Reaping the Whirlwind-MR Pussyfoot

It looks like my "idol", the most arrogant of the presidentiables is getting a lot of flak. Lain pa nanga-gana huna mo na kun-sin-o. Pag amo ini makaluwas, daog sadi intero na dating presidente ...


'Mr. Pussyfoot' CTALK By Cito Beltran Updated July 29, 2009 12:00 AM

Believe it or not, some people did not understand what President Arroyo meant, literally or figuratively, when she told a Presidentiable not to “pussy foot”. In fact, another Presidentiable mistook the word as a “cuss word” referring to the female genitalia since his generation has a different use for the word “pussy”.
Similarly, a number of people have gone into debates regarding the Tagalog translation or application of the word. The traditionalists claim that “pussy footing” in Tagalog is “Patumpik-tumpik”. The modernist and the pedestrians state that “pussy footing” in Tagalog is being “bakla” but not necessarily gay. Rather, it refers to being weak or limp wristed.
As a point of clarification, the term “pussy foot” is about being too careful, tentative, or downright scared. Other definitions state that it is to move stealthily about or to refrain from committing one’s self or making commitments.
The term is drawn from the observation of cats/kittens that are beginning to discover new things or unfamiliar things in their environment. If you watch kittens you will notice that they always use their front foot or paw to touch things several times to determine how something will react.
Half of the time, the term “pussy footing” is a criticism because it refers to someone who is not serious, or playing with an idea or something that should otherwise be done with directness or decisiveness.
Either way, the addressee or “MR. Pussyfoot” himself was not too happy about being singled out, especially in the most watched and listened to speech of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In the case of “MR. Pussyfoot”, his problem was more about being inconsistent with his public pronouncements and ignorant of their consequences. To make matters worse, when he realized that he might lose control of the situation he tried to get everybody’s attention by insinuating that President Arroyo was involved in some form of bribery from the pharmaceutical companies. This more than anything was the reason why “MR. Pussyfoot” earned this major public embarrassment.
Unfortunately for “MR. Pussyfoot” it would seem that his continually changing and diminishing crew of lawyers or advisers were not on the ball regarding scenarios and repercussions as they worked on “Pussyfoots’” most favorite project. They were so focused at milking the project for every drop of political publicity that they never “looked around the corner” which regularly turned out to be dead-ends.
Even before the ink dried on the State Of the Nation Address, I am told that “MR. Pussyfoot” has just recruited the services of a former Malacañang lawyer who has an axe to grind with Malacañang.
“MR. Pussyfoot” might find himself blindsided once again once the word gets out that the firm he is reportedly partnering with has direct or indirect relations with a top executive of a local drug company in direct competition with multinational pharmaceutical companies.
A congressional source has also expressed distaste at merely being “used” by MR. Pussyfoot to further his political agenda and not legislation or genuine social programs.
In fairness to “MR. Pussyfoot” he started out on the right path but ended up being a one-track/one-way railroad that focused too much on the destination and ignored the necessary stops. He is undoubtedly idealistic, his heart is in the right place, and his goals are generally benevolent to all.
Unfortunately, he tends to have a one-track mind and tends to go deaf relative to his speed at rushing towards his goals. As a result those who often try to give him the best advise or those who have his interests at heart are left with a paralyzing whiplash as he zooms through with passionate impatience and ignorance.
As a Presidentiable, “MR. Pussyfoot” should pay more attention to the practice of other Presidentiables in the United States who made the mandatory train stops for “Town hall meetings”, otherwise known as consultations with all parties concerned about many concerns and not just one.
During lunch yesterday, a few veteran political observers pointed out that “MR. Pussyfoot” tried to mimic what Senator Juan Ponce Enrile did with the telecoms industry. JPE studied the situation like a lawyer, set up the “court” of legislation where he was the prosecutor as well as the judge and ultimately cashed in his dividends in admissions and legislation.
JPE succeeded because he asked questions that he knew the answers to. He succeeded because he grilled but he did not skewer, fry and hang the telecoms. He gave everybody room to work with and resolve issues. He wanted results, not body counts. Most importantly he went after the industry and not a particular company or brand. By doing so, JPE was not “personal” and as a result he “forced” the entire industry to cooperate with each other.
“MR. Pussyfoot foot” should realize that once you get personal and ugly, you automatically cast off the mantle of decency from the table. Those you attack and single out will then have no second thoughts “doing unto you, what you have done unto others”.
As a result, “MR. Pussyfoot” got a taste of his own medicine from no less than the President and in the most public of events, the same way he has subjected others to very public accusation and public humiliation.
Perhaps it is time for “MR. Pussyfoot” to step on the brakes and step down from the train. We don’t have to agree on everything but we can all agree not to be disagreeable. Putting one’s foot on the ground in humility will make you a better foe, if not a better man.