And the plot thickens...
One person (I will not mention his name kasi baka sumikat pa) wrote a very detailed rejoinder to my letter. He essentially debunked the points. This is my response.
I wrote the letter Sunday evening, right after the "standoff" at Fort Bonifacio was supposedly resolved. I wrote it in an hour's time. I wrote it for my blog, and sent it to 20 of my closest friends. I did not send it to this or other email groups; others did that on their own. I am amazed that that letter has gone around the world, been read on television, and published in newspapers.
I am amazed that many people wrote me emails thanking me for expressing what is in their hearts and expressed complete agreement. I am equally amazed at the savagery and the personal attack-mode of those who did not agree with the email (I got about three from more than a hundred). I am told that Randy David tore my arguments to pieces in one forum where I was not invited to. I chose not to nitpick.
I expect that there will be people out there armed with a more incisive mind or better debating skills or more comprehensive propaganda material (all of which I do not have at the moment) who will and can debunk my letter. They are welcome to do that. Others can out-debate me, out-fact me, out-argue me - that still doesn't make me wrong. I stand by my feelings and opinions.
If what I said does not meet the intellectual requirements, or do not pass the moral standards of some people; I do not see that as my problem - unlike other people, I never claimed to be absolutely right or morally correct. I only claimed to be these: angry, sick and tired, and wants to move on.
Some people disagree with me, and my message to them is simple: by all means disagree. Just do not tell me that I am not entitled to my feelings or my opinions. That letter was addressed to specific people and nothing in that letter tried to lump everyone who is anti-GMA as being of a certain category. So there really is no need trash each other in the process, even if people felt alluded to.
I have great respect for people who advocate for certain moral truths; people who are willing to die fighting for freedom and rights; people who believe that tyrants exist because there are people who accept being slaves.
I salute them. I really do.
But I have greater respect for people who manifest that there, too, is nobility, there, too, is dignity in accepting certain moral weaknesses.
There is dignity in fighting for an ideal, but there is dignity too in the acceptance of certain realities. I believe in my heart of hearts that there is nobility in accepting that many Filipinos just want to move on, even if it is morally wrong for others, even if we think that that is the unconscionable thing to do. I think we can all learn from the millions of Filipinos who are the real heroes of this country: the Filipino overseas contract workers. They do not pin their hopes on just one person; they have taken matters into their own hands, sacrified their freedoms and their personal comforts and rights for the sake of the country and their children. There are many who judge them for selling out - but there, too, is nobility in what they do.
I did not write that letter to debate with other people. People can narrate the 1,000,000 reasons why GMA should be hanged. I have only one response: the democracy that you claim to fight for is a double-edged sword, it also protects GMA as much as it does you. And one of its basic tenets is this: innocent until proven guilty.
People picked up my letter on their own. The fact that they did, that they forwarded it to others and the fact that this letter has become an issue is indicative of one thing: there are many others who feel the same way as I do.
I guess there are many of us out there who are just so wrong. Should we also be kicked out of this country for not measuring up to the moral standard?
I wrote the letter Sunday evening, right after the "standoff" at Fort Bonifacio was supposedly resolved. I wrote it in an hour's time. I wrote it for my blog, and sent it to 20 of my closest friends. I did not send it to this or other email groups; others did that on their own. I am amazed that that letter has gone around the world, been read on television, and published in newspapers.
I am amazed that many people wrote me emails thanking me for expressing what is in their hearts and expressed complete agreement. I am equally amazed at the savagery and the personal attack-mode of those who did not agree with the email (I got about three from more than a hundred). I am told that Randy David tore my arguments to pieces in one forum where I was not invited to. I chose not to nitpick.
I expect that there will be people out there armed with a more incisive mind or better debating skills or more comprehensive propaganda material (all of which I do not have at the moment) who will and can debunk my letter. They are welcome to do that. Others can out-debate me, out-fact me, out-argue me - that still doesn't make me wrong. I stand by my feelings and opinions.
If what I said does not meet the intellectual requirements, or do not pass the moral standards of some people; I do not see that as my problem - unlike other people, I never claimed to be absolutely right or morally correct. I only claimed to be these: angry, sick and tired, and wants to move on.
Some people disagree with me, and my message to them is simple: by all means disagree. Just do not tell me that I am not entitled to my feelings or my opinions. That letter was addressed to specific people and nothing in that letter tried to lump everyone who is anti-GMA as being of a certain category. So there really is no need trash each other in the process, even if people felt alluded to.
I have great respect for people who advocate for certain moral truths; people who are willing to die fighting for freedom and rights; people who believe that tyrants exist because there are people who accept being slaves.
I salute them. I really do.
But I have greater respect for people who manifest that there, too, is nobility, there, too, is dignity in accepting certain moral weaknesses.
There is dignity in fighting for an ideal, but there is dignity too in the acceptance of certain realities. I believe in my heart of hearts that there is nobility in accepting that many Filipinos just want to move on, even if it is morally wrong for others, even if we think that that is the unconscionable thing to do. I think we can all learn from the millions of Filipinos who are the real heroes of this country: the Filipino overseas contract workers. They do not pin their hopes on just one person; they have taken matters into their own hands, sacrified their freedoms and their personal comforts and rights for the sake of the country and their children. There are many who judge them for selling out - but there, too, is nobility in what they do.
I did not write that letter to debate with other people. People can narrate the 1,000,000 reasons why GMA should be hanged. I have only one response: the democracy that you claim to fight for is a double-edged sword, it also protects GMA as much as it does you. And one of its basic tenets is this: innocent until proven guilty.
People picked up my letter on their own. The fact that they did, that they forwarded it to others and the fact that this letter has become an issue is indicative of one thing: there are many others who feel the same way as I do.
I guess there are many of us out there who are just so wrong. Should we also be kicked out of this country for not measuring up to the moral standard?
Comments
And you didnt expect it, but your Open Letter has been that catalyst that was needed to put these politicians and their supporters on the defensive.
I'm truly disappointed in Mr. Randy David. I thought that he, of all people, would see how ridiculous these attempts at ousting the current government are. That he would realize that the best thing for this country is to focus on SOLVING the biggest problems it currently faces -- and GMA is NOT one of the biggest problems we have today. (I guess Mr. David is starting to get caught up with his own political ambitions).
Sure, the Garci tapes scandal is shocking. The President cheated during the national elections. Sure, so did the rest of the candidates, whether they won or lost. It's not as if people actually DIDN'T KNOW that there was rampant cheating everytime we have elections. The Opposition was given a forum, and several opportunities to try the President. It was on TV, all over the news, the radios -- all of their smear campaigns and propaganda.
But they never were able to present a solid case to the court and did not even succeed in brainwashing the majority of the public in spite of their media blasts.
And like the brats and bullies they were, they could not leave it at that. Hence, the ridiculous circus that ensued for the past two weeks.
Your letter was a tall drink of water in this desert of opportunism and politicking. I actually believe now that Filipinos are getting smarter. We knew better than to take to the streets with these hooligans and we knew enough to go on with our daily lives, working hard for our families and for the economy.
And from the many positive responses to your letter, I am starting to believe that a real change is possible with this generation. Thanks again.
http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=null
Thank you very much for the support. I am truly touched that people are coming together to express support and affirm each other in these difficult times. I guess it is time for people like us to be heard too.
Bong Austero
Bong, I find that the EDSA spirit is here in your blog. Cory,her relatives, and all those who think they can rally us to go back to EDSA should think twice. This is the Filipino today -awakened and aware of the events that are unfolding now. We see the hidden political interests, the hidden agendas, the manipulations of the poor - all the stinking ways for everyone pro and opposition,to stay in power, keep their political dynasties intact and retain their wealth. (And mind you - we are also watching GMA.)
I've been to EDSA twice: one to oust Marcos, the other to oust Estrada. If you'll google it, these two are part of the world's corrupt people - and they come from the Philippines. Yes we have that corrupt distinction! We are indeed a disorganized nation with leaders who think they can run our country the way they want to, as if we, do not exist. Well think again. That EDSA spirit is alive! It does not move because Cory says go to EDSA, screams GMA resign, or unifies with Estrada or Susan Roces or the Marcoses. The spirit of EDSA will resurrect at the right time, with the right cause!!!
I agree - Cory, shut up! And also tell your brother to stop planning coups. And since you're good friends now with the Estradas and the Marcoses, tell them to shut up too! Go get a job, get to work like the rest of us who are trying to earn a living quietly and would like weekends FREE of coups and destabilization attempts!!!!! And GMA, get back to work, too!!!
I think you wrote a great letter. Who cares about mixed metaphors? What matters is the spirit of your open letter. It's still going the rounds and still being discussed in e-groups. I found your blog because of one such discussion. I think you write honestly and you're good at words. It's wonderful to know that there are people like you who take time to maintain sites like this as an alternative to usual media.
Cheers!
iboto...este...wag na. trabaho na lang tayong lahat...
Write more letters like this one.. Mabuhay!
Sabi mo si Randy David tore you letter to pieces in one forum. Ibig sabihin nuon may laman ang letter mo, di ba? I could just imagine his face while ranting against your piece.Kung talagang may sense of fair play siya, dapat inimbita ka para makasagot ka. On the second thought, why waste you saliva and time with those kind? Ignore mo sila para tumaas ang bp nila.
Hernan
Let me call you a friend. Your voice is resonating in the right frequency..Please keep up the good work.
MeCrespo