Without labels - Trump and Castro

Firstly, lets us take away the labels that we give ourselves or those that others give us - 'capitalists', 'democrat', 'communist', 'socialist', 'liberal', 'nationalist', 'leftist' or 'rightist' etc. Instead let us look at what we aspire for, or practice in simple language, _without using those labels_. Now things often appear in a different, surprising and revealing light.

It is rather strange today in the USA that the supposed 'Left, socialist leaning' side is encouraging and is supported those who favour - unrestrained, greed-driven, free, global capitalism driven by maximizing profit anyway, while those that are supposed 'Rightist' voted for Trump favouring a system of trading not dictated by pure unrestrained greed. They too favour trading, but keeping in mind local interests with a human social conscience and profit with some social restraint on it, so that a large section of the population is not left behind. Trump and his supporters, rightly in my opinion, fought against making deals with foreign interests that benefitted a small number of USAnians. They have had a tough going, within the 'democratic' system that is supposedly perfected over 200 years in the USA.

One can look at the argument that Castro might have made many years ago while leading his socialist revolution - against a local government that made deals with foreign interests benefitting a small number of Cubans, while disadvantaging a large number of Cubans.  Castro was perhaps looked  upon as a 'Cuban Trump' many decades ago. Strong local democracy such as even in the USA did not exist in Cuba.

I see Trump and Castro as basically the same type of leaders for their own people, with similar minded people following them. Of course, the scale and details of the countries are different, but the basic principles they are fighting appear similar to me.

It is obvious that no country is purely capitalist or socialist or communist, ideal democracy or whatever. People have always traded and will always trade - it is not something 'communists' dont do. They can, and very well too, as China has shown. No society is viable or can sustain or thrive as a 'pure' capitalist or socialist or 'pure' ANYTHING... It needs elements of capitalism, socialism, democracy, autocracy and true leadership (that is a rare, random thing, not something that can be 'cultivated' in a system).  The glaring difference in 'leadership' qualities between Trump and Clinton is the perfect example here.

We should hope that there is a proper balance between different elements and it is up to the locals everywhere to decide what is the best balance of social principles (looking after each other) and commercial and capitalist principles (trading for profit).

The mainstream media always uses labels and tries to fire up an emotional response within each of us - this prevents clear thinking, promotes a reflex reaction of either hate or a blind happy sense of bonding. Once one lets go of the labels and tries to see things in their real light, we will see who the real villains are and who the real heroes are, who the good guys or bad guys are in a particular issue or situation. One hopes the people of the USA see things in a real light and stop this mess of mutual hatred and bitterness between fellow citizens. As an observer I can only say - Come together as one united nation. Most of you, the vast majority are more alike and interested in the same things than you can see for yourself. Don't let the corrupt media play you like it has in the past.



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved 

Who is a true 'liberal' ?

A true 'liberal' is not defined by what values they personally hold and practice on issues, but how tolerant, accepting and respectful they are of those who hold a different view or values. The opposite of 'liberal' is NOT one who holds a conservative or traditional viewpoint. In Australia, the political party that espouses more conservative ideas and values calls itself 'The Liberals'. They are the equivalent of those labelled 'Conservatives' in the UK or the USA.

When we see past the labels people attach to others (and claims they make about themselves) and look at their actions it becomes clear, who is liberal and who is not. Those observations in real life can be surprising and revealing - not what is made out in the mainstream media.


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved 

A Life As Love Birds

To be born a man or a woman
Is there a choice, a third?
If there were, I really swear
I'd like to be born a bird

And you too, my love
As a parrot or a dove
Or as a swan or a starling
You'll always be my darling

We'd make a fine pair
We'll fly on a lark
Waltzing happily in the air
 Over to the park

Together we'll chase rainbows
And glide down from the sky
A-singing our hearts out
A-looking down from high

Crazy in the spring sunshine
Heady in our romance
Earth-bound lovers would look up wistful
And watch us as we dance

Us they would envy
Men and women in love
Wishing they could make love
As we two do above

Out in the open
And up in the tree
Whenever that we please
Living lives carefree

While they sit sipping some fancy wine
We'll have dew drops on the leaves
While they wait out the storms inside
We'll shelter in the eaves

In our own little nest
On that great big tree
We'll live without worries
And live rent-free

No passports, no tickets
For us no man-made borders
We'll fly to where we please
For us no taking orders

When the wild wind blows
And shakes our oak tree
Or the rain falls hard
And tries to soak thee

In all kinds of weather
We'll find cause to sing
Feather touching feather
You sheltered in my wing

In the light breeze a wind chime sings
They're both aflutter - my heart and my wings,
Come to me, My Cutie Beak!
I want to kiss you as you speak

Like our own spirits we would soar
Wings spread out in the sky
I could not ask for very much more
Than such a life to try





- Photos and Images (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy
All Rights Reserved Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy

Ideas and Feelings Rule Our World

Ideas and feelings run our world. They occupy and take over people's minds and hearts to achieve their goals. Humans thus become expendable vessels or containers and tools for their real masters who are subtle and intangible. 

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved 

The Orange Cheetos Revolutionary

There was always something that reminded me of the notorious snack called 'Cheetos' about Mr. Donald Trump, from the very first time I saw him on TV about a decade ago. I had heard and seen ads for his program - 'The Apprentice'. The orange aura, his ill-fitting suit, unusual hair style and the repeated staged-for-effect stock phrase 'You're Fired!!' seemed to lend a 'cheesy' flavour to the program. I was not very keen when I was once invited to sit and watch with my children, who liked to watch it among other programs.

"Sounds and looks too 'cheesy'," I said.

They said they liked it and so I decided to watch it sometime.

One day, I found time to sit with them and actually watched an episode. It was better than I expected - there was some good thinking, analysis and values involved - taking responsibility and motivation to succeed. While some of the decisions seemed harsh on some participants, it was clear that they were based on an open, transparent criteria. The participants had willingly come forward to go through the challenge and perhaps accept disappointment after a lot of well-intentioned effort. It seemed like a reasonable representation of real life. Also, I noted that Mr. Trump was not as harsh as made out to be in the promotional clips and that he listened calmly to everyone before making his decisions and explained his decisions really well.

I shared those thoughts with my little kids and moved on, not watching many episodes but sometimes checked with my kids on their favourite candidates and their progress. Privately, I must confess that I felt a bit ashamed of myself for being a bit too judgemental based on the initial appearance. I was glad that my kids could still focus on other things and not be put-off by just one aspect or person.

Over the years, I had also heard fleetingly of Mr. Trump's oscillating fortunes in the real-estate business and some book he wrote, some beauty pageants and his casino called the "Taj Mahal". It all seemed typical of a high-flying capitalist in the USA and really off my radar.

Recently, his name cropped up again in the news regarding his Presidential bid. It was mentioned in a manner ridiculing him - like one among a bunch of clowns in the run. I too laughed. Then I heard about some 'outrageous' statement he had reportedly made about 'all Mexicans being murderers and rapists' and 'building a wall'. Then there was the one about 'Stopping all Muslims from entering the USA'. The first reports about his statements seemed utterly racist and bigoted, without really really knowing exactly what was said by Mr. Trump, it seemed reasonable to go along with the take in the media that, he would not last long in the political arena and did not deserve to. I did not pay much attention to it.

When I read again that he had won some support in some polls and that he was being talked about more and more, even if negatively, it intrigued me. When I next came across an article I looked up exactly what he had said about Mexicans and Muslims. It was then I realised that the media did not repeatedly mention the full statement made. It was spliced and misinterpreted his whole statement by focusing on a part of the whole statement. The gist of his statements 'Some illegal immigrants that come from Mexico are criminals - murderers and rapists while some are good people'. He contended that the large number of illegal immigrants - figures of about 11 million was proof that something was terribly wrong. This was being deliberately and repeatedly twisted, misrepresented with great energy and vigour in the media. The same with his statement about Muslims - it was about stopping the intake of Muslims until they figured out what exacly was going on. Taking Mr. Trump's full statement into account would require the USA to self-reflect to 'figure out what exactly was going on these countries. It meant to honestly think and judge their own role and actions. Just blindly proclaiming anyone the media suggested as a villain and all the actions of the USA as saintly and 'good' was ridiculous. The mainstream media seemed just too motivated and energetic in its attempts to pull down Mr. Trump.

That made it even more suspicious. If all the media did was report his exact statements and left it at that, any reasonable thinking person could judge for themselves and make up their minds. But that apparently was not desirable for the mainstream media. The more they set out to obfuscate someone's message and demonize them, the more they raise suspicions. If one could simply see what the person had said, it was becoming clear that there was a great, unusual fear of Mr. Trump in the mass media.

Once again, like I once made time to watch an episode of 'The Apprentice', I made time to watch the Presidential debates on TV, not letting the blanket negative 'editorializing' by the obviously biased TV commentators tell me what to think of him. It became clear that an establishment outsider with an ugly mug, cheesy aura and orange hair, whatever else he may have said in the past, was making more sense on the current political and economic situation of the USA and the world than the 'elegant', 'Presidential looking', 'synthetic plastic' candidates, with years and years of 'experience' in groomed, modulated tones wearing better fitting suits.

It was also becoming clear from the concerted manner in which the mainstream media from all over the world attacked him viciously and persistently - his voice, appearance, his past, his loyalty to his country, caricatured him, insulted him and his supporters, that there was something they seriously feared about him. It was not what the other candidates claimed and many of their statements did not make sense. They were meant to soothe, reassure and give a feeling of being 'not cheesy' and sounding 'Presidential'.

After thinking about all he faced and what he says and does, in the final days of the campaign, I saw a man beyond the orange snack aura - a man with a clear message from a lot of people who have been betrayed by the system and their governments in the past from both parties. I see a man with grit, determination, a brilliant tactician with a sharp intellect - one who knew how to turn the most pervasive, biased and corrupt media on its head. He seems fearless and does not buckle under duress. In fact, the opposite. It seems to bring out the best in him, the fight in him and he is an intelligent fighter.

With cleverness, he and his campaign made the negative media coverage be one of his best selling points - they could not afford to ignore him. the more they wrote about him negatively, the more it garned support for him, revealing the state of affairs to any person who cared to think about it a little rather than blindly follow it. Apparently, many have.

I have learned not to judge a snack by its flavour now - 'cheesy' flavours might mask something wholesome while 'wholesome' flavours might hide something really cheesy.

Way to go Mr. Trump! Good luck! A lot of people would like you to hear say to a lot of other people - "You're Fired!"


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved 

I Will Not Fit In Your Box Or Fall In Line

I am not your 'Leftist' or 'Rightist' or 'Centrist' in my political views. I will not be easily classified in a box of your definition either, unless it is titled 'Not Easily Classifiable'.

I want to be 'right' in the sense that I have views and opinions that I hope are

- fair to me and others

- 'correct' according to some moral principles or values I hold, along with most people

My views on various issues might fall all over the place, guided by the above idea of what I consider is right.

That Left-Right spectrum is a flawed construct in my view that people try to impose on others.

If you try to fit me on a straight line between 'The Left' end and 'The Right' end, it will not work. I will not fit into any of your boxes either.

I believe most humans are like that - a bit all over the place and uniquely themselves, even with a lot in common with some others.

I have been labelled everything at various times on various issues - 'Communist', 'Leftist', 'Moderate', 'Rightist, 'Atheist', 'Religious', 'Capitalist', 'Liberal', "Conservative' ,''Socialist', 'Democrat', 'Nationalist' and 'Anarchist' by others. They try hard to place everyone in a straight line. I will not fit neatly into your boxes too - 'Indian','Hindu' or 'IT Professional' or 'Pessimist' or 'Optimist', 'Serious', 'Flippant' or whatever.

I support various elements of Capitalism, Socialism, Immigration, Free Trade and Protectionism. I am for non-discrimination on the basis of gender, race, nationality or sexual orientation, dress-sense, hairline, musical or food preference, unless it is relevant to letting everyone be as much as possible of who they want to be without trampling on others.

Of course, when someone claims they belong somewhere on a straight line or in a box - saying 'I am a Leftist' or 'Left of Centre' or whatever, I respect their own sense of belonging. I give that some weightage and go about dealing with them on an issue-by-issue basis looking at the specific values or arguments they bring. Many times I have noticed them to be contradictory to what they claim. I just deal with that issue and not try to challenge their notion of themselves, unless pushed to.

What do you believe you are, or NOT are?



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved 

Fairbanks

O Jewel of Tanana Valley! Good city of Fairbanks,
Here's an ode to you from me, with grateful heartfelt thanks

The very first time, through my eyes you were seen
There was nowhere else, I'd rather have been

As I stepped out into the bright sunshine
You looked so beautiful and very fine

Pulsing, golden, Alaska's heart
I fell for you, right from the start

Over mountains and seas, I flew to thee
Such beauty in nature, I'd rarely see

My first ever home in a foreign land
Gracious host family, to lend a hand

Dear old UAF, my alma mater
All that I'd leave, a few years later

Many things I learned, many friends I met
Many things I saw, I will never forget

Brenda and Bruce, David and Ben
Jaipal, Stephenita, Kathy and Ken

Such easy, friendly connections were made
I was once Felix Pedro, in the Golden Days parade

My first ever snowfall, in Fairbanks I saw
A magical world, filling me with awe

The winter months of night, and the summer months of day
The snowy blanket white, where squirrels came out to play

The dark black ravens foraging, in the bins behind Nerland Hall
Through all the seasons - spring, summer or winter or fall

I often used to wonder, how they could stand the cold
They were always at home there, by the natives I was told

The memories of egg-nog and warm sourdough bread
Still soothe my heart and soul
The images of ice-carvings dance in my head
With Santa Claus House, North Pole

The wondrous sights of Northern Lights
Green curtains in the sky
The top of Denali and peaks of great heights
From a distance we could spy

It was in Fairbanks, that I first learned to drive
And bought my very first car
Stopped at 'Skinny Dick's Halfway Inn' to revive
Having driven from Anchorage far

You made a welcome place for me
It was generous on your part
You are now a part of me
A soft corner in my heart

I hope one day, to be with you again
And convey to you, my thanks
A warm sweet memory you remain
My dear old Fairbanks!

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved 

Ann and Mary

There were two girls who were siblings
They were so unlike each other
It was hard for anyone to believe
They were born of the same mother

One felt she was God's gift to the world
She was a stunning beauty
Every man around her little finger she twirled
To serve her was his duty

She looked like Aphrodite
She acted high and mighty
Her God-given assets, sure looked so fine
And over the years caused, countless hearts to pine

"I do deserve in life, nothing but the best
 I have no time at all, for all of the rest
I am worthy of the finest, any man can give
If he ever dreams that, with him I should live

I'm worthy of the best just being me
Would you just take a look?
I'm a Princess, can't you see?
Don't expect me to cook!

If any man expects, to have me at his side
He must be Adonis, and able to provide
A lifestyle that I expect
And the highest respect

He must be strong and gentle
And always very kind
Not quite sentimental
Or I might change my mind."

She was bewitchingly haughty
And enticingly naughty
To love her meant she be adored
Else she was too easily bored

If she dropped something, she waited for the man,
To pick it up off the floor for her
She would not stoop or stretch, she waited for the man
He had always had to open the door for her

Now, the other sister, Ann
She looked a little ordinary
She rarely caught the eye of a man
When she stood next to Mary

Ann had no airs about her
She really was quite simple
The only thing special about her
Was a tiny dimple

It graced her little chin
She wasn't very fair
She looked a bit too thin
And had mousy hair

Ann walked around, with an awkward gait
While hoity-toity Mary, strutted like a model
Mary had fancy curls, Ann a simple plait
Mary sang sweetly, Ann could only yodel

There was never very much
That Ann ever demanded
She accepted life as such
And she was left-handed

She worked hard for everything she had
She slaved away for years
And through the times both good and bad
She bravely hid her tears

Ann worked hard, yet often gave up
The things that she had earned
While Mary never had to save up
"Just Ask and Get" she learned

Yet, both deep in their hearts
For true love did crave
They each had many false starts
Could not find one so brave

Brave enough to commit for life
Brave enough to take them for a wife
The men that the sisters dated
Usually were soon intimidated

Some by the haughty beauty
Some by the plainness of Ann
There was not one among them
That was truly a worthy man

The years kept rolling by
And the girls were getting old
Just when it seemed, one might click
Someone's feet was getting cold

Until one day, along came
One rich handsome fellow
James Earl III was his name
He was by nature mellow

He worked as an engineer
A BMW was his carriage
His face had a permanent sneer
He was much sought in marriage

He was a most eligible catch
For all the girls in town
They all felt he'd be a perfect match
And this he had known

He went through dating them, one by one
But he was by nature wary
He barely escaped the clutches of one
When he started dating Mary

In first approaching him herself, Mary had condescended
As soon as she came to know, his previous love had ended
It seemed at first, he was a typical man
He attended to Mary and, mostly ignored Ann

He was quite nice, and polite to all
Though he did not talk very much at all
He seemed of a nature, quiet and deep
And his own counsel, he preferred to keep

He talked straight, and never did lie
Nothing ever seemed, to escape his eye
He was sure of himself, and in very good health
He was quite generous, but understated his wealth

Until now,  All of Mary's suitors
Really had to compete
To outdo each other in deeds
And lay great offerings at her feet

James however, seemed to take
An approach quite contrary
He seemed to be, in some rare moments
A male reflection of Mary

It drove her quite crazy sometimes, that she had to swallow her pride
If she ever wanted to make real, her dream of being his bride
She covered up her feelings, in fake and loud laughter
Just wait for the wedding, she figured,"I'll teach him a lesson after"

As soon as she felt that she had, their relationship in a groove
Mary wasted no time at all, in boldly making her move

She really did not want, this one to get away
She was quite determined, to have him - come what may

So, she cornered him, after dinner, late
One starry, moonlit night
Gave him an ultimatum for a wedding date
They got into a fight

The ease, calm and confidence with which
He dismissed her deadline
Brought out at that moment, her inner bit*h
Then she crossed the line

To his reasons she wouldn't listen
Her disappointment too great
Her eyes began to glisten
And her voice began to grate

She gave vent to her anger
And let loose with her tongue
Words that never crossed a lady's lips
She cared not if they stung

Now, James was quite shocked by this
But he still kept his cool
He realised that until now,
She'd played him for a fool

As her face flushed and turned quite red
He smiled calmly, laughed and said
"Girl, You sure are a cutie,
But for me, way too snooty.

Surely you shouldn't harry
The one you expect to marry
I thank you for all this, and I wish you well
For I know that you've saved, me from certain hell."

Mary stormed inside, ran to her room
Fire in her breath and eyes in tears
Shortly they all heard, James' car go vroom
She never saw him for a couple of years

And then in a few days,
The sisters parted ways
Each out on her own
But in the same town

To lead a spinster's life
Was the worst of all their fears
They hoped to become someone's wife
And thus spend their years

One day, Mary got a letter,
It was from her sister Ann
She wrote "My life's now better
And I have met this man.

I really have no idea,
How this relationship will go
If it gets serious,
I'll soon let you know."

A few weeks later, the postman brought,
Mary a lovely card,
Reading it, she became distraught
The news, to bear, was hard

"I'm getting married, to this lovely man.
I wanted you to know," wrote her sister Ann,
"He wants to wed me, and is really sweet.
He surely wants to lay, the whole world at my feet.

I was not sure a while ago,
Now, I'm sure he's the one,
I'm certain that next to him,
I've now, a place in the sun,

I call him 'Gems' and he calls me his 'Pearl'
You already know him, he is James Earl."

Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016

All rights reserved

The Sick Old Man

Wisps of hair, like streaky clouds
Gathered 'round his head
He lay under a tattered quilt
Reclining on his bed

The musty air smelled, Oh! so foul
As I manfully held the bowl
He struggled so noisily with his breath
I feared he just might cough to his death

A spoon of soup I tried to feed him
Some dribbled down his chin
He looked at me with his rheumy eyes
Then gave a toothless grin

I wiped his stubbly chin and lips
With a hand-kerchief
Fed him water in tiny sips
As his look spelled mischief

With practised guile, I cracked a smile
"Now you better rest!
That is what the doctor ordered
and it is for the best."

He paused from a fit of wheezing
And gave me such a look
The tone of his voice was teasing
Even as it shook

"Listen, young man
I have something to say
Listen, if you can
Listen today

I don't have much time
For you or for life
There's no one to miss me here
No child or a wife

I know I am not wrong
When I say what I feel
I am not very strong
Don't think I will heal

I've had a good run
And heaps of fun
I've made many happy
And a few a little sappy

I used to be wealthy once
I was healthy too
Until fate had me in its crosshairs
It was stealthy too

I outlived my kids and friends
I outlived my wives
I look forward to meeting  them all
In our future lives

Here's a little something for you
I've saved it for some time
Thanks for taking care of me
This is surely worth a dime."

From under the pile of pillows
He pulled out a couple of bags
They were full of little bundles
Tied up in dirty rags

"I know I cannot make it"
He continued with a smile
"It's for you. Go on take it,"
As he saluted me with style

"What is all this?" Hesitating, I asked
As he thrust it all at me
"Open one up and have a look," he said
And then you will see"

I untied a little bundle, and it was a big surprise
Easily a few hundred dollars in bills, I couldn't believe my eyes
There must have been a few scores of them, I really was quite shocked
He held up his hand to block my protest and then he firmly talked

"Before you say anything, now that I have your attention,
It is all money honestly earned and some part of my pension
I live on very little, I have very few needs
Some have even paid me well, for a few kind deeds

Many times before, I've given away the lot
Many thought I was a fool
But the more I gave, the more I got
And that seems to be the rule

I suspect you will be the last
I give this with my thanks
As you can see I trust people
More than I trust the banks."

I was suddenly curious,
"What were you before?" I dared to ask
For just a second, he looked furious
Then his face become a mask

"I was always a human,
Imperfect but hopefully good
Do you have any doubts?
I don't think you really should."

"Oh, sorry Sir, I meant to ask,
What kind of work did you do?"
I feared he'd take me to task,
And that is what he did do!

"Judge me not by what I did
Oh, just don't you dare
Judge me now by how I did
Everything, with care

Yes I made mistakes,
But I've got what it takes
If I did the crime
I also did the time

There are many hats I have worn
Engineer, Clerk and Teacher
There are even sheep I have shorn
I once was a traveling preacher

I have been a son, a father and a friend
I have been husband too, but in the end
I have tried to be an honest man
And in all done the best I can

One day you might find yourself,
right here in my place
But remember then, I just was
Ahead of you in this race."

It all seemed a bit too much for him
His face turned a  little red
His bright eyes appeared to dim
He sank into his bed

He looked into my eyes, and touched my very heart
As good-bye to life he bade
From the dark outside I heard, the dogs' howling start
As I saw the spark within him fade

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved