Politician can be such a confusing word. At one time it was considered an honor to be called a politician. Even if that was when the names Washington and Jefferson were in office. But somewhere along the line it became a word more closely associated with corruption. The greedy became greedier and the corrupt became downright felonious. Call me a liar, a thief and a crook and I'll tell you that you must have me confused with a politician.
Sometimes a fresh faced individual believes he or she can make a difference. They enter into the political world with nothing but the best intentions. They promise their backers that they won fall into the same old traps and get caught up in the shenanigans that dirty the political world. At least that is how they feel at the time.
But it is different when you step into the dark, stank room. You have to check your innocence and naivete at the door. You find that the only way to get things accomplished is to play the very game you despise. Even then, you're lucky to accomplish a fourth of what you set out to do. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours is the motto in this club. Without compromise you will fail miserably.
So once again I hear that Manny Pacquiao wants to throw his hat in the ring in 2010. I had hoped that he would keep boxing, but I also felt like this was something Manny felt he had to do. Boxing's loss, Philippines gain. Or so I thought.
See I work with and am friends with many Filipinos. What made me write this piece was the reaction I got when I casually mentioned Pacquiao and politics. All I heard was an ear piercing NOOOOOO! That was something I hadn't heard since asking out girls in high school.
My friend used the word stain. I let him know that I assumed that Filipinos would be happy to see Manny elected. He said that they love Manny, but not politicians. Filipinos consider Pacquiao a national treasure and a source of national pride. Other larger countries have multiple sports icons. But Pacquiao has shown the world that one of their own can do anything. Including conquering the boxing world. Manny has already given back so much, emotionally and monetarily, to his homeland. This is where he helps the most and where he should stay, in boxing.
Many feel he can do more good if he continues to build medical centers, schools and gyms. These are things that don't happen when politics get involved. They feel he is better off if he doesn't hobnob with bureaucrats that are only in politics for self gain. Still many Filipinos want Manny to run. To this my friend responds, "they don't know what they're talking about."
So Manny, from my Filipino friends, stay in boxing. You're place in history is already well defined. Leave the dirty business of politics to those who enjoy doing dirty business. The political game has a way of staining the names of the most well intentioned people. Don't let them do that to you. (The preceding is a reprint, an article by Glenn Wilson – Norfolk boxing examiner)
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