Bangladesh $1-M, RP none

CNN said the poverty stricken country of Bangladesh has pledged $1 million to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. In comparison, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave her “profound sympathies” to the victims of the disaster. The Philippines, which has received millions of dollars in aid from the United States whenever a disaster strikes, has made no pledge of monetary assistance. All the government could do is to send a 25-member team to help in the rescue effort. The Philippine National Red Cross under Sen. Richard Gordon pledged to donate $24,000 to the victims.
The Philippine foreign office has issued a directive to the embassy and consulates in the US - all of which have no money even to buy toothpicks, to extend all-out aid to the Filipino victims of the hurricane. With what?
Quipped one Filam: “Maybe the President needs the dollars to bring a big contingent to the United Nations. The same is true for a congressional delegation who will also be attending the UN general assembly meeting.”
Demonstrations are being planned in New York against President Arroyo not only by the antis but also by groups who are denouncing human rights violations in the Philippines, including the deplorable conditions of children in jail."

Talking about big delegations, Speaker Jose de Venecia, the “impeachment slayer” and “Gloria’s savior” in the House, will be here with a delegation that will reportedly include a “yaya.” While here, he may speak about charter change in the Philippines. A reception is planned at the Philippine embassy Sept. 20.

There is now a raging debate in town, via the internet and in gatherings of Filipino Americans, about President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s reaction to the recent appointment of Filipino American Cristeta Pasia Comerford as executive chef of the White House.
“Stupid.” “ Foolish.” “Insulting.” “What does she think of us, all overseas contract workers?”
The cause of these reactions was the President’s remarks before a meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Manila soon after hearing of Cristeta’s appointment. Mrs. Arroyo said: “I cannot miss the chance to talk about our one export who has risen to the top of her game and does the Philippines proud. Congratulations, Cristeta.” She added Comerford’s feat epitomized the “great work that overseas Filipino workers have been doing these many years.”
Indeed, even Tsismosos are incensed by her insensitive remark. “Mrs. Comerford, Admiral Eleanor Mariano, President Clinton’s doctor; Maria Mabilangan Haley, Loida Nicholas Lewis, president of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), tens of thousands of doctors in America and others did not come to America as OFWs,” one Tsismoso said. “They came as immigrants to seek greener pastures because the Philippines under leaders like her cannot provide them with the same opportunities available in the US.”
Another said: “We should not be regarded as mangoes or tunas that are for export to the US and other countries.”
One defender of the President however said that her statement should not be regarded as an insult. She is just explaining the reality that is in the Philippines today. Many Filipinos are trying to export themselves to find work abroad so they could feed their families at home.
As for Tsismoso, “I don’t mind being called an export or an Overseas Filipino Worker.”

Tsismoso has received this item in the internet about boycotting Saudi gas. The sender said: “Why didn’t George W. think of this. It is a very interesting possibility now that we are reeling from the gas high prices.
“The Saudis are boycotting American goods. We should return the favor. An interesting thought it to boycott their GAS. Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia. Just buy from gas companies that don’t import their oil from the Saudis.
“ Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I fill-up the tank, I am sending my money to people who are trying to kill me, my family, and my friends.
“I thought it might be interesting for you to know which major companies import Middle Eastern oil:
---------------- Shell 205,742,000 barrels
---------------- Chevron/<R>Texaco 144,332,000 barrels
---------------- Exxon/Mobil 130,082,000 barrels
---------------- Marathon/<R>Speedway 117,740,000 barrels
---------------- Amoco 62,231,000 barrels
“ If you do the math at $60/barrel, these imports amount to over $36
BILLION!
“Here are some large companies that do NOT import Middle Eastern oil:
---------------- <$TIndent=0>Citgo 0 barrels
---------------- Sunoco 0 barrels
---------------- Conoco 0 barrels
---------------- Sinclair 0 barrels
---------------- BP/Phillips 0 barrels
---------------- Hess 0 barrels
---------------- ARC0 0 barrels
---------------- FINA 0 barrels
“All of this information is available from the Department of Energy and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing.
“But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers."