Saturday, March 24, 2007
Self-preservation
I can’t believe the news I read this morning! “Arroyo: I experienced hunger too in last 3 months(http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=56430)
An SWS survey came out saying that one in every 5 Filipinos today experience hunger. Arroyo goes on to say that the survey asked “Did you miss one meal during the last three months?” Which I highly doubt. Such surveys are not meant to put anyone in a bad light, I mean, supposedly, the science of survey tries to lessen the uncontrollable variables through the question itself. With such a broad question, the survey would not be able to achieve anything. Everything’s not about having a political agenda, Ms. Arroyo.
The gall of comparing herself to the Filipinos. To the point of saying that those who answered the survey are not really in need or hungry, because even the rich, like herself, miss a meal or two too. Come on! You really believe what you’re saying?
Just to save ass, how low can you get?
Of course the survey meant to capture the meaning of “involuntary hunger”. These people who said a resounding yes to the question meant that they missed meals because they can’t afford to buy a meal. They would rather work than eat, so that the rest of their family can eat. They have nothing to eat because they were not able to scrounge for food, wherever they could do the scrounging. They missed 1, 2 or 3 main meals not because they were on a diet. Not because their conscience is killing them and they’ve lost all appetite to eat from the table that could feed thousands. Or to eat the food that money from corruption bought. Their conscience is clear, as well as their stomachs. Real, physical hunger that pains the body, dulls the mind, weakens and kills. What in hell can you see there that’s the same in your situation?
For years, your government has been saying lies, to sugarcoat the reality we see from the reality you want to see. I thought you’d make the better president. I gladly went to the street in January of 2001 to oust a corrupt, drunken president. Maybe it was a premonition that I slept through your oath-taking, too tired from the activities of the previous night’s vigil for justice. Maybe so I can pat my self on the back to say I had nothing to do with your getting the presidency then. I am proud to say that I never voted for you. Even during the farce of your election in 2004. The election you say you won.
You were never hungry. You may have missed a meal, but not out of poverty. Maybe overworking (the best excuse you could have, and I could accept, not knowing though what you’re overworking on). Maybe out of too much work to do because, let’s face it fake or not, you are the president. Or at least, you’re the one in Malacanang. But to say that your “hunger” is on the same level of hunger the Filipinos experience is a joke. Your hunger is but an ant’s bite to the gnawing pain the poor of this country experience. Do not attempt to understand anything and say things that would only show how truly detached you are to the plight of your countrymen.
Cut the crap and accept the realities of life. The Philippines you’re running is hungry. For food. For justice. For truth. And you’ve been squeezing out even the last vestiges of the pride we’re hanging on for dear life with your lies. Stop the ass-saving. Stop the pretences. We don’t need excuses. Most of all, it doesn’t help the situation when the president says she’s gone hungry too. It’s an abomination. A humiliation. An embarrassment to have a president who’s so thick faced that the only retort she can come up with is to disgrace the poor with her thoughtlessness. Shame us no more. Shame us no more. 23march2007
tweenkies_1106 at 8:35 PM