THINKING ALOUD

I could really feel the emotion in my daughter's blog "Indecencies & Lies" and I can fully understand that. In fact it got me pretty inscenced too ... and the worst and scary part is that this trend of "authority abuse" (not to forget gross ineptness) is fast becoming an ingrained national trait as if given a life of its own.

To my simple mind this whole situation has come about, or at least made worse, in large measure because we (at the interface level between leaders and people) have created a grossly exagerated, overly differential, all-too-flattering, and completely less-than-necessary interaction protocol (just listen to the elaborate and wasteful introduction in speeches; and we don't even use "you" in letters any more but YB or YBh as both "subject" and "object" even in English - sounding as silly as a middle-aged celebrity addressing himself by name in the third person). And it would seem, not only has this grossly exagerated subservience gone overboard but so has the race to be really good at it while striving to be as obvious and as visible as can be.

In short the "bodek" process has been way way overdone (and unashamedly) to the point it makes those in position of authority believe they are a level (no, no, saveral levels) more wise, knowledgeable, clever, and able than everyone else, making them readily assume they can say or do no wrong - or be challenged, let alone atone for any wrong-doing. Imagine the sense of infallibility - imagine the lattitude for arrogance and authority abuse. And in the process we also effectively disempower ourselves (how can we ever possibly point out any wrong when we prostrate ourselves so?).

And we are perplexed by the increasing display of these disturbing traits in some of our so-called leaders and privately wring our hands and lament the trend - as if we are absolutely blameless! Remember, we always reap what we sow!

I have set out these thoughts in a poem "This Crippling Hypocracy" below - I think it captures the essense of what I want to say more effectively.

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THIS CRIPPLING HYPOCRICY

In their path we bow low – such great respect we show
Their words we echo with meanings we do not know
We scramble to get close to them as close as can be
And to them we sing their praises all too generously

Their views we readily champion – defend vigourously
Like holy verses never wrong never doubted certainly
No amount of contending truth can ever make us see
To voice our dissenting views even if we do disagree

This charade we continue for as long as they are there
The pretense we perpetuate with such passion and flair
That we add to the myth of their sacrosanct infallibility
Regardless of the merit of their judgment and ability

We never ever analyse or really listen to what they say
To verify the wisdom or the foolishness they display
Let alone contradict them or point out their weaknesses
For such is our blind reverence, the truth regardless

Yet this exhibited reverence can cease all so abruptly
When the positions they occupy in due time they leave
When their ideas become at best just boring repetition
And if they get too bothersome accuse them of sedition

And so it seems that all the respect and utter reverence
Is no reflection of quality or ability of the incumbents
We agree with whatever they say with no hesitation
For as long as they continue to occupy their positions

And so whatever they do or say do not really matter
For right or wrong we do not really care or even bother
Unconcerned if they are genuine or just glib pretenders
For as long as we can ensure our own narrow interests

When will all these end and where will they take us?
Are some pertinent questions we need to seriously ask
A self-disempowered society is what we are cultivating
Self-interests, blissful impotence, and selfish uncaring

If all these be true as indeed they would appear to be
Truly unfortunate is the fate of my people, my country
Deprived and denied of the telling contribution of many
The crippling consequence of such shameless hypocrisy

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Now, dont't get me wrong, I am all for showing respect - I once sincerely kissed a politician's hand (because he had, still has, and possibly will always have, my genuine respect). In fact, respect is a basic right and is due to ALL, everyone, but it must be correct and appropriate, not overly "under" or "over"; no undue excesses for some and gross lack or indifference for others.

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Our leaders (and even some of the so-called) serve a very necessary function and carry some huge burden and responsibilities (although most of them often seem to forget that most of the time) - burden and responsibilities that many of us may not even be interested to be associated with ... and we should therefore at the very least show our support and respect for them - but not blindly, or for the wrong reasons, or for less-than-sincere motivation.

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I hope some of those who act, speak, and behave as if they are saveral intellectual levels above the people they lead, (and those who help make them feel that way) get to read this ...but then even if they do they'll more likely think it applies to others and not them, but it will be a start!