Prostitutes?

An anecdote is told about the celebrated playwright George Bernard Shaw who attended a power packed party of socialites. As the playwright worked the crowds as well as his drinks, his eyes caught sight of a very elegant woman.

Being a very playful character George Bernard Shaw engaged the lovely woman who immediately recognized the celebrity and was certainly charmed by his attention. After a while he coyly asked the lady, "please allow me to ask this hypothetical question. If I were to offer you, say, the sum of a million pounds, would you consider making love with me?"

The socialite was understandably startled and blushed at the question. But after composing herself, she gamely replied: "Sir you are the celebrated playwright and a million pounds is a fortune. Hypothetically speaking of course, I suppose I would".

Pleased with the gamely behavior of the lady, Shaw continued the conversation. After a few more minutes he pursued where he left off and asked the socialist: "But what if the price were a mere 50,000 pounds and not a million, would you still find me interesting enough to make love with?"

Obviously enjoying the game, the lady hesitated but nodded her approval and said 50,000 pounds is a paltry sum compared to a million, but it would still be a small fortune nonetheless.

Pleased with the answer, George Bernard Shaw excused himself and mingled with other guests. A few drinks later, the playwright returned to his original attraction and casually asked the socialist "Dear Lady would you consider going to bed with me for 50 pounds?"

Offended at the suggestion, the Lady protested; "What do you think I am, a prostitute?"

Without batting an eyelash, Shaw replied, "Madame, we already established that! We are now merely determining the price."

I was reminded of the story after reading and hearing the Secretary of Justice defend his actions where he reportedly offered to give barangay captains in the province of Iloilo P10,000 each if their barangays unanimously vote for the Administration’s senatorial slate.

When he was censured, he even threatened to cancel the Team Unity rally in Iloilo, which he said would cost him P500,000.

In relation to the anecdote on George Bernard Shaw the words and actions of Secretary Raul Gonzalez clearly established that the barangay captains of Iloilo are only worth P10,000.

What remains to be determined is if barangay captains would actually prostitute themselves for P10,000, violate the sanctity of the electoral process by influencing personal choices and act as criminals by interfering or unduly influencing the will of the people.

* * *

Many people find it unbelievable that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo continues to overlook the various offenses of the Secretary of Justice.

In an effort to understand this, I tried to ask allies and opponents of the President to explain what powerful magic does Raul Gonzalez chant over the President? Or has the Secretary of Justice copied the late J Edgar Hoover who as head of the FBI collected all the nasty information on important people as well as celebrities and used it to compromise them?

It seems that the situation is a little of both. Secretary Raul Gonzalez, much like Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, has established himself as the administration’s lightning rod for criticism and political attacks.

Administration supporters justify that it’s better for Gonzalez to draw the anger and the ire of opponents instead of the President becoming the focus of attention.

Unfortunately, the idea of being the political rod is misunderstood. From a technical point of view, a lightning rod is suppose to draw the destructive force of lightning, because the rod is so conducive and leads the electrical force through an inch and a half thick copper cable deep into the ground for about 30 feet.

This design literally buries the force deep into the ground where it causes no harm even to the rod itself. The interesting part is that the system is so great it leaves no race or hint of the massive electrical force that went through.

As a political lightning rod, Secretary Gonzalez does not merely draw the attack, he sometimes generates it. While the administration might momentarily be overshadowed by his crass behavior and comments, Gonzalez fails to disperse the issue and leaves a lot of residual damage.

If the Arroyo administration were totally useless and totally evil, it would be justifiable to have Gonzalez and his big mouth to distract the public. But that is not quite the situation.

Before Secretary Gonzalez made his insensitive comments about Julia Campbell, President Arroyo had in fact drawn the sympathy of people across political lines. Unlike her Secretary of Justice, the Filipino people are sensitive and sympathetic to a person and a family confronting a medical crisis.

While surveys presume to reflect the truth, there are a growing number of people who are willing to give the President the benefit of the doubt and believe that positive changes are in fact happening in the country, not just by her efforts but the nation as a whole.

The uncontrolled "verbal diarrhea" of Secretary Gonzalez as well as that of Secretary Bunye creates what has been called the "one step forward — two step backward" mistake. What it accomplishes is to leave a stinking messy trail that attracts flies, criticism and draws away from the good things that President Arroyo works for with great difficulty. A lightning rod leaves no damage, no trace, and no cost to do its job. It quietly stands above us and protects us from harm.

As for the other concern, that Secretary Gonzalez might turn on the administration once he is censured or removed from office; many have tried and failed. Several coups have failed, the Hyatt 10 failed.

When people begin to make threats, it is safe to assume they have lost respect for authority and therefore no longer worthy of respect.

In Amsterdam, a prostitute that calls an associate a whore has no credibility.