Beware the scorpions

E·N·Q·U·I·R·Y
DEMAREE J.B. RAVAL

Beware the scorpions
Sunday, 02 26, 2006

This is a tale for our time narrated to me by a remorseful lawyer, following the declaration of a state of national emergency by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo:

Once upon a time, the land was ravaged by a powerful queen scorpion whose sting was the death of all creatures that she came in contact with. One day, she decided to cross a river so that she may extend her domain to the land that lay across, but she could not find any creature willing to provide her with any conveyance so that she may safely cross. Along came a frog, and the scorpion used all her powers to force the frog to swim across the river, with her safely perched at the back of the frog. Upon being promised that he will not be stung by the scorpion and that he will be rewarded for his efforts, the poor frog agreed to do the task. But just at the moment when he touched the opposite bank of the river, the scorpion stung him and merrily jumped to the safety of dry land. As the frog lay dying, he asked: “Why? Didn’t you promise…” The last thing that the frog heard as he finally breathed his last was the queen scorpion’s scornful reply. “I can’t help it,” she said. “It’s my nature.”

We all know what became of the frog — dead, of course. But the lawyer wisely keeps to himself what he knows happened to the scorpion.

I do not know what others would make out of the tale. Perhaps, they will relate it to contemporary events, and counsel everyone as well that we live in dangerous times where a smirk here, a signature there, a conferment of additional stars on your shoulders, or a position in government of your choice anywhere, could be the poison of certain political death.

Given her propensity for dissimulation and double talk, Arroyo should not be so presumptuous as to think that everyone opposed to her reign will now rush to her open arms, following her dubiously copacetic invitation for reconciliation in the spirit of Edsa, or cower in fear for her even more dubious declaration of a state of national emergency.

Some are reported to have bitten the bait of Arroyo. And there lies the danger. What did Arroyo promise those biting the bait in return for their avowal of fealty to her? Irony of ironies, others drunk with the power of Proclamation 1017 gleefully manhandle the veterans of the revolution that propelled Arroyo to power. I tell you, it is for both the power and the money.

Arroyo is merely out to buy time, precious time to weather the ravages of her poor governance and continuing rape of the Constitution. Recall her shrewdness at using the option for a time out. Like in a basketball game, she sues for time to fortify her flanks, then goes back to her irrational ways as swiftly as she retreated. To reciprocate the knight in shining armor who came to her succor on July 8, she promised to cut short her term to the beat of the Charter Change, then just as easily claims 60 days later, after being safely ensconced at the Palace, that she will stay on until 2010.

When, oh when, will those nudging each other out to oust Arroyo ever learn? They should not allow themselves to be taken for a ride, once again. No one should bite the bait, whatever the blandishments.

A government beyond salvation, because of its own making, does not deserve to be aided in getting out of the quagmire it dug itself into. Why cohabit with the devil, or ride along with the thief, or believe even the cheat?

As to the military (and police) who curtsy to her still, how much longer will they hold out from discharging their duty as protectors of the people?

There is a postscript to the tale narrated at the start of this column. Rolex Suplico naughtily narrated this to me:

….. The last thing that the frog heard as he finally breathed his last was the queen scorpion’s scornful reply. “I can’t help it,” she said. “It’s my nature.” The scorpion thus extended her domain to the land that lay across. Looking back across the river to see what was happening in her original kingdom, she saw many frogs, looking like senators of the realm, interrogating her minions she left behind on every conceivable corrupt act they committed with her blessings. Her Army of scorpions were being beaten black and blue, some of them succumbing to heart attack, others migrating to escape the interrogations. So she decided to go back. And how else would she do it, but with the help of the ever reliable frog? A frog said: “Your majesty, I will gladly bring you back, but first restore the life of my father whom you double crossed the first time you came to this side of the river.” The queen scorpion of course could not bring the dead frog back to life, so she was condemned to stay alone in her new domain, until she died in abject misery, after being dragged around like cattle to the slaughter.

The moral of the postscript to the tale? Shame on you who talk with a forked tongue. Humans are like frogs. They jump with glee at the slightest opportunity for gain and power. But they also flee at the slightest sign of adversity. To the frogs, never pussyfoot with those whose claim to power clings on sandy soil, and beware of the scorpions in your midst.

The Edsa in the noble minds of millions 20 years ago is coming back, and the scorpions had better beware.

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