As someone who was involved in ASEAN politics in my former life, my view of the matter is that the Philippines are gonna continue to play both side and tries it best to appease both world powers. There is no incentive for Philippines to go with either. If they allied with China, the US will sanctions them to literal economic stability. If they allied with the USA, they will suffers from extreme border incursions and risks getting into a conflict that will likely cost Philippines its current economic future and possible freedom.
By no means that I mean the Administration is not doing enough to form a bulwark again China, I just don't see there's a way any administration can offer for these countries to risk angering China in the global playing field.
Just to add on to this, my home country (Vietnam) has in the past in the 1970s decided to ally with the Soviets and angered the emerging Chinese. We had a short conflict that led to the deaths of several tens of thousands of people that basically told us to watchout for what we are doing. Vietnam is determined to not make the same mistakes again with the three pillars of "no" and I'm aware that the Phillipines are very much aware of the same lesson that we learn.
The PI already tried to placate CCP when Duterte met with Xi in 2019. Less than 24-hrs after Duterte's return, a fleet of Chinese fishing vessels was within Philippine economic zone harvesting the ocean of its catch. This fleet and several other Chinese based fishing fleets continued on/off for several years since, willfully ignoring a sovereign country's EEZ.
Layer on the aggressive behavior by China's 'Coast Guard' by aiming lasers at the Philippine Navy vessels, blinding it's sailors and harassing their right of passage on the seas, I can't think of any reason why PI would want to ally themselves to a country that actively wishes to dominate them. They'd much rather side with a country where the largest number of expats currently live and have a century cultural and social exchange.
Well for one, I don't think anyone will try to alienate their largest exporter without alternatives. China dominates PI exporting market at 23% which is around 1/4 of PI annual economy. Alienating China will led PI into a recession. Besides, it was Duterte that continues down a path of pursuing further cooperation with China (and to an extent, the Russians) up until recently and only reverse his decision in 2021-2022 when his term is finishing up without achieving any of his goals.
And it's my personal belief that the trend of pursuing cooperation with a country and reversing some of its condition and then go the other way is likely the trend for the upcoming years as they try to stay neutral and avoid dragging themselves in any unnecessary conflict.
Let's also note here that your "expats" community and VFA (Visiting Force Agreement) is a primary that make the US alliance so unpopular within the PI population in the first place. Duerte was partly voted in because his campaign promise is to deemphasize on a US alliance and pursue other venues and he promises to review the VFA policy. The people voted him in so certainly a portion of the population is supportive of that idea.
Please note, the only place the US Alliance is unpopular is within PRC and some Philippine Youth attending Universities. Students will be Students. 'Former' President Duerte acquiesced to the take over of the Spratly Islands (and Mischief Reef, Scarborough Shoal etc.,etc.) even after an Arbitration Claim over China's sovereignty claims was filed in January 2013 under UNCLOS and subsequently won in court in 2016 which China conveniently refuses to recognize. Good riddance to Duerte. Mr. Le you can visit your PRC bases on Woody Island, Fiery Cross and Subi Reef's and enjoy them for the time being. I doubt the Philippines is going to allow anymore South China Sea land reclamation going forward. In fact, let's call it what it is, the 'West Philippine Sea'.
Huh? The only alternative is declaring War? Very 'Duerte ' of you. But seriously, that's your alternative to acquiescence? Certainly, you can imagine other alternatives other than a War declaration which are better than giving up territory in a show of acquiescence especially since you've won in the UNCLOS Arbitration court.
The expats I'm referring to, are those Filipinos living in the US, who travel back to the islands and also send remittances; San Francisco Bay Area has the largest population of Pinoys outside of the PI. Not to mention, all the influence of US pop-culture that works its way into Filipino social & cultural circles.
No country is going to completely shut-out their neighbors particularly a country the size of China with an economy of that scale, that's just cutting off your nose to spite your face. However the tariffs and travel exchanges can be altered or, restricted should things continue. Duterte was elected on a populous campaign, he embraced nationalistic tough-talk, macho man bromides that are popular amongst the working class, his first three years in office was an education in the international order, his last three years was spent just trying to put everything back on the shelf that he knocked down earlier. The VFA for the US has been revised a few times, the days of questionable nights in Olongapo are long gone.
A little remembered fact about the Spanish American War is that, in spite of the intentions of William Randolph Hearst, war was not started by the USA. Formally, Spain declared war instead. About as sensible as Hitler's declaring war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor - there was no great reason to do that - legally and possibly morally it makes the US position better.
Me? Though some called it an "Adult Disneyland" I was mostly an Ambassador of Goodwill, even with $7,764 SRB (after taxes) in my pocket and the hormones of a 21 year old. PI was a nice place, wonderful people.
Deep connections to ASEAN, South Korea and Japan. Complex region to say the least, with national and ethnic enmities that make the obvious alliances (in our U.S. eyes) complicated and at times impossible. Not to be ignored is the sizable ethnic Chinese minority that exists in pretty much every country. They are very successful in business, and some (but by no means all) retain close ties to China. They are viewed negatively in many countries (Indonesia and Malayasia in particular), and are very distinct in the PI. I would say that national interests drive foreign policy, and that is driven by the current government leaders in each nation. Given how the leaders change, they are almost as bad as the U.S. changing over every four years or so, and no less corrupt. The PI politics are especially corrupt, with a distressing tendency to make a deal, but not stay bought. See Duterte and his shifting positions and note the return of the Marcos clan to power. Not sure who is less reliable, us or them.
PI society and culture seem attracted to drama for no other reason than it provides entertainment. Nepotism is rampant, expected even, and familial dynasties abound in all regions resulting in wide-spread corruption. If there's one leftover of Spanish colonialism, its the unspoken caste-system that lingers.
That said, any acquiescing to CCP demands and deeper involvement, will only involve forced compliance and deeper exploitation. We've already seen uprisings and open resentment against Chinese nationals in Africa due to the exploitive and one-sided debt diplomacy projects. While democracy is messy and complicated, its system allows for more transparency and grievance than a more authoritarian one of any stripe.
I believe the US government is in a structured and planned decline.
They want China to assume the title, troubles and Policing of the world according to their hard line stance. If any nation can force Globalism with a Chinese agenda, China can.
The US Government wants to concentrate on Us.
Reset the Nation into their view of Paradise on earth. Or Else.
I fear they are ready to lose a battle or a war to start their full on retreat and isolationism of the world, till the Chinese stabilize Global power and then join in as a Partner.
Crazy I know but look around us now and see what the Gov. is doing and has done to Us.
They now build larger fast ferry hulls than we do and they have that greenfield shipyard in need of use. Plus they know English and are the back end service to companies you may already buy services from.
{A point of editorial privilege here unrelated to the core of this post: the next administration should find out if any non-political appointees were involved in using the word “fisherfolk,” identify them, and have them transferred to what is now an unpronouncable base in Greenland formally known as Thule.}
Thule? Wishful thinking...all that decent liberty in your off-time. Such a person would be recalled to active duty at bayonet point, issued only Tropical Whites and be detailed to an ABF2 billet in Shemya.
The Philippines are a true oligarchy, with a very high GINI (income inequality) index, and what has been described as "an exceptionally greedy elite." Anti-monopoly and anti-trust laws against vertical integration and collusion are non-existant or unenforced. Wholesale markets for produce are rigged, screwing the farmers. Land reform was never fully implemented, leaving many tenant farmers. Foreign investment is blocked, as it might upset the mango carts of the vertically-integrated oligarchic families - the Sys, Gokongweis, Ayalas, Lopezes
As anyone who has visited knows, things are relatively expensive compared to Thailand, Vietnam, even Malaysia, because markets are rigged.
Infrastructure is underdeveloped. Only the energy of overseas workers sending remittances keeps most families afloat
All of this leaves the Philippines vulnerable to internal subversion, including the purchase of the corrupt business and political class. Many of the business class are ethnic Chinese and could be susceptible to appeals of blood and family.
The USA has mostly neglected the Philippines as far as real aid programs go. The Japanese have been better - they actually build things rather than lecture the natives.
For your average Juan de la Cruz, Chinese development promises might look pretty good. Really, in places like Tondo it could hardly be worse.
Hmm, the US is heading faster and faster towards being a kleptocracy, at least in some states and cities. And, yeah, you're right about the Philippines being a kleptocracy. I really should have realized that, having been stationed there for over 2 years. Yeah, that dates me.
Fisherfolk is not a neologism, I'm pretty sure it's a term that was used by Tolkien. Knee-jerk antiwokism is a detraction from your generally good points.
Now "fisherfolx" - that is absolutely a neologism. Besides, federal bureaucrats who reference dead, white, cisgendered WASPs go to archaeological survey missions to South Georgia Island.
South Georgia Island. Is that anywhere near Jekyll Island? Some bad juju happened there. Ever been to Wallops Island? That whole DelMarVa Peninsula, worse juju. 22-24 chromosomes in them folx. I seine it myself. *shiver*
I have a living memory of over five decades. I grew up in a coastal town with professional fishermen. I started fishing while I was still in diapers. As an adult, I have lived in all four corners of our country. I have fished from Alaska to the Caribbean, from New England to Hawaii - in everything from a commercial fishing boat to a kayak. I have been to almost ~48 nations and territories on four continents.
Never has "fisherfolk" ever been used by people who fish recreationally, professionally, or have someone who fishes in their family.
Kirk, you are either lost or corrupted. Either way, I'll pray for you.
"SULLIVAN: Well, the U.S. and the Philippines have this decades-old mutual defense treaty. And Marcos, I think, will be looking for assurances that the U.S. has his back in any open confrontation with China, where the red line is that would oblige the U.S. to come to Manila's aid. During the Obama and Trump administrations, there was a sense in Manila that the answer to that question wasn't really clear. In announcing this visit, the White House declared the U.S. commitment to the defense of the Philippines is, quote, "ironclad." I'd expect Marcos will be asking Biden exactly what ironclad means."
"The State Department says the Marshall Islands is a sovereign nation, but "the United States has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands, and the Government of the Marshall Islands is obligated to refrain from taking actions that would be incompatible with these security and defense responsibilities.""
Stand down USS Farragut. The US will act when State decides what the definition of "is" is, AND issues appropriate guidance.
Speaking of editorial comments...LOVE your missives, but just a LITTLE bit of proof reading/spell-checking would be nice, to wit: “...decaying Spanish empire in its death throughs.”
Hmmmm. Just what was the Spanish empire’s death going through? Or did you mean, “death throes”?
It’s like what my Plebe Year English prof said, “When you spell ‘cat’ ‘k a t ‘, everybody is too busy laughing that you spelled ‘cat’ ‘k a t’ to pay any attention to the rest of what you wrote.”
When I look at the map, I think of Malta...
Except we don't have enough Navy and merchant ships to run Operation Pedestal...
sounds like "I shall return" once again
but its harder to sink islands, except Guam, which may capsize
Scary thought, but look at Bikini Atoll.
Even conventional weapons would devastates the base and the collateral damage would be frightening.
Then there are blockades.
But, but, but..... we have the virtual fleet in being of all our allies!
Alas, we no longer have "Faith, Hope, or Charity"
As someone who was involved in ASEAN politics in my former life, my view of the matter is that the Philippines are gonna continue to play both side and tries it best to appease both world powers. There is no incentive for Philippines to go with either. If they allied with China, the US will sanctions them to literal economic stability. If they allied with the USA, they will suffers from extreme border incursions and risks getting into a conflict that will likely cost Philippines its current economic future and possible freedom.
By no means that I mean the Administration is not doing enough to form a bulwark again China, I just don't see there's a way any administration can offer for these countries to risk angering China in the global playing field.
Just to add on to this, my home country (Vietnam) has in the past in the 1970s decided to ally with the Soviets and angered the emerging Chinese. We had a short conflict that led to the deaths of several tens of thousands of people that basically told us to watchout for what we are doing. Vietnam is determined to not make the same mistakes again with the three pillars of "no" and I'm aware that the Phillipines are very much aware of the same lesson that we learn.
The PI already tried to placate CCP when Duterte met with Xi in 2019. Less than 24-hrs after Duterte's return, a fleet of Chinese fishing vessels was within Philippine economic zone harvesting the ocean of its catch. This fleet and several other Chinese based fishing fleets continued on/off for several years since, willfully ignoring a sovereign country's EEZ.
Layer on the aggressive behavior by China's 'Coast Guard' by aiming lasers at the Philippine Navy vessels, blinding it's sailors and harassing their right of passage on the seas, I can't think of any reason why PI would want to ally themselves to a country that actively wishes to dominate them. They'd much rather side with a country where the largest number of expats currently live and have a century cultural and social exchange.
Well for one, I don't think anyone will try to alienate their largest exporter without alternatives. China dominates PI exporting market at 23% which is around 1/4 of PI annual economy. Alienating China will led PI into a recession. Besides, it was Duterte that continues down a path of pursuing further cooperation with China (and to an extent, the Russians) up until recently and only reverse his decision in 2021-2022 when his term is finishing up without achieving any of his goals.
And it's my personal belief that the trend of pursuing cooperation with a country and reversing some of its condition and then go the other way is likely the trend for the upcoming years as they try to stay neutral and avoid dragging themselves in any unnecessary conflict.
Let's also note here that your "expats" community and VFA (Visiting Force Agreement) is a primary that make the US alliance so unpopular within the PI population in the first place. Duerte was partly voted in because his campaign promise is to deemphasize on a US alliance and pursue other venues and he promises to review the VFA policy. The people voted him in so certainly a portion of the population is supportive of that idea.
Its really a dead split on interests in trade if you give every other play both sides trading partner as China's rather than the actual middle ground.
Please note, the only place the US Alliance is unpopular is within PRC and some Philippine Youth attending Universities. Students will be Students. 'Former' President Duerte acquiesced to the take over of the Spratly Islands (and Mischief Reef, Scarborough Shoal etc.,etc.) even after an Arbitration Claim over China's sovereignty claims was filed in January 2013 under UNCLOS and subsequently won in court in 2016 which China conveniently refuses to recognize. Good riddance to Duerte. Mr. Le you can visit your PRC bases on Woody Island, Fiery Cross and Subi Reef's and enjoy them for the time being. I doubt the Philippines is going to allow anymore South China Sea land reclamation going forward. In fact, let's call it what it is, the 'West Philippine Sea'.
" 'Former' President Duerte acquiesced to the take over of the Spratly Islands (and Mischief Reef, Scarborough Shoal etc.,etc.) "
"acquiesced"?? And the alternative was what, a declaration of war?
Huh? The only alternative is declaring War? Very 'Duerte ' of you. But seriously, that's your alternative to acquiescence? Certainly, you can imagine other alternatives other than a War declaration which are better than giving up territory in a show of acquiescence especially since you've won in the UNCLOS Arbitration court.
The expats I'm referring to, are those Filipinos living in the US, who travel back to the islands and also send remittances; San Francisco Bay Area has the largest population of Pinoys outside of the PI. Not to mention, all the influence of US pop-culture that works its way into Filipino social & cultural circles.
No country is going to completely shut-out their neighbors particularly a country the size of China with an economy of that scale, that's just cutting off your nose to spite your face. However the tariffs and travel exchanges can be altered or, restricted should things continue. Duterte was elected on a populous campaign, he embraced nationalistic tough-talk, macho man bromides that are popular amongst the working class, his first three years in office was an education in the international order, his last three years was spent just trying to put everything back on the shelf that he knocked down earlier. The VFA for the US has been revised a few times, the days of questionable nights in Olongapo are long gone.
I expect with planned failures in Wes Pac diplomacy Philippines will go into the Chinese sphere.
A little remembered fact about the Spanish American War is that, in spite of the intentions of William Randolph Hearst, war was not started by the USA. Formally, Spain declared war instead. About as sensible as Hitler's declaring war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor - there was no great reason to do that - legally and possibly morally it makes the US position better.
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=fisherfolk&year_start=1980&year_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=7&case_insensitive=true
Peaked in 2000, eh? And now some guy begins a hurtful resurgence. O, there'll be a reckoning, and GoFundMe won't touch it when it happens.
Apparently you're the only one that saw some humor in this.
I'm so old I remember when we had MASSIVE Air Force and Naval bases in the PI.....
Good times, good times....
In kindergarten for show and tell, one girl brought pictures of the aftermath of a typhoon that hit the Philippines the year before.
Me? Though some called it an "Adult Disneyland" I was mostly an Ambassador of Goodwill, even with $7,764 SRB (after taxes) in my pocket and the hormones of a 21 year old. PI was a nice place, wonderful people.
Ah, yes....'Po city....
Come ye back you Yankee sailor, come ye back to Subic Bay. :-)
Deep connections to ASEAN, South Korea and Japan. Complex region to say the least, with national and ethnic enmities that make the obvious alliances (in our U.S. eyes) complicated and at times impossible. Not to be ignored is the sizable ethnic Chinese minority that exists in pretty much every country. They are very successful in business, and some (but by no means all) retain close ties to China. They are viewed negatively in many countries (Indonesia and Malayasia in particular), and are very distinct in the PI. I would say that national interests drive foreign policy, and that is driven by the current government leaders in each nation. Given how the leaders change, they are almost as bad as the U.S. changing over every four years or so, and no less corrupt. The PI politics are especially corrupt, with a distressing tendency to make a deal, but not stay bought. See Duterte and his shifting positions and note the return of the Marcos clan to power. Not sure who is less reliable, us or them.
PI society and culture seem attracted to drama for no other reason than it provides entertainment. Nepotism is rampant, expected even, and familial dynasties abound in all regions resulting in wide-spread corruption. If there's one leftover of Spanish colonialism, its the unspoken caste-system that lingers.
That said, any acquiescing to CCP demands and deeper involvement, will only involve forced compliance and deeper exploitation. We've already seen uprisings and open resentment against Chinese nationals in Africa due to the exploitive and one-sided debt diplomacy projects. While democracy is messy and complicated, its system allows for more transparency and grievance than a more authoritarian one of any stripe.
The reason we left the PI was due to PI drama and corruption.
Frankly, if we didn't need it strategically, I'd be happy for them to GTH with the CCP.
They have made their beds, let them lay in them.
I believe the US government is in a structured and planned decline.
They want China to assume the title, troubles and Policing of the world according to their hard line stance. If any nation can force Globalism with a Chinese agenda, China can.
The US Government wants to concentrate on Us.
Reset the Nation into their view of Paradise on earth. Or Else.
I fear they are ready to lose a battle or a war to start their full on retreat and isolationism of the world, till the Chinese stabilize Global power and then join in as a Partner.
Crazy I know but look around us now and see what the Gov. is doing and has done to Us.
They are crazy.
Or, look in the mirror.
I did saw a crazy old worried man LOL!
Remember what Sal said about "well meaning people" in the other post? No, they aren't.
The Philippines are weak, relatively unindustrialized, and still beset with internal strife.
They are the exact type of domino that a Marxist power seeks.
They now build larger fast ferry hulls than we do and they have that greenfield shipyard in need of use. Plus they know English and are the back end service to companies you may already buy services from.
A much better perspective than mine.
TBF, they have need of ferry hulls - we do not, really.
The jarheads probably could use some....
They have need of over the shore supply vessels, and amphibious armor.
Spent multiple tours in Subic. Helped with the NAVMAG relocation and disestablishment post Pinatubo eruption. Glad we are going back.
I like to reel in a catfish sometimes, can I identify as "fisherfolk"?
{A point of editorial privilege here unrelated to the core of this post: the next administration should find out if any non-political appointees were involved in using the word “fisherfolk,” identify them, and have them transferred to what is now an unpronouncable base in Greenland formally known as Thule.}
Thule? Wishful thinking...all that decent liberty in your off-time. Such a person would be recalled to active duty at bayonet point, issued only Tropical Whites and be detailed to an ABF2 billet in Shemya.
If that doesn't do it, send them a short hop east to the old NAVSTA at Adak, Cold, barren, no place else to go; way too much of nothing.
The Philippines are a true oligarchy, with a very high GINI (income inequality) index, and what has been described as "an exceptionally greedy elite." Anti-monopoly and anti-trust laws against vertical integration and collusion are non-existant or unenforced. Wholesale markets for produce are rigged, screwing the farmers. Land reform was never fully implemented, leaving many tenant farmers. Foreign investment is blocked, as it might upset the mango carts of the vertically-integrated oligarchic families - the Sys, Gokongweis, Ayalas, Lopezes
As anyone who has visited knows, things are relatively expensive compared to Thailand, Vietnam, even Malaysia, because markets are rigged.
Infrastructure is underdeveloped. Only the energy of overseas workers sending remittances keeps most families afloat
All of this leaves the Philippines vulnerable to internal subversion, including the purchase of the corrupt business and political class. Many of the business class are ethnic Chinese and could be susceptible to appeals of blood and family.
The USA has mostly neglected the Philippines as far as real aid programs go. The Japanese have been better - they actually build things rather than lecture the natives.
For your average Juan de la Cruz, Chinese development promises might look pretty good. Really, in places like Tondo it could hardly be worse.
Oligarchy? More like kleptocracy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakistocracy? It's beginning to apply to our country, as well.
Agree about kakistocracy in the US, but serious about the PI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleptocracy
Hmm, the US is heading faster and faster towards being a kleptocracy, at least in some states and cities. And, yeah, you're right about the Philippines being a kleptocracy. I really should have realized that, having been stationed there for over 2 years. Yeah, that dates me.
Pretty much every third-world country is...it's one of the hallmarks of being a third world country.
Fisherfolk is not a neologism, I'm pretty sure it's a term that was used by Tolkien. Knee-jerk antiwokism is a detraction from your generally good points.
Now "fisherfolx" - that is absolutely a neologism. Besides, federal bureaucrats who reference dead, white, cisgendered WASPs go to archaeological survey missions to South Georgia Island.
Fisherfolx frying up fish in a wok for forty P
At Magsaysay & Rizal we can dine with glee
Cordapio's pronouns are "Phissh" and "Moan"
The Navy's back, again aswim in PI's pelagic zone
A San Miguel! 24 flavors in every case there be.
South Georgia Island. Is that anywhere near Jekyll Island? Some bad juju happened there. Ever been to Wallops Island? That whole DelMarVa Peninsula, worse juju. 22-24 chromosomes in them folx. I seine it myself. *shiver*
South Georgia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cURHd3yDLw
I have a living memory of over five decades. I grew up in a coastal town with professional fishermen. I started fishing while I was still in diapers. As an adult, I have lived in all four corners of our country. I have fished from Alaska to the Caribbean, from New England to Hawaii - in everything from a commercial fishing boat to a kayak. I have been to almost ~48 nations and territories on four continents.
Never has "fisherfolk" ever been used by people who fish recreationally, professionally, or have someone who fishes in their family.
Kirk, you are either lost or corrupted. Either way, I'll pray for you.
Clearly you don't know many filipinos. Kirk is correct.
Fisherfolk is a pretty common term, shows up in statements alot from fisherfolk unions https://ph.oceana.org/press-releases/an-urgent-call-to-president-marcos-for-transparency-and-full-implementation-of-vessel-monitoring-measures-for-all-commercial-fishing-vessels/ or official statements. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/11/27/Marcos-FishCoRe-project.html
Not sure why your first instinct was to think it was some kind of wokeism. Could've just googled it.
I knew this post was a'coming. I heard this story on NPR during my commute yesterday morning. https://www.npr.org/2023/05/01/1172996835/at-biden-marcos-meeting-china-is-expected-to-be-at-the-top-of-the-agenda
"SULLIVAN: Well, the U.S. and the Philippines have this decades-old mutual defense treaty. And Marcos, I think, will be looking for assurances that the U.S. has his back in any open confrontation with China, where the red line is that would oblige the U.S. to come to Manila's aid. During the Obama and Trump administrations, there was a sense in Manila that the answer to that question wasn't really clear. In announcing this visit, the White House declared the U.S. commitment to the defense of the Philippines is, quote, "ironclad." I'd expect Marcos will be asking Biden exactly what ironclad means."
Given that the Top Men from the Obama Administration are back in charge, there's no need for Marcos to look any further that what "ironclad" meant back in 2015. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/28/obama-iran-white-house-ship-marshall-island-nuclear/26507995/
"The State Department says the Marshall Islands is a sovereign nation, but "the United States has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands, and the Government of the Marshall Islands is obligated to refrain from taking actions that would be incompatible with these security and defense responsibilities.""
Stand down USS Farragut. The US will act when State decides what the definition of "is" is, AND issues appropriate guidance.
Speaking of editorial comments...LOVE your missives, but just a LITTLE bit of proof reading/spell-checking would be nice, to wit: “...decaying Spanish empire in its death throughs.”
Hmmmm. Just what was the Spanish empire’s death going through? Or did you mean, “death throes”?
It’s like what my Plebe Year English prof said, “When you spell ‘cat’ ‘k a t ‘, everybody is too busy laughing that you spelled ‘cat’ ‘k a t’ to pay any attention to the rest of what you wrote.”