Obama and Osama
and the silent Bush

By the time this comes out, the world would already know how the voting in New Hampshire has turned out. As of last night, however, it had just started with poll results looking very glum for the former American first lady, Hillary Clinton, who seemed to be losing out to the demagogic oratory of her opponent. Well, this is the business of the American people, but we who have always watched their elections with interest, know that, somehow, the outcome will always affect us and other countries as well.

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I don't claim to have any psychic powers, but my trepidations over the U.S. election where George W. Bush and Al Gore were the protagonists seem to have been vindicated. Would Al Gore have been as quick to jump into a war with Iraq after hearing talks about “underground cities” and “weapons for mass destruction”? Would he have listened and acted on that reports of the Central Intelligence Agency, or relied on the advisers closest to him so trustingly?

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Today I have the same apprehensions while watching the developments towards the American election this year. Despite all the assurances by his promoters about Barack Obama's background, his lineage, how sure are his fellow Democrats where his true sentiments lie? Never mind stories about his alleged Muslim forbears, if he loves America as he apparently has convinced voters, he will not lead it to the lap of Osama Bin Laden or the Al Qaida. Well, at least we hope so.

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Meanwhile, what happened to Mike Huckabee? He startled everybody by topping the voting in Iowa , but his name was not mentioned often enough yesterday as the votes were about to be cast. All over it was only John McCain and Mitt Romney being talked about by Republican partisans. Was Huckabee's win only a flash in the pan, then? By the way, one can only admire incumbent President Bush for the way he has kept his hands off the election process. At least we haven't seen any of his men working with the visible candidates of their party. Maybe they are afraid any endorsement from him would be a kiss of death to the beneficiary.

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I watched the press conference held by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 19-year-old son of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan in London on TV late yesterday and I felt very sad for this very young man who has found the responsibility for the liberation of his country suddenly lumped on his shoulders. Bilawal, who was unanimously chosen to succeed his mother as chairman of the Pakistan People's Party, however, appears to be very earnest and serious about assuming the role bestowed on him.

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Even if he is practically just a teenager, and still a college student, the young man gave sensible answers to the questions fired at him by the international media. Asked if he realized the perils he could be facing, now that he has become a political figure, he replied quietly, “I was called and I stepped up to do what I was asked to do. I understand there are risks, but I also understand that it has to be done.” I think his other statement about the hopes left for his country will become a classic. “We have lost our best hope, but not our only hope,” he said just as solemnly.

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Today is the feast of the Black Nazarene, patron of the famous and historical church in Quiapo, Manila . This is one of the most popular and well-attended religious celebrations in the country. Thousands of devotees, many of them barefoot, mass in the streets for the procession featuring the “carroza” with the statue of the suffering Christ, weighted down by His cross. The milling masses, mostly men, all attempt to touch the statue with scarves and handkerchiefs which they then keep as relics. It is a moving scene, but a bit dangerous, too, with people fainting or getting crushed in the crowd. But, surprisingly, they end the ritual and leave, looking refreshed and happy, even beatific, one might say.*

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