Notice to Sue

As I suspected. You dug yourself into a hole. It is Oposa's movement from start to finish. Obviously along with others, but he has spearheaded the whole thing. So what went on last year and the years before that, for what you have deigned to be a great conclusion, was conceived by the very same person, several years ago.

I know you will try and talk your way out of it as that's how you are. But what a waste of 101 posts this has been. (Not talking about your contribution Oss.)

I actually find your comments a complete waste of time. I find myself having to explain things that you clearly do not want to understand as you are posting for effect. The dangerous part about you is that you come across as being knowledgeable.

So if all you want to do is knit pick with what I post, then please don't. Its a waste of time. Yours and mine. Knit picking is okay if there is a valid point in the making. Your point seems to be to derail my thread.

Ha!

So if Oposa has been behind this movement from the very start and he's such a brilliant lawyer then the previous two attempts shouldn't have failed, should they! What was that you mentioned about holes?

You've used this thread simply to score cheap points and to be rude to me simply because I point out the practical difficulties in implementing such a scheme. But you view such comments as "nit-picking" because they burst a few bubbles in your rosy view of how things might be.

Yet again I find that I have to explain everything to you. Yet again you waste my time and your time. Your objective is to irritate and derail a good thread. It is very obvious now. I suspected it from the early days. But this thread has demonstrated your character. What do you seek to gain by your behaviour? I can see why Keith was p!ssed off with you.

Yet again, if you did your homework you would know the answer to your stupid school boy comments and posts.

Only you and only you see it as failure.

Show me where it has been overturned.

And go back in time and look at precedent.

But please. Rather than bring anything I post down to an argument, please do us all a favour and annoy someone else. I do not value your opinion. You seem to be all gloss and no substance. This could have been a good news story for what could well turn out to be a landmark case for the Philippines by Filipinos. I dont see your allegiances to the Philippines shining through. You are just concerned with how good you look on a forum.

As you say, you dont really care much for what goes on in Manila. So don't concern yourself with threads that concern Manila. Stick to your shining beacon of light in Davao.

Now go away for a few days again. Its better here without you. You haven't burst my bubble. You are like a fly, a nusiance.

Markham. Please leave my threads alone. Thankyou.

Gents. This was the reason I didnt put any of my Euro Pinoy write ups out for collaboration. I knew they would get trampled on by the one person.

I agree. I cant write anything without chicanery from said person. When he goes away for a few days it doesnt happen.

There is key difference.

I am a member of this forum first and foremost to learn. I do not like it if the advice given by an individual is given because they want to appear like they know or paint a rosy picture to justify their decision to settle in the Philippines. A genuine and honest opinion is all I ask for. Markham particular does this. It is of no use to me or anybody else really, when he does that.

Because I make it known that I dislike what most people would call "bullshine" he chooses to derail my threads. Remove Markham from some of my threads and they pass by quite peacefully.

Also, he has tried to get me banned using a lot of devious tactics and postings and created a lot of trouble for me over my Fun in the Philippines thread.

And tried to mock what he thought were my mother in laws employers ie Revilla, thinking it would get to me. Nasty man you are Markham.

Now, I have been aware, for a long time that he has such tendencies. And as I said, because of that I opted not to throw up for collaboration my Europinoy write ups, purely because of the above.

Additionally, Atty Oposa is in fact my mother in laws employer. He is a fantastic man, recognised for his efforts by the Magsaysay Award, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize and despite his wealth has virtually given his life, literally, to improving the environment as a whole, in the Philippines for the benefit of himself, his children and Filipinos in general. He is held in high esteem both in the Philippines and abroad. A true national hero. My wife cannot speak too highly of him. He has done a lot for her and her family. Markham has gone out of his way to be objectionable , obnoxious and infantile about the guy. Thats why I do not want him to comment on my posts as he crosses the bounds of common decency. I expressed my dislike for Markham by abstaining from his new born babies thread. He is unable to do the same thing in return.

Oposa earned the pprestigious award for a similar lawsuit to the one he has just filed on illegal logging and the harm it was doing to the Philippines and its people.

All I ask is he refrains from commenting on my threads. Not a big ask. Yes, it is a forum but not a pleasant one when Markham is about. Just by refraining from posting on my threads will make a big difference.

One way or another I have worked out what I needed to know on settling in the Philippines so whatever nonsense Markham chooses to churn out in the future will be in one ear and out the other. In other words, where I once would question the bullshine on such matters, I am now happy to let it go.

Without a doubt the issue that is the basis of this thread is important to the majority living in this country even though very few of them will even know about it - or care. The majority of folks are far more concerned about getting through today - finding the money to feed their families today. Planning for the future is a luxury they can not afford. It's a country of "bandaid fixes" - finding immediate solutions to current problems. Nevertheless, a group of environmentalists are seeking to challenge that and force national and local governments into longer term planning for the good of everyone.

For some reason, this issue is a pet "hobby-horse" of John's. He's read a few press releases about this group's ambitions and apparently believes that what they say will come to pass. Press releases are specifically designed to persuade people to a particular point of view and necessarily therefore paint a glossy picture. I know because for 15 years I was a PR man but then, in a 'poacher turned game-keeper' epiphany, I turned to journalism where I had to be be questioning and cast a critical eye over what I was being asked to believe. I have tried very hard to point out some of the problems and issues involved in an as calm a manner as I can but it seems to me that John can not address the points I raise, presumably because they're not covered by the Press Releases, so he resorts to rudeness and personal attacks. I did note that Oss and I both agreed on two problems - namely the issue of getting people to walk and the decentralisation of businesses etc., away from metro Manila - John accepted those points from Oss but from me. But then it doesn't look good to openly disagree with a staff member - and one who's spent far more time in-country than he has, does it?

If the above were true and if others agreed, then surely many or all my posts would attract "dislike" or "disagree" 'flags', but the only person who has clicked either of those buttons is John himself.

How puerile. Nobody is fallible, not John nor I. If he is unable to take a bit of criticism over what he posts then it is better doesn't post at all.

I do not paint a rosy picture of life in the Philippines. Quite the contrary, I tell it how it is but John - whom I believe has only ever been to metro Manila - seems unable or unwilling to accept that there might actually be a city in this country that is a very pleasant place to live. My view was echoed a year or so ago by another member of this Forum who is seriously considering selling-up in Manila and retiring to Davao.

I do not post solely for his benefit. If he doesn't wish to read what I post then he should ignore my posts. But I am not going to be censored by him, nor will I be told by him which posts I can and cannot reply to. He is directly responsible for one member leaving this site completely and for another to all-but cease posting; both these members have considerably more knowledge about the Philippines than he (or I, come to that) and I am sure he will not be satisfied until I also cease posting on this site. But why should I when others clearly do appreciate what I write, as evidenced by the number of "likes" and "agrees" I've received?

Need I say anymore. I either ignore him, in which case he writes what he likes, regardless of accuracy or I am forced to explain to him what he either doesnt understand or wilfully doesnt want to .

Just dont reply to my threads. Just stop man. You dont know when to.

Either you sort Markham out or I am off. Sorry. I have had enough of the mans nonsense. Like Keith, I have better things to do with my time.

I knew it! Admittedly I got the name of your ma-in-law's employer wrong (I was given a bit of duff information) but you've just proven my general point to be quite accurate. You are far too closely involved emotionally to accept any questioning or critique on the issue by others. That's your problem, not mine or anyone elses' here.

Resorting to blackmail now? Keith ceased posting on this Forum as his protest to Kuya closing-down the Dirty Kitchen.

Don't let the door slam on your way out!

I appreciate and respect what you're trying to do but to be quite honest, I really don't believe that will have much effect beyond delaying the inevitable.

Due to his family connections, John is clearly too closely involved, personally and emotionally, for him to be able to see the issue objectively and takes any critique or questioning as being a personal slur. He and I have peacefully discussed many other topics without issue but it is this one topic that he takes all too personally. I have tried very hard not to let this argument spill-over to other topics and in that vein, I posted this message. Perfectly reasonable and friendly, wouldn't you say? You can read his reply for yourself and Andrew's reaction to it further down the page (message #36). I have also heard from a Forum member who described John's posts as "beyond uncalled for".

If I have caused any personal offence to John then I'm quite happy to exchange apologies with him. But at the same time he should recognise that he really should take a step back and try to see things objectively.

If you don't want me to post here, simply say so and I'll go. But I won't be able to see any replies you - or anyone else - makes as this thread no longer shows up in the index.

Bike groups back call for more road-sharing in face of worsening traffic

WITH Metro Manila’s traffic congestion expected to worsen due to the start of major road infrastructure projects all over the metropolis, cycling advocates have joined the push for viable alternatives.

The Firefly Brigade Movement and the Tiklop Society are among citizen groups supporting the Share the Road Movement as a solution to alleviate traffic congestion, the high cost of transportation and noise/air pollution. Both groups have been pushing for bike commuting to work and school.

The Share the Road Movement is calling for government to divide the roads by half: with one-half devoted for non-motorized transportation, i.e., for safe, wide, covered sidewalks, edible gardens and all-weather bike lanes; and the other half for motorized public and private transportation.

In a statement, the Firefly Brigade said “Together with the Share the Road Movement, we will be working with LGU’s and Government agencies over the year or two to create a shift in their mindset which will result in better cycling, pedestrian and mass transportation infrastructure.”

http://www.spin.ph/sports/active-li...ore-road-sharing-in-face-of-worsening-traffic

Road sharing gets DENR’s support


"Air quality in Metro Cebu may still be “fair or good”, but the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is supporting the petition for the Supreme Court to issue a Writ of Kalikasan on road sharing. DENR Central Visayas Director Isabelo Montejo sees the move of environment groups as “a very good opportunity” to improve further the “sound and effective implementation” of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 or Republic Act Number 8749. Led by Ramon Magsaysay awardee and Cebuano lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr., the petitioners asked the high tribunal to issue a writ to compel government to implement a road-sharing scheme for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to reduce traffic and air pollution from motor vehicles."
See more at: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/2014/02/24/road-sharing-gets-denrs-support/#sthash.aj0qQe6j.dpuf