SHRAPNEL OFF THE WALL

The Arroyo Biopsy

Comes now the Philippine Medical Association to declare that the biopsy and the procedure to redo the neck operation of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could be done in the country with Philippine doctors. And afterwards conceded that foreign doctors could be flown in to do what is necessary.

HAH! This capability of local doctors is bull! Anybody who would have the opportunity to acquire surgery abroad would do so at the first opportunity.

Let Gloria have her surgery abroad.  The first operation on Philippine soil was a goof-up. So why would she choose to have another similar operation within the country. Once is enough, twice is stupid!

Arrogance or bravado

Senator Trillanes stands up to say he is not arrogant with his posture in the Senate inquiry of the AFP Alaberde Funds.

From what I saw on television. I am inclined to agree with him. I say that in such an investigation, the senators should assume the situation of a third degree inquiry, otherwise the Senate investigation will remain as futile as was before.

Knowing how brash and impulsive Senator Trillanes acts against any blockade, I would say that he was exercising his bravado. This is a trait that is inherent and is not taught in the Academy.

By the way, the cadets of that little military school situated on elevated grounds in Baguio produced a sorry sight when they passed in review for the President. They had no military bearing and most of them were out of step. It figures. When they become colonels and Generals, they will still be out of step. If this is the best that the country can produce, we might as well revert to the Reserve Officers Training Corps. At least this corps required extra practice time to do passing reviews till the cadets are seen to march in unison. And they do manual of arms every week.

If the PMA cadets learned something in their military history subject, they would have realized that the more prominent generals were those with bravado, and also arrogance. Noteworthy of these are Brevet general Custer, MacArthur, Patton, Montgomery, Rommel, Nelson, Rodrigo de Cid, Caesar, Leonidas, Farragut, and etc. (don’t count me in, I’m not a general!)

As for me, I will choose to fight the battles with Senator Trillanes, particularly in those times when we are ordered to charge a hill. I know for sure he will go first.

And yup, The Academy does not teach arrogance because this is inherent. The Academy teaches marching with the left foot and then the right foot. This is not inherent.

(must we have so many generals because we have a large army, or must we have a large army because we have so many generals?)