Filipino Freethinkers // RH Bill discussion

[Twin-Skies]

BOOYAH!

http://filipinofreethinkers.org/2011/08/...dia-award/

Philippine freethought organization Filipino Freethinkers won in “The One” category at the local T@tt Awards, the first social media-themed tilt of its kind in the country. “The One” is considered “the most influential trendsetter that shaped opinion, moved people, and prompted action,” through the use of social media tools such as websites, Twitter, and Facebook, and is seen as the top spot amongst the 10 available categories. The group was honored with a trophy and a PHP100,000 (USD2,351) cash prize.

The Freethinkers were also finalists in “The Advocate” category, and in the voting polls that comprised 10% of the total score, the group received the most votes in both spots.

The awesome part is that for the other category "The Advocate," we lost to Beth Angsioco, who runs the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), an FF ally.

We gave her a standing ovation when we she won

The lady's been fighting for women's rights for decades - we salute her for her efforts!

[NiX]

Congratulations! What're you gonna do with the cash?

[Sforza]

Slightly OT but relevant: Mr. Yang, if you read this, could the FF come up with a list of the anti-RH Bill congressmen so we know not to vote for them? Thanks.

[NiX]

To be fair, there are non-stupid reasons to be against the RH bill, while not necessarily being against its ideals. Most of its provisions already exist in some shape or form, with the obvious exception of the free contraceptives. Some would argue that the budget for the program (P3 Billion, last I checked) is better used for other more pressing issues. I'm honestly being a fence sitter about this, being unsure whether I'm for or against. Just saying it isn't black and white.

[Sforza]

To be fair, there are non-stupid reasons to be against the RH bill, while not necessarily being against its ideals. Most of its provisions already exist in some shape or form, with the obvious exception of the free contraceptives. Some would argue that the budget for the program (P3 Billion, last I checked) is better used for other more pressing issues. I'm honestly being a fence sitter about this, being unsure whether I'm for or against. Just saying it isn't black and white.

Things get a lot more complicated if we reason from that perspective. We need to look at things from a long run perspective, meaning, will the 3-billion spent now for the RH Bill stipulations end up saving the country a lot of money in the long run (next 10-20 years)? I'd like to believe that yes, it would.

The reasons for this are clear:

- More leeway for the government to distribute funds for extremely important services, such as social welfare and education. It's imperative that Filipino children get better education since we've been shifting to a service-oriented economy from an agriculture based one.

- Less people to serve means more money to spend, and potentially better quality of service. It also means more money for parents to spend on the children they already have

- Passing the RH bill will make the masses better informed about contraception

- In the long run, less need to send skilled professionals overseas because of more opportunities locally since there'd be less competition for available jobs

- Less need to spend on infrastructure to provide for booming population in the future. Our GDP isn't matching the rate of population expansion.

From a quantitative sense, it makes very good investment sense to spend on RH related issues as soon as possible.

[NiX]

Oh, I'm just parroting other people's arguments. I'm more for it than against. Again, was just saying that there are more intelligent arguments from the anti-side than simply "cuz the Church said so."

[Sforza]

Anti RH-Bill blames Pro RH-Bill people for the bad weather
http://storify.com/redtani/anti-rh-think...nt-for-the

God's punishment, they say

[Shintetsu]

MFW I read this here (and all over facebook for that matter)

[Sforza]

MFW I read this here (and all over facebook for that matter)

Your face isn't loading. Does that mean it disappeared?

[Mjting]

Anti RH-Bill blames Pro RH-Bill people for the bad weather
http://storify.com/redtani/anti-rh-think...nt-for-the

God's punishment, they say

What the flying fuck? I know them people think about the craziest of shit, but seriously? tell that to the people who are swimming in floods right now and are, you know, not capable of posting over the internet in such a shitty time.

[Shintetsu]

I'm already considering if I should start an "Overly Biased Catholic Practicioner" meme.

[clonezero]

Anti RH-Bill blames Pro RH-Bill people for the bad weather
http://storify.com/redtani/anti-rh-think...nt-for-the

God's punishment, they say

No matter what I believe, I find this silly and a waste of time.