Ides of March and hubris

Beware the ides of March, a dreaded phrase from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a classic story on power and betrayal, warns us all. But coming as it did from a mere soothsayer emerging from the crowds, the powerful Caesar was unmoved. Or was it hubris, a tragedy human beings are powerless to avoid? We shall see. Thousands, millions have lined up against the war in chorus telling George W. Bush in their own fashion in modern times, Beware the ides of March. The ides in ancient Roman calendar refers to the 15th day of March, May, July or October or the 13th day of any other month but the ides of March has become an idiomatic expression for political tragedy. I have now a despatch from London that British troops have been told that an invasion of Iraq would begin on March 17, with a huge bombing campaign being launched four days earlier. The story comes from the Daily Express. It quotes a senior "government source with direct access to British military planning in Kuwait" that "everything is being geared up towards a ground invasion beginning on Monday week." All this is happening while both Britain and the US move heaven and earth to get a new UN resolution which would include an ultimatum (72 hours) and a protocol. This would effectively force a vote in the UN Security Council to approve the war after giving Iraq a few more days to give up its chemical and biological weapons or furnish evidence of their destruction. There can be no dilly-dallying after this with April 10 as the deadline to end the war before desert temperatures soar and cause more American casualties than anticipated.

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Americans are still hoping France would change its vote but this depends on what UN inspector Hans Blix will report to the UN. Given Blix’s earlier assessment that Iraq’s destruction of missiles is ‘real disarmament’ and early declarations for a veto by France and Russia, that might not be in cards. President Chirac may need a face-saving prop to be able to turnaround but so does Bush as he flounders with his warring stance – too far gone for a reversal. It would be inconceivable for the only superpower in the world to retreat at this time even if the lives of thousands and the well-being of the world are at stake. That is a pity. The Greeks had a word for it – hubris.

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Contrary to the American viewpoint that only war can save the world from further violence from an unstable regime like Saddam Hussein’s, the joint declaration of the Germans, Russians and French argue that their common objective remains the same from the start of the crisis: The full and effective disarmament of Iraq, in compliance with Resolution 1441. It depends on where you’re coming from. Older Europe has a longer perspective and a background of experience to be able to accept an Iraqi disarmament, if by a less desirable process by installment but not a younger, aggressive and commanding superpower like the US who needs to prove a point. Moreover, the Europeans see the crisis as a chance not just to punish Iraq but also "to obtain through peaceful means" a comprehensive settlement for the MiddleEast. They do not see that happening after Iraq is attacked.

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Rodel Rodis case in the US. Filipino groups under the umbrella of NaFFAA condemned the arrest and humiliation of community leader, Rodel Rodis in a Walgreens store in San Francisco. Through their national chairman, millionaire Loida Nicolas Lewis, the group is demanding a public apology and corrective action from Walgreens and the city of San Francisco. "Our community is outraged by the precipitous action of a Walgreens manager and the insulting behavior of San Francisco police officers. Falsely accusing Mr. Rodis, an elected Trustee of the San Francisco Community College Board; and then subjecting him to be publicly handcuffed and wrongfully arrested is an affront to our dignity as Filipino Americans. If this could happen to someone of his stature, it could also happen to others whose only crime is the color of their skin." Lewis, a Bicolana, is herself a widow of late self-made black millionaire Reginald Lewis.

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Positive and realistic action for our workers in Hong Kong. It is good to hear that groups working against HK government policy to lower wages of domestic workers are taking a more positive direction in their campaign. For example, rather than fight the consulate officials they are enlisting the support of the Philippine Consulate General and had good words for the Philippine Senate which is poised to submit a resolution to the International Labour Organization. The workers must wisen up and think in terms of successful strategies. They must be wary of individuals and groups with a political agenda and use their campaign for ulterior purposed. They are dealing with a foreign government policy and shouting slogans will not reverse wage policy, especially because Hong Kong, now a part of China, has its own unemployed thousands.This is called self-preservation. But some diplomatic horsetrading is possible if handled properly. "What we want is for the government to intensify its lobbying efforts to the Hong Kong government and to international inter-governmental institutions against the wage cut," the HK Filipino workers’ groups said. Speaker Jose de Venecia’s succesful negotiations as far as the wages of those already there are concerned is an important first step they should build upon. To insult him for having succeeded on their behalf is not just not. I doubt if it comes from the workers themselves. More likely it comes from political intriguers who have no real concern for the workers.

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Overseas Filipinos for constitutional reform. From "Ofelia Mananquil Bakker" [email protected], one of the leaders of the successful campaign for the absentee voting bill in cyberspace has forwarded this message from Ed Melicor "eymelic4"<[email protected] "I agree that constitutional changes are needed. I support this movement.I also support making it illegal for religious groups (Catholics, Iglesia,Born-Again etc) to use the pulpit and congregation for any political purpose. Make it illegal for religious leaders, even in their individual capacity, to be involved in any movements, unduly influence their members, to lobby, or form any groupings for any political ends or are aimed to make political statements ... They have failed miserably to instil moral values in the only dominantly Christian country in Asia.... makes me wonder what they have been preaching to turn the Philippines into one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Make it criminal for public officials to sow intrigues or innuendoes, which are just meant to mislead and confuse, in the press or Senate and Congress public hearings without any proof. Not even during the most abused ‘in aid of legislation’ hearings. Strengthen judiciary and establish 7/24 courts to settle civil disputes and petty crimes. And many more. But of all these changes will be meaningless if we continue to elect weak and morally corrupt leaders."

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That is at the heart of the constitutional reform – shift to parliamentary system. In a presidential system we will keep on electing actors or characters with suspicious sources of money. I am not surprised that some senators do not want their bank accounts looked into. Are you? Neither am I surprised if some senators do not want constitutional reform wherein money and popularity will not be the only requirements of being voted as head of government of this country. If we elect our leaders on the basis of money and popularity we will never get the leaders we want, it is as simple as that. Look where the objection against constitutional reform is coming from. Not in the House of Representatives. It is coming from the Senate. The Senate which blocked Erap’s impeachment. The Senate who kept people waiting on the AMLA. The Senate who takes forever to pass bills yet keeps on taking billions for their own expenses. A congressman said yesterday that changing the Constitution is futile with only two senators so far in favor of constitutional reform. There is a public clamor for reform and they want the reforms now. This can only be done by constituent assembly. Therefore it is the Senate (because of some senators) which is out of step.

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