Other countries

[Vrede too]

In Philippines election, late dictator's son aims to restore family pride

As frontrunner in the Philippines' presidential race, the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos appears poised to complete a remarkable rebranding of the family name 36 years after a "people power" uprising ended his father's autocratic rule.

With official campaigning beginning on Tuesday, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 64, holds a double-digit lead in the polls, three months ahead of the May 9 elections.

His push for the presidency has been aided by what political analysts say has been a decades-long public relations effort to alter public perception of his family and supporters. Critics accuse the Marcoses of attempting to rewrite history.

"What we are witnessing right now is nothing short of a counter-revolution," said Richard Heydarian, an author and academic who specialises in politics.

"The Marcoses are here to erase the 1986 (people power) revolution, and to restore the glory and fully rehabilitate the image of the Marcos regime."

... The return of a Marcos to Malacanang, the presidential palace, is unthinkable for millions of Filipinos, but over half the country's more than 60 million voters are 40 or under, and did not live through the Marcos regime and its oppression and plunder.

Ferdinand Marcos Sr., with Imelda by his side, was president for nearly two decades, ruling as a dictator before he was ousted in the "people power" uprising in 1986 that has become renowned around the world.

Marcos Sr. and Imelda, known for her vast collection of artwork, jewellery and shoes, were accused of amassing more than $10 billion while he was in office.

During his rule, 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed, according to Amnesty International....

Marcos Jr. has questioned the Amnesty data and rejected long-standing narratives of oppression and failed government in his father's rule. He and his family have shunned questions about past atrocities and instead touted what their supporters claim as a 'golden age'.

The younger Marcos, also known as Bongbong, did not comment for this story. He has in the past spoken highly of his father, calling him his "idol", while expressing admiration for his "style of work", his qualities as a strong leader, and his "love for the Filipino" people, traits he said he has inherited....

Out of the Duterte frying pan, into the Marcos fire.

[billy.pilgrim]

In Philippines election, late dictator's son aims to restore family pride

As frontrunner in the Philippines' presidential race, the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos appears poised to complete a remarkable rebranding of the family name 36 years after a "people power" uprising ended his father's autocratic rule.

With official campaigning beginning on Tuesday, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 64, holds a double-digit lead in the polls, three months ahead of the May 9 elections.

His push for the presidency has been aided by what political analysts say has been a decades-long public relations effort to alter public perception of his family and supporters. Critics accuse the Marcoses of attempting to rewrite history.

"What we are witnessing right now is nothing short of a counter-revolution," said Richard Heydarian, an author and academic who specialises in politics.

"The Marcoses are here to erase the 1986 (people power) revolution, and to restore the glory and fully rehabilitate the image of the Marcos regime."

... The return of a Marcos to Malacanang, the presidential palace, is unthinkable for millions of Filipinos, but over half the country's more than 60 million voters are 40 or under, and did not live through the Marcos regime and its oppression and plunder.

Ferdinand Marcos Sr., with Imelda by his side, was president for nearly two decades, ruling as a dictator before he was ousted in the "people power" uprising in 1986 that has become renowned around the world.

Marcos Sr. and Imelda, known for her vast collection of artwork, jewellery and shoes, were accused of amassing more than $10 billion while he was in office.

During his rule, 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed, according to Amnesty International....

Marcos Jr. has questioned the Amnesty data and rejected long-standing narratives of oppression and failed government in his father's rule. He and his family have shunned questions about past atrocities and instead touted what their supporters claim as a 'golden age'.

The younger Marcos, also known as Bongbong, did not comment for this story. He has in the past spoken highly of his father, calling him his "idol", while expressing admiration for his "style of work", his qualities as a strong leader, and his "love for the Filipino" people, traits he said he has inherited....

Out of the Duterte frying pan, into the Marcos fire.

Shoes, did he talk about mom's many shoes?

[neoplacebo]

If I'm not mistaken, the wife either ran for president or thought hard about it some years ago. Marcos was one of those who made me feel ashamed to be an American back when I was in the navy.

[Ulysses]

What goes around, comes around.

Get ready for the presidency of Eric Trump.

[Vrede too]

If I'm not mistaken, the wife either ran for president or thought hard about it some years ago. Marcos was one of those who made me feel ashamed to be an American back when I was in the navy.

Yep. She's now 92.

Return from exile (1991–present)

On November 4, 1991, Imelda and her children were allowed to return to the Philippines by President Corazon Aquino after living in exile in Hawaii for more than five years to face charges of tax fraud and corruption. After her return from exile, Imelda returned to politics.

In 1992, Imelda ran for president in the 1992 Philippine presidential election, finishing 5th out of 7 candidates.

She was elected as a congresswoman of Leyte during the 1995 Philippine general election, representing the first district, despite facing a disqualification lawsuit in which the Supreme Court ruled in her favor.

She sought the presidency again in the 1998 Philippine presidential election, but later withdrew to support the eventual winner Joseph Estrada while she finished 9th among 11 candidates. She considered running for mayor of Manila in the 2001 Philippine general election but did not push through with it.

Imelda ran for the second district of Ilocos Norte in the 2010 Philippine House of Representatives elections to replace her son, Ferdinand Jr., who ran for Senate under the Nacionalista Party. During her term, she held the position of Millennium Development Goals committee chair in the Lower House.

She was re-elected on May 14, 2013, and on May 9, 2016, for a third and final term....

[Vrede too]

A Ukrainian Olympian who held up a sign reading 'No War in Ukraine' on live television won't face repercussions by the IOC

[Whack9]

So this is kind of neat.

A compilation of Russian troop locations near Ukraine. Compiled using social media posts by soldiers.

maphub.net/Cen4infoRes/russian-ukraine-monitor

[Ulysses]

So this is kind of neat.

A compilation of Russian troop locations near Ukraine. Compiled using social media posts by soldiers.

maphub.net/Cen4infoRes/russian-ukraine-monitor

Yes it is very interesting.

I wonder if there is a similar map showing US/NATO force deployment in Europe...

[Whack9]

Maybe there's a thread for this already, but it looks like Russia may soon invade Ukraine.

Word on the street is Wednesday. I guess we shall see.

[GoCubsGo]

Maybe there's a thread for this already, but it looks like Russia may soon invade Ukraine.

Word on the street is Wednesday. I guess we shall see.

I don't think we've been talking about it, but I'm sure everyone here is well aware of what's going on.

My question is, what's Putin's endgame? This seems like mostly a vanity exercise and legacy building to me. AFAIK there really had been no external change vis a vie Ukraine's relationship with the west or NATO to justify the upcoming attack.

Also rather incredulous about the response by some on the right who seem to think it's perfectly fine for an oligarchy to attack a democratic state.

We're supposed to be opposed to that.

[neoplacebo]

trump is in love with Putin. Also Kim. For the past five years Russia has been manipulating US wingnut opinion and stoking division among Americans. He's succeeded beyond his wildest dreams by being able to easily manipulate the ignorant and gullible on social media into believing virtually any nonsense he chooses to focus on. Notice Tucker Carlson cheerleading for Russia the past couple of weeks. It's at the point now that the right is opposed to whatever the Biden administration does. But then trump has pretty much already seen to that. What a world.

[Whack9]

Maybe there's a thread for this already, but it looks like Russia may soon invade Ukraine.

Word on the street is Wednesday. I guess we shall see.

I don't think we've been talking about it, but I'm sure everyone here is well aware of what's going on.

My question is, what's Putin's endgame? This seems like mostly a vanity exercise and legacy building to me. AFAIK there really had been no external change vis a vie Ukraine's relationship with the west or NATO to justify the upcoming attack.

Also rather incredulous about the response by some on the right who seem to think it's perfectly fine for an oligarchy to attack a democratic state.

We're supposed to be opposed to that.

Some people have a weird hard-on for Putin here in America. I remember back during Obama's tenure a lot of memes and what not making rounds lauding Putin. While I will fully admit Putin would kick my ass ten times over in a fight having been part of the KGB and all, I still recognize that these memes and what not were very likely intentional and Putin is still a POS.

Case in point - owning a 100 million dollar yacht which he just pulled back to Russia. Owning an enourmous mansion. And just being an asshole. Oh, and poisoning dissidents. He's not a good person. But some here are head over heels for him because he's a "strong leader" or some other stupid bullshit.

Good luck Ukraine.

[GoCubsGo]

Case in point - owning a 100 million dollar yacht which he just pulled back to Russia. Owning an enourmous mansion. And just being an asshole. Oh, and poisoning dissidents. He's not a good person. But some here are head over heels for him because he's a "strong leader" or some other stupid bullshit.

Good luck Ukraine.

His net worth is supposedly north of 70 billion dollars. No wonder they're head over heels, they like that.

Despoting pays well.

[Ulysses]

Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of the Soviet Union for its fertile fields of wheat. Now it's just a basket case. The outgoing finance minister said the country needed $35 billion to stave off bankruptcy over the next couple years.

Some analysts say that figure may be on the high side. Still, such admissions usually send potential donors dashing for the exits. Yet one thing Ukraine has in abundance these days, in addition to political turmoil, is a long line of financial suitors.

Ukraine: From Breadbasket To Basket Case

Indeed.

[GoCubsGo]

Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of the Soviet Union for its fertile fields of wheat. Now it's just a basket case. The outgoing finance minister said the country needed $35 billion to stave off bankruptcy over the next couple years.

Some analysts say that figure may be on the high side. Still, such admissions usually send potential donors dashing for the exits. Yet one thing Ukraine has in abundance these days, in addition to political turmoil, is a long line of financial suitors.

Ukraine: From Breadbasket To Basket Case

Indeed.

Eight year old article written right after the Crimea annexation?

[Ulysses]

Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of the Soviet Union for its fertile fields of wheat. Now it's just a basket case. The outgoing finance minister said the country needed $35 billion to stave off bankruptcy over the next couple years.

Some analysts say that figure may be on the high side. Still, such admissions usually send potential donors dashing for the exits. Yet one thing Ukraine has in abundance these days, in addition to political turmoil, is a long line of financial suitors.

Ukraine: From Breadbasket To Basket Case

Indeed.

Eight year old article written right after the Crimea annexation?

Yes.

You object to that? Why?

[GoCubsGo]

Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of the Soviet Union for its fertile fields of wheat. Now it's just a basket case. The outgoing finance minister said the country needed $35 billion to stave off bankruptcy over the next couple years.

Some analysts say that figure may be on the high side. Still, such admissions usually send potential donors dashing for the exits. Yet one thing Ukraine has in abundance these days, in addition to political turmoil, is a long line of financial suitors.

Ukraine: From Breadbasket To Basket Case

Indeed.

Eight year old article written right after the Crimea annexation?

Yes.

You object to that? Why?

The outgoing finance minister said the country needed $35 billion to stave off bankruptcy over the next couple years.

Hardly topical.

They've been through the ringer and back in the last eight years and nothing written then is current or relevant. The part about wheat is nice though.

[Ulysses]

Well, at least you got the bit about the wheat.

It's been my impression for some years that Ukraine is a breadbasket, and that is a major reason why Putin and his cronies want to retake control of Ukraine. It's all about the dough.

[GoCubsGo]

Well, at least you got the bit about the wheat.

It's been my impression for some years that Ukraine is a breadbasket, and that is a major reason why Putin and his cronies want to retake control of Ukraine. It's all about the dough.

I don't think we've been talking about it, but I'm sure everyone here is well aware of what's going on.

I was mistaken.

[Vrede too]

Some people have a weird hard-on for Putin here in America. I remember back during Obama's tenure a lot of memes and what not making rounds lauding Putin. While I will fully admit Putin would kick my ass ten times over in a fight having been part of the KGB and all, I still recognize that these memes and what not were very likely intentional and Putin is still a POS.

Case in point - owning a 100 million dollar yacht which he just pulled back to Russia. Owning an enourmous mansion. And just being an asshole. Oh, and poisoning dissidents. He's not a good person. But some here are head over heels for him because he's a "strong leader" or some other stupid bullshit.

Good luck Ukraine.

A lot of that has been manufactured by state sponsored Russian hackers using fake news, dirty tricks and bots, so successfully that our RWNJs no longer care about being hacked and manipulated.