Buti Pa Sa UK...May Hiya Ang Mga Politiko!

Buti pa sa UK, may hiya ang mga politiko, at may PAKI ang mga tao.

It came out recently in the news that members of Britain's parliament were found to have used public funds for personal expenses. Some MPs used it to renovate houses or farms, some used it to pay for mortgage payments, while others were found to have used tax payer's money to pay for sex videos in a hotel. The news came out a few months ago, but the fall out is only being felt now. Ministers and MPs are apologizing, some have even offered to resign. A recent poll even showed that 72% of Britons want polls to be held now as a sign of outrage and disgusts over the scandal. PM Gordon Brown even made apublci apology on behalf of his Labor Partymates.

Buti pa sa kanila, ganyan ang nangyayari. Dito sa atin sa Pilipinas, wala kang makikitang ganyan. Yumayaman ang politoko sa hindi mapaliwanag na paraan, pero ang tao walang ginagawa o walang sinasabi. Ni hindi nga nahihiya na ipakita ng politiko namayaman siya! Dito sa atin, wala kang makikitang politikong hihingi ng tawad dahil nagkamali siya sa paggamit ng pera ng bayan: siya pa nga ang unang magagalit pag hindi siya nabigyan ng kanyang mahiwagang pork barrel. Buti pa sa UK, galit ang mga tao sa mga walang-hiyang politiko...pero dito sa atin, marahil galit nga ang marami, ngunit wala naman silang gustong gawin kasi iniisip nila wala namang mangyayari.

Sana maging halimbawa para sa atin ang ginagawa ng mga taga-Inglatera. Sana mamulat din tayo, sana mainis at magalit din tayo sa mga pagnanakaw, panloloko, at panlilinlang na ginagawa ng ilang kawani sa gobyerno. Hindi namang kailangan punta sa kalye at mag rally. Ipaalam lang natin sa kanila na galit tayo, at ipaalam natin sa kanila na hindi tayo nakakalimot, dahil sa susunod na eleksyon, mas magiging matalino na tayo sa pagpili ng ating mga politiko. Hindi na tayo magpapaloko sa mga walang-hiyang magnanakaw na kunyari lang naman ang pagnanais niyang maglingkod.

The Story of Sean Goldman

This story is one for the international law books (I think), and I'm guessing how this turns out will have implications for US-Brazil relations, and also at the development of law with regard this topic.

Here's where the story begins. David Goldman, the father of Sean, married a Brazilian girl. All went well at the start of their happy relationship. One day, the Brazilian wife decides to go on a vacation to her home country Brazil, taking Sean with her. When she got there, she called-up David in New Jersey telling him that she wants a divorce, and that she's keeping the kid. The girl remarries, but later on dies, leaving the kid with her stepfather. Ever since, David has been battling for custody in the Brazilian courts. However, the local Brazilian courts ruled that the kid should stay with the stepfather.

The story has, I think, gained international attention and significance, more so since US Sec of State Hilary Clinton has taken a special interest in the case. The Brazilian government, through its ambassador, has said that it is their governments view and opinion that the kid should be returned to the US; however, they also stressed that the judiciary is accorded respect and independence in their country, and that the executive branch must respect the decisions of their courts.

What are the legal and even political problems here? Legally, I think it's a question of who should have custody of the child, and what law should govern the case (US or Brazilian law?). I'm not sure of the basis of the Brazilian courts ruling, but I'm guessing they said that the child should stay in Brazil because the stepfather has been taking care of him, or perhaps he has already been legally adopted by the stepfather. On the other hand, under Children's Rights Law, the best interest of the child should always be the paramount consideration; and in relation to this, the child should, as much as possible, be with the biological parents. Another problem that the Brazilian courts should consider is that their decision can affect the political relations of their country, and perhaps they should not disregard the foreign policy considerations of their government. Also, I think there is also a pending case in the US courts, and conflicting decisions could pose a problem for the two governments.

A US Government report said that about 3000 US children have been "kidnapped" by their foreign parents and brought to other countries. Whethere you view this case as kidnapping or otherwise, I think it all boils down to what is best for the child. If he wants to be raised as a Brazilian, then let him stay. But if he wants to be wit his biologocal father, then he shoudl be returned, regardless of what the legal complexities are. In the end, we should always remember that the best interest of the child shoudl be the paramount and supreme consideration in making decisions.

More on this as news comes in...

Stem Cell Research and Abortion: Wrong Policies of the Obama Administration

A few minutes ago, I watched on CNN as US Pres. Obama signed a resolution reversing the Bush Administration's policy on stem cell research. Personally, I think it was a sad moment for pro-life advocates like me.

Obama's move paved the way for scientists to use embryos for their stem cell research. It also allows the possibility of "harvesting" embryos to facilitate the research. Obama said that his Administration's policy will be guided "by science and not by ideology" and that safeguards will be taken so no one will overstep their bounds. This is in addition to one of the first actions taken by the US President - shortly after being sworn in, Obama reversed the Bush policy of cutting funding abroad for abortions and artificial family planning methods, which I believe is another not so good move by the President.

I think these are very dangerous statements from probably the most powerful man on the planet. He will allow science to determine decisions that his administration will make, most likely at the expense of ethics and morality concerns and issues. He will allow the unborn to be threatened for the sake of research done by scientists who probably don't give a damn about the embryo's life for as long as they get their answers.

I agree that stem cell research may pave the way for the development of cures for diseases like cancer, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's; and I believe that God has given man the capacity for knowledge and the gift of science to improve our lives and make it better. However I also believe that life, be it of the born or the unborn, is sacred and nothing should threaten it - not even science. Research and experiments should be used responsibly within the bounds of ethics, morality and even natural law. Stem cell research can be done using strictly adult stem cells, there is no need to use embryos. Also, I strongly believe that there is no need for the US government to fund abortions outside of its territories: keep it in your own backyard Obama!

Sadly Obama's policies, I must say, are irresponsible and threaten the value of human life. Even though it may reap some benefits for humankind in the future, it is not worth risking the unborn of today . Perhaps Obama needs to rethink these policies, listen to his conscience and guide the whole world into a path where morality, ethics, faith, and values play a big part in the decisions that we make.