch ; alleged the three were recipients of information taken from the FBI .
In the case Senior U.S. District Judge William Walls before in a espionage case filed versus a Filipino American FBI Analyst and a ex-Philippine Police officer Michael Ray Aquino last year.
Estrada, currently is facing a mountain of legal problems and has been jailed for the last five years said, “I have not seen the charge sheet- I will speak to my lawyers first”.
He did admit to having read what he says were “Media reports” sent to him, as well as other information he called “not sensitive - nor secret” as public reports from the US Embassy in Manila.” During his communication with the two accused men in the case.
Estrada, is right to assume it may lead another case thrown his way on top of numerous charges already he faces in the Philippines.

Currently Estrada and two others are not a defendants in the case filed versus a former FBI Analyst Lean Arragoncillo and Michael Ray Aquino.
Former Senator Panfilo Lacson was less guarded in his reaction calling the case “flimsy” and that he only got emails from Aquino and nothing ever from Arragoncillo.
He has openly said He will be willing to speak on the side of truth and say what he knows about the emails he received. “They were only news reports! Clippings, nothing fancy and defiantly not secret.”
.
However an ominous note in the case at bar was the Judges statement “The judge said the former president is living under house arrest on corruption charges. He said the odds were slim that any of the prospective witnesses would risk arrest in the United States.”
Which hints the three named persons could still be formally charged in the US case against the two men in New Jersey

Case still moving…

4G; the plot not the phone…

April 26th, 2006

A new plot to seek violent end to the current dispensation running the country is reported to be in the works in time for the May 1st Labor Day;

"anti-government groups are hatching plans dubbed "Oplan: 4G" to destabilize the Arroyo administration on May 1."

Ok, this is not to be confused with ‘3G’ the new cellular service advertised by Smart and Globe in the country - that offers video calling,

‘4G’ however is also being used to describe the next level of cell-phone service being designed which gives better data rates and a high end of user interface for communications devices such as phones and entertainment and information services..

So- With that out of the way what is this “4G”

This Oplan ‘4G’ comes on the heels of “Oplan Hackle”; and earlier plats and plans and the like.

I wonder when the groups come together to name these plots - do they have a registered trademark? I mean is 4G a working title? Or is there some meaning behind it? Like 4 is the number of people involved and the names all start with G?

Or Is it religious - 4 God perhaps? Or something like a throw back to the Marcos era 4 - ‘Galun-gong’; .

No Perhaps this ‘4G’ means the ever old saying of 4 gold or 4 glory?

Could it also be a sudden shift and be plan to suddenly declare sexuality long hidden in the closet 4Gays? Uh in this case, Don’t ask – Don’t tell comes to mind.

What does 4G mean - who thought it up?

Perhaps it is just one of many quickly thought out names during a meeting and has no meaning other than a plan and a number. Perhaps there should be incorporated into the PMA classes a "Subversion Oplan naming ‘short course’ for would-be plotters" one journalist I talked to said.

A little raz-ma-taz of Madison Avenue on the topic. Some more catch words and key designs. In the meantime a local correspondent seeing a foreign influence noted the number "4" in Fung Shie or numerology is the number for Death. But death for whom? Government… Goons… Gratitude… Greed… what else starts with "G"… lest I be dragged somewhere and given too much water to drink I just want to say I'm writing this to pass the time and cure boredom while waiting for an interview. I have no idea- and am merely looking at this in a cynical way- albeit “callus” mindset most journalists have after years of coverage.

"intelligence reports that showed destabilizers plan to carry out Oplan: 4G by infiltrating street demonstrations during celebrations to mark the International Labor Day."

- A website story on the subject points out - so it could simply mean 4-Gulo.

Other groups have their own opinion on the topic at hand.

"The labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno, however, said the supposed security threat is the administration's way of discouraging people from joining street rallies on May 1.They invented the security threat to discourage people to join the protest on May 1," KMU leader Elmer Labog said in Filipino on ABS-CBN".

.So in that essence to them the 4G stands for a hope people will "4-Go" attending the mass actions and rallies and be "4-ever Grateful" to the Military for warning them.

All most people hope is another 4G happens and those people behind this 4G plot; "4-Get" So we can all go "4-golf" Saturday.

Oh and 4-Goodness sake…. 4-give my silliness on a serious topic. By now this may all be a 4-gone conclusion.

Most of the quotes above come from ABS-CBNNews news the country’s most trusted name in news online. But the humor is mine!

Just for laughs...

Have you ever been waiting for a important email and all of a sudden something goes pop! or buzz! Or you’ve got mail! on your computer’s speakers and you rush to it to find only an email on penile enlargement in your in-box?

Have you ever gotten the urge to reply? I asked around; quite a few people it seems do.

“The nerve of them! It’s not small… you scream and want to run somewhere and take a picture and zip it back to the send to be able to say – hey you- pssst yeah you look – malaki ito! (it’s large!) “

a un-named fellow journalist told me.

Another more confident chat room fellow had a more confident stand.

“Why not send them a nasty email that asks them why? Have you got problems there “little guy”?

But my reaction takes another path. My reply would be; “Sorry but have you got a product for reduction of size that’s my problem. Ahem,” said in a very – very deep voice. (Ah-hem!)

While another perhaps a ‘little’ guilty adds; “I hate those Junk mail files and feel dirty like someone put you on that list. It’s like –Aha! That men’s room attendant who peeked! But it was the air-conditioning! It was so cold that day!” my news anchor pal wines in a little voice.

I can’t for the life of me get over having to go through an e-mail in box and feel like a pervert – till I was asked by my mom to clean up her mail box she rarely uses except at Christmas time and Holidays to send out E-cards.

Then I looked at the pile of all the stuff in there. – “my goodness - walang patawad ang hayop na walang hiya nito pati Nanay ko pinadalahan!” (this person has no shame; even my mother got his emails!)

It makes one think of the entire industry that is pushing stuff like this online and how many of these products flow freely around the world. Imagine for the two billion or more Internet users at last count what kind of consumer demand there is for the product.

Who knows what company is out there doing this kind of thing or send out this kind of product; perhaps its one old man or two chained to some desk in India and being told ; flood the world… flood the world by some evil task master. Who sends all these enlargement things out? I mean I know you can trace the IP address of an email and look up the trace route right down to the windows registry number.

In my Journalistic gut feelings of all gut feelings – Could it all be traced to small town in Oregon? A small community of geeks and the Geek of them all behind this effort to make things large anf hard.

What if it is … Him,

Windows user 0001 who has service pack twenty seven and a half installed.

As well as all the upgrades It’s easy to see as to why in my thinking; it must be him.

How? After all his fascination with the mater of penile problems, how do I know this?

Well after all he did name his company Micro-Soft.

This is the nice thing about a blog in a real world of journalism where decorum’s rules of polite behavior prevent me from ever doing something like this on air or in print out of self respect in a blog you can get away with it. Unless I worked for Comedy Central well I did in a way at one time – although we called something else at the time and thought it was real news.

A email from "Uncle Al" I want to share...

This is an Email I gota few days back;
It is from Sen. Al Ysrael of Guam; a old
family friend and classmate of my father from
DLSU;

How long ago was that? they spoke
Spanish at recess! hehehe...

Instead of passing it on to others in email form.
I decided to post it here. It's writien by Ben Stein
a columnist - I use it based on a the email request
to pass on the wonderful message with-in.

- Mike

Subject: Ben Stein (a newspaper columnist) Commentary

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, 12/18/05.

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:

I have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them

on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so

important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.

How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare(she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem

(Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talkin g about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill > strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

: I got a question for you

If you take the time to read it and maybe apply it to your own life...it makes you think. : )

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

2. God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped clothe.

4. God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you gave some to help others.

5. God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8. God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.

9. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10. God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows whether or not you are ashamed to share this information to whom you love.

May God bless you.

Vavava-voom - one wiff... and its yes

Scientists in England have announced a answer to men viagra - described in the observer magazine as under testing for the next three years the substance PT-141 already has stockbrokers wondering which company to buy stock in.

And men from the age of teenagers to 1oo trying to figure out where to buy it - perfume and cologne manufacturers all trying to figure out how to mix it into thier products. And Politicians thinking of ways to use it at large gatherings and have it sprayed into crowds during speeches. But, I'm sure the rumor Bill Clinton is already volunteering for being a test subject - is highly unlikely -

" a dose of PT-141 results, in most cases, in a stirring in the loins in as little as 15 minutes. Women, according to one set of results, feel 'genital warmth, tingling and throbbing', not to mention 'a strong desire to have sex'. says the Observer online report.

But before one thinks about stock options or buying gallons of the stuff it is still years away from the consumer market. .

One thing though - it does not work like a love potion - meaning the first one the persons see's and poof- it is designed to stimulate activity between persons who are already finding that part of life "difficult" such as couples under stress, people who are having dysfunction problems and others like those who really need it - for whatever reason.

Its process is "mind over" - well for lack of better pun - "other maters" - the clinical explanation is- "The precise mechanisms by which PT-141 does its job remain unclear, but the rough idea is this: where Viagra acts on the circulatory system, helping blood flow into the gentiles, PT-141 goes to the brain itself."

So it goes to the other head- see- it is true headaches can affect some nights... but then so can eyesight. I mean if you can see what I mean... uh err- this going to get me into trouble.

Anyhow; Palatin Technologies, the New Jersey-based maker of PT-141 - believe the product will be useful for those who are not capable or using Viagra- people with heart problems or blood pressure issues. "s a treatment for female sexual dysfunction " is another area they are focused on as part of the products use.

Here's a sample of the article anew - "Among men who have been tested with the drug more extensively, the data set is richer: 'With PT-141, you feel good,' reported anonymous patient 007: 'not only sexually aroused, you feel younger and more energetic.' According to another patient, 'It helped the libido. So you have the urge and the desire...' Tales of pharmaceutically induced sexual prowess among 58-year-olds are common enough in the age of the Little Blue Pill, but they don't typically involve quite so urgent a repertoire. Or, as patient 128 put it: 'My wife knows. She can tell the difference between Viagra and PT-141.'"

Ah so... I see huge rising demand for the stuff to be tested in this country... I mean in time for the Cha-Cha... with that stuff sprayed around polling places people will say or gasp yes-yes-yes to anything... oh well my Political Science background is kicking in anew.

Lets all wait and see what the "snuff for sex" product or sex spray will do and maybe keep an eye on the stock which I'm sure is already "fast rising" in "waves"...

Ok... better stop.
Quotes from observer full article here:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1759109,00.html

Two "gringos" a impersonator and inaccesible one

Well somneone was there....

At about forty minutes after midnight last night a "Diplomat" frantically called me to seek clarification on a column he saw in the Philippine daily inquirer online of Neil Cruz, with the banner Grino Honasan at Kapiahan tomorrow.”

The event at the Manila Hotel is a regular get together for Journalists and Columnists one many media forums that run throughout the week where "The elite meet for meat" ok maybe not meat but coffee and something filled with meat.

I look at the column; a jpeg copy of it. I then informed my desk in New York - "I might have breaking news" but not sure...sent then a copy of the column, I also did the standard be ready for anything drill. I told the news directors of three of local TV stations that cover the event regularly "Hey, if this is true and there is video..."
I was satisfied and had covered my bases...

If indeed he would resurface. I was ready for it and would have a fair chance versus the competition. But at the back of mind- I wondered- So I went out and down to the Port Area - where the newspapers are often ready by 12mn - I looked at the masthead- there was an "Ear" on "Gringo" in surrender feelers.

Same paper - so I called my local part-time cameraman, got him ready. I called to check for availability of the three "optional feed" uplink service providers. Checked the status of points for video "I could go live if needed..." the alert was issued. Sat coordinates set.

I even checked if our regional correspondent in Bangkok was back from Nepal; sent him a text -he texted back. "Well... if he shows its a story! lucky break mate- "

But all along with a veiled feeling I and the readers had been had - I knew the bunch at the Kapihan had done something before like this and a impersonator had showed up.
Yet; it seemed something was amiss as the one line was at the bottom of the column almost mater-of-factly inserted.

(see jpeg)

But then there was the ear; So I had a friend who is columnist also call up Neil- his cell phone was off- but of course- "The man wants the scoop all for himself." offered the other columnist- in a few minutes (he drove fast considering he lives in Alabang!)

He was there with me and about a dozen other reporters - by sunrise- all of us had bloodshot eyes- we noticed another group.

It was the Intelligence people... and those guys from the embassies near-by... AH... it true Virginia - this must confirm it! by 6am... our motley crew thought perhaps he had checked in?

A quick run into the lobby a few very tips to waiters- nothing - that proves it they tipped the waiters more to say he's not here! My fellow foreign correspondent mussed.
It was around 830... when we saw the first glimpses of the doom of ur collective scoop.
Radio reporters from all the stations in manila where there- so were so many others... A few fans of gringo where there as well.

Bomb sniffing dogs... mulled about- ok they're always there anyway... but still I have to ad to the drama of this tale! finally laughter and it was obvious- Comedian Willy Nepumaceno was the impersonator.

Later in the day - Honasans Attorney issued a statement –

on ABS-CBN television -

"The talks reported in today’s PDI (Philippine Daily Inquirer) are not entirely accurate. In fact I just talked to Senator Honasan an hour ago and he disclaimed any initiative on his part over such talks," said attorney Daniel Gutierrez. - Gutierrez added that considering the actions of the prosecutorial bodies of the government, his client would prefer to remain "inaccessible."

Well at least other "Gringo" was more forthcoming his jokes fun filled all for a new show he's set to launch - Pinoy's Big Brother – ah; it was all in good fun... time to go home and get some sleep.

Till the next rumor of a apparition; see even us “hacks” get hoodwinked every now and then; hmmmmm…. Did I tell my cameraman he could go home and climb down from that tree…. Better check.

Criptic Bin Laden Message...

OSAMA BIN LADEN'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH:
After hearing numerous times that, "We don't know if Osama Bin Laden is
still alive," Osama himself decided to send a letter in his own handwriting
to US President George Bush, just to let him know he was still in the game.

Bush opened the letter, which contain a single line of a coded message:

370HSSV-0773H

Bush was baffled, so he forwarded it to Condi Rice. Condi and her aides had
no idea either, so they sent it to the FBI. No one could solve it at the
FBI, so it went to the CIA, then finally to the NSA.

With no clue as to the meaning of Osama's letter, the Bush Administration
eventually asked Britain's MI-6 for help.

Within a minute, MI-6 cabled the White House with this reply:
> "Tell the President he's holding the message upside down".

"Boss" Jake - One of "the creators" of ABS-CBN's TV Patrol, Alas Sinko Y Medya, and, ANC - sent me the following email on if the Biblical Noah were around today and in the Philippines-
I think this is an updated version of one I saw shortly after EDSA '86;

read on...

It is the year 2006 and Noah lives in the
PHILIPPINES....

The Lord speaks to Noah and says:

"In one year I am going to make it rain and cover
the whole Earth with water until all is destroyed.

But I want you to save the righteous people and two
of every kind of living thing on the earth.

Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark."

In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications

for an Ark.

Fearful and trembling, Noah took the plans and
agreed to build the Ark.

"Remember," said the Lord, "You must complete the
Ark and bring everything aboard in one year."

Exactly one year later, a fierce storm cloud covered
the earth and all the seas of the earth went into tumult.

The Lord saw Noah sitting in his front yard weeping.

"Noah." He shouted, "Where is the Ark?"

"Lord please forgive me!" cried Noah. "I did my best
but there were big problems.

First, I had to get a Mayor's permit for construction

and your plans "did not comply with the codes".

I had to hire their "engineering firm" and "redraw"
the plans.

Then I got into a fight with Municipal Fire Safety
Inspector over whether or not the Ark needed a fire

sprinkler system and extinguishers.

Then my neighbours objected, claiming I was
violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in

my front yard,so I had to get a permit from the
municipal planning office.

The Municipal Planning office told me to get a
barangay clearance.

But when I went to the Barangay Captain, he said

I should first get a permit from the municipal planning office.

I got confused.

I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark,
because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect
the Monkey-Eating Eagle.

I finally convinced the DENR that I needed the wood
to save the eagles. However, the DENR won't let me

catch any eagles. So, no eagles.

The carpenters formed a union and went out on
strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the KMU.
Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no
eagles.

When I started rounding up the other animals,
I got sued by an animal rights group. They objected
to me only taking two of each kind aboard.

Just when I got the suit dismissed, the DENR again
notified me that I could not complete the Ark without

filing an environmental impact assessment on
your proposed flood.

They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they
had no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator

of the universe.

Then the DPWH demanded a map of the proposed new
flood plan. I sent them a globe.

Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed
with the DOLE that I am practicing discrimination by not

taking godless, unbelieving people aboard!


The BIR has seized all my assets, claiming that I'm
building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to

avoid paying taxes.

I just got a notice from the BIR that I owe some kind

of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a recreational
watercraft.

The NBI and ISAFP each wanted a piece of the action
alleging that the Ark would be used by Garcillano to escape.

The PNP on the other hand insists that Mr. Arroyo
might use the Ark to flee to the USA.

Malacanang sees the opportunity to use the Ark for
GMA's Strong Republic Nautical Highway presidential
campaign sorties.

Upon hearing my building the Ark, Congress did what
they always do --- formed a fact-finding committee.

I'm not worried about that though because they've
never had anything done anyway.

Finally the Senate got the courts to issue a TRO
against further construction of the Ark, saying that

since God is flooding the earth, it is a religious event and
therefore unconstitutional.

I really don't think I can finish the Ark for
another 10 or 16 years!"

Noah wailed.

The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and
the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky.

Noah looked up hopefully.

"You mean you are not going to destroy the earth,
Lord?"

"No," said the Lord sadly...."The government is
already doing that."

'In the coming Days.'.. LA times article on "Gringo"

Something seems to be up; what exactly is hard to say. But a lot is being made of a interview and quote about "In the coming days." I talked about this in a earlier blog below.

The quote is from an interview with a "Magdalo" member of the foiled Oakwood mutiny - "Former Sen. Honasan serves as an example and inspiration. We believe he is fighting for genuine reforms." Army 1st Lt. Sonny Sarmiento, said this on Che-Che Lazero's probe team episode on the "Magdalo Group".

Todays; Sunday edition of the LA times has an article by Richard Paddock on Sen, Gringo Honasan; Xinghua Chian news agency has a piece out the Philippine Military saying they are ready for anything. Time has a story in the works So does Newsweek Al Jazeera is working on something, the BBC, ITN, and CNN or so I hear. Wazzap?

The article got noticed in the USA - I got a few calls from a couple of US TV networks to be "ready and aware"... It seems the buzz is out there indeed. But- Paddock's Article intrigues me... In the LA times the report is focused on these points; But waht grabs me is the tone - its an advanced piece... advanced to what I do not know. If you take the Ny time editorial and then this. Then the Heritage Foundation Rpeort very critical of the GMA government and a very well oiled and organized campaign in the US with web ads and a strong PR effort vs. the Philippine Gov't one looks to the heavens and wonders aloud like Yule Briner in the King and i and musses - "It is a puzzlement..."

• "Philippines' Top Fugitive Is `a Very Slippery Guy' Coup plotter Gregorio Honasan is aided by his supporters and has been sent on his way by soldiers who recognized him, friends say."
• "Authorities acknowledge that Honasan, commonly known as Gringo, is receiving help from civilians and members of the military who support his cause. Friends of the former army colonel say he has been stopped several times by police and soldiers, who let him go after they recognized him. A couple even saluted him."
• "We are not really out of the woods yet," said ( Justice Sec.) Gonzalez, who also was named as an assassination target. "The ones who want to destabilize the administration are just hibernating."
• "In an interview with The (LA) Times in October, Honasan said he was not personally interested in leading the Philippines. But he said that the country needed a change and that Arroyo could be replaced by a transitional committee of respected citizens with the goal of restoring democracy. "When we are ready, the opposition leader will surface," he said.
• "In the coming days, the people should watch out because we will make our presence felt," Sarmiento told the ABS-CBN network. "Former Sen. Honasan serves as an example and inspiration. We believe he is fighting for genuine reforms."

Perhaps it is nothing but a interesting rehash of things we have heard here in Manila time and again but - in news timing is everything. And I think it's time I listened a bit harder. I could be wrong but I think the LA times and other US based media groups hear the distinct but distant pitter patter of feet- and they may be wearing combat boots.

- I hope they're wrong…. but my camcorder batteries are charged just in case.