Progress In Randy Stirm's Situation

Randy updated me on things today. The media and lawyers on his side have informed Randy that the politicos in Gingoog have started scapegoating their subordinates on the surface, and are indicating more furtively a desire for a quiet resolution to this incident underneath. Smart. Certainly much smarter than death threats.

Suprisingly, Randy has kept his biggest bargaining chips close to his chest, and off the internet: Video evidence that if presented in court would render any further discussion or defense pointless. My personal guess is that the folks up in Gingoog are coming around to this realization: That every minute — not just the 15 minutes already on YouTube — of Randy's interactions with the people in Gingoog is waiting in the wings, and in the end they will not only deal with Randy in his dominant position, but thank him afterwards for not putting all that damaging evidence out there for the world to see.

What festering truths the press can or may drag out into the daylight after the fact will of course be the fault of the perpetrators of this incident. Single episodes of bad behavior don't always lead to justice, but one's luck can run out. It's up to Herbie and Jigger at Gold Star Daily to determine if it's Gingoog's City Hall's day to pay the piper. Randy may give his nemeses a break in the interest of financial recompense, but Herbie and Jigger aren't bound by such quandries.

To be honest, from the beginning, I thought Randy and Cherry should cut a deal with the Gingoog folks and focus on money, not justice. I found the concept distasteful, but still figured it was what was best for The Stirms and their business; pari passu, I felt that getting the story out there, putting the pressure on, and waging a publicity battle was also beneficial because, for Randy and Cherry, raising the stakes would mean more chips on the table at the end of the game. Also, Randy and Cherry suffered badly both financially and emotionally: The cost to not only their business, but their pride and loss of security, had first to be paid in column inches and prime time minutes before pisos could be discussed. That's understandable — even, I imagine (though they would obviously never admit it) to the people up in Gingoog.

Personally, I think we're quickly arriving at the moment where it can be said that The Stirms have the upper hand, and negotiations are ready to start. It is my opinion that this incident will never see a court room: The Philippines, both legally and politically, is wired to settle problems like this via negotation, not litigation.

To note though, this is all my own supposition and my own point of view. What course Randy takes from this point forward is up to him. Maybe he'll ride this tiger to the tag end. Randy has lots of paths that he can take, and he is gathering ammunition, support, momentum, advantage, and confidence with every passing minute. While I offer my advice, Randy is his own man and handles his life and business in ways that he is most comfortable with. I wish him luck.

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