Education at the hands of the Taipans: promoting knowledge or squeezing for profits?

Education at the hands of the Taipans: 

promoting knowledge or squeezing for profits?

It seems that Everyone is talking, be it positive or negative, about how the corporate world is now engaging in Education and its subsequent commercialisation of it. 

Using a variety of terms such as corporate social responsibility, improvement of facilities, total student and faculty care as its pretexts, the engagement of today's corporate taipans, be it those of Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Alfonso Yuchengco, Manny Pangilinan, and others involved, this time in the field of education had almost radically changed the supposed educative aims and geared towards the demands of the world market; different from those whom treating education as means to enlighten and geared towards the needs of the people. 

However, in seeing such well known personalities in the corporate world also dealing in education, then these are one of the fruits coming from a system that has given up supporting people's welfare such as education, of becoming a privilege rather than right, of letting it alone in pursuit of "self-sufficiency" particularly those of State Colleges and Universities, like any other institutions in the name of globalisation and intense competition; hence, it is also the reason on why tuition and other fees significantly increase skyrocket, of rising dropout rates from the youths of working -class backgrounds, of silencing those against repression and fascism on campus, to the extent of trampling the rights of the students in the name of order and stability. 

And perhaps it makes the present educational system that really caters to vested interests serves not to enlighten, transmit knowledge and culture, nor cultivate critical thinking (Education: from the word 'E-ducere', 'to lead out of the condition of ignorance and lack of culture'), but rather to perpetuate itself as a corporate and guarded administration, promoting a form of schooling that is dogmatic and inefficient. 

Here are examples of what is happening in a colonial-oriented, commercialised, repressive educational system:

1.) students tend to be depoliticise by authorities in favor of the interest of the institution, infringing academic freedom and progressive instruction (focusing on "academics" yet unaware on socio-economic issues).

2.) yearly tuition and other fee increases are being justified no matter it disregards working-class students using current inflation rates (in case of the University of the East with its current 5% increase) or for unknown reasons (in case of the National Teachers College with its 6% increase).

3.) commercialisation of assets primarily used in education in the name of "self sufficiency" (in case of the University of the Philippines with its TechnoHub and UP Town Center with Ayala). 

4.) courses that are primarily catered to the demands of the world market, rather than for domestic-based national development.

These examples are being taken as part of policies tailored by corporate taipans, as well as conservative-minded administrators in the education sector. Of repressive policies guised as "student care" over those of academic freedom, rote learning over progressive instruction, repetition of old teaching methods over creating new ones, apathetic rather than sympathetic to socio-economic issues,  profit over service in its orientation. 

And those whom in favour of such policies, besides disregarding the nature of taipans "becoming" educators as exploiters, as well as insisting "private schools" as just "profit oriented" (contrary to its supposed nature as non-stock, non-profit), may assert the importance of academic excellence, discipline, effort, sanction, and reward; yet these importances requires freedom and creativity, as well as justice and fairness in making well rounded citizens of the country as insisted by those against it.

Furthermore, the profit-orientedness of today's education institutions does not guarantee improvements regardless of its objectives. Year-ender Consultations involving administrators, faculty, employees, and students often question the importance of yearly increases yet seeing the actual problem regarding facilities and the rising dropouts every semester; and even resulted to protest actions if administrators stubbornly pursue their attempts that endanger student's right for education, resulting to a series of threats over those being consistently against it (in case of the students from the University of the East and the National Teachers College several days ago). If not mistaken, the Dominican-controlled University of Santo Tomas also pursued their Tuition Fee Increases amidst opposition from students, even telling that the Consultation was made for formalities, and the increase be still pursued with or without the meeting required in accordance to the Memorandum order said by the Commission on Higher Education. The latter, assuming to have regulatory powers, do bark but doesn't bite hard. 

Anyways, come to think of this, if today's taipans, via its administrators in charge did afford to describe their control over non-profit institutions like schools as their "social responsibility", then how come it turned out to be a lucrative profiteering scheme like any other institution being controlled by theirs? As well as imposing policies that some of which contrary to their vision and mission statements? The memorandum orders made by the Commission on Higher Education, as well as the controversial Education Act of 1982 do bark but doesn't bite hard in confronting such serious problems that brought strikes and protest actions. Again, today's Education has become a commodity that students can buy, and income, rather than knowledge has become a factor in continuing it. Those who can afford may afford to become professionals with prestigious titles, while those who can't are being forced to become workers with jobs catered to these people in accordance to the demands of the market. But for reality's sake, it may also not guarantee their tenure, benefits, as well as their daily bread. 

Perhaps, regardless of the justification coming from these taipans, administrators or its apologetics, it may likely not to stop the rage, but aggravate further calls coming from the concerned students as well as parents, since they are directly affected by yearly increases, as well as policies that endangers academic freedom as well as their right to educate. 

And no wonder why there are still protests in Mendiola led by these same  students that can also happen anytime. 

 

"We Belong..."

"We Belong..."

"Let there be light as what they say, but we are still living in darkness..."

These are the words a concerned citizen exclaimed about the present situation of one's own country, also imbued with youth and idealism cultivated from actual realities, that citizen has enough well to  seek for an alternative to the clear and present crisis that made a country stunted in its growth for generations; amidst all the modern anemities being sought, if not being experienced as a showcase of progress.

But despite all those experiences, that citizen still living in darkness, and had to ventilate greivances and aspiration in conventional fora only to be denied because of a prevailing culture such as an assertion of ignorance, intentional apathy, if not banish independent minded professionals and achievers; and remaining those who rather stand idle, assuming to be progressive yet unassertive for it may costs their comfortable positions. 

Worse, dismissing an inconvenient truth as false if not an exaggerated truth. Yes, exaggerated in a sense that it includes misinterpretation of facts, of false flags pointing one towards another, of turning lies, half truths into full ones known by many as true and nothing else despite what was actually happen. The system did benefit from these nonsense, and one of which is an apathetic if not an escapist populace trying to evade the inconvenient truth than risk losing their comfort zones. 

Again, that citizen and others concerned seeks that light. If there is then has to rage against its dying, trying to make sparks as much as it can just to make its light shine greater no matter what the establishment tries to take it off. If one would ask "why we fight" would say that "We belong to those whose conscience guide us to seek major changes, we deign to act guided by aspirations and responded to existing realities." 

And that realities is far from what the system, the establishment, the order tends to insist and show to many. If there's progress, then only 40 richest personalities experienced growth up to 159% while ordinary citizens has to get contented on 104 pesos for a day; those who really worked hard end having its earning a quarter as its portions be end directly to taxes and paying high-priced utilities, while access to needs such as health and education be deemed insufficient and caters to a selected few. 

So, from what direction is that righteous path being peddled by the present order going if that's the case? Of what is righteous if people behind it aren't in actual? No matter what they say and "prove" such as skyscrapers and well paved roads and bridges, the same old situation continues to prevail. That amidst rising economic rates, so are the poverty and unemployment rates; amidst papers bragging about agrarian reform and emancipated farmers, so is centuries-old feudalism that also benefits multinational companies; and amidst high rise towers in the highly urbanised cities, so are the shantytowns made by those whom, ironically constrict those high rises. Yes, the situation continues to prevail for the system itself caters to themselves as in their good old days. 

Perhaps, amidst all the bullshit that has happening and prevailing, its up to the people concerned whether to content in being repressed under the system or going beyond the parameters of so-called legality just to assert what is just and right, that affects even themselves as individuals. There are people who are also getting tired of EDSA yet willing to create another that's different yet radical, or underneath calls such as for the ouster of an incompetent head of state during protest marches lies their call for bloodshed against the system; pardon this person's language but reality bites to hear people speaking or yearning for hell to create heaven, for calls for social change comes with the price called sacrifice, that calls for unity does not mean unity with the system and its running dogs; and those who yearn for ideas like liberty, equality, fraternity are also crying for realities like bread, peace, and land. Of what is toppling the dictatorship if not because of repression alone? Even rising hunger and inflation rates made them sick and tired of that dictatorship too! 

Anyways, for few days, if not weeks or even months, lies hope with eyes wide open in this continuing past; and call upon those who are willing to share the vision that continues a protracted quest to the extent of making "rule of law" made by self-proclaimed "righteous" point its words to themselves because of not siding with truth and just. 

Treating the battlefield as if computer games

Treating the battlefield as if computer games

It's been few days ago when reports dealt about President Aquino talking with the families of the fallen 44.

Supposedly more of concern and comfort featuring those of the benefits they will be receive, including those of financial support from private companies, that few hours of conversation, also had been cordoned-off media by the authorities, end worse as expected. That, instead of acting as a father to the nation, more of a spoiled brat who as if thinking about keeping his own pride rather than heed the cries of his constituents, particularly the families of the 44 men killed at Mamasapano in Maguindanao.

That somehow made people felt irritated in what he's acting about, be it in his smirks, laughs, and the messages he directly spoken to the families of the victims. As according to ABS CBN news, one of the family members said that they were offended about the President's replies, one of which is this:

"Are you playing computer games?"

That message is simply quite stupid and offensive for the wives and mothers of the fallen, far from what has been questioned such as not been given an airstrike for a fire cover and least save some, if not most men from the sudden reprisal. It made even worse with the President laughing, if not blaming PNP General Napenas just for the sake of answering the said issue straight from their questions:

"Who is to be blame? It is Napenas for he's the one who had planned it!"

Despite what the President said, victims are still thinking that it is impossible for the President himself not to know about "Oplan Exodus" or "Oplan Wolverine". Days ago, The Senate inquiry had showed that the President was briefed about the operation by both suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima and General Napenas last January 9 in Malacanang; that operation wasn't known by The Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas, nor the Central Command of the PNP who supposedly monitors, coordinates with the Special Action Force during that said fiasco.

Again, what Aquino et al. did in that operation was sheer stupidity for the sake of personal fame and diversion from the existing controversy. Aquino tries to be like Begin or Meir, Purisima for Dayan, Napenas for Netanyahu only to found out that their Entebbe end failed for keeping up to themselves and not being coordinated by the Central Command. That instead of medals, caskets; instead of praise, mourn; instead of concern, uttering bullshit to the victims such as comparing the battlefield to computer or any other kind of video games. 

Perhaps, with the existing bullshit coming from the administration and from the President himself, this means an endless ostracism just like his predecessors; as Sorrow, pain, disenfranchisement, hunger, turns to rage, anger as questions left unanswered from the one whose righteous path leads to nowhere. 

Ode to the BREW KETTLE

Ode to the BREW KETTLE

Not quite bitter, makes a heart tender

As it waters the barren till fine

Crisp is its taste never the waste

That somehow made Brew Kettle mine

Belgian inspired as others say

But to this person would say "come what may"

It's like any other beer as what most see

But the taste somehow fine according to me

However's abit expensive since it's Belgian-inspired

No matter it is made in Laguna as the owner aspired

To brew that crisp taste from the kettles in halls been

And end bottled with "Brew Kettle" label seen

And promoted by maidens clad in black

So beautiful that makes one enticing to buy and back

No matter how expensive the beer as most see

It waters the barren heart according to me

Therefore like the Belgians let us celebrate

Let's toast with the beer so crisp as the taste

With the twist of citrus unlikely for a waste

Hence enjoy before its too late

EDSA: a frustrated Pinoy copy of the Portuguese experience

EDSA: a frustrated Pinoy copy of the Portuguese experience

"A Miracle!" 

"Our prayers has been heard!" 

"The power of God is in us!" 

These were the statements commonly exclaimed by people several years ago, when the combined forces of the discontented mutineers, civilians, clergymen, all united with "divine powers" had toppled  20 years of fascist rule in the country.

That four day saga, popularly described as a "Revolution", had installed a "new" government, a "renewed" democracy, and others that much likely end as statements and less of actions taken. But amidst the crticism, that generation had an intense feeling of pride to have a peaceful revolt, of rosaries and yellow ribbons over tanks and guns.

And still trying to instil to the present. A renewed democracy, an empowered people, a united populace; yet on the other hand a nation in shambles, a ruling system still in power, an American puppet. News reports had blared how the late President Corazon Aquino exclaiming a new nation has risen from the ashes of the dictatorship, a people empowered by the so-called "Revolution", so are the scenes that featured people pushing tanks if not giving sandwiches to the soldiers and praying for a miracle. In everyone's face it tries to create a ray of hope for others, trying to invoke a society that was newer than the new society of its repressive predecessor.

Yet, as what this writer said, of a ruling system trying to keep firm its power, a nation in shambles, of being an American puppet masquerading as a patriot, the spirit of EDSA rather reminds everyone only of shattered dreams, disillusionment, for the system that speaks largely of change, renovation, innovation, empowerment, revolution, are rather scraps of paper thrown in the dustbin of history, while continuously acting as a reaction in front of a suffering, yet still promising populace.

Disgruntled aspirations

"Cory Aquino has betrayed the people!"

"CARP is a Sham Agrarian Reform!"

"The system of government didn't change. The sufferings of the people became worse."

These are the statements people exclaimed years after the said revolt. Just as said earlier, instead of realising major socio-economic changes expressed during those days of protest, the system rather opened a can of worms, reactions masquerade as solutions to an age-old crisis prevailed. 

For, as according to Prestoline Suyat's DAWN article made last 1990, disgruntlement continues despite former President Aquino trying to invoke changes in the society. Her regime, clinging to its compradore-landlord roots, means strapped to the wishes of multinational lending institutions, sham reforms, a prevailing semifeudal-semicolonial rule marred by protest and opposition. No matter what they say about economic impovement, still poverty and discontent thrives amongst lower middle to lower classes.

That year, said Suyat, workers and lower-income professionals invoke strikes and a series of mass actions, telling that The minimum wage ranging from 2,080 to 3,240 pesos as not enough to feed families as well as to paying needs from electric, water, to tuition and other fees; while farmers described Aquino's CARP as a pro-landlord program. Both these people struggling were also suffered from a series of human rights violations coming both from the military and other officials which was comparatively higher than what was recorded during Marcos time, despite the fact that the government was only four years old: for Private armies were recorded at 152, crime rings and syndicates pegged at 411, while 20,000 crime-related cases remained pending at the Department of Justice, hence slow-paced to hopeless.

These figures did somehow likely for the people to vent rage on that administration, describing it as a failure in materialising what the former President vowed to achieve in her promises at EDSA. That even until today those same issues continue to prevail with different names. The system continues to instututionalise austerity measures and allocating large chunk of national budget to debt servicing, insisting a pro-landord "Agrarian Reform" that is "extended and reformed", while workers and low-earning professionals asserting 16,000 peso national minimum wage increase, and other calls that all meant social justice. Again, for the ruling class, their struggles meant destroying the moral fabric of the society, hence liable for persecution, even death or disappearance like what Cadapan, Empeño, Jonas Burgos, victims of Maguindanao and Hacienda Luisita massacres, and others faced death or disappearance decades after that said "revolution", and still crying for retribution.

A frustrated Pinoy copy of the Portuguese experience

Sorry to say this, but that revolt happened at EDSA is likely to be a frustrated copy, if not an almost scenario of what happened in Lisboa (Lisbon), Portugal eighteen years ago. That said revolt was also full of people, united to support the struggling mutineers and concerned men in uniform calling for social change, that hence toppled a decades old regime known for its repression underneath the veneer of "tradition" and "conservatism".

Pardon this writer's statement, but come to think of this, besides being started as a martial affair of disgruntled men in uniforms (like Spinola and Cravalho), the Portuguese people were also tired of what Salazar, Tomas, and Caetano did to their country. These people simply went out to the streets (Despite repeated appeals from the revolutionaries on the radio asking the population to stay home, thousands of Portuguese descended on the streets), fraternize, chanted slogans against the regime, provide support such as food, drink and chitchats, and gave red carnation flowers to the mutinied men supposed to be fighting at Mozambique and Angola. While the Philippines, whose people also "tired" of the "New Society" did follow the message of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin to join the actions as Enrile, Ramos, Honasan, and others within camps Crame and Aguinaldo desperately needed support in their "Rebellion", while Left-wingers like Alejandro and Tanada tend to mobilise at Mendiola and other outskirts of Manila. 

However, the results were quite different, as in really different. Both did acclaim what people power was, but the Portuguese did provide significant realisations instead of mere changing of faces; rebelling soldiers like Vasco Gonsalvez did call for social change to the extent of becoming Left in its implimentations (like nationalisation of banks for instance) while men like Honasan, Ramos, Enrile rather trying to appear populistic yet obviously reactionary like Marcos and Ver (hence making the Left annoyed despite acknowledging the fall of the regime). Media networks like RTP and Radio Clube Portugues did told about incidents such as people killed during the actions in Lisboa's streets (As elements of the Portugese Secret Police, desperate for escape, fires on the crowd surrounding its headquarters, killing 4 people and wounding 45), while the Philippines, especially with its media like ABS-CBN insist that the "revolution" was entirely peaceful with all the prayers and yellow ribbons yet there were incidents of loyalists killed in that conflict such as in capturing broadcast city? Remember, one loyalist sniper was killed at the Television tower by a mutineer. 
And lastly, Portugal did go beyond from its sectarian nature of the topped regime (one example were Schools include a crucifix and a picture of Salazar hanging in its wall) and becoming a secular, laicist society; while the Philippines continue to cling to its "cherished" pasts, one of which is its "Christian" fatalism, as statements coming from its participants, and even the preamble of the present basic law at first appeals to God.

Realising supposed goals no matter how "frustrated" it was

To summarise it all, the revolt at EDSA was all but a frustrated version of what happened eighteen years ago in the streets of Lisboa; it happened that there were major differences in its conclusion: one did made a country least realise the aspirations of the people, the other end with shattered aspirations and hence continue to be asserted by those whom concerned. If men like Vasco Gonsalvez had afforded to impose agrarian reforms, Filipinos has to wait for a man like Vasco to impose it straightforward rather than in a form of sheets of paper like what the landlord Aquino and its successors did.

But on the positive side, it shows that Filipinos, like the Portuguese, can able to make it happen just to overthrow a dictatorship; happened to be mobilised by the clergy and various organisations, of yellow ribbons, sandwiches, and a series of Christian "Agape" love in order to win hearts and minds of the loyalists. Sadly, remnants of that past regime, as well as the oligarchs and people pretending to be progressive did overturn the succeeding events that supposedly likely to follow what happened in Lisboa, Teheran, or Managua as the really passionate for genuine social change wanted to sought for it.

Anyways, come to think of this, behind the veneer of peace even in a so-called "peaceful revolt" there's bloodshed to happen, no matter how minor it was there's bloodshed that is likely to be happen, it's just that the media tries not to show it for the sake of asserting how peaceful the revolt was; chances of bloodshed doesn't mean the number of people being killed or wounded, but chances of people willing to sacrifice out of cherished principles.

Today, as what been said earlier, the system continues to thrive in repression underneath the sheet of freedom. That farmers are still clamoring for land, workers for bread, soldiers for peace, people for justice. Perhaps they would even go beyond the parameters of "peace" and "legality" knowing that there's bloodshed waiting to happen from the system and its apologetics, of reaction and counter-reaction trying to appease using various terms to the people the way Honasan tries to be like Cravalho, Enrile as Costa Gomes, Ramos as Spinola.

Only time will tell when those shattered aspirations from that frustrated Pinoy copy of Portugal, if not from Iran, or Nicaragua, be realise.

Reflections on fad and purpose

Reflections on fad and purpose

"Their menu is good. My only dislike is that it relates to Apple. Relating in the way that the majority of people buy the products for an image of status. Many people I encounter buy basic coffee at Starbucks, nothing else. Many people I encounter buy an Iphone, only to use its basic functions. Everyone may choose to do as they please, but this (me) is a person you don't fool."

- Shakunetsu Akuma

These are the words this writer find it real especially in reagrds to today's generation of consumerists.

Driven by trend rather than purpose behind buying certain products, be it in a form of a mocha frappe or a touch screen cellular phone, today's generation of consumerists rather forget their own selves all in favor of what the market insisted, especially as the latter stubbornly repackaging anything year after year just to make it continuously appealing to its customers, hence raking additional profits nonewithstanding the conditions particularly towards its workers. 

However, just like what Akuma stated in TIME Magazine's Facebook page, there are also those whom in spite going to a classy coffeeshop or buying a state of the art cellular phone, rather look at the cheapest black coffee as well as the basic apps such as messaging and call rather than the much featured yet expensive frappe, expresso, if not the apps thoroughly shown in today's gadgets. These people did least have choices that can be contrary to what "free market" demands, oftentimes seeking for an alternative citing quality as well as affordability of the said product. 

Actually, in seeing markets and consumption almost replacing politics and production in one's mindset, of consumerism over self and even class consciousness, it seems that these consumerists, rather than humans have been binded by their own invisible chains and be blinded by the illusions such as a vicious cycle of working to earn, buy, and consume what the market has to offer. 

That somehow reminds of this writer's father telling yours truly "to live a normal life", living according to the norms particularly those of "living to work in order to live", but come to think of this, is living under today's illusions be called normal? Man has to work in order to live as what the old says, but did mankind live well in its work, particularly those of unfair, inadequate conditions? 

This reminds of "Arbeit Macht Frei" if that's the case, working to set man free from its hellish like existence of being poor and destitute, yet in actual that man working under the present order, is eternally bounded by the conditions particularly those of being exploited for long hours, of low salaries whilst creating millions of stuff destined to be brought by consumers for a dear price with profits plummeted after and benefited by the owner, while the actual creator who does directly the work remains disenfranchised except for a few crumbs. 

Lucky if there's a chunk of that so-called "fruit of hard work", as well as trying hard to save those crumbs and chunks for that goddamn state of the art bullshit. However, most, if not all, are rather end being spent for basics (food, payments for necessities, etc. as long as it is basic) and not for that goddamn state of the art bullshit being shown time and again courtesy of mainstream media. 

Hence, those whom really creating those state of the art stuff, of the ingridients being used for the food people enjoy, are the ones not afford to buy, taste, use. And if there is, then as what Akuma said, are the ones enjoying the most basic stuff and nothing else; since it is expensive to enjoy what today's consumers afford. The latter have the "strength" to "enjoy" that is also supposed to be enjoy by the former, who "works" thoroughly in order to be "free." 

And they have the consciousness to break the cycle being insisted by the order. The present decadent order insist image or status, but those whom had seriously created prior to being marketed insist purpose behind the stuff being bought and sold for many. 

And its up to the people which is which. 

"The soul of the Barricade has to be awaken."

"The soul of the Barricade has to be awaken."

So when they will open their eyes and go beyond the parameters of their self-proclaimed peace? When will their warmongering mouths be pointed against the rotting, decadent system? These are the questions this person thinking about all after reading a certain post about socio economic issues, as well as current affairs in social media sites.

Mostly based from comments with calls such as limiting change to the problems dealing with the "self", if not praying for war as a form of justice, these people, whilst at the comfort of their rooms seemed to be aggravating an issue if not trying to posture their statements as an alternative to an impending conflict the system has instigated. 

Worse, they are becoming unpaid fanatics of the system using somewhat progressive rhetoric as they enjoy the militant bandwagon. They express the yearness for change, of babbling progressive terms, be it renovation, innovation, reconstruction, revolution; but the difference lies on the program of action or the guiding thought that made them assert their worldview-such as those whom limiting themselves to the parameters of legality, of anything that is at first "peaceful" with the system trying to appear "willing to negotiate" in changing, omitting certain rulers and regulations, adding some that benefits to the so-called "people" and making the system appear as "supportive". Yes, the rotten system whom represses people trying to appear as benevolent, supporting the people as if those of despots long ago.

But come to think of this, since they wanted change, of being against the system according to their statements, how come they chose to limit within the parameters imposed by the order? And how come they still insist dealing with the order despite knowing that the latter can't even seriously observe any agreement? Land reform for instance, there are so many decrees, acts related to it yet the system, mainly consists of landlords and middlemen compradores continue to dominate the countryside while dispossessed farmers languish and resort to protest marches, and burning of effigies, as well as confronting the police that filled prisons and mass graves. 

That somehow made this person ask them: You hate the system yet you don't want to vent rage in the streets? Of smelling the burnt rubber, cardboard and Papier-mâché? Of getting tired walking in the main thoroughfares? And instead facing the goddamn screen and telling about "parliaments of the social media" or any other "protest substitute"? What a wasted "idealism" so to speak the so-called "idealists" of today, making ideas to justify their contentment within their comfort zones. 

And since they know how to oppose, particularly in regards to today's issues, that so-called oppose they are speaking of is merely a word of mouth that isn't justified by their passions the way their hearts used to vent on. Some would state certain people, such as Mahatma Gandhi as their inspiration, with all the Amhisa or Satyagraha as its example; but his actions, underneath those terms involve disobedience, that even the spinning of cloth by cotton farmers, as well as the creation of farmer's cooperatives was also a form of disobedience pointing against the system; he's even imprisoned for his actions as well for being a freedom fighter and a disobedient subject of the crown.

So, in citing their favorite Gandhi, are these "idealists" also prepared to be disobedient, of not paying taxes, having work slowdowns, noise barrages and raising dirty fingers in front of CCTV cameras besides marching and even facing the police? If not, then of what is their "idealism" if they can't go beyond the parameters? Of what is change if they can't assert further social aspirations? Well, better Baghat Singh if that's the case.

Perhaps, these people, trying to appear idealistic, as gamechangers in front of the screens are actually justifying their apathies in the guise of "peace". That besides feigning ignorance and contentment in their comfort zones, asserting that life goes on in regards to realities yet on the other hand babbling "they only live once" in regards to their fantasies; and even justifying their so-called "contributions" as beneficial to the society yet actually more of their self-interest than common good. "Change starts from the self?" That change is limited from that self alone and not for others despite "contributing to the society" they have called for. 

And if they follow Gandhi or any other well known individual, are they prepared to face the consequences such as Prison or even Death? Perhaps they are following men like Adolf Hitler or Francisco Franco. These two men did cried "Change", "Freedom", of militancy against the system as they tried to counter those from the militant Left and even the Centre; but then being reactionary from its root and emphasising order as its reason, their actions does not really pave way to change (except dor a few trappings to appease people), hence at the expense of the principle being bannered and "fought" for. Hitler bannered National Socialism, but at the same time he admitted that "Socialism" is a thought that sneers people "through the ears" (and killed men like Röhm and Strasser); while Franco used the Falange Española as his political arm, yet his actions as Spain's Caudillo, was mainly consist of restoring reactionary order that was far from a Falangista who yearns for revolutionary change (Like Manuel Hedilla).  

Well, if that's the case then don't tell us about your suggestion, such as your so-called "peace" or "unity", for in reality you don't want to go beyond your comfort zones. It can't be considered as invoking pacifism, but rather, CounterReaction for it justifies "peace" with the rotten order amidst stating terms like "change", "renovation", "innovation" or any other similar claptrap to appear as progressive if not revolutionary. But instead, a reaction against an existing reaction! 

So are the self-proclaimed warmongers

Same as those who yearn for war, yet can't even face the frontline of struggle but instead doing the same as the former do: facing the screens and reading the headlines, or rather say the bold letters instead of the entire story behind those featured words; and letting the men in arms do the job while they remain sitting in front of the screen as if doing nothing.

In a writeup made by Ed Lingao (for an example), he attests self-proclaimed warmongers from his page to think clearly about the consequences, especially in asserting war as a form of "justice" after the incident days ago. He did also insist justice and accountability over that incident, but he also clearly disagrees those whom bask and delight in the reflect valour, honour of dead men that they end eagerly calling for an all out war. 

That somehow made this person think that there are those whom really yearn for an all out war yet at the comfort of their own rooms, with all their comments shown naked and unbashed bigotry, false bravado and machismo being unveiled; and yet still these people at their rooms, making posts in front of their computer screens, making bullshit such as one commentator bragging its own self that the "war is in Mindanao, and somebody else will do it for he pays taxes, drinks beer, and be a keyboard warrior in the comfort of his own home." 

But come to think of this, is that person talking about war really invokes his patriotism out of being a couch potato, keyboard warrior, or a videogame addict? Bragging that "someone will do his job while he drinks beer least that he pays his taxes for these men to fight?" Bah humbug! Perhaps that person whom is saying is same as those whom calling for discipline, order, freedom, justice, or ang other claptraps yet can't even provide a program of action to control, if not avert the prevailing socio economic crisis. 

Anyways, what this person knew is that those whom calling for war are those whom really contribute, even their lives to avenge and regain lost victories. Warriors at home just like in the field, living like those of Ancient Sparta as they believe, fight, and realise such aspirations so as obeying and maintaining rulw of law. Otherwise, Soldiers would have gone into mutiny if they heard their "bosses" doing nothing to help in spite of that latter bragging "he is helping by paying taxes for their allowances, bullets, uniforms, and guns", and that hell of a kind "helping" seemed meant to be bragged for. After all, where were they when men cried for help after having lack of ammunition and supplies? 

And if they really want war, have they smelled the scent of burning wood, gunpowder, and rotting corpses strewn in the streets and in the fields? For sure they haven't heared the actual sound of the gun and someone being shot point blank with flesh splattered over. They have misunderstood justice after that incident, and instead they demand a renewed bravado to show in a form of war, of hawks over doves, and a peace of the graveyard to attain with. After all, Paying taxes to brag for, especially while drinking beer or playing computer games, doesn't mean you are contributing to your country, especially if that contributee is a corrupt asshole who siphons your earnings and end in their pockets.

By the way, since there are warmongers, particularly in social media sites, crying for blood in the guise of "justice", then why not let these people also cry letting the soldiers of the forsaken republic point their guns against the system? How hypocritical if they cried for war, death against the terrorist, and yet they can't even cry against the real terrorist such as the system itself, who's siphoning the coffers, bleeding dry those who're "drinking beer" and making comments full of false bravado and machismo. Perhaps these people are as same as those who yearn for "peaceful means" in asserting social change, regardless of how rotten the system is that has to be dismantled by moral and physical force. 

The soul of the Barricade has to be awaken

As observed, there are people who are really yearning for blood if not scared of it. There are those whom yearning for something yet they can't express it further as it endangers their comforts, and even justifying it as an alternative or a primary arm of their belief instead of getting tired, of enduring the sudden heat and rain, and the heckle of the prevailing system due to beliefs being fought for. 

Given the almost privileged backgrounds, it is difficult for these people to understand realities, or worse, intentionally ignorant as trying to keep their privileges; worse, whilst parroting words like self initiative, hard work, discipline, or any other claptraps they can't even provide a program that would serve as an alternative in today's sickening situation. You may work hard for hours and save for months, but does it really guarantee a good amount to pay for especially in this time of intentional crisis? Or they would even beat much the battle drums as they could, but why not let these people rise up and face the battle the way they urge anyone to take up the rifle and confront the enemy at the expense of comfort in their workplaces? 

Well, Social media comments does not guarantee newfound consciousness unlike immersions from the picketlines and barricades, the streets and in fields, of facing the filth and grime brought by reality instead of the corners of the room called comfort. And if they really have seen poverty, scandals and the bullshit made by the system time and again and start babbling about it, then when will these people start going beyond the parameters to assert further that is currently being babbled? Babbling is not enough to call it struggle, that even the French, Russian, Chinese, and even the Filipino attests the truth that babbling and contentment is not enough to call it struggle, or not even to call it struggle at all. Parliaments of the social media? Again it is like any other neutral term for a protest substitute that is likely to fell into deaf ears, if not being treated as a holy water to consecrate an opportunistic reactionary.

Anyways, no matter what they say, the soul of the barricade has to be awaken by those whom really desire and assert something that requires going beyond the parameters. Here's a message from Julius Evola, that is somehow contradictory to those yearning for order, "peace", or any other claptraps these people cried for. Ironically, Evola's a Traditionalist.

"Be radical, have principles, be absolute, be that which the bourgeoisie calls an extremist: give yourself without counting or calculating, don’t accept what they call ‘the reality of life’ and act in such a way that you won’t be accepted by that kind of ‘life’, never abandon the principle of struggle."

Gora Roja Gudariak! That's all for now.