This is certainly not about the common saying or the forlorn joke even that something that looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck is a duck plain and simple. Instead, this is specifically about a lame leadership, a sorry authority position, a tenuous tenure of power. The figure is then likened to a “lame duck” – a disabled leader trying hard to appear in command, and over-acting as if the same were not disabled. But to no avail, irrespective of whether the fact limping image of supreme might and dominant influence knows/admits the lackluster actuality or not, the truth nevertheless remains that the same is a lame duck – notwithstanding all posturing and appearance to the contrary.
Thus it is that a lame duck leader – particularly in the highest level of a government hierarchy – approves this and that, but a mere approval it basically remains. The same may order that to be done and/or direct this to be undone. Yet, simply but a token observance by the leader’s underlings is done – if any at all. This is specially true when the leader concerned is not simply undermined by the short and ever shortening tenure of Office in the course of time, but also buried in the quagmire of corruption, deception and misrepresentation of historical proportion.
No wonder then that as the ominous day in May 2010 infallibly comes nearer every hour of the day and every day of the week, the same leader cannot but be expected to do the main following predictable agenda: Assign executive Offices to whoever are willing and available as their previous holders jump the ship – so to speak – one after another. Acquiescence to visionary plans, impulsive programs and quixotic projects in the vain attempt to make up for previous big executive failures, with the futile design even to leave some kind of a vain and futile legacy.
Meantime, it is definitely nothing but the money of people that is fooled around with, spent and wasted. It is also surely nobody else but the people again who are left holding an empty bag. And it is certainly nothing else than the Country that is more underdeveloped than some nine years ago. With the laming of the duck, it is only in the world of fantasy – if not in the realm of miracles which are rather illusive and wherefore rare – that better things for the people and the Country can be realistically expected.
Both leadership radiant successes and dismal failures offer really good and relevant lessons to all those now decidedly vying for leadership position in government – specially that exercised from Malacanang. Those who in their solitary times, sober moments and specially so during occasions for quiet praying, harbor honest doubts about their integrity, competence and character for good and effective leadership, will in fact stand taller before God and the people in the event that on their own, they withdraw from the electoral contest. Please!
OVCruz, JCD
November 6, 2009
Friday, November 06, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
people
First, the bad news!
Most politicians are standard cheats, infamous liars and/or extraordinary crooks. A good number of capitalists, businessmen and professionals are unprincipled, dishonest and/or greedy. More. There are murderers and rapists, kidnappers and carnappers, thieves and holduppers plus probably a million and more other individuals who thrive in evil and delight in vices. No wonder then than in addition to the thousands of the members of the Philippine National Police, there are even many other agencies in government so designed, manned and paid to counter criminal elements to neutralize unsavory characters all over the land.
In fact, it is no secret that there is even a sizeable number of policemen themselves and the other law enforcers in the local and national levels who are themselves either the agents of injustice and disorder, the protectors of criminal syndicates and illegal activities, and/or the big and continuous beneficiaries of goons and hoodlums in different communities. This disgusting and disturbing reality notwithstanding, there are many well meaning citizens who want even more numerous policemen in their neighborhoods in order to better guard their safety. The dismaying question in this scenario is who in turn guard the policemen? This thought is admittedly neither irrelevant nor really foolish.
The truth is that city and municipal jails together with provincial and national prisons are anything but empty and peaceful – something more dangerous than secure for the inmates themselves as well as for the neighborhoods around such places. To personally look and attentively watch these jails and prisons – observing the menacing looks and threatening postures of their inmates – is enough for those who do such closer watch, to think how low can certain individuals sink, to feel how unsafe is the Country.
Now, the good news!
There are some 90 million Filipinos. The multi-million good and kind ones among them very greatly and categorically outnumber the bad and cruel few. The multitude of Filipinos who love and care for one another is immense in number and admirable in attributes – compared to those who are the curse of the Country and the shame of humanity.
Millions upon millions of the Filipino people are poor but honorable, common tao but great neighbors. They are the legislative pride of the Country. They are the blessing of the Philippines. They have the admiration of foreigners.
Otherwise, how does one explain the dear and endearing “pinoy” cultural traits of “damayan” and “bayanihan”, “tulungan” and “bigayan”? They are hospitable to a fault. They have many songs. They are full of jokes. They love fiestas. They laugh much. They smile often. People of the Philippines – MABUHAY!
OVCruz, JCD
November 4, 2009
Most politicians are standard cheats, infamous liars and/or extraordinary crooks. A good number of capitalists, businessmen and professionals are unprincipled, dishonest and/or greedy. More. There are murderers and rapists, kidnappers and carnappers, thieves and holduppers plus probably a million and more other individuals who thrive in evil and delight in vices. No wonder then than in addition to the thousands of the members of the Philippine National Police, there are even many other agencies in government so designed, manned and paid to counter criminal elements to neutralize unsavory characters all over the land.
In fact, it is no secret that there is even a sizeable number of policemen themselves and the other law enforcers in the local and national levels who are themselves either the agents of injustice and disorder, the protectors of criminal syndicates and illegal activities, and/or the big and continuous beneficiaries of goons and hoodlums in different communities. This disgusting and disturbing reality notwithstanding, there are many well meaning citizens who want even more numerous policemen in their neighborhoods in order to better guard their safety. The dismaying question in this scenario is who in turn guard the policemen? This thought is admittedly neither irrelevant nor really foolish.
The truth is that city and municipal jails together with provincial and national prisons are anything but empty and peaceful – something more dangerous than secure for the inmates themselves as well as for the neighborhoods around such places. To personally look and attentively watch these jails and prisons – observing the menacing looks and threatening postures of their inmates – is enough for those who do such closer watch, to think how low can certain individuals sink, to feel how unsafe is the Country.
Now, the good news!
There are some 90 million Filipinos. The multi-million good and kind ones among them very greatly and categorically outnumber the bad and cruel few. The multitude of Filipinos who love and care for one another is immense in number and admirable in attributes – compared to those who are the curse of the Country and the shame of humanity.
Millions upon millions of the Filipino people are poor but honorable, common tao but great neighbors. They are the legislative pride of the Country. They are the blessing of the Philippines. They have the admiration of foreigners.
Otherwise, how does one explain the dear and endearing “pinoy” cultural traits of “damayan” and “bayanihan”, “tulungan” and “bigayan”? They are hospitable to a fault. They have many songs. They are full of jokes. They love fiestas. They laugh much. They smile often. People of the Philippines – MABUHAY!
OVCruz, JCD
November 4, 2009
Monday, November 02, 2009
All Souls Day
Why a day of all souls every year? What is so distinct and singular about human souls? Who are these souls and where are they? The truth is that cemeteries are full of people during “All Saints Day” – but practically empty on the occasion of “All Souls Day”. There is the added fact that the day meant to remember the “Saints” or the “Dead” is a big occasion instead for a great number of the living to meet and celebrate – in addition to some impious characters who then engage in profiteering and/or in thievery, not to mention gambling, drunkenness and violence. Hence, the questions: What is “All Souls Day” all about? Why is there an “All Souls Day”?
Without delving into the profundities of Theology and the complicated thoughts of experts and scholars, hopefully it would be enough for the purpose of knowing the fundamental significance and the basic implications of the day specifically set aside to think, to remember and to relate with all the souls of the departed people who must be billions since the creation of humanity – all of whom have a soul each or humans they would not be. Thus:
To think of souls is not only good but also salutary. It is strange but true that every soul is a forever living personhood in the supposedly land of death. Yes, every Juan, Maria and boy/girl do not pass from life to death – but instead from life to life, i.e., from life hereby and now to life hereafter and beyond. Yes, the dead depart but never are they really gone and done. The great thing about thinking of souls is that those who themselves think of them, also have their own to think and be thoughtful about.
To remember souls is not simply realistic but also beneficial. Though they are in another place, souls are real and alive. No! They are not meant to frighten people such as in terms of “Threat of Treat”. Instead, more than anything else, those who thus remember them should bear in mind – to worry or rejoice – about the present good or bad standing of their own souls, specially about the latter’s definite and defined ultimate miserable or wonderful destiny. It is great to remember souls even if only not to forget that those thus remembering them have their very own to think about, to attend to and to care for.
To relate with souls can be done only through prayers for their eternal repose, their rest in lasting peace. Standard money making ventures such as “communicating with the spirits” or with the “dead” is anything but real or salutary. In the same way, the claims that the soul of this and that person came, appeared and spoke to this and that individual – such are either imagination, hallucination or a downright miracle which is very few in number and very far between as well. Souls have better things to do than simply to visit or haunt people.
All Soul’s Day – thank God there is one! May all the souls of our departed fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends rest in peace in the Eternal Kingdom of their Father with the Son and the Holy Spirit!
OVCruz, JCD
November 2, 2009
Without delving into the profundities of Theology and the complicated thoughts of experts and scholars, hopefully it would be enough for the purpose of knowing the fundamental significance and the basic implications of the day specifically set aside to think, to remember and to relate with all the souls of the departed people who must be billions since the creation of humanity – all of whom have a soul each or humans they would not be. Thus:
To think of souls is not only good but also salutary. It is strange but true that every soul is a forever living personhood in the supposedly land of death. Yes, every Juan, Maria and boy/girl do not pass from life to death – but instead from life to life, i.e., from life hereby and now to life hereafter and beyond. Yes, the dead depart but never are they really gone and done. The great thing about thinking of souls is that those who themselves think of them, also have their own to think and be thoughtful about.
To remember souls is not simply realistic but also beneficial. Though they are in another place, souls are real and alive. No! They are not meant to frighten people such as in terms of “Threat of Treat”. Instead, more than anything else, those who thus remember them should bear in mind – to worry or rejoice – about the present good or bad standing of their own souls, specially about the latter’s definite and defined ultimate miserable or wonderful destiny. It is great to remember souls even if only not to forget that those thus remembering them have their very own to think about, to attend to and to care for.
To relate with souls can be done only through prayers for their eternal repose, their rest in lasting peace. Standard money making ventures such as “communicating with the spirits” or with the “dead” is anything but real or salutary. In the same way, the claims that the soul of this and that person came, appeared and spoke to this and that individual – such are either imagination, hallucination or a downright miracle which is very few in number and very far between as well. Souls have better things to do than simply to visit or haunt people.
All Soul’s Day – thank God there is one! May all the souls of our departed fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends rest in peace in the Eternal Kingdom of their Father with the Son and the Holy Spirit!
OVCruz, JCD
November 2, 2009
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