Sedated view

Still down with the fever, cold and cough - but by no means am I out.

I just realised that for the past couple of weeks or so, I haven't been following much of the news. Sure, I read the newspapers, both the print and the online versions. Sure, I watch the news on tv whenever I'm at home at that time. But that's just about it. If I read the news, it's more like browsing and glancing, rather than actually reading, thinking and analysing. If I watch the news, it's more like waiting for the advertisements to come in, rather than focusing on what's going on in the world. This explains why my blog entries of late have not touched too much on current issues.

Indifference? Apathy? I don't know.

I feel that I am tired of the "same old, same old" stuff on tv. Watching or reading the news these days feels like following an elaborated Latin American soap opera which is scripted and predictable. For example, on the local front, you could guess what the authorities response would be when faced with criticisms. On the international front meanwhile, you could guess what Dubya would say about Iraq or Iran.

Of course, some would say that we now have the new media. For the uninitiated, this refers to the news carried by bloggers. I must admit I do follow some of these blogs, though not religiously. The difficulty I have with blogs are trying to differentiate between factual postings and emotional postings. Another problem I have with blogs is not the blog postings or the bloggers, but the comments from visitors who can be quite immature, emotional and irrational. But then people would argue, that's what free speech is all about. I would beg to differ a little however. While I am all for freedom of speech, I am also a believer in wisdom of speech. The freedom should be coupled with wisdom so that we would not be immersed in emotions and rhetorics.

Oh, well. Enough ramblings for today. Apologies for the rather different flavour in my musings today. As I am a bit sedated at the moment, I'll blame today's entry on my medication.

Praying for peace

The end to the Middle East conflict is no where in sight. In fact, it seems to be escalating. I, for one, can only pray for the conflict to cease for the sake of the lives of the innocents. I also hope that the conflict does not escalade into Syria and Iran.

Meanwhile, at home, we see many quarters voicing their concerns over the conflict. Unfortunately, some are taking advantage of this conflict.

I'm quite sure many have received short messages through the mobile phone, asking that we pray for our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon, and that the message should be forwarded to 10 other people. I received several similar messages. But I didn't forward a single one. Not because I do not pity the plight of the Palestinians or the Lebanese people. On the contrary, I do pray for them.

But think for a second... who benefits the most when messages are forwarded? Definitely not the Palestinians and not the Lebanese people.

Those who benefit are those who own the telcos.

Forget the sms. Just pray for peace.