Blame it on the Tsunami
Browsing through the papers It was fascinating to see the amount of stories published on just one topic itself. For the last three weeks their main theme has been nothing else but the "Tsunami", a word that entered Sri Lankan publications last month. I won't be surprised to see Tsunami prints in the next load of school text books or on the Science Syllabus or definitely not in ads reading "Part-time course on How to Escape a Tsunami (15 Hours)"
If not for the Tsunami, the world would have been a much worse place.
Sarcasm has almost reached its peak among the media. It does not leave anyone in the dark. Be a victim or not, everyone has been given a part to play in the Return of the Tsunami (RotT). Though it might not be eligible for an Academy Award, it does not fail to draw the approval and outrage of the audience. But that's all a part of the Tsunami. At least that's what they say.
As we move away from that horrible day, things are rolling back to the point of "Who cares?" But that does not mean the Tsunami has been forgotten. Of course it hasn't. It's the magic word to the garden of concession. You just say it and everything that was said before it will be complete erased from memory. The word has such strength that it brings out the best from the listener. So it doesn't take much talent for the utterer to cast his spell.
Humbleness is a word that's no longer adequate to many who use to treasure it before the tsunami. Of course the stories are more important, and the more they come out the more power the magic word attains. And therefore, anyone, merely anyone could acquire the bounties he or she pleases by the virtue of using it.
But then comes the Friday night show down of politics. No sooner the subject turns black in front my eyes; it reaches the peak of attention. Now with the Tsunami in its hands, imagine what it could end up achieving at the rate of thousand voices per second. It's just the case of bringing up the magic word and the rest it fully assured.
A father-son discussion on Rup Van Winkle's 5th Column follows.
Father: "What is worrying you now?"
Son: "Why, Father, won't it take years to undo the damage caused by the tsunami?"
Father: "It might, but there are a few positive aspects of the disaster..."
Son: "What are those?"
Father: "For instance, Satellite hasn't blamed the Greens for anything for the past two weeks..."
Son: "That is true, but we cannot be sure how long that will last.."
Father: "Then, there are so many world leaders descending on Colombo to see the disaster for themselves... And President Bush at last got to know where Sri Lanka was on the world map... And large amounts of foreign aid is flowing in to the country..."
Son: "But Father, the big question is whether we will use this opportunity to truly rebuild this country..."
Father: "Or.. how soon it will be before politics overtakes everything and we start fighting amongst ourselves again... Already there is a hint of that..."
Son: "Where is that happening?"
Father: "Why, the Tigers are complaining they are not getting enough aid... And from the South, some people are complaining that aid is being sent directly to the Tigers instead of through the government..."
Son: "But Father, there are other people who are falling over each other to provide aid too.."
Father: "How could you say that, Son?"
Son: "Why Father, there is almost a competition between the television stations as to who provides more relief..."
Father: "But Son, I'm sure they are doing their best because we need all the releif we can get..."
Son: "But Father, when they interview donors, what they want to know is why the donation was made to that particular television network... We have also reached the stage where each political party is colelcting its own aid and then claiming they collected more..."
Father: "Yes, but it must be said that our political parties have been surprisingly well behaved until now... That is because the disaster has forced our politicians to change their tactics..."
Son: "Why do you say that Father?"
Father: "Why, Son, Satellite can no longer talk of changing the Constitutions to remain in power... And Velu cannot be insisting on a self governing authority right now... Nor is it the time for the Green Man to launch protest marches... And this will not be the correct time for elections or a referendum... Or, for that matter bringing a non-confindence motion against the Speaker.. But don't be too optimistic about all this..."
Son: "Why do you say that Father?"
Father: "Why, Son remember all those election promises that were made less than a year ago?"
Son: "Yes, about salaray increases, jobs and controlling the cost of living..."
Father: "Don't forget that now, there is a read-made excuse. They can always say that they couldn't keep their promises because of the Tsunami..."
Reference: Satellite (President), Green (Opposition), Velu (Rebel Leader)
Naz 
Sunday, January 16, 2005 | 
Comments (3)
Comments
Funny isn't it, how some put thier heart and soul into doing some good while others take advantage out of it. Cruelty always plays a big role in every situation. That's what the world is today. Who really knows what the tsunami did to our world? or our people to be precise. There are bad ones turned good and good ones turned bad. What did it really change?
Human nature has a virtue of emotions. But it only takes a while to bring out the mask once again. I guess the guy who was wandering around pronouncing the destruction of the world makes a little sense now.
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. But laws are nothing compared to human stupidity.
The modern world is a playground for opportunitists. They say it's the only way to the future. But once they stumble upon their own destruction would they realize the extent of the marks they left behind them.
The world is indeed a much better place now.
After so many years people have open their hearts and wallets. Others have streched their hands for them. The world is getting together to help the victims and themselves. Because the victims need aid and we all need life lessons. but the latter will take time and more money than it takes to rebuild what was destroyed by the tsunami. But thats ok too. because funds are flowing from everywhere, and the treasuries will be filled even before we know it.
Everyone would be singing the Tsunami song to help themselves understand why God sent them this gift. It's like Superman landing on earth with heaps of meteorites which gives different powers to people who had nothing to do with it. So it makes sense that the tsunami has affected people who were many miles away from the sea. They need relief too, for spending so much on donations. For watching all those pictures and footage on television and having nightmares. So what's wrong with them trying to get some unwarrented help?
What about the political parties who are trying to get together now to 'help' rebuild the country. I'm sure they'll willing take of the banners and posters they have put up everywhere displaying how their parties have contributed to the cause and how others have not. of course the people would forgive them for using public contributions as their own. they would also like to see how the cease-fire and the tsunami combined advantage is being used to over power the rebels who are beginging to show more interest in state affairs.
Oh! and look at all the marines who are building bridges and houses instead of destroying them and killing innocent people for no damn reason. Look at the leader of the free world who instantly tennered his aid offer just to show how much he cares, thanks to the kind words from the UN. Look how the failed search for wmd's were called off quitely when the world's attention was directed to the tsunami.
Did not the tsunami do any good? facts are the enemy of truth. so I guess they could just keep on bluffing. but think about it, indeed the world would have been a much worse place if not for the tsunami. if you're smart enough to beleive it, then its time to get out of the trap.
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