Monthly Archives: February 2013
Progressive Action From An Old Country
Here I go again. Taking actual pen to actual paper. I feel a compelling need to write while in flight, don’t ask me why. And this was a particularly long journey – all the way from the Western U.S. to Bombay for two days of meetings (“the return” – but that’s a reflection for a different day).
Here’s what I was thinking about today – Americans (or the rest of the world for that matter) don’t give the Brits enough thought or credit. But something that just happened ought to be lauded. And copied.
I’m talking about the progressive action taken this week by the U.K. government in legislating gay marriages. When I think of how gays are treated in the world, it bears a close resemblance to how women were (and are still in many cases) treated.
As a left-leaning liberal, it is incomprehensible to me that gays are somehow considered unequal to others. Or that any humans can be considered unequal just by virtue of their birth, how they were born. Some majority groups in power simply increase their power quotient by putting down the minority. Perhaps it’s just a natural extension of their macho factor?
Anyway, it’s great to celebrate what this old country is doing to protect the rights of all human beings – including those who just happened to be gay. By doing so, it’s showing the world its leadership and progressive thought, even while being surrounded by conservatives from many corners.
These are the kind of noticeable steps that help the rest of the world change too. Slowly but surely. Therefore, it’s time to once again use concrete actions to celebrate equality and humanity. Isn’t it?
Before I end, I must put in a plug for President Obama who in his second inauguration speech just last month said the following –
“We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths — that all of us are created equal — is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall…”
He continued:
“It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts.
It would be great to see this transformed into progressive action in the country, and not just in a handful of states. Just saying.
Now I hope I find something just as new and bright to write about and celebrate on my long journey back!
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FYRP: Short, Sweet & Current
My laziness phase continues. No doubt about it. (More proof: Use of the obscure acronym FYRP).
You see, I’m a bit (just a bit!) overwhelmed at work. But that’s really no excuse. I still need to write. Every day!
And to write I need to think.
I seem to have lost the capability to do so. It’s go, go, go at work. So at home, my brain wants to shut down badly. Yet, I’ve promised myself I am going to write everyday.
So what do I do?
Well, why not write about some of the most interesting stuff I’ve read this week (I am never too lazy to read, thank goodness)? Not books this time, but articles. Short and sweet. (But not all sweet, as you will see).
You never know when I’ll want to re-read these so why not capture them now while they are fresh on my mind?
These are about as eclectic as they can get , I promise you. With many thanks to my like-minded friends for providing some of this brain fodder…
Check them out. They really are worth checking out!
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Stephen King risks wrath of NRA by releasing pro-gun control essay
I’m a fan for life of this man. And I haven’t even read all his books, just (arguably) his best ones – On Writing and 11/22/63 (if you haven’t read this, you’re missing one helluva book and experience!). It’s wonderful to see a writer of his eminence and an avid gun owner to boot step up and be loud and forthright about his support for gun control. After Sandy Hook, it’s unimaginable that anyone could be against it. But, hey, this is America.
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Sorry Apple, the BlackBerry Z10 Is Hotter Than the iPhone
For someone who just switched from a BlackBerry to an iPhone5S, this simply doesn’t seem possible. What a totally different user experience it is! But nothing is greater at seeing innovation unleashed than threat of survival. And have you noticed that those underdogs usually have the motivation needed to take bigger risks? Best wishes to RIM, for sure because innovation is wonderful. In the end, everyone wins. Well, except maybe Apple.
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20 amazing facts about the human body
If you know even a couple of these facts, I will be surprised. Amazing? Hell, yes.
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The Second Coming – What can the 44th president really achieve in his second term? Here are 10 ideas.
Foreign Policy magazine’s take on what President Obama can practically accomplish during his second term, the key word being “practical“. They may not be the largest issues that need to be solved but they are critical. These ten essays contain advice to him from various quarters on how he can resolve these problems – a wide spectrum that covers everything from oil to democracy.
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India Has a Woman Problem -And there’s no denying it anymore.
After the brutal gang rape in New Delhi, the world’s attention turned to India to figure out if this was an isolated incident or an endemic problem, or somewhere in between. This essay has a clear opinion. India – despite its economic emergence has a conservative and patriarchal social ecosystem and culture that is going to take a LONG time to change. If you believe what this writer has to say (and it’s hard not to), this translates into really bad news for women and worse news for Indians in general.
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America in Recline – Obama’s foreign policy leans back from the world.
A great article and perspective on Obama’s new foreign policy strategy – leaning back yet focusing with small, specialist teams to go after terrorist groups – and how this benefits America and the world.
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Now, go read these neat, neat articles (or the one or two that interest you) while I get my brain back in shape.
Actually, that was not so bad for a lazy post, now was it?
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“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
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The Yin and Yang of Life Anywhere 