Estremera: R-O-C-K!

IT’S a growing malady among local journalists -- a niggling feeling deep in every real journalist's tummy matched with a desperate wish for the elections to end soon.

"Politics and evil/All one in the same/Satan hides behind a different name..."

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Yes, that's how traditional politics has afflicted us; the politics of today, which now has made the word delicadeza as old and unimportant as Maria Clara, and the word avarice as a virtue.

"Take these chains away/Free my hands from bondage/Can't explain away/Avarice will kill you in time..."

No wonder watching television can cause catatonia. It can numb, even the most sturdy of hearts, when in every commercial break you see a politician shaking hands with the poor, accusing someone else of corruption when his face is the epitome of one, and yes, making children sing in chorus.

"Violent upheaval/Cities drenched in flame/Wickedness we know we can contain..."

President Gloria Arroyo will perform her constitutional duty to appoint the replacement of Chief Justice Reynato Puno once he retires on May 17, presidential spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said. Oh gee, now they want us to believe that although she's not really inclined to but it's her sworn duty as the president of the republic. Now have you got that niggling feeling already? Yes, what follows when the niggling gets worse is puke, and you are not alone.

That is of course just second to the fact that nine justices of the Supreme Court said the President can appoint the Chief Justice even when the President is supposed to be already banned from appointing anyone. The delicadeza of past administrations does not count here, so does the delicadeza of past Supreme Court rulings. You're so Maria Clara. In this world we now live in, only the stupid will refuse to rise to the occasion. It's another way of saying that all those who are cringing now are the worst of the stupid lot.

"Who will we murder now/See what we are becoming/An onyx veil that filters out the light/I'll savour this anger/My hate makes me stronger..."

The mushy lyrics of OPMs no longer soothe. The allegro in a full symphony can no longer carry away the burning emotions on a crescendo. There is a craving for words and anger that only a metal rock band can dish out, and yes, the noise that can deafen and drown out everything else, including the politicians. The lyrics scattered in this columns are from one very appropriate song entitled: Avarice by Disturbed.

Used to be Green Day was enough, but not anymore. Now I have found my voice in this American rock band formed in the 1990s. Welcome a new fan.

"Free my hands from bondage/Take these chains away/Running from destruction/Avarice will kill you in time..."

I hope it really will as I bang my hand in time with their shouts and screaming guitars, Rock!

Now, have you read last night's news update out there in ABS-CBN?

"Deputy Presidential spokesperson Charito Planas warned that a military junta could take over the reins of power in the country should there be a massive failure of elections and no winner is declared in the May 10 presidential elections by the end of President Arroyo's term on June 30," it reads.

R-O-C-K!

School's out and the kids are rejoicing. Their joyful voices simply remind me that I'm no longer a kid because unlike them I can't just skip off and take an election break. R-O-C-K!!! (email: saestremera@yahoo.com)