War and peace

I was just watching the latest news on the Israel-Lebanon conflict on BBC world. It was a coverage of the efforts of British and German forces to evacuate its nationals from Lebanon. Most of these nationals were Lebanese holding British passports. In many cases, one of the spouses, say the wife had a British citizenship and hence could take her children with her. In other cases the children were separated from one of the parents, often the mother, and wailing. It was really pitiable. There was this grandmother taking the grandchildren with her on the boat and the parents are left behind. The children wailing and the gmother and parents are beseeching to let them on the boat. Several people clamour to get onto the boat, all in vain. There is plenty of space but they are allowed a small window of time and opportunity to take away only their nationals.

What could be worse than being forced to beg to flee one's own land and being foced to live the life of a refugee? Perhaps losing one's loved ones on the altar of senseless hatred and having the seeds of the same all-consuming hatred sown in one's own souls, is the worst thing to happen. They are fighting a losing war, a war in which battles may be won but never the war. Both the parties may have their own justifications for nurturing this hatred and all this war-mongering and destruction. But they should know very well, they are only scarring an entire generation who will nurture this grudge against the faceless enemy for its lifetime.

So who is to blame? The Zionists for standing upto attacks on their citizens from groups outside the political and military establishment of hostile neighbours? Or the Arabs who demand justice and land for their own people but are unable to reign in extremists and terror-mongers ? Or perhaps the Americans and the Western powers that be, who control a lot of pieces on this chessboard and are content to meddle for their own benefit and to meet their own needs, who sell the arms to not only the Israelis but also to the Hezbollah whom they publicly chastize. I sure wont be able to sleep easy with the guilt weighing in on my mind. I wonder how the Americans manage it, perhaps the naivette and ignorance of the average guy on their street saves him from the agony that would come with the realisation of the collective guilt that they shoulder. And I wonder how the militant follower of Allah - the ever merciful - hopes to attain heaven and immortality after having blown innocent children and people to smithereens, purportedly on His behalf. Even at the end of the great war of the Mahabharata with all its justifications, the righteous Pandavas didnt get to enjoy the fruits which they fought the war for.

I am reminded of an incident from my childhood. Once my brother broke one of my game-boards or something. In anger and retaliation, I in turn exacted revenge by destroying one of his possessions. This mutual cycle of vengeance took its toll and left in its wake a bunch of broken items and bruised egos. My parents then took us aside, chastized us and I immediately protested that I was of course justified in my actions and it was only fair. The wise folks that they were, they then pointed out that yes, I broke 5 nos of his stuff and he likewise destroyed 4 of mine. So I did win and made my point. But of course, did I really win? All though my brother did lose more than me, that did nothing to diminish my own loss !! Even with my juvenile brain, this logic struck a chord.

But well, did this wisdom stop any such future foolishness on my part? Of course, not. You see, I am inclined to believe that mankind by nature is 'programmed' to fight within itself. So although individually there might be enlightened souls, collectively it all 'averages' out and some ppl fight will others profit from their fighting. But all are stakeholders, in this great "Bhoo-lok" of Maya. And the great dramatist must be really amused at the unfolding drama.

From Venus and from mars

Ever wondered how men and women in general are constituted in a different way and think along diff lines.

A conversation from Seinfeld :

"I met this lawyer, we went out, I had the lobster bisque. We went back to my place, yadda yadda yadda, I never saw him again."
"You yadda yadda'd over the best part."
"No I didn't. I mentioned the bisque."

:-)

Soccer Videos

I found some really cool soccer videos on Google.

1.Ronaldinho's Superb Goal

Yet again

2. Ronaldinho and C.Ronaldo

Alas, why couldnt he reproduce some of this magic yesterday !

3. Some great goals and a save

These are some great moments, the video is rather too fast-paced though.

4. The Brasillians "doing timepass" at their airport (Nike Ad)

5. Another cool Nike Ad, this time with Figo, Cristiano and co.

6. Lest you think that this post is an ode to the Brasilians (no reason why it shouldnt be, though) here is the official sponsor's Ad which was a familiar sight on TV.

It reminds me of my childhood. We used to form teams the same way. But of course, we had mere mortals to choose. ;-)

It was the simplest way to pick as evenly balanced teams as possible. And everyone used to strive to move up the 'ladder of choice' over time.

7. Part two

Interesting to note that Nike has tied up most of the brasilian players except perhaps Kaka and Adidas has the rest of the world's stars in its coterie. Because of the respective spheres of influence? The Americas for Nike and Europe for Adidas?

Maybe we should have an Adidas vs Nike match up. Wonder which group of players will gel as a team.

8. The making - Last of the trilogy

9. Diego - the God.

10. Sheer
class, some of it

11. Ten great goals of the world cups
This is one of the best videos.

12. 50 goals, (23 minutes long)

13. The triumvirate

All credits to the the individuals who created this videos, the original copyright owners and Google of course. Enjoy whatever is left of the world cup !