Turning the Tide: Man Against Humanity

 

 

 

In the midst of this global pestilence indiscriminately unleashed to all corners of the world, one that is wreaking so much unprecedented anxieties and deaths, do we still doubt the vaunted ferocity of man?

 I have no abiding answer, except to imagine an applicable scenario that could apply here.

Man breaks into a pristine place blest by nature with bounty and beauty. It had hills and valleys, meandering waterways, flora and fauna of almost infinitely diverse variety, balmy and hospitable weather in many places. Etc. All perfect for all human living designed in convergence and congruence with nature.

 Yet, nature being what it is did provide some cautionary caveats. There will be rains, tides, and fires, all sorts of tribulation and trial, to provide risks and anxiety for human living, but man is expected to adapt and learn to live side by side with them.

 But man is never contented, nor is he a prudent and diligent steward of nature. He did what he could to degrade and “alter” nature’s provisions. To a point that nature has lost its equilibrium and became instead a hostile force to man. And thus freakish acts of nature have become the new normal.

 Wars and pestilences. Flooding in places where man had chosen to live, harsh typhoons and torrential rains that damage altered topography obliterating humans in the process, deadly diseases in places where humans live in despicably congested conditions, etc.  Worse, diseases marked by the handiwork of humans brought into existence and released to raise havoc to humanity itself.

 Given that, can we humans then lay blame on anybody else but ourselves? Like blaming nature for what is happening?  For the virulence and ferocity that has been unleashed.

 Man must go back to the basics.  To the basic differences between nature and grace. To the basic purpose of human existence.  To the basic creed of God and personal responsibility.

Man then must turn inward rather than outward for this is where his salvation is heading.

 AND BECAUSE DIRE SITUATIONS BRING OUT THE BEST OF HUMANITY, LET THIS ONE BE THE TURNING POINT.  FOR ALL.  AND FOR GOOD.

Truth Subverted

Many well-intentioned people are still confused and maybe even frustrated, why others cannot see the “wisdom” of their choices.

Choices that have been phrased and echoed by most mainstream media with almost lock-step cadence, enunciated by the supposedly staid and august academia and punditry, and by the media-covered protestations of most vocal politicians.  Soundly repeated by those many in critical levels in the Deep State or the administrative state ensconced in their life-long careers by their leftist patrons. And yes, even in very popular Hollywood and sport and entertainment media who have the almost uncontested ears and minds of many of the populace.

Did we leave anybody else?  Maybe so, since this eerie unanimity covers practically all corridors of power and influence in society, the enthroned and established elites of all flavors.

Seeing and understanding this, it is easy to realize how truth if the desire is to suborn it has a very difficult time in seeing light.

It is also easy to understand why and how continued discussions of the issues are skewed against those who seek and honor truth and justice.   Like the obviously two-tiered justice system in the US?  Piled on and stacked against so much, the truth has a very challenging time and will require Herculean efforts to be released.

But truth at times in obtuse ways is let out, sometimes unwittingly.  Exposed in events and results that cannot be easily managed or manipulated, like stats, polls, political and economic realities, or results of democratic elections, etc.   Things that suggest or point to the opposite of those promoted by an entire generation of committed advocates blinded by rage and loathing. 

Knotty things like if things are so bad in the current regime, why are those out of power so determined to take credit for what is happening?

Why do allegedly iron-clad cases brought against the current regime, cases conducted and executed in most unfair and partisan ways, end up exonerating the accused?

Why do claims of injustice and criminality alleged by the current regime do not end up in exculpatory rebuttals, but usually end up with at least lame apologies and sliding affirmation, though so far no criminal accountability has yet been lodged?

Or why do the numbers in free gatherings of people undisputedly suggest that the current regime is a lot more popular and followed than those oppose to it?

If truth is not vigorously pursued then, the slow pace of historical reckoning will have to be waited upon.

Will well-intentioned minds become inquiring minds?

An Unlikely Instrument

Donald J. Trump created the perfect storm for both the US and the rest of the world.

He literally upended most everything of note in the world that had become staid and part of its encrusted landscape.  Turned them all upside down and exposed their unpleasant underbellies.

And this he did with his brash and unrefined personality and rhetoric, lighting aflame the minds and hearts of those who had accepted as realities the mossy standards that the world had been covered with.

Sadly, a good part of the world continues on its merry ways, many unable to accept this change and fighting tooth and nail to try and maintain their status quo.  With many still continuing to do with willful intent.

But what is more pitiful are the many who refuse to use their minds to see the rectitude and goodness done by Trump, simply because they could not imagine him being an instrument of good and peace.  They continue to depict him as the Trump of a lamented pre-era, egotistical and trivial, and so enamored with his outsized ego.  So they allow their vengeful hearts to continue to abhor and loathe every move he makes, and continue to cast their lots to the side that in reality has had its foot on their throats, and thus, not allowing them to prosper.  And release them from the servitude of ignorance and ill will.

Doubly sad that many of these latter people count as those who are near and dear, and thus, ought to know better.  That when somebody tolls for what is right and that that somebody only has their better interests in mind, that they should at the very least take notice and heed where necessary their admonition.

That hopeful consummation continues to be devoutly wished for.  For we continue to be convinced that ……..

Veritas Liberavit Vos.

And as slowly being unveiled, the Trump reality is inching its way to the fore.  And if the prophesy completes then this truly is a masterful stroke of that Being who engineered all this.

The expected acquittal on Wednesday from the impeachment charges leveled at Trump will only be one bead in a string of victory gems he has been able to garner.  It started with his most unlikely win in 2016.  The almost 3 years spent by a partisan special counsel convened to try to prove collusion with Russia, that came up empty-handed. And sunniest of them all are the ones shown in the economy and the world stage.  With historic trade deals with China, Mexico, and Canada; more financial participation of other European countries in NATO, etc.  The world has suddenly become fairer and more equitable.  And government has suddenly minded the forgotten men – the disappearing middle class, the hapless veterans, the lowly but many minorities, etc.

Using such an iconoclastic figure.  One so diametrically opposite to the hardy model etched with sweat and blood by that lowly carpenter thousands of years ago.

My First Return to the Old Hometown

Though it had transpired in the early 60’s of the last century, significant memories of it are so deeply etched in my mind that recall would be quite easy.  No sweat.

But the first question to be asked rightly would be why the need to leave which necessitated a return.  Well, it was like this.

Completion of high school for me was in the summer of 1958, followed right away by my first year of college in the same school, Xavier University.  High school ended on a rocky note for me, after a year or two of listlessness and aimlessness.  Had lost much interest in school, and was simply going through the motion in cadence with the rest of the people who were in school with me.  Unbeknownst to me my mother had been burdened by this development, maybe even unable to find in her mind the solution on how to deal with me.  So in a moment’s notice, I was told I would be sent to Manila to live with my father there.  Obediently, did her bidding and wasn’t really too grieved by the prospects, for after all it would be my chance to see and live in the big city, for the first time.  So there I was shipped to Manila in a slow boat, where I would be spending the next 3 years.  The time allowed me to finish an undergraduate course.  And in a real way, allowed me the opportunity to examine my life’s priorities and direction and set a course somewhat, though still quite asea and confused.  For one thing, after that undergraduate course, I still did not find myself prepared enough to pursue any meaningful path in terms of career or whatever.  Did not find myself sufficiently mature to enter adult life, since I still kind of thought of myself as an adolescent.

Anyway, there I was again with one brother, and my father and his entire family, in a tub of a boat on our slow voyage back to Cagayan de Oro.

The slow trip allowed for some time of introspection and simply of idle thoughts.  What would the city be like after the long absence?  What about the people whom I knew, where would they be now?  Never had the opportunity to return for a visit the entire 3 years.

Before long all this would be addressed and resolved.  As is typical or usual, the boat docked in the early morning, and before long I and my brother were driven to my mother’s house which was less than 2 kilometers away, passing by the old provincial capitol grounds.

Immediately I was hit with the revelation that because the streets in Manila were wider and better paved, that our own streets were quite narrow, and indeed looked rural, with acacia trees flopping in the wind and tossing its branches above the asphalted streets.  That experience stayed with me for quite a while.

It made me realize and exclaim that before Manila, I had really lived a rural kind of life in very rustic surroundings.  How different the local color and ambiance were.  In a way, how pitiable, especially taking into account the better-looking houses and buildings in Manila.  No wonder travelers before had swooned of the manifold wonders of Manila after their own memorable trips to the capital city.

Over time, I would always harbor the thought that living in any small hometown was life lived in small and simple ways.  Thriving among uncomplicated people and circumstances.  Of life, easy to deal with and none the worse for tear and wear.

Thus, in the succeeding years, I would be engaged in sojourns of leaving the old hometown and coming back after long absences.  And the self-same feelings would still engulf me upon each return.  Like an older man going back to his youth, and reliving the perceived glories that were then present and enjoyed.  And enjoying being cradled by such familiarity and simplicity.

Today as I turn 3 scores and 18, idling thoughts still turn to the same remembrances and somehow they bring some comfort and relief.   And maybe the final thought that this last return to the old homeland would be the last.

Proposed XU Comprehensive Development.

An integral part of this expansive development would be the outright sale of a good chunk of the XU main campus in the Divisoria area, and another sale of another area in the Manresa area. 

It is both unfair and unwise to treat this loaded issue as simply black or white, meaning that you have the stakeholders on one side wanting to sell, versus some of the other stakeholders but mostly non-owners opposing the sale.

Why “some of the other owners”, because a reading of those who oppose the sale will reveal the names of the current archbishop and several past XU presidents/officials, who are all also members of the same Society.

In reality, the issue is rather involved and complicated.

The proposed sale to a third-party developer would involve demolition of many extant and in-use buildings in the old campus and the erection of a few high-rise structures along what is now Hayes St.  Similarly, some existing structures in Manresa would also be demolished.  In other words, not much different from completed or ongoing mixed-use developments around the city.

The only easily discernible difference is that most if not all of those developments are owned and/or undertaken by commercial entities with personal profits as their overriding motivation – like the Ayala, SM, Gaisano, etc.  Not so with the proposed XU development.  It is owned by a revered religious institution deeply rooted in the service of humanity, especially those under-privileged.   It is then assumed that whatever it does, the overarching motivation will always defer to its long-standing motto, “to be men for others”.

My reading is that It is precisely in this one particular and critical regard that those opposed have latched on their movement, albeit indeed they are not owners of the property.

What is being asked is for a more open and comprehensive discussion of the many facets to the issue, for as much time as needed for this very involved process.  In other words, expand the previously noted discernment process which was revealed as having only involved a segment of the community.

I daresay that the NO TO SALE side has neither broadly defined its opposition to any sale of any property nor is such stance one written in stone, but rather that thorough exploration of all options or possibilities is exposed to light of day and assessed.  After all, wasn’t Xavier Estates once part of the vast landholdings of Xavier U?

So let us take a breather and while away some time.  Remember we have future generations to think about.