Author: R J Adams

The birds are back from their winter migration. For the last week or so, a female robin has been assiduously attempting to build a nest on top of an outside light fastened to the back wall of our house, overlooking the deck.

She’s doomed to failure, but appears impervious to that fact. The light has a smooth, polished aluminum top only three inches in diameter. Each time she places her straw or twigs to make her nest, they fall ignominiously to the deck. She perches awkwardly atop the light, then squats a little, shuffling round in a circle, as though to smooth the interior of the non-existent habitation. Momentarily she pauses, as though noting the futility of her task, then flies away only to return a few minutes later with more nest-building material.

The light is now festooned, twigs and straw dangle forlornly from its bracket. Still, the bird returns trailing dead vegetation, seemingly oblivious to her wasted efforts.

There are some who would watch the bird and see her as a metaphor for the human species: our desperate attempt to build peaceful coexistence throughout the world; a task doomed to fail, yet still vainly striven after.

Then there are others who just see a stupid bird.

Filed under: Happy Easter

What is it about the US government that causes it to insist on interfering in the affairs of other nations, when it has proved itself incapable of humanely managing its own internal affairs?

Today, yet another headline:

Syria crisis: Obama condemns ‘outrageous’ use of force.”^[1]

Does anyone truly believe that events like these…

…could never again happen in America?

^{Click images to enlarge}

Only last week the US upset China by once again criticizing its human rights record.

“We advise the US side to reflect on its own human rights issues and not to position itself as a preacher of human rights,” said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.^[2]

Yes, America, what about Bradley Manning and Jose Padilla? Not to mention the inhumanities perpetrated at Guantanamo Bay – thank you for breaking yet another promise, Mister Obama. There was a time a United States president could be relied on to keep his word. Or, was there? Certainly not Richard Nixon. I’m sorry, for a moment there I was dreaming.

No-one in their right mind could approve of Syria’s actions against its own countrymen, or China’s treatment of dissidents, but for any nation to behave as a self-righteous prig, while overtly using similar inhumane behavior to its own devious ends, is the worst form of hypocrisy.

What is more, with America its so obvious.

Does the US government really believe no-one notices?

Of course not.

The truth is it doesn’t care.

^{[1] “Syria crisis: Obama condemns ‘outrageous’ use of force” BBC, April 22nd 2011}

^{[2] “China tells US: Stop preaching on human rights” BBC, April 9th 2011}

Filed under: Pots and kettles

The state of Texas is in a state. They’re running out of water. It hasn’t rained for three months. Wildfires have destroyed 1.8 million acres of land.

The Texas state governor is evangelical Christian Republican, Rick Perry.

Good old Rick can always be relied on to save the day. He’s found an answer to the problem of the drought.

No, he’s not going to call on Congress to take all the emergency action necessary to avert the climate change that’s causing the drought. He’s not even going to demand laws that force the corporate polluters to desist from their actions.

Instead, he’s issued a proclamation:

I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on that day for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life.”^[1]

Well, good on you, Rick. That’s exactly what’s needed. A bit of Divine intervention.

Just one question, Rick: did God cause the drought? Because, if so, he must have had His good reasons.

Perhaps it’s His way of showing you what happens when you and your fat-cat buddies continue to destroy the planet for the sake of acquiring a quick buck or two.

If so, He may not be too receptive to your prayers, Rick.

Dwell on that.

^{[1] “Gov. Perry Issues Proclamation for Days of Prayer for Rain in Texas” Office of the Governor Rick Perry, April 21st 2011}

Filed under: Fat-cat clowns