Would You Like to Be the POTUS?

Have you ever wondered how it feels like to be the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth? We’ll I did wonder since VHS tape was introduced. (Connection: Hollywood movies depicting US as the most powerful nation.) I think of how powerful my orders would be, how indispensable I would be, etc. The power… it’s killing me.

Anyway, last night, Obama took his oath as the 44th President of the United States (POTUS) of America. And if you have watched it, I’m sure you’ve noticed how nervous he is while taking his oath and while delivering his inaugural address. Who wouldn’t be?

1. Famine is still widely felt in many countries in the African region. And people there are hoping President Obama will be able to finish this problem as soon as he steps into office.
2. The war in the Holy Land is somehow expected to be pacified by, again, President Obama. (Isn’t it ironic? While some countries in the world are peacefully and economically OK, there is war going on in the Holy Land?)
3. Communist countries are waiting for his policies, probably hoping something grand would take place now that the US President is a leftist (hehehe).
4. Wall Street people and the rest of the global financial industry/sector are just waiting for Obama to clear the mess they (we) are in right now.
5. [Continue listing all problems here, and I bet you, somehow, people are expecting Obama to save the day for them. Yeah, the Philippines is a forerunner here.]

Now, can you imagine the responsibility assigned to Obama? I mean, it is almost the whole world being put under his wings. It’s just but batural that he is a bit nervous last night. Nyahaha! But I hope he succeeds.

ON HIS SPEECH: I like this part, a reality check but with enough confidence that we can make it:

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

I copied the complete inaugural address/speech here. (And for quick reference, here’s a Youtube link.) Maybe it’s OK to amend JFK’s famous quote:

Ask not what Obama can do for you; ask what you can do for Obama.

Hehehe. Goodluck, President Obama.

   Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States of America

Philippines to Go Nuclear

It is only a matter of time before the Philippines experience power/energy shortage. I mean, as far as I know, our main sources of energy are fossil (imports, local such as Galoc, Malampaya, etc), hydroelectric, wind, and probably a little of solar. Fossil fuels still account for the primary source of energy. But with what is happening now (Russia withholding supply, OPEC regulating distribution also), we should be focusing on looking for a new source.

The proposal to revive the Bataan nuclear power plant can never be so timely than right now.

“We have a nuclear power plant that’s already fully paid for that has never generated a single watt of power,” said Congressman Mark Cojuango, who has drafted a bill to recommission the plant. “And I don’t think it would be a big problem to evaluate whether this plant is viable and, if it is, why not run it straight away? I really believe that Bataan does not need that much rehabilitation. “The outside of the Westinghouse-designed plant is badly worn, with rusted ladders, crumbling masonry and jammed doors.Inside, the control room looks like the set of a 1970s James Bond film — there’s not a computer in sight and everything is analogue.But the massive turbine and the surprisingly small reactor look pristine to the naked eye.(See complete story here.)

   This is not Bataan Nuclear Power Plant..

The potential benefit of going nuclear is massive! It doesn’t take a physicist to understand how much energy can be derived from nuclear power. (Or if you have no idea at all, maybe you have watched Back to the Future II where the Doc used a banana peel and left-over beer to power the DeLorean through nuclear fusion? Awesome, yeah?)

There are risks, of course; there will always be risk. But what kind of new venture doesn’t have any? Chernobyl is on one end of the normal curve with the European Union, USA, France, Japan, Russia, and a few other developed economies on the middle to the other end of the curve (check this list).

We should start looking way beyond presidential terms and short-term public criticisms. The long-term picture is this: We will be lacking power/energy source soon if we can’t find an alternative source. (And we know this alternative source is not wind energy nor solar energy.)

Not-so- off-topic thoughts:

• If there were only a way to convert graft and corruption to energy, the Philippines would have been energy self-sufficient long time ago.
• Imagine being a nuclear country: The Philippines can now be considered a threat to global peace and stability! Awesomtastic!!! (Why not? Would you rather be known as a threat to utensils on international flights/airplanes; perfume, soaps, and toiletries from hotels; and/or resident of the text capital of the world? Hehehe.)

I Survived 2008

And I know all of you did, too. In my previous post, I narrated how we were like a few years back. (Really feel so old using these terms.) But if I have to consider 2008 alone, just last year, I’d say I travelled a really, really bumpy road. But it has become a preparation for a smoother ride ahead. And again, I think 2009 will be a better year than 2008, but not as much as 2010. (Hahaha, kanta yata yun ah?!)

Well, I have nothing to post for now. Just wanted to welcome 2009 with a positive post.

Happy New Year! 

Red Fox Laptop for my Sister