Heckling Bush
In Retrospect, Eastern historians will treat Bush more kindly
Well it was a loud slap. The results of the mid-term US elections, that is. There is so much we can say about magnanimity in victory. Yes, we feel victorious in a way in the humbling of the repugnant American President. Somehow he became less repugnant afterwards. Especialy, we can’t see him doing his John Wayne swagger anymore (so it has been part of the script after all, part of the projection schemes like Karl Rove’s all-knowing smirk?). If ever he’s made to do the speech again (Either you’re with us or against us) wishfully thinking of intimidating somebody (smoldering eye slits, eyebrows raised, silent designed-to-be-ominous threats), he most likely be met with guffaws.
Meanwhile the world turns. South Korea refused to give in to America’s request to participate in ship interdictions in the latter’s intent to tighten the sanctions over North Korea. China is hailed by the Western press as more cooperative but again, do they really believe that? Burma has been thumbing its nose against the West-led sanctions all these years because it has the natural resources that China (now even India) covet. It has been awash with cash despite the sanctions (unfortunately, only the Burmese military has benefited). In fact, in the recent APEC meeting in Hanoi, the star is not the US, it’s China. The Western press is not reporting it but almost all the countries in that Summit have been dodged by aggressive billion dollar aid proposals by the trillionare (the only country with over trillion dollar reserves) Chinese. The Chinese money is the one talking loudly lately. Philippine trade with China shot up to $17 billion last year from non-existent in 2001. That’s not to mention infrastructure projects worth billion of dollars. The US, just like the rich guy in the village rumored to be on the way out, is treated with respect but everybody has their eyes on somebody with more spare cash in his stash.
As the American Century nears its end, it would’ve been ideal if the American leader is well-respected. Perhaps it was Fate intervening to hasten the transition (in that light, Bush had his purpose & in retrospect, Eastern historians may treat him more kindly). I’m still analysing the ultimate effects of the Pacific Century on the Philippines, but one thing I’m sure, the Philippines must be aware it is coming. To its credit, the Philipine President is aware, & this must have been the reason the American hand was somewhat evident in the recent unsuccessful attempts to unseat her. Unfortunately, economic growths have been robust lately in the Pacific area that old (read the CIA-inspired People Power revolution now being exported to the former Soviet Bloc) intrigues are not enough to upset things. Well, there’s no stopping History when it wants to go to Act 2.
Well it was a loud slap. The results of the mid-term US elections, that is. There is so much we can say about magnanimity in victory. Yes, we feel victorious in a way in the humbling of the repugnant American President. Somehow he became less repugnant afterwards. Especialy, we can’t see him doing his John Wayne swagger anymore (so it has been part of the script after all, part of the projection schemes like Karl Rove’s all-knowing smirk?). If ever he’s made to do the speech again (Either you’re with us or against us) wishfully thinking of intimidating somebody (smoldering eye slits, eyebrows raised, silent designed-to-be-ominous threats), he most likely be met with guffaws.
Meanwhile the world turns. South Korea refused to give in to America’s request to participate in ship interdictions in the latter’s intent to tighten the sanctions over North Korea. China is hailed by the Western press as more cooperative but again, do they really believe that? Burma has been thumbing its nose against the West-led sanctions all these years because it has the natural resources that China (now even India) covet. It has been awash with cash despite the sanctions (unfortunately, only the Burmese military has benefited). In fact, in the recent APEC meeting in Hanoi, the star is not the US, it’s China. The Western press is not reporting it but almost all the countries in that Summit have been dodged by aggressive billion dollar aid proposals by the trillionare (the only country with over trillion dollar reserves) Chinese. The Chinese money is the one talking loudly lately. Philippine trade with China shot up to $17 billion last year from non-existent in 2001. That’s not to mention infrastructure projects worth billion of dollars. The US, just like the rich guy in the village rumored to be on the way out, is treated with respect but everybody has their eyes on somebody with more spare cash in his stash.
As the American Century nears its end, it would’ve been ideal if the American leader is well-respected. Perhaps it was Fate intervening to hasten the transition (in that light, Bush had his purpose & in retrospect, Eastern historians may treat him more kindly). I’m still analysing the ultimate effects of the Pacific Century on the Philippines, but one thing I’m sure, the Philippines must be aware it is coming. To its credit, the Philipine President is aware, & this must have been the reason the American hand was somewhat evident in the recent unsuccessful attempts to unseat her. Unfortunately, economic growths have been robust lately in the Pacific area that old (read the CIA-inspired People Power revolution now being exported to the former Soviet Bloc) intrigues are not enough to upset things. Well, there’s no stopping History when it wants to go to Act 2.
posted by ED NUÑEZ at 3:50 AM
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