A better world?

Saddam Hussein, labelled by most media as a former dictator, was hung on 30th Dec 2006. It almost seems like a concerted effort to start 2007 on the right note, whatever that means. So this world is supposed to be more peaceful without Saddam, I reckon. In fact, Bangkok even ushered in the new year with several bombs and Iran has even pledged to continue with nuclear efforts, I heard. Peaceful indeed.

The blog doesn't comment on politics for the simple reason that politics are mostly a waste of time, and I don't intend to depart from this policy until men learn to interact & co-exist civilly and respectfully, which means "never". I don't understand Saddam, Iraq, Bush or the US enough to comment on this intellectually, but from the perspectives of a fellow human being, I think killing another person to take revenge is nothing to shout about or glorify. Who's right, who's wrong, what sins the respectives parties are guilty of, this is something only God, the ultimate Judge, knows.

As bystanders, we should simply remind ourselves of what we can do to make this world a better place. No, don't go set fire to your nuisance of a neighbour who has been dropping cigarette ashes on your laundry, or tell the loud mouths on the MRT to shut up. And don't even think of castrating amorous couples who don't know the limits of shame with their public performances. Oh, by the way, public entertainment needs approval from MDA. The next time you come across a teenage couple exchanging hugs and kisses in the public, suggested action as follows:

<Amorous teenage couple>: *smooch smooch* *hug hug*
<You>: *loud applause* That was great! Got license?
<Amorous teenage couple>: Huh? What license? Who are you?
<You>: Public entertainment license. Me? I am just a kaypoh civic-minded member of the audience who happens to know that public entertainment needs approval from MDA. No license? Then better go home, later police catch.

Sorry I digressed, but seriously, how can we make this world a better place? Surely we can't go around hanging everyone who pisses us off? No, if we do that, we are no different from those who kill Saddam and those whom Saddam killed. Let God be the Judge. We should seriously look to ourselves. Ever crossed our mind that we need to change? Are we self-centred? Do we care for the needy around us? Are we too busy working our butts off to pay attention to our aged parents or children? Do we have time for others? Are we impatient? Do we despise slower classmates or older colleagues? Are we arrogant? Do we mock the have-nots? Are we hostile to foreigners in our land? Do we think lowly of our neighbours? Do we say thanks to the grannies and grandpas who work as cleaners in the foodcourts? Do we greet the Bangladeshi cleaner who keeps our estates clean?

The world doesn't become better just because some supposed tyrants have been snuffed out. It will only become better if all of us learn how to respect life, and the source of our life.

Thomas