No Thriller In Manila

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as tough as she is short, appears to have survived an alleged coup attempt, and the only losers are the people who have had to wait out a presidential state of emergency while Arroyo rounds up opponents. In addition to exhausting the patience of former supporters like Fidel Ramos, Arroyo's arrests of top military leaders sparked a brief rebellion among the country's Marines. That defiance died down, but it's unlikely these tensions are going away anytime soon.

Arroyo is in a strange spot. She's been under fire due to pretty strong evidence of hanky panky during the 2004 election (which she managed to win even though she had earlier announced she wouldn't run). She has used various maneuvers to take the heat off—mostly successful, as last year's impeachment movement died with a whimper. The anti-idiotarians or whatever they're calling themselves these days immediately added Arroyo to the Axis of Weasel when the Philippines withdrew its forces from Iraq, but that was a long time ago, and Arroyo seems to have cooperated in American War on Terror activities, terminated terrorist leaders with extreme prejudice, and attempted to settle the country's complex Islamist problem. Is Arroyo's emergency going to nix a potential peace settlement with Muslim separatists? Is she becoming a new Marcos? What does "Steady Eddie" have up his sleeve?

Arroyo poses with a dead guy.

Michelle Malkin mocks mollycoddling milksops of Manila.

Imelda Marcos, the original fag hag.

Difference between a milf and the MILF.

Comments

[Deus ex Machina]

What you see in the Philippines is the end result of a political system that values pedigree over competence, ideology or even political smarts. Every president since Marcos has been related to the small clique of political families who dominate the all branches of government. The two exceptions are: Fidel Ramos, a Marcos crony, who ironically led the most competent government in recent history, and Joseph Estrada, who was elected solely on his appeal as an action movie star and was toppled following allegations of receiving kickbacks from illegal gambling rings.

Of course, such a thing is beyond advanced western democracies like the US.

[NoStar]

You won't find a milf in MILF.

[Bonar Law]

There's a MILF I'd love to terminate with extreme prejudice.

[Mark B.]

Deus has it right, except that every President before Marcos was a member of the Spanish-speaking elite as well - it's a seamy tradition stretching all the way back to Quezon. Speaking of Quezon, his grandson appears to be running his own blogsite with an interesting take on the current situation.

[allahthatjazz]

"The anti-idiotarians or whatever they're calling themselves these days immediately added Arroyo to the Axis of Weasel when the Philippines withdrew its forces from Iraq, but that was a long time ago, and Arroyo seems to have cooperated in American War on Terror activities, terminated terrorist leaders with extreme prejudice, and attempted to settle the country's complex Islamist problem."

Tim, two of the three links you give about Arroyo's govt actions pre-date the withdrawl of Philippino troops that prompted the criticism you link.

[Tim Cavanaugh]

Tim, two of the three links you give about Arroyo's govt actions pre-date the withdrawl of Philippino troops that prompted the criticism you link.

So?

[allahthatjazz]

Linking to actions since would have been more effective in supporting the phrase, "but that was a long time ago." Generally that line is used to show how much has changed since the initial temporal reference. I realize links aren't exactly a literary device, but the ones you've chosen to use here seem to weaken the impact of that particular statement.

Just trying to help. Doesn't matter, most people won't check them anyway.

[Tim Cavanaugh]

Generally that line is used to show how much has changed since the initial temporal reference.

Hm. My only point was that I'm not sure the anti-idiotarians have ever had a particularly strong case that the Philippines isn't helping the U.S. on foreign policy. And the "long time ago" just indicates that I'd doubt anybody's still mad at the Philippines for leaving Iraq, or even remembers that dustup at this late date. Maybe it could have been clearer. Quod sripsi, scripsi.

[SmokingPenguin]

Be interesting to see how it plays out, and what comes out of Washington wonker world. If Foggy Bottom puts out a friendly statement, it's a safe bet that Manila is helping us in foreign policy in 'low profile' ways. If they come out with a rebuke of Arroyo, and a call for her to "heed the call of democracy" or whatever, her government may truly have been lacking in pro quos for all the quids we've given them.

[Douglas Fletcher]

What the hell ever happened to all those shoes Imelda left at the palace?

[Douglas Fletcher]

And further, if Imelda was a fag hag, what the hell does that make George Hamilton?

[Yobbo]

Gloria is a bit of a Milf herself. As far as world leaders go, I don't think there's ever been a more fuckable one.

[Douglas Fletcher]

That's because you never did the grind with Golda Mier.

[R C Dean]

As far as world leaders go, I don't think there's ever been a more fuckable one.

Well, tastes vary, of course, but Benazir Bhutto would be my choice.

[Stevo Darkly]

I thought Benazir Bhutto was the world's hottest female political figure, myself. But wasn't she kind of evil? (It's hard to keep track.)

[Stevo Darkly]

I just did an image search, and Benazir Bhutto looks more like a crabby nun these days. I hereby withdraw from the voting.

[Isaac Bartram]

I thought Benazir Bhutto was the world's hottest female political figure, myself. But wasn't she kind of evil? (It's hard to keep track.)

Benazir Bhutto was deposed for corruption. But considering her accusers (a bunch of other members of the Pakistani political establishment) I'm not entirely convinced.

I've heard that there were some pretty credible charges that her husband was engaged in some pretty shady business dealings. But they were probably pretty standard for the kleptocracy.

[hubba]

Don't forget Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister of the Ukraine who's running for president against the acid-face guy:
http://www.tymoshenko.com.ua/eng/index/

[Stevo Darkly]

Don't forget Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister of the Ukraine who's running for president against the acid-face guy

Oh, golly!

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