It's the season for political talk

A Pinoy balikbayan says that many Americans are sporting with pride “Buy American” buttons. That’s patriotism. But is it still that even if the buttons are made in China?

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“Would you believe,” said a Chinese journalist, “that even some American flags are made in China?”

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Even if those American flags are made in China it still hurts to see the stars and stripes being set on fire and/or trampled upon by Muslim mobs in Libya.

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This according to my two grandchildren who are Americans.

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Tom O says Mike Rama’s budget consultations are pure politics. Oh, well, this is the season of the year when anything that one’s political adversary says or does is pure politics.

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Even Tom O’s remark on Mike R’s people’s budget consultation also reeks with politics, doesn’t it?

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Freddie Roach says money is the big factor in Manny Pacquiao’s decision to fight Juan Manuel Marquez a fourth time. Oh, well, since when has money not been a big factor in every Pacman fight?

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During the FIBA Cup game between Philippines and China some hangers-out (or ‘istambay’) in a beer garden observed: ‘Mura ni’g duwa sa kawayan (Chinese) kontra gu-od (Pinoys).”

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Kawayan refers to the slender but long bamboo poles while gu-od refers to the short but sturdy bamboo stump. For indeed the Chinese players were tall and slim while the Pinoys were short but muscled.

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Newspaper reports have it that Cebu Gov. Gwen may not run for the Senate and may be opting to seek election in Cebu’s third district. I hear many Gwen followers say: “Better pa or maypa.”

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Not that they feel that Gwen isn’t fit to be a senator, it’s just that the senatorial race is very competitive while for Gwen to seek a seat on the Lower House would be like walking in the park. Or so political analysts say, without demeaning Gwen’s Senate chances.

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OVERHEARD. A barbecue vendor was heard telling his father-in-law: “Paadtoon nako si Inday sa Japan aron mag-dancer didto. Bata pa man siya, 23 anyos, daghang Hapon mag-ilog ana niya.” Last week, the vendor’s father-in-law who did not like his son-in-law’s plan for his wife, hid his daughter in Mindanao. The husband is still looking for her.