Fools of the Nation!

The other day I was browsing through the TV channels and finally landed on one seeing Sylvester Stalone. It was Rambo- First blood 2. I watched it in bits and pieces as I shuffled through the other stuff. There was one extra ordinary scene in the movie that caught my attention like never before. In the end while Rambo walks away after he accomplishes his mission, the Colonel stops him. He insists Rambo to stay back, apparently no one would want to lose such young combative fighting machine. Rambo without much thought refutes and continues to walk away. Then the officer placates him saying "What do you want?" as if very assuredly he was willing to give it right away. Then comes the killer dialogue, he gives a contemptuous reply "What do I want? I want what these people want. I want my country to love me the way I love it."

Boy! What a dialogue? I know it is in contrast to this well known quote which goes something like this "Before you ask what the country has done for you, ask yourself what you have done for the country." I could not agree more but all the while I would also want my country to love me right? I mean with all these chaos in Maharashtra and unrest in Bihar, Orissa and UP, there are many who would be echoing along with me. People are being killed, beaten, brutally harassed and the list will go on. But where is that assurance that I am longing from my country. Where people are ready to die for this country, all I see is people being killed. When is the line going to be drawn? Can it get worse than now? I suffer from insecurity, lack of assurance, lack or protection, deprivation of justice and the only thing that keeps me alive is hope.

I wish there was some potion of wisdom which these people can drink. A potion that will wake them up from the night mares we are living in. Or on the other side I wish there was some anaesthesia for the country men to endure all lamentation and grief without any sensation of pain and shame. It is no more the rulers of the nation running the country but I see the fools of the nation gaming with peoples lives. I guess that would be a perfect title for a movie to let go of all the vexation that is piling up like the lava under the mountain waiting to erupt like a volcano. Yes they are the "Fools of the Nation!" They need help before they turn into a bunch of sissies rolling in the dirt rather than cleaning it up.

Lousy Lucy!!

It has been hard to beat against the winds of lousiness just to keep my ever closing eyes open. A stupefying fact here is that I can sleep for more than 12 hours at ease. Is that normal? I hope so. It is kinda corny to work at home with the alluring bed by your side and your bedsheets and pillows calling you to get cozy. Boy I can say this is harder than standing the seduction of your dreamboy by the road! Excuse me for that bad wit but looks like I am still drowsy.

I read two books recently To Kill a Mocking Bird and The Catcher, In the Rye and it was irritating to find that the best part of both the books was to do with the bro-sis sentiment. I am no hater of that sentiment though but just that I don't get to see that in my real life actually chafes me!! Anyways I count these to be fortunate to atleast remind me that there is such thing in life!! Well I would recommend the first book which is all about these wild childhood dreams that we have had. Harper Lee did an excellent job is recording the emotions and drama of a little girl who is ever enthued and tomboyish!! I guess that was why I could identify myself very much with it. And ofcourse the angry young man types of brother that she had was just like my bro!

I remember once when I was around 10-12 years old and my bro was just one and a half year elder to me. We were getting bored to death during our vacation and decided to play cricket. I always had this attitude not to go and ask my brother. So he came up to me and asked if I would like to play cricket. Girls as you know have this knack of making people beg. So I allowed my brother to convince me for quite sometime. My Mom knew my trick and smacked me on my back and told me not be a sissy..Are mothers really our best friends??? That was what I thought...Finally I set out to play on a condition that I would bat first. Obviously there was no toss n all.. The deal was I bat six overs and then I bowl six overs. So I batted happily the first six overs and made my bro run all over the place..Finally it was my turn to bowl and I was kinda tired.. I began to give some lame excuse saying that some cartoon was coming on TV and I would like to watch it...It sometimes sucks when brothers read sisters very well..He knew I was trying to escape and began to force me to bowll which eventually turned into a fight..I ran onto to the terrace to escape him but boy his stamina was lots better than mine..He became real furious! He was catching hold of my neck and threatening to throw me down if I did not bowl for him..Can you believe that?? No right?? I know he was trying to kill me and I was very sure that Shaktimaan will come and kick him while I would be rescued safely! What happened next? Don't ask me..I was so angry that Shaktimaan did not turn up but my Dad came running to my rescue..I mean why Dad?? The rest of the story is the uninteresting part where my bro won my Dad and I had to bowl for the rest of that forsaken day..I only wished it would rain or get dark suddenly due to some solar eclipse...

The second book I would not recommend to anyone! But I am sure people now will defnitely want to read it coz of the curiosity levels pushing up :) J.D Salinger did get excellent reviews for the book but somehow I began to feel much more lousy as I read it... Again the book is about one young fella for whom nothing under the sun except his sister could interest him! Oh how I wish....forget it...Hmm I was kinda getting senti reading all this stuff.....

Anyways I shall go and catch up with some coffee before I sleep off...
More later guys......Ciao...

McCain Strikes Obama Stands!

This was by far one of the best debates I have seen. I tell this not only by the quality of the discussion but more importantly by the quality of the questions and the way Bob lead them to. There were several issues that were ignored in the past like the supreme court and abortion that came up today. It was interesting to observe striking differences in both cases. Well since I watched the later half of the debate I can only say that Obama cracked open from his defensive flat shell that he has been hiding behind over weeks. He was more to the people's actual needs and reforms which I am sure was welcomed by the people of America. His answers to questions on strengthening education primarily which is an bi-implication to national security and economy outplayed McCains answers to change of reforms right from the 4th and 5th grades. But when it came to "Joe the plumber" I think McCain gave a better assertive answer by attacking Obama's tax policies. Also McCain gave one heavy weight statement saying that he is not George Bush by distancing himself from the failed economic policies of Bush. This earned him few points but I think will not be bought by most of the Independents out there. Both of them once again spoke about where they stand on their economic policies and how they can help the distressed people of American from this present situation.

One interesting feature of the debate was McCain showing his unprecedented "angry old man" expressions which was not accepted in the right way by most of the viewers. However the republicans say that he spoke like "fighter pilot" and so has been offensive and made his point clear which is required sometimes in a debate. But this point would be highlighted by the Democrats who would be showing the fact that a uncool Senator who cannot control his temperament could be a man they would not want to see in the coming term. Having not watched the first 30min I go by the verdict which says McCain came out stronger but later began to drag on certain personal issues and gave more attention to attacking rather than addressing the actual issues. Obama however did really well by being composed in the end and I think he made more sense to me than McCain.

By opinion polls where democrats were a larger portion of the viewers Obama seems to be significantly leading. Winning all the three debates in a row I think Obama has a slightly greater chance than McCain though today's debate unravelled Senator McCain's best! So McCain won most of the points but lost the debate. This looks like the path for McCain's win is narrowing down with three strikes in a row!

None to care for a Nun!!

I am so distressed at the state affairs of Orissa all through the Kandhmal row. I have many a things to crib about and many more to condemn. I know it would not make much of a difference but atleast I will let go of my frustration.

It has been around 40 days since this atrocity took place in Kandhmal where a Nun was brutally dragged on the road and raped in broad daylight. All this happened while the locals and even the police men were standing "like stones" in her words just as spectators. There was another Father who tried to fight back and protect the sister. But these criminals poured kerosene all over the Father and threatened to burn him alive. She went around begging for help crying that she was like their sister and mother but in vain. Hiding behind the police men did not refrain these anti social elements from pulling her hair and getting hold of her neck and tearing her saree, her blouse and eventually her bra. One of them fell on her, harassed her and raped her. They were also speaking among themselves that 100 of them will gang rape her and leave her on the street followed by monstrous laughter's. It might sound gross but these are exactly the words used by her to describe the incident a night mare which she chooses not to forget.

It was more than 40days that she filed an FIR and until now there was no action or atleast a response from the police. Even the media comes to its senses only now to focus on the incident and make it an issue. Probably they were too busy covering the Nuke deal, Orissa floods, the Home Ministers' overdressing and all the entertainment news!!! I reckon the injustice against the minorities seem to draw their attention only to a minor proportion. Better late than never, media now looks to mount pressure on the state government while the Centre is still battling with their thoughts about imposing President's rule. If stopping such violence is one task then heeding to the rescue of the victimized so far is another important task. This injustice against Christians is being condemned by people all over the world. It is an insult to India if it ignores its duty to protect the minorities and make sure security measures are provided.

The sister is in no fluctuation to fight for justice. She says she still has the mental and physical strength to see that justice is done and all those people including the onlookers are subjected to punishment. She says she has lost faith in the Orissa police which is an utter shame to them. I being an optimistic minority (christian) literally lost hope and can give in written affirming such things will definitely repeat in the future and will again lack the prudence of the police. India is losing the dignity and pride of boasting about itself as a secular country with such abhorrent incidents and indolent administration.

God save India!!