AS SEEN ON TV
A week of political incorrectness
Political butterflies flourish in countries where the political party system is weak. A weak political system breeds members bringing in neither beliefs nor loyalty into the party. It is hence easier for a lot them to cross party lines if all they think about is winning the election.
In the US, a political butterfly may not thrive. Voters there judge candidates by their platform of government which is embodied by the political parties they represent. As highly respected institutions, political parties epitomize deeply-rooted beliefs, values and ideals.
Politicians adhere to their parties even in the direst of circumstances like not clinching the nomination or not being named standard bearer.
When Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton aspired for the presidency they hurled bile, scandalous and personal attacks at each other. But whatever the outcome, never was leaving the party an option. US politicians seldom lose sight of their being Republican or Democrat because these institutions stand for their convictions and aspirations both as leaders and individuals.
It’s an entirely different picture in the Philippines where politicians move from one party or another as political parties constantly metamorphose into a hodge podge of personalities represented by obscure acronyms. In the Philippines, party alliances and mergers are formed as personal motives and interests constantly shift. That’s why last week we saw a swarm of political butterflies party-hopping like it’s the most normal thing to do.
To me, the two major party conventions were really an omen of things to come, a manifestation of leaders lacking in will and values. I pray that, in the political wrongness of it all the Filipino votes more judiciously.
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Still on political wrongness, the Commission on Elections is taking hit from aspiring Party-List group, Ang Ladlad. It’s contentious enough that the poll body had “exercised” religious discretion in labeling Ang Ladlad as immoral and therefore not worthy of official representation in the House of Representatives where “morality” is highly relevant.
The COMELEC hurt itself further when humored that “gays and lesbians are well represented in congress already” alluding to the sexual preferences of some congress men and women. Having said that even as a joke the COMELEC is now making a greater mockery not just of gays but of the Party-List System itself.
Many members of the House of Representatives are also farmers, fishermen or teachers. Does that mean there is no more need to approve new Party List groups representing agriculture, fisheries and education since these are already “well represented” in congress?
It’s really politically incorrect, even as a presumption.
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A lesson on a different kind of political correctness last week was courtesy of Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao who earned the ire of African Americans when she loosely used the word “negro” in a speech in Las Vegas Nevada.
Canada-based Ilonggo Journalist Alex Vidal in his article said that Aling Dionisia brought the house down when she blurted “Nagpapasalamat ako hindi lang sa mga Pilipino at pati na rin sa mga Amerikano at mga Negro (I thank not only the Filipinos but also the Americans and the niggers).”
Civil Rights spokesman Rodney Surat Whiterspoon allegedly asked Manny to correct his mother and address people of color properly.
Mommy Dionisia did not really mean anything by what she said if you ask me. It is typical of Filipinos of her generation to use “negro” as an adjective (to describe blacks) and never as a derogatory remark, in the same way as she would most likely call Chinese people “intsik”, or Caucasians “Kano” regardless if they are American, European, Australian, or even Filipino albino.
The basics: Refer to black men as blacks (for African decent in general) or African American (if they are American); the white men Caucasians (if you’re not sure of the nationality); and Chinese for Chinese.
I’m sure Mommy Dionisia will learn as soon as she is taught. It is all part of her late journey towards political correctness and refinement.
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