A Democrat official from Arizona was shot by an apparently disturbed young man who had just been dismissed from school. "Pima Community College said he had been suspended for conduct violations and withdrew in October after five instances of classroom or library disruptions that involved the campus police." (NYT, Jan 8 2011)
How sad to know that a public servant has been wounded because of politics. In our country, a barangay councilman, Reynald Dagsa was shot dead by an assailant whom he caught in his camera while shooting a picture of his family. The assassin was at the back aiming his gun at him.
Many other instances have happened of political officials being gunned down which now seems to be acquiring epidemic proportions.
Why does it look so easy to snuff out life?
I think the culture of violence has not been eradicated at all even with the constant propaganda about the democratic way of life. The world has not really seen the essence of that kind of life after all these years of our having the United Nations which gathers together all freedom-loving nations.
With the shooting of the American official, I hope that there should be a rethinking of the kind of sports that proliferate in our midst -- especially boxing, wrestling, and even target shooting. I think these sports exist to annihilate opponents and that is just a step towards killing life itself.
Here in Philippines, we should stop Manny Pacquiao, a government official from leading the pack of adherents to blood sports like boxing. Instead he should quit altogether and preserve his hopefully still balanced mind despite the pummels he has received from his opponents. Also the House of Representatives should raise its standard for what is an ethical behavior of its members. They must not allow themselves, their bodies to be boxed or treated inhumanely like in boxing. As officials of the land, they should bear the greatest dignified bearing all throughout their term and afterwards.
Being a public official is owing the public an obligation to appear with all dignity and honor and not allow their bodies to be subjected to dehumanizing treatment inside any ring and anywhere at all. Doing the reverse is creating in the minds of the public the idea that an official is vulnerable from all angles and that boxing is a legitimate sport to commit greater violence. Manny could start resigning as a member of HP if he continues his boxing career.
I have always considered boxing a game for bloodthirsty individuals.
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