Sunday, March 13, 2011

Thought Foreigners had it Bad

Through recent events with lot of foreigners here in Cebu,, I was starting to feel just a little angry.. Again feeling the pressure of no rights, and being treated unfairly, and kindly feeling picked on you might say.. In the process of going through all the news reports and all of the videos of some of the recent events here in Cebu.. I started digging deeper and deeper into videos, and articles, and before I realized it.. Wow, i was finding story's of injustice, mis treatment, kidnapping, and just in general a total lack of respect period.. Was what I found against Foreigners.. NO.. It was against Filipino's themselves.. I was really shocked to find all the horrible and unjust things that have happened to Filipino, by their own people and own government..

Read about to young ladies who were abducted by the army for helping farmers, and where never heard of again.. The family have witness and know who was part of it, and why.. But, still to this day, the family seeks for justice.. The facts are there, the proof is there, but it seems everyone just looks over it, or pays no attention.. I found murders, kidnappings, robberies, and so many others where it was obvious that the accused was " sold down the road " or framed.. Maybe for political or personal reasons... The system was really doing nothing to help them.. Even with the evidence they had, and the things they known. It was just thrown back into their face, like it did not matter..

So I guess the old saying is very true.. When you think you have it bad, just walk down the street and look at someone else life, and you realize you do not have it as bad as you might think... As foreigners we hit the headlines first, and we are the talk of the town, when something goes wrong.. How everyone screams in justice, poor police work, and picking on foreigners... " Which in most cases is very true." But , wow, how much more the Filipino people themselves have had to deal with in justice.. It kind of made me turn from feeling all like the mis treated little kid on the block... To saying.. Wow, need to be quite for the small things that are happing to us, compared to the massive amount of the same treatment being dished out on their own people.. I started feeling a little guilty. Specially knowing the fact, at its headline news, and foreigners have at least people for or against them.. Or the means to fight.. Some of the horror stories of the Filipino I seen and read about,, not to many people even know they exist.. Plus, the family's have no real means to fight...

No matter what nationality we are, no matter where we come from,, all should be treated with respect and honor, and given justice , and fair and unbiased process for any situation.. What happens to some foreigners here recently and in the past here in PI, is very wrong, and is not handled fairly and honorable.. But, how much more, the thousands and thousands of Filipino stories out there, that never get told, and never get mentioned, that face the same injustice.. So you might say,, even when a foreigner gets into trouble, guilty or not, he still gets a better chance and more attention, then the local...

So are foreigners really targeted for injustice.. Are we treated fairly ??? Another big question in which seems to keep my head spinning and spinning here in PI.. On one hand I see said , oh look out of the foreigner and sex trade, and human trafficking. Look out for the foreigner wanting to have young girls and sex videos.. They are watched and really concentrated on for that.. BUT, then you have so many, so many Filipino's who do the same, and who facilitate and organize these actions. They are never mentioned much or even charged with accessories..

Then again,, you have the Filipino who suffers in justice,, much more in numbers then foreigners.. Who have family members murdered, because of politics, and never see a arrest. Children taken, business closed, homes taken, rapes, and all kinds of horrible things.. Even with witness and proof, they never see any justice.. They are lost in the judicial system, if ever even getting that far..

So all in all is one worse than the other, does one get more benefits, or get more in justice then the other.. Who would have a better chance at getting justice for a crime, or proven innocent for a crime they did not commit.. My vote would go for the Foreigner..... Which is the whole point of this article.. When we as foreigners think we are " getting the shaft, or not being treated fairly, or not getting the justice we deserve.",, and are being singled out because we are foreigners... Just look at the thousand of Filipino's who have had the same or worse done to them,, and because they were Filipino's ,, they never got the attention.... Do we still deserve justice and fair process.. YES,, do we still want it,, YES.. But I believe now, just because I am White would not be the entire reason for it.. Look how many Filipino goes through the same thing.. They all deserve Justice....

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Violence in General

All through my life, I have heard and listened to people say the word, violence like it is a taboo.. It come to my mind again, in a recent issue with some old forum rivals in which once again,, They said, " And he was making accusations of psychical violence toward me." Like I was some kind of serial killer or something.. Not that it is not true, it is very true.. Not killing or terrorism, but I have always been taught and raised, if someone pushes you to far, knock the hell out of them.. Or get the hell knocked out of me.. Either way, that is what I was taught and raised all my life.. It is really not that big of deal where I am from in Kentucky.. But seems everywhere else you hear of hitting, or offering to fight and people seem to get this big picture of devastation and horror in their mind.. Or at least that is what I think... Does not make sense to me...

Excessive violence, attempted violence, threating violence,, common on, its just fighting.. Plain old fist fighting.. When i was young and you had a disagreement or a problem with someone, you would try to work it out, but if they was no solution, or things got a little heated, or you just plain did not want to work it out.. Everyone would back up in a circle and say, ok settle it.. That is just what you done, you went at each other until one could not get up.. Then you helped him up, shook hands and it was done.. No more problem... Now days seems everyone gets scared to death of someone or tries to make it seem like you are committing a horrible action.. Now days people want to file a case if they get punched, if they even get bad word said about them, its run and file slander... What ever happen to settle it like men...

The thing that gets me is our system of life, liberty, laws, government, and history is built on nothing but violence... Change only comes through violence, or the attempt of violence. EDSA come through violence, revolutionary war, look at events in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, The World Wars, i could go on and on and on... If you really think about it, violence shapes our daily life and future.. It starts from when you are a youngster.. It is ingrained in our lives before we even know what life it.. ( Well lets say it used to be.. I am sure it still is some places..)

How many can remember when we would touch the lamps on the end tables, or we would pull at the television knobs when we were but little things.. When we would try to stick our fingers in light sockets or eat dog shit off the floor.. Our parents would talk to us, and say no, no, no.. and try to or three times.. But in the end,, smack that hand, or smack that behind, some cases side of the head, or anything that they could.. ( Everyone has different methods.) The point is, when we felt that pain, and violence ( per say ).. We learned very fast and changed our out look.. Now compare that to world events,,, Saddam ,, we have told you and told you do not do that.. We have went through all the talking and trying to work it out... In the end, when violence and about 200 tons of bombs was dropped on his country,, it worked.. I will not debate if the war was right or wrong, I am just trying to make a point about violence makes change.. I will also not debate if the change is good or bad.. Just the point what ever is being done, will STOP.. Lets even look at law enforcement.. If violence was not good, or did not serve a purpose, why do they carry those big Glock 9 mm, and .45's around on their waist.. I will tell you why.. You go to stop a robbery, and you walk up and say to the perpetrator, ok violence is not the way.. Please stop and put you hands behind you back and come lets go to jail.. ha ha ha ha ha... Do you think that would work.. Now you stick the barrel of that .45 close to his head, or you take a night stick and smack him in the back of the head, i will guarantee he will not be as much trouble and come very well with you. But that should only be the case if they do not want to come.. If the law did not carry firearms ( potential extreme violence ) do you believe they could arrest people ???

Same as I hear fighting is not the answer.. It helps nothing.. I strongly disagree with that statement.. I do agree that if you can find another way, that will work, that is the best way.. Instead of fighting.. But in the end, if that is what it takes, it will work.. ( Most of the time, most all of the time.) Even you win or loose, get beat up or take a beating, you will find it works most of the time.. Am I endorsing violence ?? No I am not.. I am saying if that what it takes, then its ok.. Let me clarify before I go any further,, when I am using the word violence, I am speaking of fist fighting mostly.. Firearms and handguns, bombs, knifes, all have their place, but they are different kind of violence.. Lets call that extreme violence for the record.. I also agree with extreme violence when they is no other way out.. Or when you are faced with someone who does not have the honor, or the will to settle it like a man.. Protection of your right to life, I agree with totally.. But for someone to use extreme violence to settle a problem is just a coward and stupid.. That i do not agree with.. If they are left no other choice then to use extreme violence in a situation that someone else is using that.. Then all means do what you have to,, too survive.

Pain and violence goes hand in had.. Discomfort, embarrassment, and others all go hand in hand with violence.. If you stick a fork into a electric plug, you know that is wrong. Everyone had told you that is wrong, should not do it.. But how many would still be doing that even now, if they had not had the pain of the shock, or seen the effects it caused on someone else, or even been shocked by another method.. You see, its the pain and discomfort that causes us not to do it.. If someone runs their mouth, disrespects you, embarrasses you. You can speak with them and tell the mental hurt it causes you.. Some will get it, and stop, some can not get the concept of that and will just keep on and on.. Maybe out of stubbornness or out of hard head.. But after those avenues have been exhausted, and you rare back and knock two or three of his teeth out, or you put a few stitches in his lips or head, I will almost guarantee you, most of the time,, that will not happen to you again from that person..

Same thing with laws,, you break the law, you will suffer discomfort, rights taken away, some type of violence, even if its only mental, or psychological. All in all,, everything we do is based some how on violence and extreme violence.. That is the building blocks in which most all major change is effected.. I did not make the rules, but that is just the way it is.. I do not rob a bank, cause I will get shot or go to jail and have discomfort.. I do not yell at the man on the street or do wrong to someone cause they might punch me in the mouth.. I do not grab that thorn branch with the nice flower on it, cause i am going to get hurt.. Its just a simple concept of life.

So back to the main point.. Sometimes violence is needed and it gets the job done.. Have to agree with me.. Even if you like it or do not like it.. Even if you are against it,, you have to agree it get results.. Some people can settle differences without any type of violence.. But as History has taught us,, when it comes down to talking wont fix it, or someone will not stop doing wrong.. Then violence of different types are used to change the problem...

I can tell you this.. I am a big man, worked all my life, strong as a ox. 6 ft 1 inch, 240 lbs, and would fight ( and have fought a bear, bull, or whatever I have to.) I do not scare of anything or anyone, period... But if you are able to punch me in the mouth for what I am doing wrong, or even if its not wrong, but you just do not like it.. You punch me or beat me up a few times, and I can not beat you.. I will be more than happy to stop doing what ever I was doing, right or wrong, and apologize and step to one side when i see you coming...

Now will any type of violence make everything better.. No.. Look at the world, we still have problems everywhere.. Crime, governments, and so that still know the threat, but keep on doing it anyways.. The point of this is only to say this.... If they will not shut up, if they keep running that mouth, if warning and talking will not solve it, knock some of those dam teeth out,, and you will have a smaller problem with that individual.. For the smaller people who do not have the luxury of size and strength, pick up a something and knock the hell out of them.. Remember be smart, and use common sense, you are not trying to kill them, just teach them a lesson..

I know a lot of people will not agree with this,, I know a lot will be shocked with this.. But, it is just the way I was raised and what I was taught and sent down to my children.. Now, you want to think I am a bad ass, a brawler, a real ass ... Well you could not be further from the truth... I hardly ever have to use violence towards anyone.. You could count on one hand the times I have had to do that in the last 5 years... Have I always come out on top.. NO.. Few times I have had my butt kicked.. But the point,,, I do not have to do it,,, cause they know I WILL DO IT.. That is the key.. Get respect and you do not need to do much.. As a final disclaimer..... Try to use all means of civil ways to resolve any issue.. Talk, ask them to stop, ask for apology, but if they are to stubborn to see it.. Then sometimes, it is the way it has to be.. If you ask me, your wrong, let the law handle it... In some cases, more extreme, I agree totally.. But common, what will the law really do for you... Slap on the hand to the offender, and your right back into the same thing again.. If you are more comfortable with the law, let them do it every time.. I can respect that.. Not all people are made to slap someone... But me,, Just makes me feel a lot better and I can sleep better... Hope I never have to do it again in my lifetime..