IS Religion guiding politics, or is politics guiding religion in the Middle East today?

Unfortunately, Catholic priests and allegations of sexual abuse have become the stuff of bad jokes these days. Still, a joke (be it good or bad) normally stems from something that is popular and regarded as holding some formulation of truth (no matter how exaggerated). So when another Vatican-versus-Sex-Abuse-Victim story was released six years ago, people took notice and negative press spread, well, like a bad joke.

The money, the mansions, the cars; travelling around the world to stay at the most exotic and sought-after destinations; partying it up where the Cristal and Johnny Blue are flowing; being above the law and not having to serve a full jail sentence – it seems that money and fame can buy you just about anything, including a disregard for justice and accountability.

It’s hard to say what’s natural these days. Tomatoes? No, they’re genetically modified. Cars? They aren’t part of nature, but human beings are, and we made them in the same way birds make nests. See what I mean? There’s a pretty fine line. What about lying? Is lying natural? Yes. Not all the time obviously, but a little bit of lying, well, that’s pretty much ok. It isn’t moral, but it’s definitely natural.

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows” – Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues

It’s hard to say what’s natural these days. Tomatoes? No, they’re genetically modified. Cars? They aren’t part of nature, but human beings are, and we made them in the same way birds make nests. See what I mean? There’s a pretty fine line. What about lying? Is lying natural? Yes. Not all the time obviously, but a little bit of lying, well, that’s pretty much ok. It isn’t moral, but it’s definitely natural.

Since the initial explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on 20 April, 4.9 million barrels of crude oil have been spilled to date  into the Gulf of Mexico.  The spill was finally stopped on 15 July after three continuous months of spillage, the effects of which continue to  affect the aquatic life in the area and, of course, tarnish the scenic Louisiana coastline (note: the Mexicans are not too worried about their coastline).  It really is a tragedy, but not one of unprecedented proportions as US politicians are quick to point out, because it happens literally everyday in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

VUVU-VOTAAA! That is the war cry that rings from the hills as our valiant champions of student leadership outline the horizon leading us bravely into a new year…oh forget it.  They are coming back. Less like Hercules and more like the various plagues of Egypt. They will descend like locusts to vie for a chance to devour the political fruits offered once part of SRC.

A few days ago I read an article about the South African Police Force, and how they have found a calling in bowls.  The way I understood it, the police have made steps towards creating a following for the sport.  I thought, great, another elitist sport has been emancipated, been made available to many people who otherwise never would have had the opportunity to play.   I’ve heard the same said about golf.  I think it’s great that sports such as these can be made available to the everyday person.  But then a confusing and sinister thought riled itself from some lonely crevasse in my head.  It was Steve Biko.

Never mind making a career choice – our generation seems to struggle between choosing a series or a cereal. The strange thing is, as I’ve explained my career-decision dilemma to young adults over the years, there are very few of them who can tell me they are fully happy with what they do. Most young adults seem as confused as I am, and are still trying to find their way around the copiousness of careers available. In contrast to our parents, whose career choice was limited, our Generation Y has the ironic abundance of choice – there is so much of it that we can’t seem to make one.