hotnothot 37

Hotnot: The Sacrilegious Pastor. Terry Jones, a pastor of a tiny congregation in Florida who plans to burn a Quran could be the most hated man in the face of the earth today. Well, with his stupid idea he should be. Burning a Quran is not only sacrilegious but also totally uncalled for. It’s quite ironic to have come from someone who is supposedly an expert in the word of God. What happened to God’s commandment about loving one another? About respecting one another? Obviously he’s not living by the words of the Bible. And I can’t help but suspect that he’s one fame seeking idiot who wants to have his 15-seconds of fame. If he is, then he should realize by now that burning a Quran is definitely not the way to do it. It has wider repercussion than his pea-sized brain could ever imagine. Our Muslim brothers all over the world are already up in arms, some making their sentiments known less subtly. World leaders are already issuing statements condemning his senseless plan. But beyond the political effect it will have, I am more appalled by the fact that his selfish plan violates the basic principle of respect. I don’t want anybody burning the Bible. I, too, would be furious about it. Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you, remember? Maybe he should go back and read the Bible over again.

Hotnot: Rice gone to waste. So it’s not only a story that happens in the Philippines. Indian government is also guilty of letting tons of rice go to waste despite the fact that millions of their citizens are dying from hunger. Al-Jazeera reported that over a billion tons of food grain was wasted due to antiquated distribution system and poor warehousing conditions that led to the contamination of the grains. This volume should have been enough to feed 600,000 hungry mouths for more than 10 years. It could have made a huge difference for the 400 million poor in India who cannot even afford to buy a kilo of rice for their sustenance. Just as I commented when I heard the same case in the Philippines, heads must roll for such a waste. It should be considered as a crime against humanity.

Hothot: Miriam’s Bill 1852. She’s colorful, she’s unpredictable. But if there’s one Senator who can sponsor sensible bills, it’s Miriam Santiago. Kahit sabihin pang minsan ay ginagawa syang katatawanan dahil sa sobrang katalinuhan, we cannot deny the fact that she’s one legal brain the Philippine Senate cannot afford to lose. Ayan nga at pinalagan nya ang pagbabawal sa media na i-cover ang trial ng Maguindanao massacre. According to her, sub-judice (the rule that Philippine judges so conveniently invoke to clear his/her court of media) is a rule adapted from foreign justice system, particularly from the US, where judging was normally done by a jury. Kaya bawal ang media para ma-protektahan ang jury members who are normally common people picked for jury duty. Eh sa Pinas nga naman walang jury-jury kaya walang dapat itago sa mga nangyayari sa trial. Doon papasok yong right to information na hindi natin nakukuha kung walang media coverage. Hindi natin alam ang nangyayari lalo na sa mga kasong ganito kalaki na dapat mabantayan ng mga tao. I definitely find this bill cool. Kaya lang, dapat siguro isama ni Madam Santiago ang isang provision sa bill nya na limited to reporting ang magiging role ng media. To prevent reporters, anchors and editors drawing a different picture for the people to see. Dahil alam naman nating maraming media persons ang nagmamagaling pagdating sa mga ganyan. Crossing the lines by making their own conclusions and passing it on to their audience as if it was the truth. Mahirap lalo sa ganitong ka-sensitibong kaso.

Hotnot: The Adrianenssens report. Peter Adriaenssens, a church investigator released a harrowing report of about 300 cases of alleged sexual abuse committed by Roman Catholic clergy in Belgium. According to BBC’s report, Adriaenssens said the cases of abuse, mostly involving minors, are found in almost every diocese. It resulted to 13 victims committing suicide. The abuse dates as far back as the 1950s and were commonly committed in boarding schools. Two-thirds of the victims are boys while there are some 100 girls who also suffered. And so the report goes on and on with more revolting details. I can’t help but feel enraged about this. And this is just Belgium. I wonder how many more reports of this nature will come from somewhere. I just pray that this will be the last. Coz it definitely is disturbing. Something that could inflict irreparable damage to the institution we’ve learned to revere since the day we were born.