Jollygoodfellow Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 This was posted on a yahoo group,I appreciate the writers concerns but do not think this letter would make any difference. People in the western world know that places like the Philippines have poor infrastructure for things like sewage and I'm sure Hillary knows that the place is not the US. Do you think Hillary will be touring the provinces or the back streets of Manila?I am an American living in The Philippines. As such, I read localnewspapers and see that Sec'y. Clinton is slated to visit thiscountry. This is a very corrupt country both in business matters andgovernment. Since the US sends considerable money for various thingshere I would request Ms Clinton escape the Makati/Malaca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markham Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 I very much doubt that letter will make the slightest difference, Mrs Clinton will see only what her hosts wish her to see - mainly the insides of the American Embassy, the Palace and whichever 5 star hotel she and her entourage have lodgings.It is highly unlikely that the Philippine Government would allow the US to use this country as a military staging post in the event of the US seeking to widen the war on terrorism. Recall last June when a typhoon hit and caused widespread damage and the US wanted to send a carrier and escort ships to the Visayas on a humanitarian mission to help with relief work: permission for the carrier to enter Philippine territorial waters was refused. In any event, I think we'll see that Obama drastically reduces America's commitments abroad: it simply can't afford them and he is signalling that he wants to change the way the US is perceived.Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMason Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 I don't think the Secy. of State will or should visit the slums of Manila. What's the point? IS GMA going to tour the slums of Detriot or Las Vegas next times she's in the States?It's not up to the US to be aware of and fix the problems of the Philippines or any other country. The Philippines has a duly elected government responsible for the health and welfare of it's citizens. Let the Filipinos take care of their own country and let the US take care of itself.As a US citizen I'm far more concerned with the quality of life of the people in the slums of the US than I am the slums of the Philippines or any other country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markham Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 I don't think the Secy. of State will or should visit the slums of Manila. What's the point? IS GMA going to tour the slums of Detriot or Las Vegas next times she's in the States?It's not up to the US to be aware of and fix the problems of the Philippines or any other country. The Philippines has a duly elected government responsible for the health and welfare of it's citizens. Let the Filipinos take care of their own country and let the US take care of itself.As a US citizen I'm far more concerned with the quality of life of the people in the slums of the US than I am the slums of the Philippines or any other country.At the risk of sounding argumentative, the US has rather a reputation for being aware of what's going on in other sovereign states and intervening when it suits it! On a more serious note, the US is a major investor and aid-donor to the Philippines and therefore should be aware of how its money is being spent. As a US tax-payer, I'm sure you'd agree with that. Why should the Philippine President visit the slums of Detroit? As far as I know, the Philippines does not donate millions of Pesos-worth of aid to the American people.Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jollygoodfellow Posted February 8, 2009 Author Posted February 8, 2009 As a US citizen I'm far more concerned with the quality of life of the people in the slums of the US than I am the slums of the Philippines or any other country.This is a bit off the topic but brings me to the point of donating money to charity,I admit I'm not a big donater and find it difficult when considering donating to the Philippines because in my own county and the same as yours there are thousands who also need help.Do the Philippine people deserve my donation more than the citizens in need in Australia? :23_11_60[2]: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markham Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 This is a bit off the topic but brings me to the point of donating money to charity,I admit I'm not a big donater and find it difficult when considering donating to the Philippines because in my own county and the same as yours there are thousands who also need help.Do the Philippine people deserve my donation more than the citizens in need in Australia? :23_11_60[2]:That's a matter between you and your conscience. All I will say is that the UK has its fair share of poverty and yet the British people are generous to those less fortunate than themselves. The annual "Red Nose Day" charity event organised by Comic Relief raises over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMason Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) At the risk of sounding argumentative, the US has rather a reputation for being aware of what's going on in other sovereign states and intervening when it suits it! On a more serious note, the US is a major investor and aid-donor to the Philippines and therefore should be aware of how its money is being spent. As a US tax-payer, I'm sure you'd agree with that. Why should the Philippine President visit the slums of Detroit? As far as I know, the Philippines does not donate millions of Pesos-worth of aid to the American people.MarkI cut myself off in my prior post to avoid ranting on about US politcis, I tend to get carried away. I'll try to contain myself...I agree with you 100% about the well-earned reputation of the US. I'd really like to see that behavior changed, and the new administration is talking like they plan to do just that. We'll see if they can restrain themselves. Knowing it all is one of the biggest burdens Americans have to live with. :23_11_60[2]: I would really like to see US foreign and humanitarian aid scaled back significantly. That money could be put to better use investing in the US economy and infrastructure. Besides, many of the countries the US provides aid to, like the Philippines, only stop pissing on the US long enough to take the money. I'm sure they'll be relieved not to have to take money from the USA boogeyman anymore. Edited February 8, 2009 by TheMason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Old55 Posted February 8, 2009 Forum Support Posted February 8, 2009 I agree. That woman will get her photo op with the GMA and never set foot anyplace it may become dirtied. She and GMA are very much alike, in that they will do anything to have power.Do you think she Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
On-in-2 Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 I agree. That woman will get her photo op with the GMA and never set foot anyplace it may become dirtied. She and GMA are very much alike, in that they will do anything to have power.Do you think she'll let Bill come along too? :SugarwareZ-015:That would give a chance to collar 3 weasels with just one net! Pete C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_shor Posted February 8, 2009 Posted February 8, 2009 I agree. That woman will get her photo op with the GMA and never set foot anyplace it may become dirtied. She and GMA are very much alike, in that they will do anything to have power.Do you think she'll let Bill come along too? :SugarwareZ-015:Maybe he can take a tour of Angeles to see where American dollars are being spent there. "Gee Hilliary I thought "Blow Heaven" was a wind monitoring station. :lol: :23_11_60[2]: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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