Water for the Torch
I tried to think of something metaphysical, but nothing came to me except for a few integral signs and solids revolving on and on and on and on…and then I got this instant message from a UP friend: “Dawn, see you tomorrow sa rally :)).” Then I thought, If ever I had the courage to face teargas and batons, she’d definitely see me, but not on the same side.Why do people go to rallies anyway? I seldom think it’s really for the country, and not for that exhilarating adrenaline rush that violent fun brings. Do they even know what they’re fighting for? Do they even know what a Gross Domestic Product is? Do they know enough of economy to say that the President is a bad one?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m some sort of Economics expert and the people who go to rallies are ignorant lemmings, nor am I saying that knowledge in economy is the sole basis to judge a president, but with all the presidents we’ve had and the current state of society and our economy, do you really believe that morality is the issue? Gloria Arroyo may not be the best president one can imagine, but I do believe, but cannot prove, that she’s the best chance we’ve got.
Rallies and riots seem to prove that the people are not satisfied with GMA, but since when did rallies not been mentioned in the face of our history? One might say “in the time of Ramon Magsaysay.” I hate to break your bubble but he’s dead; heck if he’s alive I’ll gladly be the first to sign an impeachment petition. But considering the mess the past presidents made, particularly former President Estrada, the economic status we are in now is very commendable. The consistent increase in GDP, too, is another evidence of GMA’s economic ability since the GDP is a measure of a country’s assets or properties. GMA is one good economist and I couldn’t imagine the Philippines without her. So what if she cheated?
Had GMA not cheated on the elections, we would have ended up with some action star who knows nothing about running a country. And when that action-star-turned-president died, what would have become of our country? People make mistakes, but sometimes those mistakes could be for the better. So GMA made her mistake - no one’s perfect. I also believe that cheating was the right thing to do. And don’t you just admire how she was able to sacrifice her own morality because the people are too ignorant and too blinded by daring movie stunts to know what’s good for them. And even if serving the country isn’t her true agenda, atleast she’s able to do it even if she doesn’t mean to.
People dislike GMA because she’s not “makamasa” and because of the bad pieces of news that anti-GMA’s constantly feed the public. It’s always been that black spot in the white piece of paper. The newspapers should publish more good news that could bring the government to a more positive light. I for one have my homepage set on http://gov.ph so everytime I open my browser I become informed of all the good things that happen to our country, and believe you me, there are A LOT!
People should not decide to oust someone just because of one or a few misconducts. We should consider both sides to know the true nature of a person or a system. We should also consider the consequences of our actions; if GMA does leave her position, we would be left with some big-voiced news anchor who reads scripts written by someone else. If GMA resigns, could you - could anyone - think of anyone better than her to take her seat? She may not be perfect, but no one else is is more qualified and suitable for the job than Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and maybe I just can’t prove it because people stubbornly believe that she should be ousted, thus they close their minds to the other possibility. I hope I don’t get stoned for this.
-dawn
ps: “Someone” said that Gloria’s true reason for declaring the 25th a nonworking holiday is her wanting to go to the Oscars…who wouldn’t and so what? We have no classes so I guess that’s a good thing, right?
frances
chinesedude said,
February 25, 2008 at 3:55 pm
if you have the time, read this column http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080216-119360/Liars
you might be surprised about the people you are with on the other side…
frances said,
February 25, 2008 at 4:54 pm
My goodness! Hats off to you for expressing such thoughts at a time like this, at a day like this. Perhaps some (or should I say many?) will say “shame and you” and love to stone you to death. But this is a free country and you have the right to write whatever you want in this bit of cyberspace. Ah, democracy! Long live freedom! It’s the very essence of what we commemorate today.
Since Geoff started it, here’s a link to a piece by Conrado de Quiros that attempts to answer your questions:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=119732
I’ll read this post again after 7:30
Note to Geoff (and Patricia Evangelista): Let’s not be blind, supporters like that exist in every side.
Dawn said,
February 25, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I don’t care about the people I am with on the other side.. This is my belief and mine alone. On that article, I can’t even say that they are on THIS side since it takes more than a carefully painted plaque to say that one person belongs to a side - that person has to believe what he’s supporting. I do not despise the other side, I despise the people who are supporting EITHER side without fully understanding what they hold in their hands. PEACE!
First of all, I do not smoke tobacco, but Ma’am I liked that article. Sure answered alot of questions…. And as I’ve said, as long as they can find an alternative for Arroyo, I’d gladly kick my pro-admin bucket. True, there’s bound to be at least one out of the 85 million who is better than Arroyo, I do not doubt that reality, I just challenge the people who want Gloria ousted to actually find this person before doing anything rash. He/She exists, but where is he/she?
“Anyone who does not lie, cheat, steal and murder is an alternative to Arroyo.” <— Where do you find someone like that?
Haha it’s really hard to defend against all these things. Well, this is an exercise of “what I believe in, but cannot prove.” And I’m not trying to convince anyone, I’m just stating my stand.
frances said,
February 25, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Exactly.
chinesedude said,
February 25, 2008 at 7:08 pm
hahaha! just couldn’t resist to comment… was just expressing my views on the topic at hand.
Dawn said,
February 25, 2008 at 7:17 pm
yeah, I know you’re a die-hard anti-admin. It’s like that urge to take a pen and write an ’s’ beside all those heart graffitis….
frances said,
February 25, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Geoff: I couldn’t resist to comment either!
frances said,
February 26, 2008 at 9:50 am
Dawn: I already removed the “please do not rate” line
Anonymous said,
February 26, 2008 at 6:32 pm
“So what if she cheated?”
First there was the “I will not run” ===> she lied.
Next was the “lapse in judgment” ===> she lied. she cheated.
Who knows what she’s doing now?
just stating a stand, peace
cricket said,
February 26, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I agree with dawn..but not that much!…he’s better than most of them, I think.
frances said,
February 27, 2008 at 12:02 am
cricket: who’s “he?”
Krystala said,
February 27, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Summary:
The author believes that GMA is the best possible president that we can ever have at this time. GMA being a good economist did the right thing by cheating in order to lead the country. She admirably sacrificed her morality to have a chance to win a democratic elections, where the people are too blinded by FPJ’s movie stunts to know what’s best for them. Many good things happen because of GMA. She’s the best our country has.
Assessment:
a) The work showed thought effort.
b) I couldn’t see clear anecdotes. There were theoretical stories of what would happen if GMA did not cheat and there were also other stories but i failed to see structurally-anecdote anecdotes (sorry if I just didn’t see). The essay was somewhat clear and organized, however the personal bias of the author was very obvious, and some questionable remarks were made due to the biases.
c) The topic was very unique and interesting. Just don’t let personal bias be too obvious
Dawn said,
February 27, 2008 at 7:58 pm
lol.
Yeah I know they weren’t anecdote anecdotes.. I just couldn’t think of any. And I know the bias shows, I think I just got a little carried away.. When I read my blog again, I knew I tried too hard to defend my stand to the point that I was making absurd comments, and that wasn’t good.
Thanks.