es in public libraries. The thing is, a report hit the media last week regarding the controversial policy of Central Library of Rochester which allows patrons to open explicit websites. However, it alarmed Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks as minors can also view the websites that she threatened to pull funding from the library if they continue to allow this kind of policy to go on. One of my classmates said that it is the people's right to view such stuff. Others said that they would be embarassed to asked the personnel to unblock the sites while another said why view such filthy things in public premises when it can be done at home. Our professor said that Americans are protected by the Constitution and porn is legal and is a legal material. Well, as usual, I was silent and keeping my views to myself. I think if it is legal material why not stack the bookshelves with porn videos? If people have the right to view porn sites in public how about the rights of people who wanted a sane world? It is like citing the rights of people to smoke, well, how about the rights of people to clean air? Then if opening of porn sites is legal then we can just request the library the purchase of porn materials, afterall we are protected by the Constitution to freedom of expression.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Hot Stuff
A somewhat enormous debate aroused in the classroom today in one of my classes. Our professor, who keeps the class packed with reasons to think of - as what professors should really be, opened the issue on the appropriateness of allowing adults to watch porn sit
es in public libraries. The thing is, a report hit the media last week regarding the controversial policy of Central Library of Rochester which allows patrons to open explicit websites. However, it alarmed Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks as minors can also view the websites that she threatened to pull funding from the library if they continue to allow this kind of policy to go on. One of my classmates said that it is the people's right to view such stuff. Others said that they would be embarassed to asked the personnel to unblock the sites while another said why view such filthy things in public premises when it can be done at home. Our professor said that Americans are protected by the Constitution and porn is legal and is a legal material. Well, as usual, I was silent and keeping my views to myself. I think if it is legal material why not stack the bookshelves with porn videos? If people have the right to view porn sites in public how about the rights of people who wanted a sane world? It is like citing the rights of people to smoke, well, how about the rights of people to clean air? Then if opening of porn sites is legal then we can just request the library the purchase of porn materials, afterall we are protected by the Constitution to freedom of expression.
es in public libraries. The thing is, a report hit the media last week regarding the controversial policy of Central Library of Rochester which allows patrons to open explicit websites. However, it alarmed Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks as minors can also view the websites that she threatened to pull funding from the library if they continue to allow this kind of policy to go on. One of my classmates said that it is the people's right to view such stuff. Others said that they would be embarassed to asked the personnel to unblock the sites while another said why view such filthy things in public premises when it can be done at home. Our professor said that Americans are protected by the Constitution and porn is legal and is a legal material. Well, as usual, I was silent and keeping my views to myself. I think if it is legal material why not stack the bookshelves with porn videos? If people have the right to view porn sites in public how about the rights of people who wanted a sane world? It is like citing the rights of people to smoke, well, how about the rights of people to clean air? Then if opening of porn sites is legal then we can just request the library the purchase of porn materials, afterall we are protected by the Constitution to freedom of expression.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Earth's Greatest Boxers
For those who were born in the age of Pacquiao you will be surprised to know that the Philippine’s current toast of the town, that is, Manny, is not included in a new book “Boxing’s Greatest Fighters by Bert Randolph Sugar (Connecticut: Lyons Press 2006). No, dear Pacquiao fans, Manny’s bejeweled name didn’t make it to the top 100 boxers of all time (Manny by the way was mentioned by Mario Lopez, a boxing fan, when he guested in Ellen Degeneres’s show after Lopez’s stint from Dancing With The Stars. Lopez watched the Pacquiao-Morales fight).
So, how has the author, referred to as the “guru of boxing”, come up with a competent list? Sugar, who has served as editor of The King, Boxing Illustrated and Fight Game magazines, says to make it to the list it is not about the fighter’s won-lost record but the level of each boxer’s competition and the elements of “punching power, defensive skills… and durability.” Meaning it is not all about popularity, though it is a factor to consider for an athlete to be given significant attention.
Now, boxing aficionados will be caught in an unending debate as to Sugar’s choice to whom the top spot belongs. Who do you think ranked No. 1 in the elite 100? Sorry, not Muhammad Ali. It’s Sugar Ray Robinson. Born Walker Smith in 1921, Robinson went “unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon his first forty fights.” The turning point of his career, the book says, was in his forty-first fight when he lost to Jake Lamotta, another boxer who made it to the list at No. 27. His loss prompted him to reverse the decision five times in several rematch. Robinson’s record boasts of 202 bouts with 175 wins and 109 knockouts.
Ali, on the other hand, ranked No. 7. The book referred to him as “part showman, part promoter, and all champion… always heading up his own parade with a band of admirers…” Apart from his showmanship, Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942, brought “touches of theatrical in boxing, his doggerel making his opponents’ heads spin as much as his fast hands.” And who could forget “Thrilla in Manila” in 1976 where Ali stopped Joe Frazier in the fourteenth round. The book dubbed the fight as “one of boxing’s greatest bouts.” The original “People’s Champion”, Ali has a record of 61 bouts, 56 wins and 37 knockouts.
Don’t fret. The Philippines also has its share in the ranking. No, it’s not Gabriel “Flash” Elorde nor Onyok Velasco, although both fighters have shown excellence in the ring. Ilonggo Pancho Villa made the No. 64 spot. Though Villa’s boxing career is short-lived he was nevertheless hailed by the book as the “greatest Asian boxer in history.” Despite his typical Asian height, Villa, born Francisco Guilledo in 1901 in Iloilo (which the book spelled “Iliolo”), Sugar liken the boxer to the legendary Malakas – “hard and springy, growing straight and slender” whose agility and durability in the ring proved magnificent. Villa, the book says, came from a humble beginning where after leaving his hometown for Manila made money shining shoes and “sleeping on newspapers on the stone floors of office buildings, all the better to fulfill his fistic dreams.” After impressing the crowd with his prowess his manager, Frank Churchill, brought him to the United States where he later gained prominence. However, Villa’s triumph has gotten into him that he thought he was invincible. He went into battle even in a bad form. He died at the age of 23, 10 days after his last fight. The book says, Villa defied the order of his dentist to stay out of the ring after some of his teeth were pulled out. He succumbed to Ludwig’s angina. Villa fought 105 bouts and earned 73 wins with 22 knockouts.
Interestingly enough, earning the 100th spot is Mike Tyson (I can just imagine my father screaming in joy as he is a die-hard Tyson fan). Aptly nicknamed Iron Mike, Tyson made sports headlines with his impressive fistic recalescense that never failed to astonish the audience. Tyson has a record of 58 bouts with 50 wins and 44 knockouts.
So, how has the author, referred to as the “guru of boxing”, come up with a competent list? Sugar, who has served as editor of The King, Boxing Illustrated and Fight Game magazines, says to make it to the list it is not about the fighter’s won-lost record but the level of each boxer’s competition and the elements of “punching power, defensive skills… and durability.” Meaning it is not all about popularity, though it is a factor to consider for an athlete to be given significant attention.
Now, boxing aficionados will be caught in an unending debate as to Sugar’s choice to whom the top spot belongs. Who do you think ranked No. 1 in the elite 100? Sorry, not Muhammad Ali. It’s Sugar Ray Robinson. Born Walker Smith in 1921, Robinson went “unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon his first forty fights.” The turning point of his career, the book says, was in his forty-first fight when he lost to Jake Lamotta, another boxer who made it to the list at No. 27. His loss prompted him to reverse the decision five times in several rematch. Robinson’s record boasts of 202 bouts with 175 wins and 109 knockouts.
Ali, on the other hand, ranked No. 7. The book referred to him as “part showman, part promoter, and all champion… always heading up his own parade with a band of admirers…” Apart from his showmanship, Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942, brought “touches of theatrical in boxing, his doggerel making his opponents’ heads spin as much as his fast hands.” And who could forget “Thrilla in Manila” in 1976 where Ali stopped Joe Frazier in the fourteenth round. The book dubbed the fight as “one of boxing’s greatest bouts.” The original “People’s Champion”, Ali has a record of 61 bouts, 56 wins and 37 knockouts.
Don’t fret. The Philippines also has its share in the ranking. No, it’s not Gabriel “Flash” Elorde nor Onyok Velasco, although both fighters have shown excellence in the ring. Ilonggo Pancho Villa made the No. 64 spot. Though Villa’s boxing career is short-lived he was nevertheless hailed by the book as the “greatest Asian boxer in history.” Despite his typical Asian height, Villa, born Francisco Guilledo in 1901 in Iloilo (which the book spelled “Iliolo”), Sugar liken the boxer to the legendary Malakas – “hard and springy, growing straight and slender” whose agility and durability in the ring proved magnificent. Villa, the book says, came from a humble beginning where after leaving his hometown for Manila made money shining shoes and “sleeping on newspapers on the stone floors of office buildings, all the better to fulfill his fistic dreams.” After impressing the crowd with his prowess his manager, Frank Churchill, brought him to the United States where he later gained prominence. However, Villa’s triumph has gotten into him that he thought he was invincible. He went into battle even in a bad form. He died at the age of 23, 10 days after his last fight. The book says, Villa defied the order of his dentist to stay out of the ring after some of his teeth were pulled out. He succumbed to Ludwig’s angina. Villa fought 105 bouts and earned 73 wins with 22 knockouts.
Interestingly enough, earning the 100th spot is Mike Tyson (I can just imagine my father screaming in joy as he is a die-hard Tyson fan). Aptly nicknamed Iron Mike, Tyson made sports headlines with his impressive fistic recalescense that never failed to astonish the audience. Tyson has a record of 58 bouts with 50 wins and 44 knockouts.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Britney Hair-loss
I pity Britney. The so-called pop princess has shaved her hair. I would like to think that she's depressed that she does not want her hair to mess up with her life. Or did she pluck them out one by one and eat them? What about that hair below? But plucking them hurt so she decided to get rid of them. Oops she did it again, shaving what's below then shaving what's above. She should be sued for "illegal logging". Poor girl.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Drills
The dental hygienist made me WHOLE Saturday. She explored the very depths of my soul and came out successful. I came out immaculate and pure. At least for a time. And I am greatly satisfied.
She said I am a dream patient. I never squirmed of all the picking and exploration she made with the drill set she used on me. I can never complain though blood oozed from my gums. Having a nice clean teeth is a wonderment for me. I enjoyed it, even the pain. And you can never get any better service than she performed on me. (Though she said her wrist hurt bad).
She said I am a dream patient. I never squirmed of all the picking and exploration she made with the drill set she used on me. I can never complain though blood oozed from my gums. Having a nice clean teeth is a wonderment for me. I enjoyed it, even the pain. And you can never get any better service than she performed on me. (Though she said her wrist hurt bad).
Friday, February 2, 2007
The Hairless Monster
Pictures of Britney's hairless "monster" were sent to me thru e-mail by a former colleague two weeks ago. And do you think I am impressed by it? It got rashes and sort-of white flakes (?) at the rear end. I wonder if it were just the photographer's special effects. Or maybe some stuff that got dried.
Why "monster"? Well, if you saw the movie Babel you'll know, though the monster shown in the movie was hirsute or was it in a wig? Ngek!
Poor Britney, her friends didn't even told her that she has left her pants in the club. Yes, gals and gallstones, she was only wearing a top. She must have taken if off when the temperature went high. Oh well, you can't blame her, the lady just wants to be comfortable. She must thank Paris for "assisting" her. At least.
Why "monster"? Well, if you saw the movie Babel you'll know, though the monster shown in the movie was hirsute or was it in a wig? Ngek!
Poor Britney, her friends didn't even told her that she has left her pants in the club. Yes, gals and gallstones, she was only wearing a top. She must have taken if off when the temperature went high. Oh well, you can't blame her, the lady just wants to be comfortable. She must thank Paris for "assisting" her. At least.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Insomniac's lament
I haven't finished yet my criticism yet of J. California Cooper's story "Sisters of the Rain" and I am drafting my criticism of Ahmed Essop's story "The Hajji". I like James Baldwin's "The Rockpile".
Today, David and I visited his 102-year-old friend. We had dinner at the complex where she lives. I also had a good chat with her friend who paints. The sad thing is the painter has macular degeneration. It almost made me cry knowing how she loves painting and goes to the painting class held everyday in their activity center. They will be having a show this month. We saw her earlier paintings. They were MARVELOUS, as in to the maximum level raised to the power of ten times the speed of light...
Saturday David and I will be visiting the dentist.
Tomorrow, in class, we will study scansion, in poetry. I find it difficult. Imagine that. I had more than 20 poems published in college for my first degree in the school paper, about 15 poems in national publications (10 were selected and read by the late National Artist for Literature and Magsaysay Awardee Nick Joaquin), fellow for poetry in English in a national writers workshop and I find scansion hard. Ha!
Long live poetry!
Today, David and I visited his 102-year-old friend. We had dinner at the complex where she lives. I also had a good chat with her friend who paints. The sad thing is the painter has macular degeneration. It almost made me cry knowing how she loves painting and goes to the painting class held everyday in their activity center. They will be having a show this month. We saw her earlier paintings. They were MARVELOUS, as in to the maximum level raised to the power of ten times the speed of light...
Saturday David and I will be visiting the dentist.
Tomorrow, in class, we will study scansion, in poetry. I find it difficult. Imagine that. I had more than 20 poems published in college for my first degree in the school paper, about 15 poems in national publications (10 were selected and read by the late National Artist for Literature and Magsaysay Awardee Nick Joaquin), fellow for poetry in English in a national writers workshop and I find scansion hard. Ha!
Long live poetry!
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