Celebrate for now. Every victory counts. Believe us, we are also well aware that soon enough we are faced with sober senses the real conditions of our people, our polity, our economy, our nature....
We believe that the time will come when real social justice, change, and development are realized through people's conscious collective action and active citizenship. And that shall be the time when we are no longer elite-struck and entangled in the vicious cycle of alternatively cheering and jeering the same elites and politicians who have perpetually caused misery and oppression to our people.
I was in Paris five years ago at the time Sarkozy just won the presidency, and I thought Sarko won't be a good president. Some French classmates-friends even despised me for being critical of 'their' new president. What now?!? Au revoir, King Sarko! So that's 'karma' for you, killing your most generous benefactor, Qaddafi!!!
I must say I'm pessimistic about the difference Francois Hollande can make at this time of crisis. But let's give him a chance. What does it mean to be leader of the 'socialist' party in France, in Europe these days?!? Though not supported by MEDEF or the bosses, I find Hollande's policies still very much within the ethos of 'neoliberalism', still pro-capitalist market, pro-capital, pro-business, and less on labour and the marginalized. To be socialist is not only to be anti-austerity. Austerity measures are only symptoms of the failed neoliberalism framework underpinning them.
On the surface, it looks like Europe is now turning 'left' or 'socialist', but what frightens me is the constantly increasing number of supporters of fascist, extreme right parties. Imagine, the fascist Marine Le Pen getting 18% of votes, a considerable figure, truly alarming. Combine it with the numbers of neoliberal economic right-wingers! Meaning, progressives cannot afford to be complacent and there are more consciousness raising and touching lives to do!
I just hope that in France, in Denmark, in Greece, and soon in Germany, these so-called 'left' - or whatever is left in their socialist ideals - won't just prepare the ground for the return of the right neoliberal, xenophobe idiots!
On Marx's birthday, I've found myself watching a classic lecture of the inimitable Ka Dodong, the first who taught me 'Marxism', particularly Marx's analytical method and normative ideals.... Indeed, so long as there is injustice and exploitation in the world, Marx's ideas will continue to inspire the social forces for change and haunt the exploiters!
Link to the videos of the lecture of Francisco 'Ka Dodong' Nemenzo, 'Marxism in Our Time':
Oh, my Manila.... God, save my city! Another breed of competent, visionary, innovative, creative, no-nonsense Mayor and local leaders is most urgently needed! There's really something essential to human dignity and respect for electorate intelligence that has been lost with the wretched socio-economic conditions of the city and with the dumbing down politics of the country.To be for alternative futures. To be for change.
And the bully is showing off its arsenals.... Mao must have been turning in his grave as the greedy spirits of capitalism and imperialism have possessed the Chinese government and the country's clique of new political-economic elites....
Before capitalism — with its logic of accumulation, interests in expansion, and requirements for more energy and natural resources — discovered these disputed islands, there was peaceful coexistence and a sharing community among diverse fishers, among nations.To be for peace.
