George Will,
respected conservative newspaper columnist in the United States, coined a
descriptor the other day that will live in infamy. He called "The
Donald", that is, Donald Trump, U.S. real estate, gambling and entertainment tycoon, a "bloviating
ignoramus".
Well, I have a
reasonably large vocabulary, but the term "bloviating" was new to me.
I could guess it was not flattering from the context, but to be sure, I looked
it up:
 |
| Bloviating Ignoramus |
Bloviate (v): To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful
manner
Well, for sure, that
is Donald Trump. Stuffed up full of himself with his mouth running on about
inane things (like questioning where President Obama was born) rather than
substance, yet somehow believing the world circles at his feet. He wanted to
run for president but declined when he discovered most of North America thought
he was a joke. South America thought he was an idiot. Europe thought he was an
ordinary American. Asia thought he was a bloviating ignoramus, but expressed it
differently. In Chinese characters it comes out something like "big pig
who eats his own shit".
So I have a word
association test for you. I will shout:
"BLOVIATING IGNORAMUS!"
And you shout back
the name of the first person you think of.
Here's a sample, if
I shout it at myself.
"BLOVIATING IGNORAMUS!"
"BENIGNO!"
Get it? Just in case
you don't, let me try another one. An example. It has to be different from the
list-leader.
"BLOVIATING IGNORAMUS!"
"SENATOR SANTIAGO!"
Okay, I'm sure you
comprehend the nature of the test. Your turn.
"BLOVIATING IGNORAMUS!"
"_______________________"
Midas Marquez.
ReplyDeleteNot only a "bloviating ignoramous", but egotistical mania.
Its Jack
Ahhh, there you go! Anybody who with empty brain defends the Supreme Court's political decisions as world class legal renderings is indeed a bloviating ignoramus.
DeleteIMHO, Midas Marquez is nothing more than a paid hack who's living in the closet.
DeleteJust read benign0's latest blog post. Bitter and a sore loser as always, pouting that Corona's conviction doesn't change the Filipinos' lives.
ReplyDeleteHuh? When the cops arrest a jaywalker, you don't say, "Let him go. Jailing him won't feed the hungry or give jobs to the jobless."
I think because he lives abroad, he is living in some kind of surreal bubble that the Philippines is unchanging and unchangeable. I also find it interesting how the article writers and thugs have succeeded in driving out intelligent commentary that covers all points of view. So mostly we read the drivel of self adulation.
DeleteI actually find benign0 a hypocrite. He has convenniently forgotten that in Australia, public officials resign immediately (read: no ifs, no buts) when they get involved in a scandal. And the people there actually expect them to do so - they don't resort to smart-alecky comments like "Making him resign won't feed the hungry or give jobs to the jobless."
DeleteUm, so how does it change the lives of 90 plus million Filipinos?
DeleteAsk the Filipinos if they know what sort of power they have now. If they don't know it, then this conviction really was just for show. If they only see the conviction of one man, how lost these people are.
You probably addressed Anon, but I'll offer my view. The trial was hugely watched. The senators were almost unanimous in their awareness of how important transparency is to integrity. The changes you seek don't happen immediately, or profoundly, or perhaps even visibly.
DeleteTake the drain of corruption on wealth-building. How will you ever see the connection if money spent on contracts goes for contracts instead of kickbacks? And so, over time, more contracts and wealth-building infrastructure are laid. You'll never see it, but the people will benefit.
I believe that many people are seeing the SENATE differently. As an institution of patriotic, thinking people instead of corrupt self-dealers. If their trial votes were aimed at attracting election votes, aren't the people gaining? Speaking? Benefiting?
That's why I said ask the Filipinos. Me, I have my own belief in what this conviction is all about. I choose not to see it as the conviction of one man and his master. It should be a door opener. As I've mentioned before, if it stops at Corona and only GMA appointees, it'll be useless. Transparency does not apply only to those from the previous administrations. Transparency is not selective.
DeleteYou know, that silly/funny performance of Miriam actually has some merit. Just remove her eqo from the statement and you'll see that she just called the lot of them hypocrites.
How does it change the lives of 90 plus million Filipinos?
DeleteThe answer is simple: It is one step towards reducing poverty. Every cent that a corrupt public official steals means one less classroom, hospital or decent housing for the poor.
If everyone lies, then it's time it must be stopped. If everyone cheats, then it's time it must be stopped. If everyone steals, then it's time it must be stopped. Right is right even if no one is doing it. Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. If an ordinary court interpreter was sacked for failing to disclose her market stall in her SALN, don't you think we should expect more from the Chief Justice?
But I also understand where brianitus is coming from. Such cynicism is expected from someone who lives in a society that has become desensitized to corruption. Just like him, I also hope that the call for transparency will be applied fairly and to everyone.
brianitus,
Delete" I choose not to see it as the conviction of one man and his master . . ." I agree. It was a conviction of all who proceed with imperious disregard. That's why it will have great impact. And make a lot of people mad.
As for Senator Santiago and her claim of hypocrisy, I'd say it may be true in some instances, but in others the senators she is accusing may have simply changed their mind or values. At GRP, I would regularly get labeled "inconsistent" and a "hypocrite". Depending on the context, it may be that I simply received new information and changed my mind. They fail to see enlightenment as a constructive thing, perhaps because they are locked into their own mindset and the Filipino cultural rendition that if someone changes their mind, they are weak. Same with Senator Santiago. She is locked into old-school values and is unable to comprehend that the youngsters have "seen the light" and matured in the right direction.
Those are some smart people she is labeling hypocrites. "Strike me dead!" if they aren't.
Anon, fine perspective there. I agree with it.
DeleteMiriam, Miriam, Miriam. You forgot to take your meds again!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, although my experience with hypertension is that the angers associated with it are not treatable with the blood pressure meds. The meds just reduce the blood pressure. I simply steer clear of anger-making situations, which is not always easy in the Philippines. I'd say the lady has had a good run at serving her country well, and ought to retire and relax a bit. Start a blog or something . . .
DeleteI wasn't referring to hypertension tablets...
DeleteHa, got it. I hate pills myself. Doctors here love them. Thanks for the clarification.
DeleteEmpty cans make the loudest noise. Enough said.
DeleteIn Australia a retired Fed Court judge served 2 years in jail for lying about a speeding offense. Benign0, if he does live here should know better about the application of law and the rightful consequences of violations. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/788779/einfeld-lied-to-avoid-demerit-judge
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he knows that. He just refuses to accept the logic behind it. He wasn't called a troll for nothing.
DeleteInteresting. Thanks for bringing us an Australian perspective to things. I agree with Anon. I think benigno is not interested in the intellectual integrity in his arguments. He is interested in winning the arguments, in his own mind. That’s why he throws out those of us who don't accept that he is winning them or who don't buy into his agenda-based charade.
DeleteThis article reinforces what many of us are hoping for in the post-Corona Supreme Court. I think Carpio if he becomes the next CJ will truly restore many's faith in the institution. http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/corona-trial/3686-corona-and-carpio-from-friends-to-foes
ReplyDeleteStep one in restoring faith was the conviction, step two "the appointment". Thank you for the link.
Delete