Explaining in TheExplainer

Monday… arriving late for work, this offline message from my boss greeted me:

Manolo Quezon saw the inflation press release and asks if you can appear on his program this Tuesday evening.

I tried to dismiss it as an April Fool’s joke… until my boss approached me...

“I said yes in your behalf, is that okay?” he said with a sheepish grin.

I gave him a blank stare.

I was more surprised when I learned that the main topic was the rice crisis. The press release was about the possible effects of rising fuel and food prices on Asia’s housing market.

What do I know about rice (except for that stupid comment on rice from my previous blog)…

We tried to contact Mr. Manolo Quezon and warned him that I know nothing about rice… I am seriously trying to back-out (especially after learning that it will be broadcast live at 6pm).

Mr. Quezon called me and discussed the flow of the show. He assured me that I have nothing to worry about.

And there I was… I was the guest on TheExplainer on their April 22, 2008 (Earth Day) episode. A replay will be shown on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 am on ANC.

Stupid Solution to Rice Crisis

There is a rice price crisis... here is a stupid solution...

Vicente Domingo, national chairman of the Kapisanan ng Magsasaka, Mangingisda at Manggagawa ng Pilipinas (KAMMPInc.), recommended a three-phase “speed move” to avert the rice crisis -- to form a new politics, get rid of political dynasties, form a new congress and a new republic.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080415-130565/Problem-is-price-not-supply-says-ex-NFA-exec

And here is a stupid statement regarding the pullout of NFA rice from public markets:
“If they are saying that there is enough supply of rice so why hide it? Besides 90% of Filipinos are already poor so it will be best if the NFA rice remains in the market, if not then [President] Gloria [Macapagal-Arroyo] is playing with fire. If their plan pushes through then she will again face the wrath of the people and she may finally be ousted,” said Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairman Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080415-130565/Problem-is-price-not-supply-says-ex-NFA-exec

I wonder where they get their statistics and logic...
Why are newspapers quoting them?