Here it is, the end of June, what can we do? Boredome sets in and there is nothing to do, wrtier’s block sets in and there is nothing to write about, where did my inspiration go? I have no idea wehre it went so how can I find it? Maybe my inspiration will find me.

The economy of the Philippines continues to suffer. It is funny to hear GMA continue talking about how the economy is improving in the Philippines. Can she not read the newspapers? I found this interesting fact in an article on INQ7 Money.

Here is the interesting quote:
“According to data from the Department of Energy, fuel sales in 2005 dropped to 109 million barrels from 118 million barrels in 2004. Sales of liquefied petroleum gas, used mainly for cooking, were down 25 percent.”

Well, we all know that the population of the Philippines is increasing so demand should be going up every year. Now demand is falling, this isn’t a big problem for fuel, it can mean that people are conserving more fuel. The disheartening fact is that LP Gas for cooking has recorded a 25% drop. This means either one thing, people are not cooking as much anymore or they have resorted to alternative fuels like charcoal. I think it is a combination of the two. This doesn’t bode well for Philippine consumers.

But never fear, Pilipinas Shell has seen another banner year of profits:
“Pilipinas Shell had net income of 5.7 billion pesos (108 million dollars) last year, nearly double the 2.98 billion pesos it recorded in 2004.”

It looks like the new Ubuntu Linux, Dapper Drake, is coming out soon. It seems like it might be a great piece of software, something to really take on microsoft with. Anyways, I put out my order for cds and we will have to see what it is like when it gets here, there is no way I can download so much on my grps connection.

I just don’t understand country music anymore. I was looking at a recent country music charts in the states and I couldn’t recognize almost all of the singers on it. I did recognize one group, Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi on the country charts? Who would have thought that back when I started listening to them back in 1986 even though they had wanted Dead or Alive that was kind of country.

Upon doing a bit more searchig, I found this song by Clint Black. I used to have a lot of respect for Clint Balck and his music. That was until I saw “Iraq and I roll.” Ok, the message is ok, but the way the song is done, he comes off very corny. Come on, a blatant propaganda piece, do they not think that we can pick out a propaganda piece? Never mind, I posted the lyrics here for you all to see.

YOU CAN WAVE YOUR SIGNS IN PROTEST
AGAINST AMERICA TAKING STANDS
THE STANDS AMERICA’S TAKEN
ARE THE REASON THAT YOU CAN

IF EVERYONE WOULD GO FOR PEACE
THERE’D BE NO NEED FOR WAR
BUT WE CAN’T IGNORE THE DEVIL
HE’LL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE

SOME SEE THIS IN BLACK AND WHITE
OTHERS ONLY GRAY
WE’RE NOT BEGGING FOR A FIGHT
NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY

WE HAVE THE RESOLUTION
THAT SHOULD PUT’EM ALL TO SHAME
BUT IT’S A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEADLINE
WHEN I’M CALLED IN THE GAME

CHORUS
I RAQ, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
I’M BACK AND I’M A HIGH TECH GI JOE
I PRAY FOR PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR
AND I NEVER WILL FORGET
THERE’S NO PRICE TOO HIGH FOR FREEDOM
SO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD

THIS TERROR ISN’T MAN TO MAN
THEY CAN BE NO MORE THAN COWARDS
IF THEY WON’T SHOW US THEIR WEAPONS
WE MIGHT HAVE TO SHOW THEM OURS

IT MIGHT BE A SMART BOMB
THEY FIND STUPID PEOPLE TOO
AND IF YOU STAND WITH THE LIKES OF SADDAM
ONE JUST MIIGHT FIND YOU

CHORUS II
I ROCK, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
I’M BACK AND I’M A HIGH TECH GI JOE
I’VE GOT INFRARED, I’VE GOT GPS AND I’VE GOT THAT GOOD OLD FASHIONED LEAD
THERE’S NO PRICE TOO HIGH FOR FREEDOM
SO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD

BRIDGE
NOW YOU CAN COME ALONG
OR YOU CAN STAY BEHIND
OR YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE WAY
BUT OUR TROOPS TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE
FOR THE GOOD OLD U.S.A.

I ROCK, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
IN THE USA
I ROCK, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT THE USA

The United States Government sent foreign aid totalling $655 million between the 2000 and 2004 to Bolivia. It was more than 5 times the amount sent by any other country. By far, the US is the biggest donor in the landlocked Andean country. Instead of being greeted with amity, the US government is viewed with animosity in Bolivia. Countries like Venezuela and Cuba are viewed by the common man as benefactors. How could this be? A report in the Miami Herald touched a little on this.

Venezuela and Cuba have sent a far smaller sum of foreign aid than the large amount sent by the US. US government aid is given to the Bolivian government who hands it out in mutual projects. In many ways, citizens view these projects as not benefiting the common man. Cuba and Venezuela instead are providing health care and education. Talk about something tangible. The people see it and benefit from it on a daily basis. The US aid is mostly unseen.

How can the US change this perception? Start providing direct assistance to people at a grassroots level. Stop channelling the funds through NGO and corrupt-prone beaurcacy and start directly adminsitering the aid so that people can benefit instead of NGO administrators and government officials. Trickle down economics just doesn’t work. Practice little trickle up economics for a change.