Change does not occur in your living room
with popcorn
and a united vision of dialectic
dishonesty from t a l k i
n
g h e a d s.Change does not occur on your privatized
lawns of No Trespassing! signs
or the concrete barricades
on your city streets.Change does not occur behind
the barbwire fence of your
nine-to-five.Change is not a word
but an interest.- That bird Outside of the Window, “Generations of Fear“
I find myself needing to reply to commentary regarding “Because We Can“.
1) Nick wrote April 19th, 2008 12:37 am : yes, it is exactly what has kept Gloria and her ilk in power: our inability to choose a path and stay true to it.
SOMEONE must decide on a course of action, with finality or else there is NO future to speak of. Our Laws were broken. We can not rebuild them by breaking away from the Constitution, by going the road of People Power. Our people will not go that road. Short of perhaps, an act of genocide by Gloria and her ilk, our People will not rise against her in People Power.
Mrs. Arroyo will not resign. That option is.. at best blind optimism. Put yourself in her shoes. I am certain, if I was, I too will use every means at my disposal to keep my grip on power. It is I think, the most natural, most human thing.
2) The Jester-In-Exile wrote on April 19th, 2008 2:54 am :
yet, despite being viewed as a fundamental difference in thinking, both the resistance that mlq3 spoke of and cocoy’s advocacy of a war of hearts and minds are not incompatible.
or at least i believe so.
Yes, you are absolutely correct. MLQ3’s and others’ suggestion of protest is only the first step. But what peeves me the most is that They stop at that. You only do that. When obviously, there can be more. So much more. So much so that we can actually DO something about the things we talk about, we blog about.
Believe me when I tell you, ordinary people are tired of the same old thing. I share their anger. I share their disappointment. We don’t need to be told to be angry. They already are. What’s missing is the next step. What’s missing is to do something. THEY are waiting for SOMEONE to DO something.
3) Rom wrote: “Must we?”
I’m all for the fact that Filipinos everywhere should be doing their work. They should be working raising kids, expanding their horizons, starting new businesses. And it’s great that a lot of Filipinos are taking hold of their destiny.
I am SO deeply tired of hearing the same old complaints and the same old strategies that I know don’t work. I know people share the same sentiment. It seems to me that another Theater in the War is the Theater of pwning our government.
In your post I wanted to focus on this:
“On the one hand, Cocoy says stop wasting time with protests and such. Just prepare for the elections. But isn’t that where all this hatred really started to boil over? Remember the 2004 elections? Despite Solita Monsod giving the 2007 elections a ‘7-out-of-10,’ I don’t really see that it was much of an improvement. I mean sure, we gave the likes of Chiz and Peter a free ride to the Senate, and they haven’t bombed as totally as Joker has, but have they really turned out to be everything we had hoped? So, despite Jester’s many sensible suggestions, I don’t see the 2010 elections as being particularly significant in terms of bringing about a change in the way our government is run.”
This is exactly why I thought of the pressing need for a New Political Party. Cliche as it may sound, “One that is of the people, for the people and by the People”.
How can any new idea spring to life? How can new ways step forward when the same old crowd wins the day? They have no inspired idea. It doesn’t interest them.
I can tell you why they’ve as you put it “bombed out”.
The 2007 elections proved to be the same old boys club getting elected. Their campaign was filled with song and dance. Mention to me one candidate who would talk about what is to be done with our Power Crisis? About Water? About food security? What about education and what it means for the future? Then mention to me if they’ve taken those steps? And if they have, why can’t their agenda be pushed forward?
And you know what? These are the same conditions, in every election. That and buying of votes. That and election related violence.
But who are exactly running for public office? How do our current Political Parties address who gets to run? How do they get funding?
In the last election, we’ve heard time and time again that those running for the Senate seat can not even TRUST their fellow coalition mates. That speaks volumes to me! That tells us that it is a game where everyman is for himself. How does that reflect on the state of morality in this country? In fact, I’d even go further to say that WE HAVE NO Political Parties in the real sense to speak of.
Our existing Political Parties are made up of the same old stock, the same old group of men. How many are they in every party? I have no idea. I’m guessing the Rotary Club of the Philippines might even have more members than a single political party.
Are you a member of any political party? I am not.
I’ve never even seen any Political Party looking for new members when I was in University. There were booths from Green Peace and other organizations, if I remember correctly back in the day. No one from Lakas. No one from the Liberal Party. No one from the Nationalistas. And I attended school at a certain Green and White bannered university along Taft. Even in High School in Greenhills, no one came recruiting. Is it the same across the big universities?
Our Political Parties have no convention to speak of. Everything is decided amongst themselves.
The only time— the only time our people ever gets close to sounding our choice is on election day itself. Is there any doubt that we have SO many candidates running for the highest office in the land? How can we weed them out? How can we determine, months before an election, we are getting the best from our ranks to go run for public office.
How are we to effect any change? How do we change the dynamics of the situation?
How can we improve the quality of our leaders, when there are no choices?
How is Arroyo able to stay in power? Simply because her fingers are wrapped around the neck of every Congressmen who need money to win their next election.
Rom, you said it yourself, “I don’t see the 2010 elections as being particularly significant in terms of bringing about a change in the way our government is run”. How can it be any different when the same old thing is going to put their name on the ballot. The same old crop, the same old people.
BUT WE CAN change that dynamic. There is a small window of opportunity to do so.
Filipinos like Manolo Quezon, like Jester, like the Catholic Church, like Lozada, like the Black and White have all been yammering about “CHANGE and TRUTH!” I get we need change. You get we need change. The man on the street who has had a grade 4 education gets we NEED change. I don’t think any man, woman or child in this country need to be told that anymore.
They do need to be told how are we going to change it all.
In the words of our friend Jester, who wrote it perfectly:
“…focuses on the the fight of the people to wrest back the sovereignty we have granted to our elected officials as being on the grassroots, with Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio as his example. On this, I am in agreement.”
This is the only way to make the coming election, significant, Rom.
We need to give Good People the opportunity and the means to run for public office.
We need Good People to take our Congress. How much work have they done? We need a sensible person at the Presidential Palace. We need good, sensible people, actually doing the work whose only accountability is for better future.
I whole heartedly agree with Jester’s first two proposals in his post “Because We Must“. While I’m hesitant to focus on all the wrong doings in government, I recognize that our people must remember and see the flaws of our society. I prefer the news to be about How we are changing the game. What Measures, and how to accomplish them should be the news.
The Message must be Positive and upbeat as oppose to negativity.
I propose this: that people of like minds, who believe in the same things, people reading Filipino Voices, people like YOU, get the people from Black and White, get the people from One Voice and all those civil society leaders to consider becoming a true Political Party. Bring Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio and his team in the fold. His team is perhaps THE Best example of how to build a grassroots movement. We need a subchapter in every town, in every city, in every province, in every district.
The goal?
- Replace every Congressman on Arroyo’s side with one of our own. In every district, in every town, in every city, in every province, in every Region.
- Win a majority in the Senate
- Take the Palace.
Civil Society is filled with smart and wise people. Networking is their speciality. Jester was right in that we need the diaspora to fund this enterprise and in Civil Society, I’m sure we have financial wizards who can figure out how to do that. And people who are experts in raising money for a worthy cause. I’m sure the Lawyers reading this can figure out the details with regard to structure and stuff like that.
The economists need to figure out how to set the ship of state right, no nonsense and very blunt strategy to accelerate our economic development. What sacrifices must business make? What sacrifices must labor, must farmers make? We need to talk about food. What technology must we use to attain that goal? And even before the elections are over— these people must all agree on an economic agenda. That a compromise must be struck now.
The educators in the building need to come up with a sure fire way to start taking their heads out of textbooks and get out kids to start thinking and start discerning. This is an Age of Information but what good is all the Google and Yahoo and Mahalo of our age, if our children can not ask the right question? What good is technology if not one of our children can discern and analyze from that mountain of available information?
I’m sure there are Political Strategists out there who can iron out the details and forming a cohesive plan and get everybody on board. Because just as important is a Movement, the Political Will and the consensus to execute it must be in place long before even the first ballot is cast.
That’s what’s going to get people to notice. That’s what’s different. We don’t just protest, we have a plan in place to make things better. We need to convince people this more than just crying wolf. This is more than yammering about hope, about truth, about vengeance. This is about direction. About focus beyond simple rhetoric.
What’s it going to take?
This new political party must have rules. But I tell you this, for this to work It MUST first be a party of inclusion. That means, janitors can join. Truck Drivers. We should get them to join. Every cab driver in the city, we’ve got to have them. Every Teacher in every classroom. Every Farmer. Every Catholic. Every Muslim.
Every member of faith. Every Celebrity. Every professional. Everyone who is outspoken, and the more outspoken, the more honest, more passionate the better.
Everyone.
These are the people have been estranged by the kind of politics Arroyo and her ilk practices, they’re excluded in this decision and are used as Pawns. It must have processes for determining WHO should carry the Flag. It must be decided in a convention. Everybody running on this show must be onboard with the plan that as soon as the elections are over— we must hit the ball running that means a blitz during the hundred days into office.
Is it idealistic? Do I have my head in the clouds? Of course it is.
Too crazy to work? Don’t I know it. But you know what? It might be crazy enough to work.
Easier said than done? You bet.
There was talk of Ghandi and King.
King believed in Civil Rights. Ghandi believed in non-violent confrontation.
This is non-violent confrontation. We’re not holding up any hotel. We’re not doing economic damage. We’re not wasting our efforts clamoring in the streets, like a bunch of beggars waiting for god or Arroyo to grant us a boon. We’re taking back what’s rightfully in people’s hands. We need to grab hold of this country’s destiny.
This is fighting for Civil Rights. What is more fundamental than the Right of Every Man to decide his own future? We must give that choice to our people. Come election day in 2010, there MUST be a choice. Because otherwise, as Rom put it, 2010 will not be significant. Nothing will change and we should welcome another six years of the same old CRAP.
My idea may or may not gain traction. For every person saying it is too idealistic, too crazy: I’m sick and tired of the crap coming out of our media networks. I’m tried of all the mediocrity coming out of our politicians and day in, day out idiotic things our government says and does. Too good to be true?
We haven’t even tried.
Maybe a little idealism is what we need and lots and lots of Good People like You who believe that they have the power to change things.
Try and fail, waste of opportunity it maybe against a system that will not change. But if we keep believing that? If we just stand and do nothing. If we just keep on yammering at the top of our voice at Ayala how our leaders mess this country up day in and day out, the fault is not theirs but in Good People who refuse to think of anything different to change the dynamic of the game, who refuse to do anything.
A window of opportunity is closing on this whole Election business. 2010 is not far off. Building a New Party as a grassroots movement needs to gain traction in the next few months— six at the most to even be viable. It needs to be credible. It doesn’t need people who are just about morality and holier than thou attitude— but does need to include people from all walks of life.
The Filipino’s Party needs great minds, and wise men and women. It needs Filipinos with big hearts and sharp vision. It needs serious people who want to do serious things for our people. It needs for us to remember Civic Duty and Sacrifice. A movement such as this, needs people crazy enough to believe that just maybe, for once we can have a government we need and not a government we deserve for our idleness and our pettiness.
For too long we have yammered and yammered about the need for Change and the need for Truth. This is the transformation the Church is seeking and that our People yearn. We so desperately need to shatter our old paradigm and rewrite the playbook in this country. Changing the Dynamic of the Game— in my humble point of view IS the only thing that will shake the foundations of our Politics and our Society, bind our nation’s wounds and take a step forward and experience a new tomorrow.
Hat tip to Mamutong for “Generations of Fear”
Tags: 2010 elections, filipino attitude, filipino society, Philippine politics, political actions, political parties
I think it should be ‘Rom’ (not ‘Ron’).
so it is.
sorry about that, Rom.
thanks cvj for the heads up.
Forming a ‘New Political Party’ is not much of a paradigm shift. You may change the players but the game is essentially the same. A party will be subject to the same corruptive influences that is inherent in any system where people vie for the top position. Eventually, the good intentions on which it was founded will be quietly pushed aside as it faces the realities of keeping power.
A real paradigm shift would be no government. But the very idea is so heavily loaded with pre-conceptions that I won’t bother even exploring that route.
Furthermore, I believe that it’s not possible to have a ‘party of inclusion’ as you describe it. Each group of people has its own vested interests. Individuals have different aspirations and single party cannot cater to all. It will sometimes need to take a stance and end up excluding someone.
What is needed isn’t a new party or a revolution, peaceful or otherwise. We just need to hold people accountable for their actions, and we need to do it visibly, fairly and consistently.
Anthony, what you want is simply not to do anything at all?
True, every empire will rise and fall. Change. That’s the nature and constant in this Universe.
But I’d rather give Good People a shot first at doing something rather than crouching in a corner in a fetal position and cry. We haven’t given them an opportunity. It’s time we did. I’d rather one shot at giving our people more than an empty promise all over again.
One day in the blanket of a warm sunshine, is that too much to ask for our people?
As you say, every group has it’s own vested interest. That’s the thing about democracy is getting them all to work together. That’s the challenge.
Hold people accountable for their actions? And how do you propose to untangling that gordian knot? We see it every day: people by their nature of being people WILL NOT want to be held accountable for their actions. They find ways to get out of it. That’s the challenge.
All I see is a bunch of “it can not be done”. Don’t you think, I’ve thought about the myriad ways WHY it CAN NOT be done? How absolutely ludicrous this idea is? One day for our people to experience more than hope but something real, something they could grasp in their hand. Is that too much to ask?
I’m NOT— nor i suspect most people are interested in what can’t be done. We’ve been told to do that all the time.
A new party isn’t a paradigm shift. It is a pebble in a house. This thing could be a piece of a foundation: a party formed by actual people in this country is. And a party that is focused on delivering answers, rather than self interest is. A party that has more to say and do than the same old rhetoric. We’ve never had a say in that. This is a step towards everything else.
It’s why I said an agenda must be set long before any campaign begins. It’s a key element. Real serious answers by people who agree on a set of answers— however imperfect.
I’d like one day, just one day for our people to experience the joy of a beautiful day rather than this constant madness. Is that too much to hope for?
When you’re done in your fetal position, scared of the world and done with all the negativity, please come back and share what you think should be done.
I’m interested in WHAT will it take to UNTANGLE this Gordian Knot we call our Country.
How compelling do you think a party of ‘good people’ would be if that party is composed of those who, when confronted by a clear act of cheating and corruption by a sitting President, chose to ignore the issue? I don’t think an answer in the form of “we’re changing the game” will wash.
Cocoy picture this – it’s March of 2010 (two months before the elections) and you are the spokesman for the new party of ‘good people’, and you are fielding questions from reporters. Someone asks you…
“If you had the same resources as Mrs. Arroyo and are faced with the same opportunity as her to cheat in the elections, what would you do”
Will you then answer as you have written above…
“Put yourself in her shoes. I am certain, if I was, I too will use every means at my disposal to keep my grip on power. It is I think, the most natural, most human thing.”
…? In which case, the public will then be justified to conclude (in a corollary to Manolo’s characterization of GMA’s apologists) that they are as she was.
Hello guys. I have been reading some of the blogs of the main contributors here since last year but never really commented on any of them. Except once or twice, I guess. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I actually find it very admirable how you have all given so much of your time blogging about the issues plaguing the country.
Now, I want to share a personal experience of mine which is somehow relevant to your discussions for change, etc.
Last elections, I was working with an NGO basically doing advocacy work. Part of my job was working with government and donor agencies, as well as other NGOs. One of the people I met there invited me to join a partylist that would supposedly represent the youth. He was actually a schoolmate I met again while I was engaged in that program under the UN. Stripped of unnnecessary details, the partylist being formed has no big name or person behind it. It was just “us”, whose ages ranges from 20-40 years old, and our idealism pushing us to get in the “game of the elections”. Despite our individual workloads, we managed to give some of our time doing workshops, formulating our vision, mission and goals (VMG). We were mainly composed of professionals and graduating college students. The lawyers in the group prepared the documents needed to be filed in the COMELEC. Those connected with the media, arranged the radio guestings and interviews by major dailies. It was exciting for all of us and despite budget constraints, we continued to move forward with our plan. Personally, I felt I was part of something very noble and very worthy. It was our way of making things happen, of effecting “change”. Somewhat similar with the way you have been discussing here. I felt then, what better way to be heard but be among them in Congress. Everyone has been talking about the youth as the hope of this country, so it better be the youth sitting in Congress and truly represented to voice out its concerns for proper legislative measures. That’s how I answered the interviews (as I said, we had radio guestings even prior our “confirmation” from COMELEC), and questions asked by the announcers as to why we are running?
But then, my idealism and hope for change vanished when the COMELEC denied our group the coveted confirmation. Apparently, we failed to show nationwide existence. Moreover, we lack “stronger” backing from the said government agency that our Motion for Reconsideration was also dismissed. And with that, our partylists’ good intentions were crushed.
I found it relevant to share that experience here as you have been discussing the 2010 elections. It is not my intention to discourage, but rather to paint something concrete to the ideas exchanged here. I am, like all of you, still hopeful and searching for ways to make things work here in this country. If I had known about you guys back then, I would have asked your assistance and support. Maybe, things could have worked out. I don’t know.
For whatever it’s worth, I do not regret being part of that group and although at present, we got so busy with our own lives, I do hope we can continue what we have started – better prepared and bolder than the way we have been.
More power to you all!
cocoy, it seems that you misunderstood my point so perhaps I should elaborate. I strongly believe that change is possible. It’s just that I don’t agree with your solution of a ‘New Political Party of Good People’.
A country’s government and politics is a reflection of its society. If there is widespread corruption, it is only a symptom of deeper problems within the society. Changing who controls the government may provide temporary relief but it will be short-term at best.
Real change must come from society, which itself is made up of people. That is where you start.
So what can we do?
First and foremost we need to focus on education. Education equips people with tools for critical analysis and an understanding of the available choices. This lays the groundwork for self-improvement.
We must have clear rules (I do not mean ‘laws’) and follow them. The consequences for breaking them should be understood by all and very high. Rules must be enforced but the penalties should be fair.
Remove bureaucratic, overly-hierarchical and authoritarian structures. Spread out the decision-making process but promote individual responsibility. Encourage transparency by allowing open discussion.
You may ask why I think this is the better solution. Take a look at the Scandinavian countries or the Netherlands; their societies are known to embrace these principals. Now see Transparency International’s 2007 Top Ten Least Corrupt Countries (1). While you’re at it, go back all the way to 2001.
Notice that none of these things need involve government intervention. We can establish them in our homes, schools, and companies. In that way, we change our society and thereby improve our government. No revolution necessary.
(1) TI Corruption Perceptions Index:
http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi
cvj,
How do organizations choose their own members? How does say a Civil Society group choose their own members? How does a Rotary Club choose? When I meant, Everybody, I meant every man, woman, on the street who will be life blood of any organization. But I suppose if say, Mike Arroyo would join— he’d be denied membership.
What kind of standard are we talking about? How does the Rotary Club or a Kiwanis Club would choose their members? Something similar, I would say. As for the details, I would love for people to contribute on that. Heck, if Kris Aquino wanted to join for example, would you deny, any more than say a Solita Monsod? Our standard— that’s up for the collective to decide, wouldn’t it?
My thoughts were, if I was in Arroyo’s position right now, fighting for her life, her need to stay in power that I and any man would do the same. It is different from deciding to cheat in the first place.
That said, I would make a terrible spokesman, but to your question, this would be my reply:
Would the Party cheat to win an Election or would I be a party to such cheating, just to win? For too long, our people are used to the idea of using influence and money to win. We do it all the time. We usurp the Law. Going into the election, you have seen our candidates, you have seen the strength of our conviction, we have presented to your our goals and the passion of our plans and the quality of blood, sweat, and vision from which, we draw upon.
If you have doubts as to the strength of our conviction or the sincerity of our Voice, it is your God given Right to cast your vote. It is up to you to decide. We believe in the wisdom of our people, and their ability to judge us fairly.
Make no mistake, we will protect our votes: to guard it because we believe no matter what, it is the People’s Will to decide freely as God has given each of us that gift. We believe in the certainty of our cause. We believe in the Passion of our Party. In the end, The Fundamental belief of our Party is our People’s Right to cast their Vote and decide whether or not they believe in the same things we do. No matter what, we will stand, humbled by their decision.
Anthony,
I truly believe we need to have a much better education system. I strongly believe that a New Education system must focus on getting our people to think– to discern and not just parrot information.
How do you venture to start it? Congress is stuck. Our education department is stuck. How do you begin to untangle that mess, without the ability to be directly involved?
Yes, we can and we should start with our own homes and in our private lives to promote responsibility. Morality begins at home. That is a battle that should be fought no matter what.
On a grander scale we must also engage society. I fear that the corruption in spirit is a cancer that is fast becoming too aggressive. It is becoming all too real that it is a very effective tool and it is spreading to every strata of our lives. It must be challenged.
rafs,
Thank you for your comment and I hope you become engaged as much as you did before.
Cocoy (at 7:41 am), it doesn’t have to be you but anyone who serves as spokesman for that New Party you’re proposing will have to confront that question. That would serve as a litmus test of the values that guides the Party.
Re: your 3rd paragraph, how did Arroyo’s current position become synonymous with her ‘life’? Why is there a ‘need’ for her to stay in power and does that mean that you are prepared to tolerate the kind of political and legal maneuvers that she employs to prevent a thorough investigation of the issues brought up against her? What kind of attitude are we propagating if the ‘need to stay in power’ trumps the value of ‘public office as a public trust’? Is this going to be the guiding philosophy of the New Party you’re advocating? If yes, then how is this different from the Old Parties?
cocoy, your New Party will need to provide answers to your questions at 7:48 am. Simply forming a party won’t make them go away, or make them any easier to solve. We are all stakeholders in the education system. As such, we can all get directly involved. It doesn’t require you to be part of the government or political party to start solving its problems.
To start, you first need to find out what is wrong. You can do this on a top-down national level, in which case the problem becomes very complex and the solution slow and difficult to implement. Alternatively, you can take a bottom-up approach and ask your children, teachers and local businesses about the challenges they face. With this approach, you can get results within weeks or months. They will be small, but immediate needs can be addressed.
Let me pass the question back to you. What is wrong with education in the Philippines?
You write very passionately and have very high ideals. This is commendable. No doubt the New Political Party of Good People that you propose will be similarly idealistic. But what the country lacks are implementers–people who will look at the problems with a cool head and get on with the job of fixing them.
hello cvj, anthony, and everybody else (who will post after this)…
just wanted to say that i’ve read your comments. i wont reply yet. please leave your comments and everything you could think of and I will try to address all of them through a blog post for tomorrow.
hope that is fair enough?
I always steer away my attention from politics. I always thought that there are enough political analysts everywhere to talk about it but then, let me share my insights about this thing you are all talking about. I once talked with my friend about change. The system is a failure, the leaders are failures and we, the people, are failures. There’s no point in pointing fingers to anyone because everyone is at fault.(but i am still going to point fingers in here.)
Since we are looking for solutions, why not kill every person aged 9 years old and above? Now that’s really change. Sounds radical, right? Supposed we’re going to follow you’ve said in here, don’t you think the outcome will still be the same? But when you decide to cleanse the whole nation by eliminating all “rational” adult and start again with children directed by their ideals and innocence, maybe this country has a chance.
2nd, good people need not to enter politics or the government. Simple random acts of kindness with the intention of making a difference are enough. They don’t have to prove their worth. Do your thing and that’s it. Change can start from there.
3rd, ideally, 2 political parties would be enough but do you think these idiots (politicians) will agree to that? Oh no… we’re just pawns being placed in a chessboard controlled by the greediness of these people. How ever things are fitting to their gluttony towards power, they will do everything to make our noses bleed in suffering the consequences of their actions. so if they want to jump to another party or make their own group, that is all for their convenience. We can’t do anything about that anymore. (actually, I gave up just thinking about it.) Isn’t covetousness a mortal sin?
4th, education? I’m sure you’ve seen on TV UP students raising their placards to ouster almost every president. Do we pay taxes so send these kids to school only to rebel? They’re supposed to be focusing on their studies, not do things that can add one more problem to our mountainous problems. Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan, right? So explain to me what’s happening. Again, they should be studying and make the whole nation proud as the solution to this country, not be a problem.
5th, parents should understand the veracity of their obligations to their children. Need I explain why there are a lot of children involved in any kind of crime and drugs? Parents, take heed: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Proverbs 13:24. let’s start now within our own home. Let’s teach our children to be responsible beings, law and God fearing persons. Instill values that cannot be corrupted by society’s evil challenges. That’ll be enough.
Lastly, can’t we just do the first one? I think that’s the best solution…or maybe ask God to start His judgment now. In that way, we can have a fair start.
fair enough Cocoy, thanks for obliging.
ifoundme said: “Lastly, can’t we just do the first one [kill everyone above 9 years old and start fresh]? I think that’s the best solution…”
OK, ifoundme, seems like a plan. Now…how old are you? Do we start with your family first?
cocoy: sounds good. I look forward to it.
why not? we all need to sacrifice, right? or is it just me?? i’m not afraid to die anyway. makikita ko na saviour ko.
oh by the way, are we going to implement all we have talked here or are we just writing in the air?
ifoundme, well, perhaps it’s just you after all.
I thought about it and realised that I’m afraid to die.
It’s also not my right to decide for my parents, grandmother, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and colleagues. Nor do I view the lives of millions of unknown people as the means to an end. Killing and dying only ever creates more suffering. History has taught us that lesson.
Besides, I’m more interested in living. There is too much to do in life; death will come soon enough.
And yes, I am implementing what I’m talking about and have been for around eight years now. My aims are not as grand as those discussed here and the gains modest–almost insignificant. But it is better than just writing in the air.
[...] I believe was somewhat answered in Because We Can Change the Dynamics of the Game: Civil Society is filled with smart and wise people. Networking is their speciality. Jester was [...]
[...] Responses to my column include The Marocharim Experiment writing of “hinanakit,” but it’s cocoy who really got people thinking: see The Jester-in-Exile’s Because We Must, and Rom’s (aka smoke) Must we? Which, in turn, led to a riposte by cocoy in Because We Can Change the Dynamics of the Game. [...]
Cocoy did not advocate or tolerate GMA’s actions. What he is saying is that it is human nature for people to try to protect their interests. Stop waering kasi your biased glasses CVJ
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[...] am I elated by this news? Check out these posts, if you haven’t already: “Because We Can“, “Because We Can Change the Dynamics of the Game“, “Power Not by Desire, [...]
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