Saturday, January 25, 2020
The Massacre Of Maguindanao Media Essay
The Massacre Of Maguindanao Media Essay November 23, 2009 since a horrible massacre happened in Maguindanao on one of the islands of the Philippines Mindanao . A number of civilians were killed which shook the whole country and among those civilians excluding motorists, drivers, politicians, lawyers, women, 34 journalists were named. This fact shocked the press, the government, and the ordinary citizens as well. But why did this senseless massacre happen in a country like the Philippines where freedom and democracy are being took care of?            Nearly few months have passed since this most horrible killing of civilians marked the history of the Philippines , and because of this, it leads us to many realizations. Politicians were killed thus morality was killed. Women were killed thus their rights were killed. Lawyers were killed so justice was also killed. And journalists were killed therefore freedom was also killed. And the latter realization inspired this paper the freedom of the press. And since the Maguindanao massacre became one of the most talked about issue until now because of its massive killing of journalists, thus killing of freedom, it leads us to be more aware of the work and responsibilities of the press, the laws which made to protect the rights of the press, but eventually made us notice that there are some laws which restrict the said freedom. In this case, since the press must have its independence, there should be no restrictions t o such an institution because its independence will be repressed. Furthermore, a country could be considered non-democratic nation for democracy doesnt prevail on that community.            Then, the researcher chose this study to come up with an answer to the personal question: Why is there such freedom of the press if freedom here does not have the same meaning if read from our constitution from how the ordinary people understand it? Hence, this paper will cover only about press freedom here in the Philippines . If it is so, the paper will not tackle any issue that would probably come out while the paper is being discussed. Moreover, the objectives of the paper are firstly, to present situations where freedom of the press was repressed, secondly, to state how freedom of the press go along with democracy, and thirdly, the paper would want the researcher to be more aware of what is happening around him/her.            Now, for the researcher to start discussing what this paper is all about, a question will be first asked. That question would be: What is freedom of the press? Definition of Freedom of the Press            Freedom means independence and independence means boundless, therefore, press freedom means press independence, meaning there should be no limits to whatever the action of a member of the press would be. But as part of the social equality authorization, the right of the people, and not of the press, is what the term freedom of the press really means. It can be stressed, moreover, as the right of the press is the right of the people to be informed and to be heard (Reyes, 1992). Press freedom is not a sectoral right, a right to be asserted and enjoyed only by members of the media sectorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Freedom of the press is a basic right of the people, that is, of the entire body politic and every ordinary citizen (Reyes, 1992).            Here, we come up with two different denotations for the term freedom of the press, but since the press plays the role of being the voice of the Filipinos here in the Philippines as well as serving as an instrument to inform the public, then the press, particularly the journalists, could represent the entire Filipino community. Because of this, the next pages will focus mainly on the first meaning the researcher has presented wherein the press is the term used to represent the journalists and other media sector not the people in general. Then we substitute the word 3 journalist to press thus making the term freedom of the press as the right of the journalists to freely express what they want to express. Moreover, freedom of the press is not merely freedom for the press, and to have social equality isnt competence. It is indeed the freedom of every individual, and its the hard and risky method but it has a reward in the end (Coronel, 1991). In connection to this, our constitution provides: No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech and of the press (Section 4, Article III). This means that no one could prevent any media sector from writing what he/she wants to write as well as from speaking what the person wants to say. Nor even the government has no right to prevent any member of the press from doing so. And since the press has its full access on newspapers, radios, and televisions, the information could be spread to the people easily and freely. But how did it become a right? Freedom of the Press as a Right            The researcher defines freedom here as the right of journalists. This is because everyone has his/her own rights and since the press includes journalists and journalists are human, then, journalists should have their own freedom too. Press freedom should not be excluded as a right of an individual for it is one of his/her rights when he/she was born. It is a right that if oppressed violates human right (Reyes, 1992). But in a deeper meaning, freedom of the press not only stands for the right of every journalists but also for the right of every people to be informed, because media exists to serve the people. 4            Journalists work could be seen on newspapers as well as could be heard from radios and televisions. But they do not only present the truth to the public with supporting evidences but also give their own opinions towards it. And an idea can never be misleading nevertheless, its destructive power we still hang on for its amendments because of the opposition of other existing ideas (Zelezny, 1993). That is why, debates and other discussions were lead by journalists and other media sectors because, otherwise, if the ideas of oneself is not being told to anyone, freedom is unreal or fictitious (Reyes, 1992).            Consequently, freedom of idea is the persons right to search for truth that the surrounding is hiding from his/her. It is our right to communicate to others what we have in mind freely. Moreover, it is also our right that allows us to do actions freely regarding our thoughts (Reyes, 1992). Likewise, freedom of the press is the freedom of truthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Pinon, 1960). And if truth firms and is unbreakable, it is free to say ones side (Reyes, 1992). This is mainly the function of mass media to reveal the misconducts in its country, freedom of truth to its sovereign. Media in the Philippines            Media plays a very risky role in the society for it reveals the truth which people are refusing to admit even with irresistible proofs (Braid, 2005). And journalists have chosen a more risky career because their work needs to, and they could do their job through critiquing and even criticizing an issue. Particularly, they are not only supplying the truth because he/she also gives his/her own opinion and view on a particular issue (Coronel, 1991). And so, under the freedom of the press, people has the right to criticize on things which matters them (Pinon, 1960). 5 But most people misunderstood this. Comments from an individual do not mean insulting someone or something. Still, it is inevitable for an individual to have his/her own assessment towards it. It is public opinion, since the individual is the basic unit of any government, which is the uniform foundation of freedom and social equality (Bookwatch Legal Editors, 2006). Furthermore, freedom of the press is the uncontrolled freedom wherein a person can freely express his thoughts (Pinon, 1960).            On the other hand, it is also the responsibility of the journalists to make the younger generation involve themselves to issues which also affect them. Media contributes in giving information to the people and it also educates them to the real work of justice. Media men shows to the public that justice should not be passed within laws but must also showed to the people that justice really prevails in their society (Braid, 2005). This is why there are shows like Y-Speak where students voices are given the time to be heard. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the mass media have an essential part to play in the education of young peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦in making known the views and aspirations of the younger generation (Holopainen,1987). Like it had been said, the youth is the hope our hope, hence, whatever the opinions of the youth are, it will contribute a big part on the decision-making of that certain issue. Everyone has the right to freed om of opinion and expression; the right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart in information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Reyes, 1992).            But even though it is really the right thing to have media as a tool to spread information to the reading and listening public, few Filipinos knew that there are laws which restrict some of the possible actions of the journalists when doing his/her work. Those few people are only those 6 who have knowledge on laws, then how about the ordinary people who, in reality, do not have any knowledge about such laws because they only gain knowledge from what the television brings to them? If the majority of the sovereign do not have any way to learn information other than through tv, then, in the case, is the truth being concealed from us? And from our experience to Maguindanao massacre, press freedom and rights are oppressed in the most monstrous way killing, yet killing is not the only way to oppress the press freedom because there are laws which restrain that freedom in some situations. If so, why is it still stated on the constitution that no laws should shorten the press to the right of free speech? Limitations of the Press            In a society, to see the misconception on a functioning country and to see the lies existing on it, the step to make is to express what is in the mind. Repression to freedom is only acceptable in spare times (Salvilla, Penasales, Sornito, 1991). For example, if the people are to be informed about the corruption of an official, the journalist shall gather first data to support his/her idea. But highlighting a corrupt official isnt that easy so the journalist shall have a great strategy like spying, eavesdropping, and even making his/her way to a private place. These are normally what a journalist will do, but he/she isnt aware that he/she is stepping into some offenses such as theft, robbery and trespass. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Free speech is everyones right and freedom of the press is exercised in protecting every citizens right to know what his government is doingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Reyes, 1992)            Another is all of us are paying our ITRs (Income Tax Returns) and because of this, everyone should know information on what the Bureau of Internal Revenue is collecting from us. And, therefore, if a journalist will try to gather information about these ITRs for the public to be 7 informed, he/she will again stepping to the law, which is on some aspect, a sort of national security. But freedom of the press means that people has the right to know what is happening around them and its country, and to speak up what they want to tell the government. It is also the right of the people to have an entry to information. Moreover, journalists and media men exist just to serve the rights of the people (Reyes, 1992). Consequently, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦based on the peoples right to know what is happening in their government because the people are the sovereignà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Salvilla, Penasales, Sornito, 1991). In other way round, there are cases were the government puts tax on some published works. But it is invalid in the case of putting tax on published works because, if do so, it will restrict such periodical to have its freedom to disseminate information to the public (Salvilla, Penasales, Sornito, 1991). In this case, journalists have the righ ts to comment freely on an issue, but have no right to do so for he/she must follow laws concerning his/her action (Coronel, 1991).            Also, we all know that journalists chose words with more striking impact to the readers that they would be more interested on the works the journalists have produce. And works of media overstate what the real story behind. It is their work to put great intensity on anything they produce and the impact of that intensity to the people is the basis of their success in their profession (Braid, 2005). Moreover, press is an excellent source for the search of truth. Its impact to the people is merely for them to feel anger and thus, it is more likely to stay for many days, than the feeling of having good news for that day. Its good works are quite forgotten but its scandalous works long for many days in the memory of the readers (Gerald, 1948). But there are cases wherein journalists were accused because he/she uses words like coward, savage, etc., and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and writing and publishing an article containing the wor ds coward, vile soul, dirty-            8 sucker, savage, hog who always looks toward the ground is libel per seà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦( Coronel, 1991). And libel à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦is a public and malicious imputation of a crime vice or defect a real or imaginary, act or omission, condition or status tending to cause dishonor, discredit of a person and even to blacken the memory of a dead personà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Salvilla, Penasales, Sornito, 1991). Media do, in connection with their profession, brings out works by chance without meanness, but unacceptably though. In this case, media should be quite careful in doing their right to publish (Coronel, 1991). There is also this Right to Reply Bill which was proposed by Senators Pimentel, Revilla Jr., and Escudero in year 2008. According to this bill, all persons natural or juridical who are accused directly or indirectly of committing or having committed or of intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to the charges published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or to criticisms aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites, or through any electronic device. This means that the person being attacked by the works of a journalist has the right to reply on that work of the journalist. That person could say that the journalist do not have the credibility of writing that issue to him/her. Moreover, he/she could not only go against the journalist but also to the newspaper who published it. But à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦speech shall be free even though that law be written into the Constitutionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Coronel, 1991).            To sum it up, laws are made to limit the press to protect other rights in some situations. Libel laws are designed to protect the name and character of a person; national security laws, to 9 protect the very existence of the State; obscenity laws, to protect the morals of society; and contempt to efficient functioning of the judiciary and the legislatureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Salvilla, Penasales, Sornito, 1991). These laws are really needed to have a healthy country and the researcher is aware of the benefits that these laws could bring. But the researcher is concerned mainly on the term freedom of the press thus having laws which restrict the journalists is the researchers primary problem because à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦to dare abridge these indivisible freedoms, and in effect negate them, assaults human dignityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Reyes, 1992). And à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a more liberal atmosphere has made the media even more powerful in fosteringà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦bringing public opinion to bear on politicians who once wheeled and dealed with impunityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Eng, 1997). Freedom of the Press to a Democratic Nation            If freedom of the press will not be restrained as well as the freedom of the people, then democracy prevails on that country for [f]ree speech is indispensable to free governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Coronel, 1991). When a nation is controlled and its rights and those of the people, then democracy dies. After this instance, the right of the media men and of the people to speak out their opinions and thoughts are also been oppressed (Reyes, 1992). Having limitations provided by law concerning public officials could be said as anti-democratic. Those limitations are cannot be opened to the public. But in the sense of wanting to have a better nation, open and free discussions between individuals, and access to the government, are ways to know the underlying truths of a nation (Salvilla, Penasales, Sornito, 1991). Moreover, in the search of truth, an unrestricted and unlimited conversation is needed for the ideas that made up a good conversation which came from the people whose concern matter (McCormick and MacInnes, 1962). And in a democratic country, it is better to have means of communication between the 10 functioning government and its society. Choosing to have a newspaper than to have a government is what democracy really means, for newspaper is something where free discussion of thoughts could be seen (Salvilla, Penasales, Sornito, 1991).            Going back into the problem in the first place, the government is the one who made and accepted this laws which limit the press freedom, and the government must be doing this things just for their own sake. In addition to this reality, people accept these restrictions as necessary for their own benefits (Reyes, 1992). And this isnt new for all of us because of its transparency on our own government. And since the superior power is being held by the government, there are cases where it [government] uses its power to take actions opposed to individuals who freely gave their opinions without the government being analytical if their actions are under the international law (Reyes, 1992).            Still, violence against newspeople remained significantly oppressiveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦there were more newspeople killed in the Philippines than in any other nationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Case, 1991). But this problem could be resolved. We may preserve freedom of speech by making no laws which restrict it. If repressive laws are passed they may be carefully circumscribedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Coronel, 1991). Moreover, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦free speech and press not as a separate entity deserving nurturing, but as part of a larger processà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦free speech and press as contributing to good governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Chamberlin and Brown, 1982). Conclusion            Press freedom doesnt mean that it is the freedom of the media establishments or other media members. And to defend for it is not only defending the freedom of this media men, but also defending the freedom of the people because all freedoms are being took care of the people 11 Yuyitung, 2000). But media people do not have the assurance that they will have their freedom every time, because the government is making laws that, for the eyes of ordinary people, are a good law to be implemented but if observed with critical eyes, is indeed a way to interfere with the freedom of the press itself (Malaya, B9+B15). And if à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the public restrict journalists freedom, the public restricts its own freedomà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦( Reyes, 1992). Moreover, having freedom of speech and of the press in the Philippines means the people can freely express their thoughts and ideas. Consequently, it is true that those laws stated in the body of this paper are implemented to not violate other human rights. But, even if these limitations were good, to have those to restrain such freedom isnt freedom at all for freedom means no restrictions, no bound. Yes! There is really freedom of the press existing here in the Philippines because the press still has their freedom to write, speak, and publish what is the truth. But still, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦concepts as a less-free press or a freer pressà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Reyes, 1992) do not exist. It is because the term freedom of the press has no comparative form for it is if and only if process to acknowledge this right of free publication and also of free expression (Reyes, 1992). Then, even though the press can still express what they want to express, but on the other hand still has limitations, then we could be on one side only. Therefore, because of those limitations we have discussed before, freedom of the press do not exist.
Friday, January 17, 2020
Night World : The Chosen Chapter 10
Or not to meet them so much as graze past them, before concentrating on his chin. She didn't dare stare directly into them for long. â€Å"Maybe she is from another planet,†Quinn was saying to the girl. â€Å"Maybe she's not human. Maybe I'm not, either.†That's right, Rashel thought. Make fun of them by telling them a truth they won't believe. But, she noticed, Quinn looked more as if he didn't care what they found out than as if he were mocking them. â€Å"Maybe she's from another world. Did you ever think of that?†Rashel was confused again. Quinn seemed to be trying to get himself killed. He appeared to be verging on telling these girls about the Night World, and under the laws of the Night World, that was punishable by death. You're really slipping, Rashel thought. First the slave trade, now this. I thought you were supposed to be such a stickler for the law. â€Å"There are darker dimensions,†Quinn was confiding to the group, â€Å"than you have ever imagined. But, you see, it's all part of life's grand design, so it's all right. Did you know†-he put his arm around a girl's shoulders, gesturing outward as if inviting her to look at some horizon-â€Å"that there's a certain kind of wasp that lays its eggs in the body of a caterpillar? A live caterpillar. And it stays alive, you see, while the eggs hatch and the little waspettes eat it from the inside out. Now, who do you think invented that?†Rashel wondered if vampires could get drunk. â€Å"That would probably be the most horrible way to die,†Daphne chimed in, her musical voice ghoulish. â€Å"Being eaten by insects. Or maybe being burned.†â€Å"It would probably depend on how fast you burned,†Quinn said meditatively. â€Å"A flash of fire-high enough temperature-you bum the nerves out in the first few seconds. Slow baking would be different.†â€Å"I'm writing a poem about fire,†Rashel said. She was surprised to find that she was annoyed because Quinn didn't really seem to have noticed her. On second thought, she should be annoyed; her plan depended on him not only noticing but choosing her. She was going to have to capture his attention. â€Å"Do you have it with you?†Daphne was asking helpfully. â€Å"No, but I can tell you the beginning,†Rashel said. She braced herself to look at Quinn as she recited: â€Å"There's warmth in ice; there's cooling peace in fire, And midnight light to show us all the way. The dancing flame becomes a funeral pyre; The Dark was more enticing than the Day.†Quinn blinked. Then he smiled, and he looked Rashel over, dearly taking notice of the velvet jumpsuit and ending with her face. He looked everywhere†¦ except into her eyes. â€Å"That's right; you've got it,†he said with that same brittle exhilaration. â€Å"And there's plenty of dark out there for everyone.†Rashel's worry that he might look too deep if he met her gaze was groundless. Quinn didn't seem to be really seeing anybody here. â€Å"There is plenty of darkness,†Rashel said. She moved toward him, feeling strangely brave. Her instincts sensed a weakness in him, a flaw. â€Å"It's everywhere. It's inescapable. So the only thing we can do is embrace it.†She was standing right in front of him now, looking at his mouth. â€Å"If we hold it dose, it won't hurt so much.†â€Å"Well. Exactly.†Quinn showed his teeth, but it wasn't the manic smile. It was a grimace. He didn't look happy anymore; suddenly, for just an instant, he looked tired and sick. He was almost leaning away from Rashel. â€Å"I came here so I could do that,†Rashel said in a sultry voice. She was scaring herself a little. In the name of the charade, she was doing everything she could to seduce him-but it was surprisingly easy and surprisingly enjoyable. There was a sort of tingling all over her body, as if the jumpsuit had picked up a charge. â€Å"I came to look for the darkness,†she said. Softly. Quinn laughed abruptly. The feverish good humor came flooding back. â€Å"And you found it,†he said. He went on laughing and laughing, and he reached out to touch Rashel's cheek. Don't let him touch you! The thought flashed through Rashel's mind and communicated to her muscles in an instant. Without knowing how she knew, she was certain that if he touched her, it would all be over. It was skin-to-skin contact that had nearly fried every circuit in her brain before. She danced back from his fingertips and smiled teasingly, while her heart tried to pound its way out of her chest. â€Å"This place is so crowded,†she said throatily. â€Å"Huh? Oh. Then why don't we schedule something more private? I could pick you up tomorrow night. Say seven o'clock in the parking lot.†Bingo. â€Å"But Quinn.†It was Daphne, looking aggrieved. â€Å"You told me to meet you tomorrow.†She trembled her chin. Quinn stared at her, and for once, Rashel could read his face easily. He was thinking that anybody that stupid deserved it. â€Å"Well, you can both come,†he said expansively. â€Å"Why not? The more the merrier.†He walked away laughing and laughing. Rashel watched him go, resisting an impulse to shake her head. She'd done it; she'd passed the last test and been chosen. So why was her heart still pounding? She glanced out of the side of her eye at Daphne. â€Å"Well, I don't know about anybody else, but I've had enough excitement for tonight.†She went to get her coat, with the rest of Quinn's coterie glaring jealously after her. She had one enjoyable experience on the way out. Ivan, still slouching, tried to stop her at the door. â€Å"Shelly, hey. I thought we were going to get to know each other better.†Rashel didn't need him anymore; she had her invitation. â€Å"I'd rather get to know a head louse,†she said in her sweet chatty voice, and she stepped on his foot hard with her high heel. In the car, she waited a full twenty minutes, watching the front of the club, before Daphne joined her. â€Å"Sorry, but I didn't want anybody to think we were leaving together.†â€Å"You did a great job,†Rashel said, driving away. â€Å"You even managed to get both of us invited to meet Quinn together-that was dangerous, but it worked. The only thing that surprised me is that he invited us in front of everybody. Is that how he did it before?†â€Å"No. Not at all. Last time, he sort of whispered it to me when nobody was around. But, you know, nothing was normal tonight. I mean, he usually asks new girls questions-I guess to figure out if they have families who'll miss them. And he isn't usually that-that†¦Ã¢â‚¬ â€Å"Manic?†â€Å"Yeah. I wonder what's going on with him?†Rashel pressed her lips together and stared straight ahead through the windshield. â€Å"You sure you want to go through with this?†It was Sunday night and they were nearing the parking lot of the Crypt. â€Å"I've told you and told you,†Daphne said. â€Å"I'm ready. I can do it.†â€Å"Okay. But, listen, if there's any trouble, I want you to run. Run away from the club and don't look back for me. All right?†Daphne nodded. At Rashel's suggestion, she was wearing something more sensible tonight: black pants heavy enough to provide some warmth, a dark sweater, and shoes she could run in. Rashel was dressed the same way, except that she was wearing high boots. The knife was in one. â€Å"You go first,†Rashel said, parking a street away from the club. â€Å"I'll come in a minute.†She watched Daphne walk away, hoping she wasn't going to get this little blond bunny killed. She herself was the danger. Quinn was going to use mind control on them to get them to go to the warehouse quietly. And Rashel wasn't sure what would happen when he did it. Just don't let him touch you, she told herself. You can carry it off as long as he doesn't touch you. Five minutes later, she started toward the Crypt. Quinn was in the dark parking lot, standing by a silvery-gray Lexus. As Rashel reached the car, she saw the pale blob of Daphne's face through the window. â€Å"I almost thought you weren't coming.†There was now a sort of savagery mixed in with Quinn's lunatic good humor. As if he was angry she wasn't smart enough to save herself. â€Å"Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world.†Rashel kept her eyes on the car. She wanted to get this over with. â€Å"Are we going somewhere?†There was that tiny hesitation that seemed to come every time she spoke to him, as if it were taking him a minute to focus. Or as if he were trying to figure something out, she thought nervously. Then he answered smoothly, â€Å"Oh, right, get in.†Rashel got in. She glanced once at Daphne in the back seat. Daphne said, â€Å"What's up?†in a chirpy voice laced with feminine rivalry. Good girl. Quinn was getting in the driver's side. Once the door was shut, he turned the engine on to run the heater. The windows immediately began to fog. Rashel sat in a state of continuing mind, ready for the unexpected at any moment. Only the unexpected didn't come. Nothing came. Quinn was just sitting there in the driver's seat. Watching her. With a sudden void in her stomach that threatened her zanshin, Rashel realized that it was too dark. Too familiar. They were sitting here together in silence, so close, visible to each other only in silhouette, just as they had in the cellar. She could almost feel Quinn's confusion as he tried to figure out what was bothering him. And Rashel was afraid to say anything, afraid that her chirpiest voice wouldn't be a good-enough disguise. The horrible feeling of connection was mounting, like some giant green wave looming over them both. In a moment it would break, and Quinn would say, â€Å"I know you,†and switch on the light to see the face without the veil. Rashel's fingers edged toward her knife. Then, through the electric buzzing in her ears, she heard Daphne say, â€Å"You know, I just love this car. I bet it goes really fast, too. This is all so exciting-I'm just so glad I got here this time. Not like last week.†She went on, blathering easily, while Rashel sank back lightheaded with relief. The connection was broken; Quinn was now looking at his instrument panel as if trying to escape the chatter. And now Daphne was talking about how exciting it was to ride in the dark. Smart, smart girl. Quinn had to interrupt her to say, â€Å"So, you two girls want to surrender to the darkness?†He said it as if he were asking if they wanted to order pizza. â€Å"Yes,†Rashel said. â€Å"Oh, yes,†Daphne said. â€Å"It's just like we always say. I think that would be just the most seriously cool-â€Å" Quinn made a gesture at her as if to say, â€Å"For God's sake, shut up.†Not a rough gesture. It was more like an exasperated choir director trying to get through to some soprano who wouldn't stop at the end of the measure. Stop here. And Daphne shut up.' Like that. As if he'd turned off a switch in her. Rashel twisted slightly to look at the backseat and saw that Daphne had slumped to one side, body limp, her breathing peaceful. Oh, God, Rashel thought. She was used to the kind of mind control other vampires had tried on her. The persuasive, whispery-voice-in-the-head type. And when Quinn hadn't tried to use that, or to call for help in the cellar, she'd assumed he was low on telepathy. Now she knew the truth. He packed a telepathic punch like a pile driver. No, like a karate blow: swift, precise, and deadly. He turned to look at her, a dark shape against a lighter darkness. Rashel tried to brace herself. â€Å"And the rest is silence,†Quinn said, and gestured at her. Rashel fell into a void. She woke up as she was being carried into the warehouse. She had enough presence of mind not to open her eyes or make any other sign that she was conscious. It was Quinn carrying her; she could tell even with her eyes shut. When he dumped her on a mattress, she deliberately fell so that her head was turned away from him and her hair was over her face. She had a moment's fear that he was going to discover the knife in her boot when he shackled her ankles. But he didn't even roll up her pant leg. He seemed to be doing everything as quickly as possible, without really paying attention. Rashel heard the shackle snap shut. She kept perfectly still. She lay and listened as he brought Daphne in and chained her. Then she heard voices close by and the sound of other footsteps. â€Å"Put that one down here-what happened to her purse?†That was Lily. â€Å"It's still in the car.†Ivan. â€Å"Okay, bring it in with the other one. I'll do her feet.†Thump of a body hitting a mattress. Footsteps going away. The metallic clink of chains. Then a sigh from Lily. Rashel could imagine her straightening up and looking around in satisfaction. â€Å"Well, that's it. Ivan's got number twenty-four in the car. I guess we're going to have one very happy client.†â€Å"Joy,†Quinn said flatly. Twenty-four? One client? â€Å"I'll leave a message that everything's going to be ready for the big day.†â€Å"Do that.†â€Å"You're awfully moody, you know. It's not just me who's noticed it.†A pause, and Rashel imagined Quinn giving one of his black looks. â€Å"I was just thinking it was ironic. I turned down a job as a slave trader once. That was before. Do you remember before, Lily? When we lived in Charlestown and your sister Dove was still alive. A captain from Marblehead asked if I wanted to ship out to Guinea for some human cargo. Black gold, I think he called it. As I remember, I hit him on the nose. And Fight-the-Good-fight-for-Faith Johnson reported me for brawling.†â€Å"Quinn, what's wrong with you?†â€Å"Just reminiscing about the old days in the sunlight. Of course, you wouldn't know about that, would you? You're lamia; you were born this way. Technically, I suppose, you were born dead.†â€Å"And technically, I suppose, you're going peculiar. My father always said it would happen.†â€Å"Yes, and I wonder what your father would think about all this? His daughter selling humans for money. And to such a client, and for such a reason-â€Å" At that moment, while Rashel was listening desperately, hanging on every word, heavy footsteps interrupted. Ivan had returned. Quinn broke off, and he and Lily remained silent as another body thumped on a bed. Rashel cursed mentally. What client? What reason? She'd supposed the girls were being sold as regular house slaves or food supplies. But clearly that wasn't the case. And then something happened that drove thoughts of the future right out of her mind. She heard footsteps next to her bed, and she was aware of someone leaning close. Not Quinn, the smell was wrong. Ivan. A rough hand grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. Another arm slid under her waist, lifting her up. Panic shot through Rashel, and she tried to push it away. She forced herself to stay limp, eyes shut, arms dangling passively. I ought to have been prepared for this. She'd realized from the beginning that playing her part might include allowing herself to get bitten. To feel vampire teeth on her throat, to allow them to spill her blood. But it bad never happened to her before, and it took every ounce of her will to keep from fighting. She was scared. Her arched throat felt exposed and vulnerable, and she could feel a pulse beating in it wildly. â€Å"What are you doing?†Quinn's voice was sharp as the crack of glacier ice. Rashel felt Ivan go still. â€Å"I've got something to settle with this girl. She's a smartass.†â€Å"Take your hands off her. Before I knock you through the wall.†â€Å"Quinn-†Lily said. Quinn's voice was painfully distinct. â€Å"Drop her. Now.†Ivan dropped Rashel. â€Å"He's right,†Lily said coolly. â€Å"They're not for you, Ivan, and they have to be in perfect shape.†Ivan muttered something sullen and Rashel heard footsteps moving away. She lay and listened to her heart slowly calming. â€Å"I'm going to get some sleep,†Quinn said, sounding flat and dull. â€Å"See you Tuesday,†lily said. Tuesday, Rashel thought. Great. It's going to be a very long two days. They were the most boring two days of her life. She got to know every corner of the small glass-windowed office. The windows were a problem, since she was never absolutely sure if Lily or Ivan were outside one of them, standing in the warehouse proper and looking through. She listened carefully for the warehouse doors, froze instantly at any suspicious sound, and trusted to luck. Daphne woke up Monday morning. Rashel had her neck twisted sideways and was staring through the office glass up at the one tiny window set high in the warehouse wall. Just as it turned gray with dawn, Daphne sat up and screamed. â€Å"Sh! It's all right! You're here in the warehouse with me.†â€Å"Rashel?†â€Å"Yeah. We made it. And I'm glad you're awake.†â€Å"Are we alone?†â€Å"More or less,†Rashel said. â€Å"There are two other girls, but they're both hypnotized. You'll see when it gets lighter.†Daphne let out her breath. â€Å"Wow†¦ we did it. That's great. So how come I'm so completely and utterly terrified?†â€Å"Because you're a smart girl,†Rashel said grimly. â€Å"Just wait until Tuesday when they take us out.†â€Å"Take us out where?†â€Å"That's the question.â€
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Same Sex Marriage in the Philippines - 1931 Words
AMA COMPUTER LEARNING COLLEGE SCHOOL Sayre Highway, Valencia City Bukidnon SAME SEX MARRIAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES: A CALL FOR ARGUMENT A TERM PAPER SUBMTTED TO EXILE, SOPHIA GOLDA, IN FULLFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2 BY: GLYDELLE O. LO CHERRY JOY A. MEJOS CLIFF EVANDER FORCADO March, 2013 Abstract Since 2001 it has been possible in the Netherlands for two men or two women to marry. There are certain differences, however, between same-sex marriage and marriage between a man and a woman. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to create the possibility for two men or two women to marry. Since then, over 15,000 gay couples have married. Today, same-sex marriage is possible†¦show more content†¦Prime Minister Cameron of the UK declared that his support of same-sex marriage is not despite his being a conservative, but because he is a conservative. Cameron makes an important point. Same-sex marriage is in reality a conservative demand. In an era when many people have divorces, and others decide to forego getting married in the first place; gays want to get married – and commit themselves to abide by societal conventions in the process. While same-sex marriage is not yet an immediate concern for the Philippines, it raises points which are already relevant. Among these would be the question of what to do with gays who do form lasting relationships. Even from a purely legal point of view, it would be a lot more convenient if gay couples could get into something like a ‘registered partnership’ if only for matters like inheritance, medical decisions etc. At the same time, there should be some changes in the legal status of some heterosexual relationships. Under the principle that â€Å"consenting adults who love each other should be allowed to marry†, the country would need to pass a Divorce Law. And, together with this, there would need to be a law that allows unmarried couples who live together to formalize their relationship. The issue of same-sex marriage also affects the public discourse about gays. Previously, gay rights meant that it is wrong to beat up gays, or to refuse to hire them. Gay rights includes their right to lead a ‘normal’ life, including marriage. TheShow MoreRelatedSame Sex Marriage in the Philippines2330 Words  | 10 PagesPRO Gay Marriage Same-sex couples should be allowed to publicly celebrate their commitment in the same way as heterosexual couples. [40] The Human Rights Campaign Foundation states that many same-sex couples want the right to legally marry [and] honor their relationship in the greatest way our society has to offer... Same-sex couples should have access to the same benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples. Many benefits are only available to married couples, such as hospital visitationRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Affirmative Side1556 Words  | 7 PagesThat Same Sex Marriage Should be Legalized in the Philippines (Positive) Premises 1.) To exercise freedom of choice. 2.) To control population. 3.) To have an opportunity to adopt children from orphanage. 4.) To practice human rights. 5.) To prevent HIV disease. INTRODUCTION Same sex marriage is known as a marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or gender . It is one of the most controversial yet sensitive topics that have been discuss around the world. Politicians are havingRead MoreHow Does Lgbt Culture Fall In Our Society Today And At1143 Words  | 5 Pagesthe Philippines we classify them as tomboy, bakla and etc. Another social issue is about legalizing same sex marriage in the Philippines. Countries like the Netherlands, Colombia, and other countries that legalize same sex marriage. Sure this is from opinions of other countries about legalizing this issue that’s the reason why some countries think that same sex marriage should not be legalize in their country. For example the US had troubles getting all of their states to legalize same sex marriageRead MoreArgumentative Essay About Same Sex Marriage822 Words  | 4 Pagesabout the argument of same sex marriage. The contents are: meaning, brief background and thesis s tatement for the Introduction; for the Body of the discussion is the counter argument; and for the conclusion part: the summary and the restatement of the thesis statement. Same Sex Marriage also known as gay marriage or equal marriage it is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or gender identity. In the 20th and 21st centuries various types of same-sex unions have come toRead MoreLegalization Of Same Sex Marriage Essay963 Words  | 4 PagesShannelle Romuar Alfritz Arevalo Angelika Figueroa Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage I. Introduction Same-sex marriage can also be called gay marriage. This is a marriage between two males or two females, in either a religious setting or in a civil ceremony. Same-sex unions are recorded in the history of a number of cultures but this type of marriage is rare, or doesn’t exist in other cultures .The first law that provided same-sex marriage for the people was in 2001 in the Netherlands. As of July 2015Read Moreno to same-sex marriage!894 Words  | 4 Pageseverything builds up. I Corinthians 10:23 Against Same Sex Marriage - The Six Point Case Each of these six points against same sex marriage will be explained in detail in the following articles. Click on each link for more explanation. Natural marriage is the foundation of a civilized society. Homosexual behavior is inherently destructive. The law is a great teacher, and it encourages or discourages behavior. Government-backed same-sex marriage would encourage and normalize homosexual behaviorRead MoreSame Sex Marriage1152 Words  | 5 PagesBiological Sex-Marriage: â€Å"An Alteration to Humanity†Submitted by: Ellicia Jiona Candelaria Submitted to: Mrs. Joan Bataclan ABSTRACT Biological Sex-Marriage: â€Å"An Alteration to Humanity†This study describes the advantages and also the disadvantages of couples of the same sex being married. It aims to explore how it affects the society and most importantly the church. Same-sex marriage, popularly known as gay marriage, is a socially or legally reorganized wedlock between two persons of similarRead MoreSame-sex Marriage and Foreign Literature2367 Words  | 10 Pageseffects of legalizing same-sex marriage in the Philippines and to support gays and lesbian people in their rights. The study will be supported by some research materials. I. Historical Background Here is the short research about Same Sex Marriage regarding both foreign and local literature. A. Short History 1. Foreign Literature The foreign literature contains the views of other countries in legalizing Same Sex Marriage and benefits. Providing same-sex couples with the same legal and social recognitionRead MoreHawkins, Ronald E. (1991) Strengthening Marital Intimacy, Grand Rapids, Mi: Baker Book House.1698 Words  | 7 Pageselements of what it takes to have a Biblically sound intimate and committed marriage. In Strengthening Marital Intimacy (1991), he has captured the two foundational truths, intimacy and commitment, makes a good marriage into a great marriage. It is not enough to know the Word of God intellectually there must be a real surrendering to the sovereign will of God. To do it will transform a life of commitment to God and to the marriage. The key concepts presented in this book cover marital intimacy, commitmentRead MoreLegalization of Same Sex Marriage9779 Words  | 40 PagesTHE LEGALIZATION OF SAME SEX MARRIAGE AS ASSESED BY CITHM STUDENTS S.Y. 2011-2012 A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the College of International Tourism And Hospitality Management LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Tourism By Ang, Dianne Marie M. Bayot, Donalynne B. October 2011 CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION  In our generation today, homosexuals
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