I haven't posted anything for a few days. I typed up something a few days ago to put up but the computer ate it up. Don't ask me what happened but it went kaput and the next thing I knew, my post/essay had disappeared.

I was not very angry though, because I immediately realised that I really didn't want to be posting anything at that time anyway. The last post was very good. It was straight from the heart. I really believe in what I said in that post. I thought that rather than posting something else to take up your time, I would leave that on there for you to read and re-read if you want.

My friend, Bourke, who I was having that conversation with in the first place, pointed out that many a times, you can point facts and ideas like that post out to people but it's as if you are talking to a wall. People don't listen. It just glazes over them. I agree with him completely on that fact.

In my 4th year Latin American politics class (abt 20 students), my professor reminds us every week how the system is working against us or using us. He reminds us everyday how some parts of the world are getting exploited because of the actions of developed nations. His words have awakened a fire within me; I have learnt so much from one semester in his class.

However, while I and some of my friends in the class sit there and hang off his every word, other people walk out at the break and come back with Starbucks coffees. The last time in class, I counted 14 cups of Starbucks cofee in the hands of my classmates. This is a perfect example of people not listening. This is no ordinary guy on the street. This is a proffesor. A man respected around the world. A person who addresses ground breaking political theorists of our age by their first names. These are the ideas of an academic.

I am not saying that my classmates should become Che Guvera and fight till either the system or they themselves are dead. Indeed, that is the essence of education, to know all sides of the story even if one chooses to disagree with some of the ideas. However, when a professor proves to you that your actions are causing adverse effects in other parts of the world, the least you can do is buy a cofee from Tim Hortons for 99 cents rather than the Colombian Starbucks blend.

People do not listen. Many a times, it is not a concious decision. It is just the way it is. Our society is always ready for 'sensationalistic' journalism and ideas. However, we seem to have a skewed view of what sensational facts are. It is not the Michael Jacksons of the world, it is not the haggard pictures of Saddam or whether Christina Aguilera had another boob job or whether the Bachleor and Bachelorette have been married yet.

It is the facts that are behind the curtains that we need to pay attention to. And that will not happen till we start to listen and mend our ways according to those ideas.

enough preaching... her are some links to some articles:

Robert Fisk wrote two articles on Saddam this past week: Capturing Saddam Won't End the War AND Twenty Years Too Late. As usualy, Fisky kicks ass !

(sidenote: does anyone else think that i'm turning into a news nerd?)

That's it for now. I'll try to update atleast twice before x-mas, but just in case I don't update or you don't read, have a Merry Chritsmas!!

in solidarity ...

(ps: someone really needs to come up with a 'fist in the air' emoticon!! Fight the Power!)