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The Parrot Speaks – Keeping a poker face

Jun 11, 2008 Peeping Tom

The Parrot has decided after looking at international news two days ago, to keep a “poker face”, not that I am playing the game. I just don’t want anyone to be able to “read my face” thereby coming to the wrong conclusion.

The news showed some images which once would have been unimaginable. However, after 9/11, the unimaginable is now imaginable. Houses were seen floating downstream as a result of heavy flooding in Wisconsin in the US earlier this week. Yes, houses! Big ones too.

In other parts of the same country, across states, thousands are grappling with a punishing heat wave. These are disasters; two climatic extremes with severe consequences and millions affected in the same country.

Yes, Uncle Sam country. Other images shown include strikes and protests against high fuel prices, long cues for the commodity and people starving in parts of Ethiopia. The latter would not only bring tears to your eyes, but would evoke strong emotions given one’s “take” on the reasons that led to the images emanating there.

Thousands, including children, some babies, are facing starvation there. When one analyzes the enormous sums being spent on weaponry by the “big guns” in the much touted “war against terrorism”, personal agitation is inevitable.

Of course, still with my poker face, I am not suggesting that terrorism should not be fought, but given the “intelligence” that led to the Iraqi situation, caution to verify such excuses…oops, information to “deal” with other countries under the “radar”, must be exercised now that we are all affected by, what can be described as, the “sum total” of the consequences.

If all the talks by the “big guns” to help eradicate poverty across the globe are to hold true, then what is happening in Ethiopia and other parts of the world should be replaced by nourished people with smiling faces. I know these same countries have been, and are helping, to alleviate the situation.

However, it’s difficult not to ask questions like, to what extent and how committed they are, putting aside their own self-interest.

This space is not enough to fully analyze these situations that appear “complicated”. Recalling my elementary Physics, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Given this, it may not be difficult to comprehend that the current high food and fuel prices and the situation in Ethiopia and similar ones in other areas, are “reactions” to the war in Iraq.

The extreme weather patterns currently being experienced in the US and from time to time, in other parts of the world including Guyana, can be seen as the “reactions” of the many years of denial of climate change and not wanting to take action by some of the same “big guns” who wanted to protect their interests.

Further, given this, in my own Parrot-like analysis, I have concluded that I am better off perched on a high tree right here looking, with a poker face, at those who chastise this land for their own self-interest. After all, we are coping better with the crisis.

What is interesting is that many outside who are feeling the “squeeze” now want to come here. Wouldn’t it be worth eavesdropping on a conversation between “representatives” of these groups? Maybe I should do that whilst pretending to play poker. Squawk! Squawk!

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