Bringing out the best and the worst

Just by gathering a week’s worth of news, I easily came to today’s column title “Bringing out the best and the worst”.

The week for me started out with the good news that a natural farming seminar will be held next Saturday, June 7, at the Mabuhay Manor Hotel from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosting the seminar will be Keith Mikkelson who comes from a long line of farmers who started out in Norway then migrated to Wisconsin, with Keith eventually landing in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

This to me is good news because Mikkelson as his seminar is titled, promotes natural farming. This goes beyond the overly hyped “Organic farming” which has been prostituted into a commercialized venture that only the rich can afford. I first learned of Mikkelson’s advocacy when I came across his book “Sustainable Agriculture” (in the tropics) which was a lot cheaper and quicker than enrolling in agriculture school.

By chance I happened to be invited to speak at a major Christian gathering last year and it was there I had one hour free to find his address, drive out to his farm and see for myself if it was all “press release”. Aloha House was like a compact garden laboratory and showcase of the Christian solution to the third world dilemma.

In his “Sermon on the mount”, Jesus said “feed the hungry…” but even better than that Aloha house and Mikkelson has been quietly teaching Christian workers and socially awakened individuals how to get the best and better results by using nature, not man’s power or man’s chemicals, like fertilizers that eventually turn against us. In real terms they also show their love by caring for many orphans, some of whom will never be adopted because of a physical handicap.

Like me, Mikkelson is a bit standoffish, something I notice with mid west farmers, but he certainly has the great character of paying attention to detail in his book and his work. The book is a great daily review, but seeing things and doing things hands-on elevate you to the next level of commitment. I hope Secretary Art Yap can make time because the idea of not having to buy fertilizer for all types of farmers will surely be tackled. Mikkelson also teaches how to combine certain plants or flowers, which work as NATURAL insect repellants INSTEAD of having to use insecticides. At the very least it will add to Sec. Yap’s vast knowledge.

I was told only 30 slots are available but after my phone call, now there are only 29. For particulars you can contact the Mabuhay Manor Hotel on FB Harrison or try your luck next Saturday, June 7, 2008.

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While foreigners (like my wife) try to help make things better in the country, it only takes a few media hungry cabinet members or government officials to muck it all up. Quite frankly, President Arroyo should require all her cabinet members to undergo a re-education camp type of media training.

While I understand that departments and offices will regularly have conflicts or differences, it is never to the country’s interest when officials in an effort to promote themselves or their work, publicly hang the dirty laundry. I am all for transparency, but when officials are too blind, too stupid, or too selfish to realize that they are being played against each other, then it is time for the Palace to call the brats in for a spanking.

Case in point is the so-called controversy over kidney or organ transplants where the DSWD Secretary is being played against the Secretary of Health. For all I care they can discuss, they can cuss, kick and scream if it will resolve all issues, but taking the matter to the media or pulling hairs in public is an idiot’s way of going about it.

Yes, it is a public health issue, but there is no law or rule that says the media or self appointed referees have the right to drag government officials and resolve or discuss the issue publicly. Public health concerns are addressed by careful study, consultation and policy determination. Experts and informed individuals meet and sit to come up with solutions. Idiots get used to start a fight; manipulators to create distractions use fools!

Similarly, Human Rights Chairperson Leila de Lima has certainly started on her new job in a dash. But if the lady would stop and reflect how her three days of basking in the media has affected the government as a whole, it would be well worth reconsidering her approach.

There has never been any doubt that the CHR is always on the job and fearlessly standing by what is right and true. But the recent media releases from De Lima’s office have started to sound more like judgments from a court than results from a fact-finding body.

Only courts can declare conclusively if the cops are guilty in the Tanauan “rubout”. For a government office to use the term “rubout” is in itself irregular. Whatever the crime is and however the public calls it, government officials must remain in the realm of formal language. Call it excessive use of force, extreme prejudice, extra-judicial killing but official documents or pronouncements should never use pedestrian lingo.

I am no lawyer so forgive me if I overstep my competence. But as I observe investigations and proceedings done in foreign media, it is clear that details of a crime is not something that the CHR should be discussing. All such information is turned over to prosecutors and the Department of Justice who brings the matter to court and certainly not to media.

Judging from the reports on the CHR findings and statements attributed to the Chairperson, she sounds like the PNP and the DOJ are public enemies belonging to a different government. Maybe I react to De Lima with haste, but all the good work she splashed on the front page now makes others in government stink!