With the Philippine Stock Exchange closed on Monday, there’s a concern to know what the developments were with the Taal Volcano eruption. So I spent the morning monitoring local social media and the news.
You could not help being astounded—if you have more than what is now the new normal amount of common sense. As I wrote recently, my first priority is my own family and community. That is common sense. For example, while we feel great compassion for the families that were seriously affected in a fire or other calamity, we must also feel a great sense of relief for those who escaped unharmed. I am extremely relieved that as of this time, “Taal” has not become a “Pinatubo.” That was a natural disaster that those of us who experienced it would never want to go through again.
The areas around Taal are literally disaster areas, and need all the personal and public assistance that can possibly be given. That is why as I also recently wrote, I have the Philippine Red Cross on “speed-dial” for my PayPal account.
What disturbed me—and I guess I really should not have been surprised —is the immediate and intensely vicious and vile political comments made in light of this catastrophe. The well-known “wannabes” that expected to be sitting around the government tables of power and were denied in May 2016 were simply disgusting. That also applies to many ordinary citizens who are apparently still suffering massive “PESD”—Post Election Stress Disorder.
Yes, it would have been very helpful if the government had stockpiled a couple of million high-quality face masks, particularly for distribution in heavily affected areas. However, considering this is the worst volcanic event at Taal since 1977 or, perhaps, 1991, maybe a full Senate investigation should be made of all public officials—who are still alive—that could have made different decisions going back to the Cory Aquino administration. Yes, I am trying to be sarcastic.
Could it be that some of those complaining about the inadequacies of government are also those who complain about the disruptions caused by the annual earthquake preparedness drills?
The divide between the “administration” and the “opposition” in almost every country from almost every citizen is extreme. It is almost impossible to find someone who is not tainted with strong political bias, even when trying to show good intentions. One obvious strong administration supporter said: “Yellows become even more of a joke when they blame natural disasters on Duterte. Did they expect Duterte to be at the foot of Taal Volcano while it was blowing up? Did they expect Duterte to know when it was going to erupt and should have been awake?”
Then came the response: “They’re desperate for external validation.” Unfortunately, that may be only partially correct. For some reason, a great many people seem frantic and fanatical about having their political views “validated,” regardless of their political leanings.
Ask yourself if you would really want to be on a sinking ship with any of these people? By the time they finish arguing about the color of the lifeboats, and if it is “women and children” or “children and women” first, it would be Davy Jones’ Locker for everyone and food for the kraken.
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