Monday, November 25, 2013

When critics take the plate

The aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda has seen more and more people trooping to the frontlines. These are ordinary folks who just want to help in any way they can. But it is interesting how people in the Aquino administration label critics as do-nothing, on the saddle, spewing invectives lot. I beg to disagree cause critics have their unique role in pushing TeamPH.

TeamPH is not just those who love wearing yellow or who prefers to wear the yellow ribbon pin than the national flag pin. A ribbon is a ribbon while a flag is the sum total of the national psyche of the Filipino nation. TeamPH are all taxpayers and their sons and daughters. When you trivialize the flag and consider the yellow ribbon as your flag, then truly that is causing division!

You’re fair game
Some may not actually appreciate the diatribes; some even question the frequencies of throwing curve balls. But people in government should always, always put in their minds that when you are in government, you are fair game. So when critics take the plate, they take it seriously with intent to push people in government who get their salaries from the critics they kept saying to hush up if they have nothing good to say.

And that to me shows the depth of the Aquino administration because they don’t see beyond the criticisms and why people often want to say a thing or two. I remember former US President Jimmy Carter who said in his farewell address: “”Thoughtful criticism and close scrutiny of all government officials by the press and the public are an important part of our democratic society. Now as in our past, only the understanding and involvement of the people through full and open debate can help to avoid serious mistakes and assure the continued dignity and safety of the nation.”

So, shame on people, incumbent public servants, PR practitioners who love calling people’s attention regarding criticisms. Those criticisms should be set aside because there is a disaster is wrong. Can taxpayers, residents at that and voters, if you will, just turn a blind eye on things? Can we just content ourselves with inanities, stupidities and shallowness?

Can we just often sweep the dirt under the rug because the King does not want to deal with realities? Critics serve this country in good stead. The Yellow Tribes used to be critics too but they were not lumped as do good-for-nothing.

Class act
So when the critics took the plate and are still staying on the plate to deliver where government failed to do in the aftermath of Yolanda, someone’s got to appreciate their class act. Yes, it is a class act because even while being critical, they walked their talk; they do the work. They went beyond and volunteered and put together strategies that would better serve the country.

One critic was even saying, damn this government and let’s just do what they seem unable to do well and fast. Frustrations are just fires that ignite everyone to act. And for me these critics saved the day, not for the administration but for the Filipinos waiting too long for the stars to drop!

Beware when critics take the plate. That, by itself is a dangerous force. Criticisms and options; criticisms and solutions are potent combinations. When the bases are loaded and the critic is on the plate, one can hit a homer.

And if it sent outfield, one can be a goner.

Published in Manila Times, November 25, 2013: http://manilatimes.net/when-critics-take-the-plate/55700

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