Monday, December 01, 2008

"We have met the enemy and they is us" - Walt Kelly

I'm not responsible for what happened in Mumbai - I know right from wrong; I'm right - you're wrong. I live in the largest democracy. I enjoy the liberties that democracy affords me - my democracy actually allows me to enjoy my rights placing no burden of responsibilities on me. My elected representatives (oh, by the way, I don't even vote, so I don't elect them either) are accountable to me but I'm not accountable to anyone - not to them, not to the democracy that I enjoy, not to the state of my society, not even to myself; so I throw garbage on the streets, for example, and hyperventilate because the damn government machinery doesn't function effectively enough to pick up my garbage. I have the right to throw garbage wherever I please and it's the government's duty to pick up after me. I pay taxes, don't I?
I didn't vote but look at the monkeyface you elected! He's not qualified (though he's well quantified), he has no sense, no experience, he doesn't care about my nation (I care a whole lot which is why I don't commit the crime of taking myself to the polling booth), he's corrupt, he's insensitive, he's a fanatic - and don't blame me - I didn't put him in his chair.
But I have all the answers. I know what "intelligence failure" is and I know how intelligence could've avoided failure; I know how my law enforcement agents should be trained; I know what the police should do, what the army should do, what the prime minister should do, what my neighbours should do, what you should do -hey! I know what everyone else should do! Why can't people simply listen to me? I'm very eloquent, I have space and air time, and boy! can I make a speech! So everyone, get up and do as I say - I'm so patriotic unlike you who are out there in the line of fire (whether you're a cop or a politician) rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty while I watch you on TV and it's so clear to me that you're a goddamn fool!
You! Keep my country safe! Keep me safe! I'm paying you taxes - you can't ask me to grow up!

5 comments:

Words said...

Bingo!! You have said the words....

Anonymous said...

Hey Aparna
Good to see that you still carry that caustic pen around!! Shobs

Aparna Muralidhar said...

Words,
Thank you for visiting and commenting.

Shobs!
Great to see your here! I don't seem to have your email ID - only PKS's; please give me your email ID.

Soul of The Violin said...

Hi , Came across your blog through Preeti, and glad that I did

Really expressive. I am born and bought up in the great city , but now I feel time to give the city , my land something in return ...You gave Mumbai words , and the words made me think ...

Visit my blog if you can
http//:thewoodandtheviolin.blogspot.com

Aparna Muralidhar said...

Thank you very much for your visit and the comment! I'll definitely look at your blog. Best - Aparna