Le the Middle Class surprise you
Opening my email today:
Dear friends,
Please be advised that as of July 11, 2006, KARAPATAN’s Documentation Committee reports the following update on the data of killed and disappeared:
Please be advised that as of July 11, 2006, KARAPATAN’s Documentation Committee reports the following update on the data of killed and disappeared:
TOTAL # OF VICTIMS OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS 704
ORGANIZED 299
OTHERS W/ NO KNOWN POLITICAL AFFILIATION 405
TOTAL # OF VICTIMS OF ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE 181
Public Information Desk
KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
Yeah, and you have a good morning, too.
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Yesterday the whole day I felt like I’ve been whipped and dragged through the hedge head first. Two writers filling 20 pages of text! It’s insane. Plus I have to do the lay-out as well (not the actual electronic lay-out, just the dummies. Here they’re called ‘books.’ Go figure.)
I’m writing this blog as an exercise prelude to my writing the banner story. I’m going to defy David (yet again) and write it in Filipino. He won the last time when he wanted the banner (or as they’re called here, the ’splash.’ The British!) in English and Chi and I were too tired to debate with him.
Anyways. I would just like it registered that I really don’t go out of my way to fight with anyone. It’s just not my nature to let things simply pass if and when I disagree with them.
David is in Canada right now and while there is quite a large measure of relief not having him around and breathing down our necks like some petulant dragon, he still emails and, like he wrote himself, this is not a democracy and thus it’s a dictatorship.
I know full well what to do with dictatorships: you take them down (unless it’s the dictatorship of the proletariat, because in that case you support them. Harhar).
Seriously, I’m going to defy David’s edict and write in Filipino. The article works and reads better in Filipino. I’ll just write a translation for him. AFTER the paper comes out.
Man, this is really stressful. I resigned two weeks ago, but he didn’t acknowledge it. I told him to find a new editor. I can’t hack this kind of working environment (but I do love everyone else I work with. It’s just David I can’t stand), and I always feel stupid afterwards whenever David and I clash because, well, I’m the only one who answers back. Okay, so Chi does also, occasionally. Mostly Chi doesn’t care to correct David because he (Chi) thinks it’s a waste of time and saliva.
Anyways, enough about my work-woes. I should focus on the task at hand. Despite the David-induced stress, I feel a little proud of myself because I think I’m putting out a good issue. I think of Eduardo Galeano’s words all the time.
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I write for people like them -
— Whoa! the CBCP took back its endorsement of the impeachment complaint against Arroyo.
I don’t this means that the bishops are now supporting Arroyo; but all the same this step benefits Arroyo and has a dampening effect on the impact of the complaint.
I don’t this means that the bishops are now supporting Arroyo; but all the same this step benefits Arroyo and has a dampening effect on the impact of the complaint.
Should Filipinos support this impeachment complaint? Of course! It’s an expression of strong dissent and disgust against a corrupt, illegitimate and inhumane presidency. The complaint is something the middle class (including the fence-sitters and the rigidly law-abiding ones) can rally behind and campaign for.
It’s not at all like people expect the predominantly pro-Arroyo Congress to seriously consider the complaint and give it the thumbs up and transmit it to the senate (unless some major miracle happens like a videotape of Arroyo actually ordering the likes of Garci or whoever else to rig the votes in the 2004 elections comes out); but it’s a battle worth fighting anyways.
The impeachment process is a very good venue for ventilating views and swinging public opinions towards the anti-Arroyo camp.
And it also provides a good means to teach a few lessons about the futility and utter fakeness of the ruling system’s so-called democratic system and rule of law ek-ek-ek.
Nothing like the Middle Class being frustrated and angered out of its wits when its (rank and file) members’ more idealistic (and let it be said, politically naive) aspirations are thwarted.
Three cheers for the Middle Forces! Most of the time they disappoint, but ever so often they can give you a very pleasant surprise.
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Argument over email with Voldemort Jr. He won, but the quotes will still be in Filipino. This. Is. So. Stressful.
