I’m lying in bed feeling sorry for myself. I’m good at that.
Someone in my family I thought I could rely on has let me down badly – more on that when I overcome my rage. But the real problem is November. After ten speeches and seminars in sundry places around Europe, plus the usual amount of copy to write, I’ve ended up with a filthy cold.
I think it was the snow and wet in Latvia, where I croaked away for five hours – but amazingly 99% enjoyed it say the reviews. They must like a good laugh over there.
But have you noticed how your mind makes strange connections when you’re a little feverish? Mine did when over a 24 hour period I saw a piece about Hutch, the suave 1930’s pianist from Grenada who had an affair with Edwina Mountbatten and then news of the dreadful slaughter in Bombay (which is, by the way, what many locals still call it).
I stayed in the Taj hotel every time I visited India. It really deserves the name Palace – magnificent. I used to do laps of the pool before I started work each day.
But why the carnage? You might blame Edwina’s husband, Lord Mountbatten (sometimes called Mountbottom – can’t think why), who presided over the handover that led to partition and the creation of Pakistan. Or maybe Nehru (with whom Edwina also had an affair, busy girl) or Jinnah, the Muslim leader. What is certain is that up to a million died in the massacres that took place – which puts the current drama in perspective.
You can certainly blame the fact that at partition the state of Kashmir with nearly 80% Muslim population remained under Indian control. This crazy arrangement caused predictable enmity between the two nations and has inspired most of the terrorism including the latest outrage.
And if there were British terrorists, you can blame the way our government encouraged so many to immigrate from Pakistan, just as with the West Indians, only for the locals to greet them with racism. Yes, they’ve been encouraged by religious fanatics, but this would never have worked if they weren’t alienated to start with.
The older I get the more I hate religion, race and patriotism. They cause almost all the world’s miseries, and always have.
That’s enough gloom for today, but as a footnote, Hutch also had an affair with Cole Porter. Why do so many people imagine promiscuity began in the ’60s? Because they’re not educated, that’s why.
Great thoughts, Drayton. I hate religion and race division too. Patriotism not so much…unless it transcends into nationalism.
I’m not up on the history of conflict between Pakistan and India…but I have to wonder how much the Brits have to self-flagellate about land partitioning and the conflicts that ensued. Maybe self-flagellation is well justified…I am really asking a question here.
I’ve been listening to lots of commentary on this atrocity, and it’s interesting how Pakistan spokespeople blame this on al qaeda–while everyone else says it’s all about the Kashmir divide.
I really don’t know…but maybe Pakistan has a point…Westerners were targeted here just as much as anyone else…and a group of Jews seem to have been singled out for massacre. Maybe that was coincidence…I don’t know.
From my rather naive, unschooled perch…I get the feeling that India is not going to only be more economically prominent on the global stage–but a more influential political player too.
Maybe they already were and I just didn’t realize it.
Hope you feel better soon!
I think it is natural for the Pakistan government to want to blame al-quaeda, as there have been moves towards a rapprochement between the two states.
At partition Mountbatten allowed Kashmir to be controlled by Pakistan on the understanding that there would be a referendum, so the inhabitants could decide. This has never been allowed.
One wonders what influence his wife had on his decision, since she was having her affair with Nehru. Among the many tragedies in my time, one was the asassination (by a religious fanatic, of course) of Gandhi who was very much hoping to keep the two religions together in one nation.
STUPID ME. It’s the cold. I wrote Pakistan when I meant India – sorry
I do disagree with you on this one. Anything or anyone can be made to be a scapegoat for people who want something or someone to blame.
Religion is not at fault. It is the morons who use religion as a scapegoat to excuse their own greedy and despicable deeds.
What does it say on the US ‘Banner’?
“In God We Trust”
Really?
I think they should replace that with “money” and “world domination”.
That’s got nothing to do with religion.
Well, Rezbi, you are a religious man; I am not. When I think of the countless millions who have been uprooted, killed or enslaved because of religion, I am appalled.
No matter how well-intentioned the originator of a religion may be, people always arise to distort their views.
I guess the exceptions are Buddhism and the Jains in India. But I am not an expert!
“No matter how well-intentioned the originator of a religion may be, people always arise to distort their views.”
Exactly my point. Not the fault of religion.
Also, I don’t know about Buddhists, but Jain have done more than their fair share killing… especially Muslims.
Bloody hell!I thought they were the lot that didn’t believe in killing even an insect!
Drayton,
Hope you get well soon.
I wouldn’t worry too much about religions causing world conflicts. If it’s not religion, it’ll be something else. Even one shade of asians kill another shade of asians when they can hardly tell themselves apart.
Meanwhile, I recommend lemon and honey. They do wonders.
Was it Oscar Wilde who said “I used to be an atheist until I discovered that I was god”?
Reycyling is one of the most imprtant jobs you can do!Any body can do it! Here are some tips 1. Find a conennievt place to collect recyclable items. Most things come from the kitchen, making it a good spot to set up a recycling center. 2. The great thing about recycling is that it lets you put your favorite old containers, bins, or baskets to use. Assign containers for glass, plastic, and aluminum. To avoid messes, choose solid containers for storing items such as glass jars or cans that may have a sticky residue. 3. Take leftover plastic bags back to grocery stores where they are collected and reused to make plastic lumber.4. Check the bottom of plastic items to identify what type of plastic they are. If the type is not recycled at your local center, consider ways to reuse the container. There are different ways on how to recycle please take them into concideration and start now.Not a clean planet = nothing at all!!!!