• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • 2
    CommentGo Back
Download
 
Comparing the 'Idiot Heir'and the 'Wicked Heir'
by Jesusa Bernardo
 First published at Newsvine
Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:01 AM GMT 
Every 20th of January following the quadrennial presidential elections, the United States of America holds the inauguration of its new chief executive. This day this year of 2009, Barack Obama takes the traditional swearing-in toofficially commence his term as the 44thPresident of the US. The man he replaces,George W. Bush, first assumed the American presidency exactly eight years ago today.Somewhat across the other side of the globe, in aformer US colony in Southeast Asia, a presidential swearing-in was also uncannily taking place at around the same time. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in as (Acting) President in thestreets of EDSA in Manila on January 20, 2001,following a four-day "People Power" power grabthat deposed Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the properlyelected 13th President of the Republic of thePhilippines.The key points of the ascension to, and character of the respective presidencies of America'sBush and Philippines' 'Arroyo present an interesting case of multiple coincidences too many thatthe more astrologically inclined would perhaps claim to have been written in the stars.
George W. Bush sworn in, high noon, January 20, 2001, Washington D.C.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, takes heroath, noon, January 20, 2001, EDSAstreet, Metro Manila
 
Both Presidential Children
First off, both George W. Bush and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are presidential children who, of course, rose to the presidency themselves. The 43rd US President is the son of George H.W. Bush who led America from 1989 to 1993.The 14th Philippine President, meanwhile, is the daughter of Diosdado P. Macapagal who governed the SoutheastAsian archipelago from 1961-1965. While both presidentialfathers lost their respective reelection bids, they nonethelesscarved out some respectable niches as part of their legaciesto their respective countries.The patriarch Bush may not have generally won admirationfor most of his domestic policies, but he is noted for his ablehandling of the foreign policy challenges that faced hisadministration during a sensitive era of geopoliticaltransition--the period following the disintegration of theSoviet Union. The Miller Center of Public Affairs of theUniversity of Virginia website writes about how he made theUS act unilaterally when needed, but also managed to wiselyforge "a large, diverse coalition (such as in the Persian Gulf War)" when so warranted.
George H.W. BushPresidential father of the 43rd US President
The father of Arroyo also enjoyed a considerable level of respect, perhaps mainly based on admirers' perception of his integrity duringhis term. President Diosdado is said to have been known as "TheIncorruptible," and was even described by the late Nationalist Artistfor Literature, Chino Roces, as "the last of (the) great [Philippine]Presidents."
Diosdado P. MacapagalPresidential father of the 14th Philippine President 
The extravagance of Gloria Arroyo'shospitality: toast to uncanny parallels
 
January 20, 2001, to the Hour
A rather amazing point of parallelism between the two political figures is the coincidence of their same-day oath-taking--in fact, nearly simultaneous to the hour. Bush was sworn in at high noon(1700 GMT, Washington time) on January 20, 2001, in Capitol Hill as scheduled by the USConstitution. Arroyo, amidst the sea of EDSA 2 gullible mob was also sworn in on January 20,2001, at around noon of January 20, 2001 ( 12:25 pm by some accounts).What allowed the Bush-Arroyoswearing-in coincidence wereunexpected Philippine politicalcircumstances that were highlyirregular, if not para-constitutional, because Arroyowas replacing the sitting--andvery much living and able--President Estrada who took hisoath of office only some 2 1/2years earlier. The PhilippineConstitution mandates theholding of presidential electionsevery six years, and theinauguration of the newPresident to "begin at noon onthe thirtieth day of June nextfollowing the day of the election." Moreover, it is provided that apart from "impeachment for,and conviction of " culpable constitutional violation charges and other high crimes, the sittingPresident can only be removed in cases of death or permanent incapacity.
Both Heirs --"Idiot" and "Evil"
Both the young Bush and Macapagal-Arroyo have registered presidential legacies that appear to be diametrically opposed to those left by their respective fathers.The George H.W. Bush legacy practically contrasts with that of the son, with the criticisms of theyounger Bush mainly revolving around foreign policies.The administration of George W. Bush has been very controversial, to say the least. He has beenvariously referred to as the "war criminal," "liar," and "idiot heir," among others. His war criminal tag has to do with his unilateral invasion of Iraq and use of torture. The bashing theyounger Bush gets for being a "liar" is related to his war image--for justifying the Iraq invasionwith what would be later proved to be false claims of Saddam's possession of 
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
jesusa

Hi toolbox_x , I've now allowed downloads for this article (I was actually unaware I didn't check the permission box. Thanks for the pix and the comment. Regards, Jesusa

reply06 / 12 / 2009
toolbox_x

Hi Jesusa, I saw that my EDSA Crowd pic was used. May I request that you please provide me a copy of your article. Thank you Regards, Please email me: zuproc66@yahoo.com

reply06 / 11 / 2009
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...