I only like talking politics with old friends, old as in tenured. There are exceptions, of course. Sometimes I would disagree with a new person but I also learn in the process.

But I do hate talking politics and socio-economics with people who seem clueless about the world in general. I hate hearing people say “I don’t like Obama” and for explanation they can only come up with “I just don’t like him”.

Moreover I hate rumour-mongering with politics. “He’s a terrorist pala according to my blah in the US”

I hate discussions that pretend to be serious when in fact the arguments are stupid and hypocritical. “Bobo naman si Erap so he should never have won”

Fine. The man is no genius. But rather than slagging him for his personal traits shouldn’t we focus on why he’s not fit to be President in terms of his governance (or lack of)?

How can people pass off these comments as valid?

The Philippine media (and I guess the media in general) loves sensationalist reporting. They showed people cutting down Narra trees for uling and the viewers were indignant. What a waste, they shouldn’t do that, blah blah. Are you going to feed those people? Is it really new news? I bet the local government knew about the situation long ago.

They also showed (I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing it) young children hauling tabla from mountains, “trekking for 4 hours” and that the woods are rejected if they get dirt on the way down. “Ang la-laki nang paltos at may kalyo na sila”

At the time I was watching the coal “documentary” and commented that the kids are the victims because it’s obvious that their situation will be a cycle. Parang political dynasty sa Pinas, set na ang future nila.

The person next to me commented that the kids in the other segment (ie the tabla) were worst off.

I didn’t realise there were winners in either situation.