Licensing those toy guns

It says here that a congressman is planning to slap a license on toy guns. It doesn't say here if the proposal would cover the "luthang" of our barrio kids.

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"Bishop Cruz: Bigger Battle Against Illegal Gambling Next Year" - Headline. Cruz your heart, Bishop? But let's Cruz the bridge when we get there. OK?

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"CBCP to Filipinos: Be Optimistic in '06" - Headline. Reminds me of the Italian saying on optimism: "Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves."

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A fugitive from justice has sent feelers he would like to surrender because there's nothing more to eat in his hideout. Try biting, er, eating the bullet, Parts.

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A columnist says many of our political leaders don't have political will. But they do have political wealth, don't they?

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Got a call from an old friend Leonardo "Leo" Roma Rate (two words) a former Cebu resident and for l5 years now a New Yorker. Leo called to wish me well and to promise to pray for my health even if, he said, he has to do it in Bol-anon, his native tongue.

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Thanks to Leo for the call and the promised prayer. I also wish you, well, Leo. Not only in the Year of the Dog but also in all the years of the other animals. Especially in the Year of the Lion? Kidding aside, I'd like to congratulate Leo and wifey Terry (I was one of their wedding sponsors) on the birth of their second batch of twins. Take care, guys, God bless and Happy New Year!

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The year 2005 saw some friends of mine change address - from this troubled earth to what the Indians call Happy Hunting Ground. God bless them. God bless also those of us who've been allowed by Him to stick around a little longer. Let's make use of this brief earthly clemency by doing what He wants us to be and to do in life what He wants us to do.

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Allow me to close this morning's piece by passing on to you a text message I received from Bobit Avila and Hernan de la Cruz, a newsman in Mindanao: "To those I've wronged I ask forgiveness; to those who helped me, I thank you; to those I've helped, I wish I did more; to all of you I pray for God's grace." A blessed New Year to you all.