revenge of the killer tomatoes 13

I’m not American.  I live halfway around the world.  And this former colony of Spain and America we call our home, our Philippines, is plagued by so many other problems that deserve a hundred other blog posts. 

I closely watch the US poll movements and electoral maps showing the red and blue states.  I try to view all the major speeches on both sides.  I am curious about how first-time voters will turn out and express themselves come election day.  I read analysts’ and pundits’ blogs, even watch interviews with candidates’ families. 

I cheer when Barack Obama fires up the crowd on ’gut issues’ for Americans who bear the brunt of the economic crisis.  I get all riled up about the sleazy Republican campaign and the outright lies they spread, like Obama being Muslim (my cousin in LA still thinks he is!) or Palin being anti-earmark and anti-pork (she actually hired a lobbyist to get more pork; credible news organizations have already exposed this).   

As a woman, I am disgusted by the manipulative and deceitful posturing of Sarah Palin, who aspires to be the first female vice-president of the United States.  I keep thinking: whether you like Hillary Clinton or not, she pushed the boundaries and set the standard for women in government - what’s the fuss over an inferior Palin about?  I am amazed at how incredibly articulate and grounded Michelle Obama is, even when she’s not running for public office herself. 

It is no longer a mystery why Filipinos and citizens of other nations are so interested in the US election campaign - it’s because we are all affected by the political and economic policies that come out of Washington DC.

I first saw Barack Obama in an interview with Oprah, after he delivered that stirring nomination speech that endorsed John Kerry and catapulted Obama into the national spotlight.  After hearing him narrate his life and explain his views, my reaction was, “Wow!  Is he the real deal?” 

I was hooked.  I’ve read his so-called ‘think piece’, the “Audacity of Hope”.  While it’s not outstanding in all respects, it conveys promise that things are going to change in the US, that those reforms will send ripples everywhere.   After reading Obama’s book, it saddened me that Filipino politicians do not even try to think about reforming a system that’s broken. 

Here, all you need is a surname that sounds like a former Senator or President, a catchy slogan or an irresistible jingle blaring on the streets or some screen siren’s endorsement, and truckloads of money to ensure victory on election day.  Someone landed in the Philippine Senate on the strength of hundreds/thousands of streamers supposedly to show that her face resembled that of a popular young actress (honestly, it was a far stretch).  Our very own President began her national political career by spreading cheesy photos of her looking like Nora Aunor.  And a former President won the office because he kicked ass in action flicks.  Duh.

Before Palin proclaimed her pride in being a ‘hockey mom’ - apparently, that just about sums up her political experience - I had envied the relatively sober manner by which the Democrat and Republicans campaigns were waged.  At least the campaigns talked about real-life issues.  It was refreshing to actually see candidates speaking on the differences in their world view and their action plans for the White House. 

Apparently the battle on issues didn’t work for McCain, so he brought in Palin who is all glitz, guts and glory, without substance.  Classic Sun Tzu.   When the enemy is closing in on you, use a distraction to confuse the enemy. 

I sure wish women in America would re-focus on other women leaders in government and the private sector who are far more inspiring and deserving of adulation than Palin. 

Hillary had set a high bar - she has traveled far and struggled for the causes of women and children, and embodies the kind of intelligence and competence that is deserving of public office.  All of a sudden, Palin’s empty rhetoric is the embodiment of women empowerment?!  Hillary supporters should feel insulted. 

During the Democratic primaries, the Republicans exploited the supposed ‘weaknesses’ of Hillary - that she comes across too strong, that she is a polarizing figure, etc etc.  And now they tout Palin as “Sarah Barracuda”?!  (By the way, the band Heart has protested the unauthorized use of their song at the Republican National Convention.  Tsk, someone dropped the due diligence ball on copyright…)

Hillary Clinton put 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.  Sarah Palin said she won’t just create cracks - she would break it.  I highly doubt that.  More like crack…pot. 

This entry was posted on Monday, September 15th, 2008 at 12:29 pm and is filed under copyright/left/everything-in-between, world politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.