The world of Garfield

Xxx THE WORLD OF 'GARFIELD'

This morning I read this cartoon strip and it sent me thinking. 

(The world existed before you were born and it will exist after you are gone- to which Garfield replies 'why' ? )

A very valid question indeed. It does not really matter. What matters is the world exists when I am alive. We exist together  and we die together as far as I am concerned. Nothing else matters. Parents, siblings, spouse, children, friends and other relations are the world. The exist within my life' s time frame.

How do I know if the world existed before I was born or we born simultaneously ? I saw it when I was born and obviously it saw me when I was born. Before that we were not aware of each other. 

Then we travelled together to make our journey worthwhile. We met many of who were born before us, with us and after us.  Some left on the way. There were ups and downs like natural calamities and sickness, light and darkness like days and nights and so on but all were just an honest fight for survival. 

And then the time came for me to say good bye. It was painful because parting always is. None of us knew what will happen next but one thing was sure we will be strangers to each other once again. We thought to go in one go to make sure that since we came together should go together. But now it was not in our hands. Getting born together was, going back wasn't . 

Any other way would have made us selfish. Why would any of us live after one of us is gone? I am sure the world also left immediately thereafter. 

Garfield is right.

Sent from my iPhone

Playing with words

 PLAYING WITH WORDS

We always have reasons for doing and excuses for not doing something. In order to justify our actions we play with words. 

People play with words and the more they can the more intellectual they are. Some of them are called writers, poets, philosophers and so on. Those who can not play with words are called simpletons or straight forward or down to earth and so on.

Playing with or not playing with words does not make one good or bad or honest or dishonest or truthful or otherwise. But somehow people who play with words are smart if not cunning. They  can handle situations to their advantage and still pretend to be kind and helpful. Those who cannot play with words can land themselves into problems as their calling a spade a spade may not keep them in good steed. 

People in general do not like a straight talker. They like a person who can say a lot but mean nothing. Like if I do not like your dress I may say so straightway or may say you look good but white suits you the best or some words like that. In first case you will not like my straight talk in second case you will think of trying white next time. 

Playing with words can also be equated with political correctness. This helps in offending none but at the same time siding with neither. In a dispute like situation they will not take sides but will be seen on the side,of the right not indicating who is wrong. This is very helpful in seeking favors from both. 

Playing with words is helpful in keeping your spouse in good humor. It comes with experience but is worth the trouble. Many unpleasant situations can be avoided if one knows the right words to mouth at the right time. 

Some guys never learn this art or is it science? Never mind. 

Pamperers and pampered

Pamperers and pampered

Beggar, panhandler, homeless, destitute - call them by any which name but they need money for drugs, booze or food or in any other order. Some of them are not using the spare change for services, bed or food. At first sight they seem to be able bodied humans capable of use their limbs for some worthwhile productive job. 

Why is that society has failed to solve the issue?. Not that efforts have not been made. Homes for homeless and jobs for jobless have been provided by the governments but after a while they all run away to their age old vocation. Simple: society is divided into two groups of Pamperers and Pamered. The majority group craves to pamper and needs someone to be pampered. Other group aware of this weakness exploits it to the hilt. 

Imagine there were no Pamperers. There will be no pampered either because every one will have to work and earn for a living or parish. This will hurt the ego of the pamperer group. This will close their only way to salvation. 

Go anywhere on this globe and you will find them everywhere. I am not sure who is flourishing because of whom, the pamperers or the pampered. 

Pampered on the other hand lose nothing. They become or have been made immune to every form of humiliation. They are prepared to go down and down to satisfy their needs. They are not aiming salvation. 

What unites people

WHAT UNITES PEOPLE

"America is not a county united by any culture or ethnicity or ideology but by principles of opportunity, equality and Liberty enshrined in our founding documents". 

Obama. 

He is echoing his belief which is largely true except that color bias exists. However, America has achieved a lot in spite of this. They have long back come out of cultural and religious differences.

Can we say the same thing about our India? The answer sadly is 'no'. Modi also came to power on development plank. Because that is what a smart politician will do. It is another matter that country is divided on communal lines. India is a multicultural and multi religion country and that fact cannot be whisked away. If it is majority minority issue  in the whole country, it is Jallikuttu in Tamilnadu or animal sacrifice in the north. 

The only unifying factor is tolerance  with respect not with contempt. As long as it does not interfere in our personal life and belief, we should let people practice freely in what they believe. NGOs should also know that traditions matter.

Philanthropy at tax payers cost

Philanthropy at tax payers cost!!! 

Should government spend on relief measures? In the past decades we have seen governments spending public money to serve their own political agenda. In fact it is in all democracies. The very concept of party system encourages factional politics based on ' I will vote for you you take care of me'. Having made that deal they have no choice but to take from one pocket and put in the pockets of their favored ones. It may be loan wavers, guaranteed employment and similar relief measures. 

The second question is "Does that threaten voluntarism who can raise funds and spend on relief to victims like Red Cross and other NGOs do?" If all relief work is handled by government where corruption does not let even 10% reach the intended beneficiary, what is the point. NGOs do it better by voluntary contribution from the rich and giving almost 90% of it to the victims. 

There will always be a need to give relief to victims of social injustice and natural calamities and a sensitive government should do everything it can for public welfare. That is the taxes are collected for. They have however to choose the right path for maximum effect.

THE BAZAAROO OPINION MAKERS

THE  BAZAAROO OPINION MAKERS 

Journalists writers and intellectuals are less in numbers but large in influence because power resides in words and ideas and not in numbers. These are the opinion makers of all times. 

Political parties are aware of this truth. That is the reason they cultivate them. This sort of cultivation needs proper and timely care in terms of making proper grounds for their planting, watering and use of suitable fertilizers. In other words they have to taken care of in words and deeds. Their material requirement have to be met. Their ego has to be nurtured. 

In the beginning it happens without their knowledge but before they know it they have already become used to those comforts. Who would not need a flat in Asian Village or in journalists colony with modern facilities at no or minimum cost?Those foreign junkets of seminars, workshops, study and all that do come with a price. The price is unflinching support to the political outfit that is footing the bill. 

They are present every where. They know how to sell their wares. They however do not know that in doing so they have sold themselves.

CHILD SUPPORT IS NOT CONDITIONAL

Bearing and rearing a child. 

The birth of a child is no more an accident for humans. This is a choice at least for educated lots in our society. Gone are the days when birth of child was God's  gift which is so if He has deprived either or both partners of that gift. 

Having said that, it is incumbent on both parents to rear their child born out of wedlock or adopted, to the best of their ability and capacity. This is an obligation. They are not obliging the child but themselves. This obligation travels to the time the child turns into an adult and is able to take care of himself. If for some unfortunate reasons he is disabled, parents' obligation does not end at his getting adulthood. 

And it is a joint responsibility which does not end at your ending the relationship by divorce or separation.

It is not a deal. It's not open to bargain. It is not like signing an agreement with the child that he will support you in your old age. That is his choice. Child support is a moral obligation not depending on child's service to parents- illegitimate or adopted.

Do not grumble if he is neglecting you or not supporting now when you need it the most.