The Unwilling

photo from The Selvedge Yard | theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com

It is somewhat every young boy's dream to grow up and be the strongest man in the neighborhood. Cuffed sleeves showing loaded guns, tatted forearms steeled enough for yard brawls and a gun collection like that of the military armory. Waking up everyday, wishing that someday he'd be able to shoot baddies from behind the enemy lines as a justice-branding hero. Then there are those who fantasize about getting involved in the past world wars: to belong in an elite group of snipers and point men. Trenches, bayonets, potato mashers and machine guns were things of childhood that always seemed so cool and macho.

War veterans have never been more proud to tell people they were in a certain historical landmark of fights for justice and the homeland. There are the stories of valor, honor and sacrifice that many of us still find awe-inspiring. They are, indeed, men of steel. Some may say men that belong to a distinct class: men that kill to keep the peace, purge the infidels and put the national flag up the hills of the enemies.  But what few understand and see is that most of them did not choose to serve under the different flags that they soldiered under. Do not mistake it for cowardice, some were just conscripted rather than enlisted to fight for the cause.

We are the unwilling, led by the unqualified, doing the unnecessary for the ungrateful - an inscription on an old Zippo lighter that once belonged to a Nam Vet.

Wars are waged under different flags and for different ends. Though the means are always the same, the ends can be played up into whatever governments would want to. But prices are paid by those who are under the boot heels of the brass.


The latest tension between the country and the Chinese Dragon is something to be thought well of. Though most see the urgent effects of the recent rollbacks in gasoline prices and jeepney fares, few really understand the effects of the Bajo de Masinloc Dispute. I firmly believe that we own that piece of land. There maybe territorial heritage that the Chinese claims but the fact remains that it falls inside our jurisdiction.


Sovereignty is a big thing for governments. For ours, we need to assert our rights to what is rightfully ours, to them; it is a mere imposition of size rather than national pride. Greed fuels the machine that may very well push our country to the brink of armed resistance. Let this not be the case.


Do we really need to fight over that area? Are we willing to pay the price? First, an economic embargo, second, a crippling blow to our fellowmen and women overseas, third, do we know anything about what comes next?


I for one, cannot forgive the government for letting things reach that boiling point. There are far too many things to sacrifice for a piece of land and flagship. Sorry China for the deaths of the 8 hostages in 2010's bloody hostage bus mishap. We are truly sorry for that but fuck you if you think you can stomp on us; the little ants. You may be ban our bananas but remember that you are not the only race mandated by the heaven to own land. 


How I wish we could settle it over a platter of dumplings and hot beef noodles.