Something I wrote in response to a post by Eddie Boy E. of an article by Manuel L. Quezon III calling for all to send postcards to Gloria Arroyo on the 9th of November informing her of her "eviction." You can view the full post at http://ebeseyes.multiply.com/journal/item/15/Save_the_day_By_Manuel_L._Quezon_III_ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry for sounding so cynical but after risking our necks on EDSA in 1986 and in many other venues and times before then, the only thing I've learned so far is that we have not, then and now, learned our lesson. Reconciliation at the expense of justice was something Cory Aquino started which "Ate Glo" imitated when she pardoned Erap. And voting that idiot (Erap) into office in the first place is something we still imitate when idiots like Trillanes were voted in, and who now are less symbols of protest than they are troublemakers, and policymakers too, at that! Believe me when I say it pains me to be led to the conclusion that we may actually have the government that we deserve.
And now, once more as in the years preceding and following Martial Law, people are being killed and the government acts with impunity to preserve itself and the system most of us have grown to hate, and for which we now prepare ourseves for new rounds of protest that will most probably fall on deaf ears like feathers on concrete. Someone bring out the sledgehammer.
I am not saying that protest is useless. It's good for us to remind ourselves that, once we are once again ignored, that harsher action will then be needed. We live in a time when I cannot tell my kids that policemen are there to help you and that following the law is better than anarchy, because it is near impossible now to make a decent and honest living and to uplift oneself. What future do my son and daughter have in this country? To work in call centers? No offense to those who work in call centers, but I believe doctors and nurses are needed just as much here rather than becoming a commodity for export. As much as I love my country I am tempted to go the other route and leave it for the sake of my children. And I know I am not alone.
I hope that the events to follow will prove me wrong, and not before too long. I find my hope waning that this country will dig itself out of the cesspool we have lolled around in since 1972, but I intend to exhaust all possible means before I grow too old to apply for a work visa and while processing my kids' passports. See you on the 9th, and God be with us.
 | you couldn't have said it better johnny. My sentiments exactly! |
 | I beg to disagree that Trillanes is an idiot. This bemedalled officer was fighting against the injustices in the military, stupid as the means he chose to defend his principles may have been. He ran and won with no campaign funds, prevailing over Gomez, Montano and that wily Singson. That speaks pretty loudly of how our nation is rallying for change and fighting collectively to protect our democracy.
I truly understand where you're coming from man, you and the rest of this thinking Republic who did not vote for a celebrity in the last elections. The people power fatigue is weighing us down, but it shouldn't, because then we would be worse than our enemies if we remain silent and cowed.
"Laws can embody standards; governments can enforce laws--but the final task is not a task for government. It is a task for each and every one of us. Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted--when we tolerate what we know to be wrong--when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy, or too frightened--when we fail to speak up and speak out--we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice." - Bobby Kennedy |
 | I agree with your Trillanes view, Mai. I also have to get this off my chest: Singson....YUCK!!!
That aside, I think the only way forward is to keep on fighting. There is no other way...
Keep on keeping on! |
 | dyanibee wrote on Nov 8, '07, edited on Nov 8, '07 If you guys say so. I suppose you're both in a better position to know so. From where I'm standing though he may be sincere but comes across as a newbie trying to play ball with the big boys, and not doing it very well. Winning is one thing... Following through is another, entirely.
I haven't given up on my country, yet. But after what I come across in every day of living here in the islands and after reading all the inanity you see in the dailies with no end of it in sight, it sure gets harder and harder to keep the faith. I'm not getting any younger, and my kids aren't, either. |
 | "Following the law" IS better than Anarchy no matter how you cut it. Right is still right and wrong is still wrong. It may be more confusing but the proper way to "bring up your kids" hasn't changed for generations. |
 | I know what you're saying Johnny- sometimes it just feels so hopeless.
But I am not gonna be an armchair communist and sit and complain but DO NOTHING naman. Does my vote count? Sometimes I do not think so- since votes seem to have a price. I agree that the whole taking to the streets in protest has lost its magic by sheer abuse of it- but it is precisely because I refuse to give up on my country that I will take a stand. I will sign my name. I will wear black, even if I am unable to physically be there. I will send the postcard. Maybe it won't make a difference- but to me, I will feel like I have given my two cents against their "Millions".
On Sunday, I will stand with RockED in a Blue TShirt and quietly watch the sunset on Roxas Boulevard. We will carry no placards, no picket signs, no megaphones. I will hold my daughter's hand and hope that the statement of silence (Wala na kaming masabi) makes some impression. It IS hard to keep the faith, but I am holding on to it with an iron grip because without it, I may as well lay down and give up. I'm not ready for that yet.
Being free is being able to take a stand for what we believe in, in our own ways.
I will exercise my freedom. |
 | john,
i agree with you a 100%, there are no other options available to us, as of now.
for one, lots of concerned citizens have advised me to get into another field of work since there are no available options left.
politics really sucks....i hate all those stupid politicians. |
 | tjdario wrote on Nov 9, '07, edited on Nov 9, '07 Well-wriiten, Johnny, and with so much passion.
Positive thinking tayo! Sounds foolish no? Not!
Basta ako, I'll join in postcards march and do a little more in my own way, then practice the principles of the Secret (focus on the positive). I have made some sacrifices, which seem only now just futile efforts (twice at EDSA, marches for Ninoy, years in social development).
The one thing I would like to see among Filipinos is POSITIVE THINKING and PRIDE in ourselves, LOVE for country, HOPE for the future, versus cynicism, anger and complaints. Don't like politics? Don't focus on it! Instead of reading about politicians fighting over money (ZTE, payoffs) on the newspapers, I'd rather read about, cheer on and emulate the many HEROES among us (e.g. GK's Tony Meloto). Negativity is bringing us down. A foreigner observed that Filipinos lack the positive spirit and pride in ourselves, which Vietnamese have and is helping their pitiful war-ravaged country.
If we make a stand to protest, let's also SUPPORT and CHEER ON those who are working for our country. My two cents. |
| tjdario wrote on Nov 9, '07, edited on Nov 11, '07  stupid as the means he chose to defend his principles may have been  That part I agree. His means was so stupid, it set back the Philippine economy back for years--using resources (guns, bombs, soldiers) taxpayers pay for. Good intentions? The road to hell is paved with it. What matters is the action you take and being mindful of the consequences. Filipinos had to pay for it.
He rigged Ayala with bomb explosives then and then accuses the government of doing that now without any basis. Sorry I may not know much, but I don't have any sympathy for this guy. |
Comment deleted at the request of the author. | me too.
nakakasuka silang lahat, i really want to blast that darn tv set everytime i see stupid politicians.
one of my relatives even advised me to take up a course so that i can get out and leave the country.
tsk! tsk!
but i agree that we should emulate people like tony meloto.
wag lang siyang pumasok ng politics. kawawa talaga tayong lahat.
ayoko ng manood ng balita kasi puro walang kwenta naman ang mapapanood mo eh. |
 | Nung 1986, anybody but Marcos
Nung 2001, anybody but Erap
Ngayong 2007, anybody but GMA
I guess we really haven't learned the lesson...and that lesson really is nobody will ever be able to run this country with clean hands for as long as the system itself is rotten. It's really the system that produces people like Marcos, Erap, GMA and their cronies.
Unfortunately, we as a people (and I am speaking in the collective, lest there be offended folks here), are actually co-conspirators in this so called banana republic. We allow people to throw candy wrappers on the street, we allow people to drive recklessly with nary a shrug, we allow people to cross the street along major eight lane highways and we buy smuggled goods because they're cheap. And then we wonder why people commit crimes in high places???? |
| Forget the lawmakers... We already have enough laws. Enforcing them though is the real trick. |
| enforcing?
naku po! pare, sila ang number one lawbreaker.
that is very true, all of needs to have a change of heart.
alam niyo, marami na sa kakilala ko ang umalis dito... kasi sobrang nakita nila na wala silang kinabukasan dito. sayang, we will lose a lot more bright minds.
maski ako tempted na rin. |
| Start with the only person you can truly control. The one in the mirror. |
| Just heard a few hours ago that someone bombed congress. Maybe NOW they'll figure out how much people are pissed off, yeah? |
| that's really true.
the government especially the congress really sucks. pero sana yung pinakamakakapal ang mukha yung tinamaan , sorry for the outburst. |
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