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!

Differences between Trump and Duterte*

*These are based on my own personal observations and conclusions from reading news and other information I can from local and international point of view. They may be similar in some ways, but I think Donald Trump is still so much better in so many ways than Rodrigo Duterte.

1. Trump prioritizes Americans, Duterte don't prioritize Filipinos. This can be seen especially on Trump's policies against illegal immigrants and his focus on giving jobs to Americans, trying his best to bring back jobs to America from other countries especially China. On the other hand, Duterte allowed illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines when in fact there are many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who seek jobs overseas because they can't find and get good paying jobs in their own country. The salaries of these Chinese workers are even way higher than the average Filipino worker even if they are doing the same job. A total of 3.12 million Chinese citizens entered the Philippines from January 2016 to May 2018, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

2. USA economy gets better under Trump (even my husband like him so much because of that), while Duterte blames and find excuses on the inflation crisis in the Philippines. Prices of basic commodities were higher and peso purchasing power declines even as economy booms. Many are unemployed and even those who are employed can barely get by. It was even dubbed as 'Duterte's jobless economic boom'

3. Donald Trump don't kill American citizens while, Rodrigo Duterte is well known for his Extrajudicial Killings (EJK's) related to his supposedly War on Drugs (but drug lords are spared), mostly killing poor and young Filipino citizens. In addition, even if we also compare their 'tough talks', Duterte's rape jokes, personal insults, curses, and violence (especially to those people who don't deserve it even a bit) are worse. His words and actions towards women is worse too. Most of the time, he don't apologize or if he does (rarely) you can feel and see his insincerity because he will do these things again the next chance he gets.

4. The way they both handle Chinese issues (government and private companies). Trump takes on China, attacked China and its companies with tariffs and do in all his might to stop China taking advantage of America. Even though the Philippines is not a global power like USA, still, even when we compare how other small countries like Vietnam and Taiwan speak up against China's bullying is still way better than how Duterte's administration does. He always sided with China even when they sank the boats of Filipino fishermen. He did not push the arbitration case we won against China. He is even saying he is Chinese and that if China wants, they can make the Philippines their province. His spokesperson and loyalists always say he is just joking but even as a joke it is disappointing and treacherous. He is also leading the Philippines to a Chinese debt trap. He is selling the country's sovereignty for Chinese funding, when in fact Japan and EU offered less interest with reasonable conditions unlike China.

5. The way they handle their political enemies/oppositions. Trump defends himself (mostly through Twitter) without jailing or threatening to imprison or kill those who oppose him. Duterte on the other hand, enjoys jailing or trying to imprison anyone who oppose him like Senator Laila de lima (who is still in prison now for more than two years, considered by Amnesty International as arbitrary detention) and Senator Antonio Trillanes. Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was also ousted after clashing with him. Recently, after saying that the Philippine constitution can be used as just a mere ‘toilet paper’, he gave a threat that he will jail anyone who tries to impeach him.


Suggested Readings:
Duterte does not favor deporting illegal Chinese worker
10 Best Things Trump has done in 2018
Never mind his critics, Trump is getting the job done
Shock: Even Trump critics admit he's been winning on Foreign Policy
Five things even Trump critics can give him credit for this Christmas
Trump defies doubters with surging economy
American's feel good about economy and give Trump credit-CBS News poll
How good is the Trump economy, really?
Duterte shaken by inflation storm
Inflation, GDP, and Duterte
Duterte's Luster Dulls as Rice Price Soar in the Philippines
Inflation in the Philippines a faultline for Duterte's 'Build, Build, Build' ambition
Philippine Politics under Duterte: A Midterm Assessment 
Labor group to Duterte: Hike wages amid shrinking purchasing power
Trump takes action on chinese imports
Trump's china policy is a triump
Trump's trade war targets Chinese students at elite U.S. schools
Trump: We can't let China take advantage of our country anymore 
Trump to CNBC: China is going to make a deal because 'they're going to have to'
China had no good option in retaliating against Trump's Huawei ban
Duterte and China
Duterte accused of 'FEAR MONGERING' over claims China could declare war
Rodrigo Duterte: "I am Chinese"
Duterte threatens to jail critic
Filipinos burn Chinese flags in protest against Duterte's 'weak' response to South China Sea sinking
The Philippines is beginning to pay the price for Duterte's South China Sea flip-flops
After snuggling up to China, Duterte talks about 'suicide missions' to protect island
Duterte defends China Infrastructure loans
Trump defends tweets, says he 'somewhat' prides himself on his writing
Duterte a 'puppet' of Beijing, says imprisoned Philippine lawmaker
Living in fear, Duterte's Chief critic speaks out from Philippine jail
The silencing of Leila de Lima-- Duterte's "first political prisoner"
Duterte orders arrest of Philippine senator, one of his top critics
Duterte orders Trillanes arrest
Duterte warns opponent Trillanes
In the Philippines, Duterte orders arrest of prominent critic
Lawyers alarmed by Duterte's move to jail Trillanes
This Philippine senator won't come out of his office for fear of arrest of Duterte's forces
Philippine court rejects Duterte bid to have critic arrested
Duterte critic arrested as 'darkness and evil' prevail in Philippines
Duterte revoked amnesty of chief critic, orders arrest of Trillanes
Duterte to Trillanes: I will have you jailed
Second Philippine senator who defied Duterte, arrested
Philippine President Duterte has ordered the arrest of a chief political opponent
Philippine chief justice ousted after criticizing Duterte 
The messy fight between Duterte and his chief justice
Philippine top judge, Duterte critic ousted by colleagues
She was the enemy of Philippine President Duterte, and her fellow judges just sacked her
Duterte to Sereno: I am now your enemy, I will see to it that you are removed from the Supreme Court
Philippines' ousted Supreme Court chief lambastes Duterte
Philippines' top judge ousted after clashing with President Duterte
Philippine's top judge took on Duterte. Now, she's out.
Philippine chief justice, Duterte's critic, removed
Impeach me, I'll jail you- Philippines' Duterte dares foes to test him
Philippines: Duterte threatens to lock up critics calling for his impeachment
Duterte on impeachment proponents: I'll jail them all
Duterte a 'dictator, coward' for threatening to jail impeachment petitioners- de Lima
'I dare you': Duterte dares critics to file impeachment, threatens to imprison them
Duterte comment likening Constitution to 'toilet paper' troubles Robredo
Diokno hits Duterte for likening Constitution to toilet paper
Constitution as 'toilet paper' is just another Duterte 'metaphor'- Palace