NowThis is my NotThis

I was a follower before of NowThis and NowThis Politics, NOT ANYMORE.

I was really irritated the other day when I saw an edited video shared by a friend from NowThis Politics presenting Florida ‘in the way they wanted to show and highlight’ to the whole ‘social media’ world. They may say that the focus of the video is on the anti-masks people and their ‘stupid’ and ‘irresponsible’ arguments but I see more, their hidden agenda and the liberal propaganda. Too liberal for me though and incomplete, with no proper context and all angles explained so people who actually don’t live here will understand better where those ‘irresponsible’ arguments are coming from. But what can I expect? Political propaganda works better when it is incomplete and misleading. 

We live an hour away from Orlando and Tampa, both considered big cities. Around 5-6 hours from the well known Miami. But our small city, the town where we live, where most people are retired and politically conservative, is PEACEFUL and QUITE. We live around 5 minutes from the town center.

Let me say this, everyone I know here and I myself wore mask whenever and wherever it is required and needed.  However, we understand that we cant force other people to do so or copy us or what we believe is right. Which is why your health, your responsibility. We can’t control other people, only ourselves, we can only require them to follow our rules if they are inside our house. Businesses and organizations, private and public, made their own rules and people who don’t want to follow are not welcome. 

I understand the likes the said video garnered but I hope people will try to ask us, the actual people who live here, on what is our personal experience, observations and opinions about this issue. I hope people who know me will ask and want to know more context. Coming here, and learning U.S. history (and still learning more), I realized and understand why INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, the FREEDOM OF CHOICE is on top of everything here. Their Bill of Rights is a proof of that, their Second Amendment was even made to be sure that the government will always be afraid of the people/their citizens and not vice versa.

I have FB friends, who share my sentiments about issues in the Philippines but we have different opinions about what is happening here in the U.S. and that is ok. If they will read this and still respects me, thank you. I believe that we are all professionals, have the same rational tolerance with other people who don’t share the same mindset.

NowThis News is like the Democrats, the same people here who also called pro abortion as pro choice. Based on history, they were also pro slavery. Sometimes, those who look saviors are villain in disguise. We need to think and know better.

To those who are curious, I just want to share some of these information you might want to read:

1. Overall, we rate NowThis News Questionable based far left bias, promotion of liberal propaganda and five verified failed fact checks. (10/3/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 9/18/2019)

Source: NowThisNews Media Bias/Fact Check

2. In reality, this site has less in common with the Wall Street Journal, which does actual journalism, than it does with the low-level Resistance grift, which relies on social media to distribute viral, hyper-partisan content to eager left-leaning audiences. In fact, the only real difference between the Resistance grifters and NowThis is that the latter is a full-blown organization, as opposed to a single crank with a Twitter account.

Source: NowThis News is not news; it's a straight-up propaganda outlet

3. The fact-checking site Snopes told BBC Trending radio that in the past week, for example, they have debunked many more anti-Republican party stories than pro-Republican ones

Source: The rise of left-wing, anti-Trump fake news

Suggested Read: Propaganda 101

From an Immigrant's Perspective: Ways Americans can appreciate (more) what they have here in the U.S.A

1. Know and understand your own history, the American history.

Understand what it was like before and how much things changed and so much better now.

To newly naturalized Americans, who are English as Second Language (ESL) speakers like me, the DK's Children's Encyclopedia of American History is easy to read and understand, the pictures and illustrations help a lot too. I imagine myself enjoying reading it again with my children in the near future. The American Reader: Words that  Moved a Nation Edited by Diane Ravitch is another must read. Learning more about American History since I arrived here makes me appreciate of what you have here more and more everyday. Learning our country's history helps us to appreciate what we currently enjoy and those who made sure we are enjoying and still enjoying it now. Knowing history, as they say, helps us not to repeat the same mistakes of the past.

I can't help but to compare and connect the American and Philippine history, the Philippines being colonized by the U.S.A after Spain, and realizing how much influence you have on us too. Comparison is good when it helps to improve things. Comparison is better when it makes you appreciate the differences and improvements of the 'before and after'. Comparison is the best when it gives you contentment cause you know you have more than what others are still wishing for.

2. Read and watch global news and documentaries about other countries, especially third world countries and war-torn countries.

To some sympathetic and empathetic people, reading and watching can be more than enough but to some it may not. Most countries in the world still look up to the U.S.A because of the individual rights you have here. There is no perfect society in the world, but some citizens from other countries are still fighting and working on to have and enjoy the same rights you already have here. The rights you are taking for granted and sadly even abusing at times. Most countries are still on their way trying to copy what you have here and experimenting what will work in their own country. Wanting more and discontentment are human nature but so does gratitude and appreciation.

3. Befriend an immigrant and ask them, listen to their own experiences from their country.

Take an interest to their observations on what you have here, the similarities and differences. Sometimes, listening in real life to a person in front of you can have a better impact. Try to look through their eyes. Most immigrants who are thankful to be here are appreciative and will actually tell you what you have here that they wish they have too back in their home country. Legal immigrants who went through the process and did everything the right way to come and live here have substantial reasons why they left their own countries.

The opportunities you have here, you might not realize how lucky you are that job qualifications don't include your age, gender, height etc. Anyone who can still work and still wants to work have the same opportunities here, we are just starting to see that back at the Philippines where it is not a normal sight to see flight attendants and waiters past on their 40s, 50s and even 60s. Jobs that may be considered physically challenging and put aesthetic on the top employable factor still prefer employees on their 20s and 30s. Here in the U.S.A, I learned that is illegal, you cannot discriminate someone based on age, appearance, gender, race etc.

For me, you are also very accommodating here, respecting and recognizing the languages and cultures the immigrants brought with them. Almost everything and everywhere have available translations of other leading languages. Indeed, the U.S.A. is the melting pot of the world. I believe though that as you respect ours, we should also respect yours, learn your language, history, and culture, adopt and assimilate.

4. Visit another country, better if it is a country who have less but more people are happy and contented (like Bhutan).

As a Filipino, we are known to be one of the happiest and resilient people despite the economic and political challenges, uncontrollable disasters like storms and earthquakes we always experience in our country. We don't have a confrontational culture and are also known for our hospitality. Most Filipinos are very family orientated. However, these traits can be both our strength and weakness. We don't have the Second Amendment and owning a gun is not a norm, most people who get and have them are in the professions that are considered dangerous and get death threats like being a politician or a lawyer.

In the not so distant future, when we have kids already, I want our kids to have a first hand experience of a life in another country, like the Philippines, by visiting once a year or every two years or whenever possible (plane fare is not cheap LOL). They will always be part Filipino because of me and it is always important to know our parent's heritage which is also a part of our own identity. I hope, pray, and wish with all my heart that having that kind of experience will open up their eyes and minds to be more appreciative of what they have here in the U.S.A and also appreciate what the Philippines have. I wish people here can have the same opportunity, I hope when they visit another country it gives them more understanding and appreciation of life in general.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!

I am not an expert, I am not yet an American citizen but I appreciate everything you have here. I am amazed by how the United States of America was founded. American History is fascinating and inspiring. I wrote this article as a way of saying Thank You. As a new immigrant here, as a spouse of an American citizen,  this is my way of saying I love and appreciate this country, this country that I also now call HOME. 

God bless America!