FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio


TWO HISTORY MAKING EVENTS UNFOLDED

Two political events that happened these past few days, one in the Philippines and the other in the United States, will shape the history of both countries.

On September 10th, Gen. David Petraeus, the Commanding General in Iraq, testified before the U.S. Congress on the effectiveness of President Bush's new military strategy against the Islamic insurgency in Iraq thereby shattering the Democratic vision of American soldiers hoisting the white flag on the streets of Baghdad instead of the Stars and the Stripes. This event technically guarantees four more years of a Republican president at the White House.

On September 12th, a panel of three Filipino judges convicted former Philippine president Joseph Estrada and sentenced him 30 to 40 years behind bars for the crime of plunder which is worse than graft and corruption. This event technically guarantees a series of pending plunder and graft and corruption cases to be completed and a series of new plunder and graft and corruption cases to be filed against Filipino elected and appointed officials, regardless of rank and stature, that is indeed good for Philippine democracy.

A vision of two Filipino presidents behind bars will finally be a reality after 2010.


ENTER FRED THOMPSON

Fred Thompson, a former Senator from Tennessee who also played the role of a New York City District Attorney in the television series, Law and Order, recently made it official that he is running for the 2008 presidential elections as a Republican. Political observers paint him as a Ronald Reagan wannabe in words and in deeds.

Well, Thompson's looks and demeanor as the big and kind man next door would remind you more of Ben Cartwright of “Bonanza” than of Reagan's role as the Gipper. His entry into the presidential race therefore could be an answered prayer of most American voters who put love of God, family, and country as the backbone of true American culture.

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