No news is good news, so I guess it’s all good. Here’s some old news from yesterday:
Swan and I took a nice hike out through the valley and into Naugsol town.
In the afternoon, Swan’s sister and a couple of friends came to visit, so Swan took them up to the Rite Spot, where they played cards. When beer o’clock rolled around, I went upstairs to say I was heading into town. Swan said she’d join me there later. When she came downstairs to say goodbye, I told her she was free to have a “me day” with her group. She took that to mean I wanted a “me day,” so I explained that I was fine either way if she joined me or not. So, she accepted my suggestion and stayed home. We were both okay with that outcome.
So, I decided to kick things off on my own at Cheap Charlies.
I also ordered the chicken quesadilla from Foodies downstairs. The best in town. Now, if they’d only make birria.
Then it was time for me to decide on where I might go for my nightcap.
One of the reasons I don’t visit Hot Zone much these days is that it doesn’t open until 7 pm. But as fate would have it, they had just opened when I departed Cheap Charlies. I was shocked when I walked in and was greeted by name by a couple of the gals. I didn’t remember any of them. I was the only customer, so all eyes were on me. I’ve got to say, Hot Zone by far has the hottest dancers in town. Not really my thing, but I do appreciate nature’s beauty. I only stayed for two beers but gave all the gals a 50-peso tip for their hard work.
Then it was time for me to head back home. Swan was still entertaining her guests, and soju was the drink of choice, so I told them to have fun, and then I hit the hay. Told you I was old.
From the memory bank comes this reminder of what I found to be about the stupidest idea ever to stop the spread of the dreaded COVID virus:
Back in the August 2020 LTG archives, I reflect on past loves and ex-wives and consider how many of those relationships were transactional. I guess I could say lessons learned, but that is probably not an accurate portrayal. Oh well, I am what I am, and at this stage of my life, change isn’t likely.
Today’s YouTube video talks about the reasons the USA gave up its military bases in the Philippines. I’m not sure it’s fair to say we were kicked out, but we don’t tend to stay where we aren’t wanted. Curiously, shortly after we left, China started claiming Philippine territory. Funny how that works.
Humor time:
And now it is over. At least until tomorrow.
Well, it’s actually pretty fair to say we were kicked out of Subic, and that video is essentially correct but does gloss over some nuance, probably for the sake of brevity.
A few issues not mentioned: Subic was also heavily damaged by Pinatubo and needed a lot of work; all military bases create significant environmental problems that often take many years to rectify after closure, and the Philippines failed to consider this issue but did cry about it later, mostly to no avail; the senators who voted against the treaty were not primarily interested in payback for human rights abuses under US-backed Marcos, as claimed, but were mostly either short-sighted and myopic nationalists, posturing egotistical patriots concerned with their perceived place in history (self-absorbed nationalism was quite fashionable in those days), or cynical political opportunists looking beyond the feckless Aquino regime, which was on its last legs.
Perhaps most importantly, the Cold War had ended and Subic was no longer as vital to US security interests, especially since the Philippines and its tantrums were such a pain in the ass to deal with.
Had political maturity prevailed, the Philippines could have negotiated a shorter extension for Subic to protect jobs and help stabilize its economy, required environmental remediation upon closure of Subic, Clark, and other US installations, developed a coherent plan for base redevelopment and future environmental protection, and provided for the protection of Philippine territory and national security.
But “the hands that freed the nation” prevailed instead and it all went to shit while China chuckled in the wings. And some damned fools are still proud of it, perpetuating the hallowed tradition of screwing things up and then blaming the big bad Americans to divert attention.
Sayang.
Drain, yeah, your take sounds pretty much spot on. During my years in Korea, there was always some controversy regarding our bases there. That played a part in eventually shutting down Yongsan in Seoul and moving to an expanded Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. But the Korean government paid for the base and also pays some of the costs associated with us keeping troops there. That’s because they know they need us for their defense more than we need them strategically. Sadly, the Filipinos didn’t figure that out until we’d departed. Live and learn.