OFFBEAT MAIL

I simply couldn't understand the logic why some legislators had scheduled deliberations on a bill that would pave the way for allowing greyhound dog racing in the province of Cebu. Now, the issue is soliciting split opinions from animal welfare groups as to whether it is right for some businessmen to push through with the plan to legalize dog racing in the Philippines. At this time, when dog racing has been banned in many places worldwide, particularly the United States and Europe, some business-oriented individuals are trying their best to make it appear that this form of gambling using animals for patrons to put their bets on will somehow give them the leverage to earn hefty sums of money in exchange for abusing thousands of animals like greyhound dogs. If this bill is passed in Congress population of greyhound puppies will explode because of the need to select breeds that are of excellent quality to be used for dog racing. Hence, endangering their welfare in the hands of dog tra...

Philippine Airlines employees manning the counter at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) made surprise declarations Tuesday (8/11/09) to departing passengers, mostly Filipinos on their way back home, prior to final boarding Flight No. PR 103. It didn't only shock many passengers who were caught unaware of PAL's sudden implementation of a strict baggage weight limit to the frustration of each passenger destined for the Philippines. A friend who sent off a housemate that day told me he saw a lot of passengers re-opened their boxes which exceeded the baggage limit allowed for each passenger at the airport lobby. They didn't have any choice but to set aside the excess items until each box had conformed to the right baggage weight limit allowed by PAL. Then, they again repacked and resealed their boxes. Isn't it annoying that way? What's wrong with the system at PAL's ticketing outlets in Southern California? What if those elderly Filipino passengers didn...

Anti-abortion groups are up in arms to criticize government officials whose negative policies on unwanted pregnancies have caused anxiety and despair among the catholic community because they fear that more and more unborn babies will be aborted. And that respect for human life will continue to be violated. Even as this is being written, opposing forces have not reached a common ground by which to iron out their differences and beliefs in so far as acceptable birth control methods are concerned. Visible of these groups are those claiming to be affiliated or supporting the pro-life or pro-choice movements across the world. And the battle goes on and on and on. As the controversy on abortion rages, many unwanted children are born thereby adding to the already bursting number of population on earth. This means more mouths to feed, clothe, educate and raise to become productive members of society. But as the population grows, the earth's resources wouldn't be enough to absorb all o...

Furious over drying clothes in the sun? It only happens in America. But not in some countries in Asia where drying clothes in the heat of the sun is a common practice taken from their ancestors many centuries ago. And the controversy blew out of proportion because some people just couldn't understand the credible reason why we have to tap the sun's energy to our own advantage. At this time when most people are complaining about the fluctuating prices of imported oil, certain measures should be used if only to cut unnecessary household costs which kind of making a serious toll on the ordinary pockets. That's exactly what an ordinary housewife did in Vermont recently when she tried to hand her newly washed clothes in the heat of the sun. Perhaps, she just couldn't resist the temptation of tapping the natural energy from the sun and at the same time, cutting her electricity bills. But some of her neighbors just couldn't stand what she did and they were fuming mad abo...

At least 50,000 people showed up Tuesday at the late pop singer Michael Jackson's memorial service held at the Los Angeles Staples Center. However, only 17,000 people with tickets would be allowed to attend the said event. The Los Angeles Police Department ( LAPD ) has warned that those who couldn't show any ticket and the access wristband at all will be barred from gaining entry at the memorial service. At this time, LAPD has already barricaded the Olympic Blvd., Flower Street, and Pico Street surrounding the Staples Center where the King of Pop's memorial service will take place. However, thousands of fans have expressed interest to attend the memorial service, despite the LAPD's warning. Many of them have come from far away places to pay their last respect to their singing idol who passed away 12 days ago by amassing around the Staples Center. At the same time, almost all media entities around the world have already positioned themselves close to the Staples Cent...

Today is the fourth of July, the celebration of American independence . Something inevitable goes with it as an inseparable part of commemorating this memorable day. Of course, public eyes can see how this transformation took place many decades ago until it was totally ingrained in the minds of most Americans as an integral part of their political history. In almost all parts of the country, all kinds of fireworks materials are displayed for sale at strategic points as allowed by the authorities. Not just anybody can sell fireworks without first getting a permit from the local government where it has jurisdiction over the business. I'm reminded of how we celebrate independence day in my own country.The only stark difference here is that while American got its independence from Britain many years back, my country got its independence from the United States, which liberated the country during the Japanese time and placed us as one of its trust territories in the Asia-Pacific Rim...

Public option on the health insurance issue is taking so much ride among the people. But nobody is sure if the US legislators, particularly the conservatives , will ever support it. However, what bogs most people right now is the way the issue on public option is being discussed. Everybody knows that more than 70 percent of the people, even those with private insurance, are convinced that the single payee system is most appropriate at this time when most Americans are hard up on how to make both ends meet. What is surprising, however, is how come even some democrats do not seem to listen to the call of President Obama to support the public option on health care. This leads to some nasty thinking that may be some mysterious things are taking place, which are beyond anyone's imagination. For example, some Republicans are saying that resorting to public option will result in the derailment of some private insurance companies, which will be expected to be out of business once the pub...