Debate for self destruction?

By Alex P. Vidal

“I will no longer mutilate and destroy myself in order to find a secret behind the ruins.” – Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

THE issue on sovereignty is sacrosanct.

It shouldn’t be subjected to “friendly” (there is no such animal when emotions are at fever-pitch) debate among those who are part of it—unless foreign interests threaten it.

The matter is crucial because it establishes a state’s supreme, independent authority to govern itself, create laws, and control its territory without external interference.

No Filipino—politician or ordinary man in the street—in his right mind should tamper with the sacredness of our national sovereignty

Our sovereignty in the Philippines is the foundation for international stability, protecting our national interests, fostering our self-determination, and providing a framework for diplomacy, trade, and peace.

Sovereignty becomes the supreme authority of a nation or state over its territory and inhabitants. It is understood that sovereignty is essential to the autonomy and self-determination of any state. It protects the ability of a people to create laws, control its national resources, and shape its future.

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Because sovereignty is the power that a people exert over their nation and for themselves, it may not be imposed upon them by any other nation or people.

The violation of national sovereignty by another power or state may have a series of catastrophic consequences, such as the destruction of an entire social ecosystem, international sanctions, or war.

Thus, if two prominent leaders of the country debate whether we own the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) which is part of the national sovereignty and maritime security, we are showing the world, especially our adversaries, that we are weaklings; that we have identity crisis and we are not sure who we are and what we are fighting for.

Sovereignty gives our state the authority to defend its territory, enforce laws, and maintain security over its population.

It allows us to control our own resources and economic policies for our economic stability. If we fight over our sovereignty, it’s tantamount to self destruction or national suicide.

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The number of people in New York City who died rose 19, not 8 as we initially reported during a recent snap of brutally cold weather that lasted more than three weeks, city hall officials have reported.

The region has exited its Code Blue emergency, but the city was still keeping the protocols in place out of an abundance of caution as of this writing. Officials said expanded outreach and increased warming center capacity will continue through the end of the week.

Officials said on February 11 that seven more New Yorkers were confirmed to have died primarily from hypothermia since Jan. 19. Those deaths were at private homes and are not being added to the tally of 19.

Ten to 20 people die from hypothermia in the city during an average year, so 19 deaths in less than a month was considered unusual.

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AVOID CHEMICALS IN OUR CANS. Canned food alert: Consumer Reports found bisphenol A-a chemical linked to reproductive problems, diabetes, and heart disease–in all 19 brandname canned foods it tested, including those labeled BPA free. Because levels vary so widely, even among cans of the same product, there’s no way to predict how much we’re getting.

SEX REVS UP IMMUNE SYSTEM. Researchers from Wilkes University showed that college students who engaged in sex once or twice a week had 30 percent higher levels of infection-fighting antibodies than did their abstinent classmates.

REENERGIZE WITH EXERCISE EARLY EVENING. Even though we’re tired, forcing ourselves to do aerobic exercise will energize us for a couple of hours and make it easier to fall asleep at night. Our body temperature naturally falls at night, shortly before bedtime, so the natural dip in temperature that happens about 2 hours after a workout can help us get to bed at a decent hour and wake up refreshed the next morning.

HOW SEX CAN DO A BODY GOOD. It protects prostate. Catholic priests have an elevated chance of dying of prostate cancer, and studies point to celibacy as a factor. In 2003, research on middle-aged Australian men found that those who averaged at least four ejaculations a week had a one-third lower chance of developing prostate cancer than those who had fewer, says Dr. Regina Nuzzo.

LET’S TIME OUR NAP AFTER LUNCH. Research shows that naps, especially “power naps” of 20 to 30 minutes, help ward off fatigue. To maximize the benefits, let’s try taking a siesta after lunch, when our energy levels are particularly low. Let us limit rest to less than 30 minutes or stretch it out to 60 to 90 minutes to avoid grogginess that results from waking up in the middle of deep sleep. (Source: Prevention)

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)