Wednesday, January 03, 2007 Arinday: Indeed, it's piggish year By G.H. Arinday, Jr. Sunfare
OH yes, we are in a year symbolized by the Pig. Or is it the Fiery Boar? Well, that is according to the Chinese calendar of which its influence on us is gaining ground.
Our native superstitions have not been institutionalized. Once our old folks would tell us that whatever sound of an animal would be heard at the stroke of midnight hour, that's how our lives would be. For instance, if you hear the cow's mowing amidst the noise and din of pyrotechnics, it would mean a bountiful year. But it is no longer that way as we resolve to make plans of how lives shall be lived, meaning a New Year's resolution which is often forgotten.
The Year of the Pig is a fitting theme for our country this year given the mid-term elections slated in May. Probably it is just coincidental but it is the season or year when we can make reassessment of ourselves. We are being nudged to reevaluate our character; a moral or ethical revolution so to speak.
However, given the coming atmosphere when the air is rent by different decibels of noises from political animals, the relevance of George Orwell's allegorical classic "Animal Farm" shows us the thematic pattern of filthy politics. It is no secret that a feudal or warlord would like to perpetuate his dynasty in power.
Orwell's illustration about his animal characters demonstrate in a many clever ways in probing into the politician's minds without any philosophical idealism. Psychics, genuine or otherwise, foresee tumultuous year. It is not even a prophecy but downright pretensions or plain stupidity. Being an election year violence and other forms of chicaneries would surface anytime. As a matter of fact, some politicians have already started to dump their prospective opponents on the roadside, courtesy of their fanatical followers or gun-for-hire cretins.
Why did George Orwell chose the supposed domesticated animals to illustrate the political atmosphere charged with violence, betrayal, and other forms of uncivilized mantra in seeking an electoral seat?
Filth, greed, and corruption?
The candidate who has the greatest number of troughs overflowing with slops often wins the race. The various pseudo-religious organizations complicate the processes by preaching the names of their choices irrespective of the individual candidate's intellectual understanding of what good governance is all about. The ideals of public service is lost and the public office becomes a private enterprise.
Worst, in many instances as in the past, the pulpit becomes a launching pad for verbal missile attack against some personalities. Is it an ingredient for what we term as "character change" in order that this country could move on according to their own plans? In Orwell's language, where the rivals for power are both pigs by the names of Napoleon and Snowball, we could easily find their counterparts on the present political set-up. Those who are getting good publicity are strange bed-fellows, like sleeping with the enemy.
It is rather strange that the economic policies of the Establishment is never touched in any vitriolic assault concocted by the "United Opposition." Why? In a few days to come, there shall arise organizations "imbued" with patriotism. A smart politician would cozy up to them but singing under his breath "how much is that doggie in the window?" This is the unalterable attitude of the unthinking politicians to equate the lack of moral virtues among our electorates.
Those running for national offices like the Senatorial candidates should bear in mind that the winning or losing is governed by chance.
The local candidates would concentrate on their own strategy to win and more often than not their campaign materials would contain a mixture of sedatorial bets defending on how some of them would use their campaign chests.
Oh yes, it would be a tumultuous year. Excluding same dreamers in the police-military establishment, it would be bloody in some parts of the country like Mindanao or Abra as well as the Autonomous Cordillera Region. They have already demonstrated it by the courtyard execution of Congressman Luis Bersamin, Jr. The incident was preceded by the rubout of some local officials.
This time I am sure the Comelec would be extra-cautious in their undertaking. I would suggest to the commissioners that a month before the May election, they should not make any call or receive communications from any candidate, including the nuisance power-seekers just to avoid unnecessary controversy.
The advocates of "Charter change" should also redo their "missionary zeal" by refraining in agitating, inciting, and foment hatred on individuals whose faces they abhor so much. I would even suggest that if the preachers or pseudo-prophets would harangue their congregation the latter should walk out to show their displeasure.
It is not all depressing during the electoral season. Watch your TV screens and you will see some politicians endorsing noodles and other cheap products just for purposes of "name recall." The degradation of political processes in this country has sunk so low that nothing can be learned about socio-political idealism necessary to uplift the thinking process of our people.
