The Trump Conundrum

In the year 2000, I happen to be in Des Moines, Iowa, where the Iowa Caucasus take place, which in many ways is the true launch of the American election cycle. Along with my brother-in-law I was strolling about the grounds making sense of a circus I had never seen before. We walked into a giant white tent, where I soon realized, we were the only two people of "color" in a homogeneous crowd. Onto the stage walked George W. Bush the candidate and the crowd burst into applause. He started his speech in Texan Spanish pandering to some Hispanic people in the front row. He then went on to do what candidates do at such rallies. I was left aghast. I said to my self, well if this man becomes our president, we are "screwed". Even though Donald Trump is no Neo-Con, I have seen enough of him to feel the same, with a higher degree of anxiety. And I am afraid to say it loud, with a fear of making it come true.

It is an election year in America. On the 8th of November, people in this country will exercise their inalienable right to choose a candidate to the highest elected office of this land. That candidate will come from one of only two parties, and for the next four years, will shape the course of this nation to some degree. If you peeped into America today and turned on the television, you will find that election mania is on overdrive. The two parties, Republicans and Democrats, are taking part in something called the "primaries". The primaries are essentially horse races to choose a final candidate for the presidential runoff. The rules by which someone gets chosen as the front runner are as arcane as some of the candidates and for the uninitiated, could seem bizarre and undemocratic. State by state each of the respective parties and their voters, throw their weight behind a candidate. After an insane number of televised debates, advertisements, analysis and a plethora of faux-pas and histrionics, the horse race gets into high gear. By summer the candidates are chosen, and the real run for the white house begins in earnest.

The first Republican debate was held in August of last year. They had seventeen candidates in the running and the Democrats had four. At this stage, there are two on the Democrat side and three on the Republican who are left standing. The final candidates are chosen at the respective parties' conventions, that take place in the summer. The wide speculation is that the final two presidential candidates will be Hillary Clinton on the Democrat side and Donald Trump on the Republican. But there is still no absolute certainty of that.

The most controversial candidate to surface on the political scene in decades, is undoubtedly the real estate businessman Donald Trump. He is the quintessential outsider who has never held any position inside any government at any level. He is a businessman with name recognition and a sizable bank account and has been able to stage what many are calling a "hostile takeover" of the Republican party. Donald Trump had floated the idea of running for the presidency in 2000. He even did some preliminary campaign appearances then, but soon realized that his appeal was limited. Over the years his successful reality TV show The Apprentice, and his dogged campaign to prove that President Obama was not born on American soil, got him more media exposure than he could have ever wished for. With that confidence he decided to join the race, seeking a Republican ticket. Even he did not imagine he would get this far, as he watched all establishment candidates wither away, casualties of a corrosive political landscape and a media frenzy intoxicated by Donald Trump's obscene antics .

Today America is faced with an unthinkable conundrum. It is plausible that Donald Trump could in fact become the "leader of the free world" and the tremors of that reality, could be seismic to say the least.

Donald Trump thus far has the highest number of delegate votes going into the convention which takes place in July. Each state is allotted an arbitrary number of delegate votes and Donald Trump as the leader of the pack has 678 and needs 1237 to clinch the nomination. He in his boastful usual self thinks he deserves the nomination, as he has rightfully earned it. The Republican establishment believes Donald Trump is not a true conservative and is only playing one personal gain. They detest him and think he is not electable in a general election for his views and his demeanor, and are determined to derail his candidacy at the convention. Having a sense of the forces he is up against, Donald Trump threatened violence and rioting, if there were to be a contested convention and he were not declared the winner.

Donald Trump rallies so far have been marred by violence, divisiveness, protests, bigotry, racism, misogyny, antisemitism, white supremacy, xenophobia, demagoguery, egomania and the kind of human behavior which is considered uncivil around the world, not just for a politician but a human being. But then again Donald Trump proudly proclaims he is not a politician. And his supporters applaud him for that, and get charged as he urges them to attack those who do not support him. He was even welcomed to applause at the AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) convention, the strongest and loudest Pro-Israel lobby, as he pandered to get Jewish votes.

What Donald Trump has bought with his bullish and boorish behavior, is free 24/7 media coverage visa vie advertising. And that media exposure has brought out supporters who one would think never existed in this country. The rise of Donald Trump is a reflection of a section of American society that you rarely see or hear from and are not represented in the mainstream. They have coalesced around him to push an extremist monochromatic agenda, which in their mind, is a return to what America was originally envisioned to be. His supporters tend to be predominantly white, working class with low levels of education. They are those who think America is no longer "great" as it elected a Black President and has let too many immigrants into its borders changing the fabric of this nation.

The creation of Donald Trump can be directly linked to an extreme aversion to the last eight years of President Obama's leadership. Fox Television, the extreme right tea party and the evangelical movement, have steadily been leading the charge, in drafting a corrosive narrative of mostly lies and deceit. They believe America has strayed from its roots and has become a liberal non Judaeo-christian nation. Even though there is no evidence to prove it, that narrative translates to every aspect of their argument, ranging from the economy, security, military to the state of the nation's moral compass. President Obama's passing of the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court giving equal rights to Gays and Lesbians, the Iran deal to the ending of America's combat operations abroad, are all seen in the framework of that narrative. Those who have swallowed that story have come to project their hopes and fears onto Donald Trump. Even though the other establishment candidates like Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and Marco Rubio have pandered to that outrage, Donald Trump with his outsider credentials usurped a majority of the support from right under their noses.

Many in America compare Donald Trump to Hitler. Donald Trump in power can be reckless and dangerous but he is no Hitler. At the most he is a megalomaniac, much like Italy's infamous billionaire philanderer Silvio Berlusconi. He could be an embarrassment and take the nation backward with his ill-advised policies. While he may look and sound Hitleresque, and his supporters may dabble in racism and antisemitism, the American system of government has enough checks and balances in place to keep power from absolutely corrupting a leader towards destruction. But having created a place like Guantanamo Bay and having presided over a horrific war in the middle east, whose effects are still engulfing that part of the world, the prospects of putting someone like Donald Trump in power are grave. In a recent report the Economist Intelligence Unit has sighted Donald Trump's presidency among the top 10 risks facing the world today.

What we are seeing today reflected in the rise of Donald Trump, is a phenomenon that is sweeping  the globe. Right leaning parties are gaining momentum in many nations in response to a changing mood. In the largest democracy on the planet India, the right leaning nationalist BJP party came to power with an overwhelming majority. In many parts of Europe, right wing fascist movements have been steadily gaining ground in response to a refugee crisis inundating their borders. Jean-Marie Le Pen, probably the most divisive figure in French politics, endorsed Donald Trump for presidency.

While there is a perception that Donald Trump is leading the pack and is garnering massive support, the reality on closer examination is somewhat contradictory. There is no question, that his support within the Republican voting block has grown substantially. But what has truly worked to his advantage is the apathy of the voters, who have chosen to stay home rather than be proactive. According to a Pew research study, turnout in the Republican contest around this stage is at its highest since 1980, but still averages just 17% of eligible voters. Donald Trump’s margin of victory in the states where he has won is dwarfed by the potential pool of voters who refrained from taking part. If more anti-Trump Republicans, and Democrats and independents in states that have open or semi-closed primaries, had turned out, they could have dampened his momentum. So far, the vast majority of Republicans have not voted for him and that is why the establishment hawks rightfully feel that he is not electable in a general contest.

Despite being lauded as one the largest democracies of the world, America's voting record in terms of turn out is pathetic. Almost half the eligible voting population in this country, always chooses to stay home on election day. If the voter turn out crosses 50%, it is considered a good election. When Obama became president in 2012 the total voter turn out was 54.9%, which for America was high. For a nation that is supposed to be developed, with fairly high levels of political awareness and education, that number is discouraging to say the least. If the voter turnout continues to stay low in this election, it could give candidates like Donald Trump an advantage.

What some are predicting, is that a contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, will lead to more voter apathy, than voter energy. Both candidates are not well liked by a sizable majority of either party. Hillary Clinton's Democrat rival Bernie Sanders, has been able to energize the youth, with his socialist agenda and incorruptible image, but he is seen as too radical by the older demographic. Hillary Clinton is seen as an insider, and there are many who are not in favor of another four years of a Clinton administration, having been through eight of them which were not particularly stellar.

If the choice is between the lesser of two evils, then the risk of electing Donald Trump, if he in fact is confirmed as the eventual Republican nominee, increases exponentially. And that is the unthinkable scenario that could become a reality, if the voters do not wake up now and step up to their fundamental responsibility as citizens. Never before have the values and the future of this nation been at stake to this degree. The world is watching and the temperature is rising. It is what it is.

The Indian Way

My father has a saying, "never give people alms, give them work". In a largely poor nation like India it makes perfect sense. He grew up in a time of optimism, when a nation freed itself from the shackles of colonialism. Everyone was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi who said "work is worship". As I see him age, I see how this practice has borne him fruit. Everyone who has ever served him and continues to serve him, have prospered. He has spread his wealth by bettering the lives of those he touched and those who helped him, by giving them work. Now as an octogenarian, he has a small army of helpers who take care of him while I am away in America chasing my dreams and traversing my own path.

Every few years I return home to take stalk of the situation, and every time I return, I find my father still in command of his surroundings. He has diabetes, his vision is a bit impaired and his movement has significantly slowed, but his mind is still sharp and in control, as it was decades ago. Largely because of the people who generously take care of his daily needs in exchange for his magnanimity.

I grew up in a socialist, protectionist India, when the country was closely aligned with the Soviet Union and two car and TV models were all you had to choose from. There was one state controlled television channel called Doordarshan, whose prime directive was rural education and development with some entertainment and news thrown in for variety. A few hours of black and white fuzzy images beamed from New Delhi, defined my world view. Color television arrived in the eighties and by the nineties, it was clear that India could not withstand the forces of globalization closing in. Economic liberalization was inevitable as the free market was knocking on India's door, eager to devour a billion people with goods and services, deprived under socialism. I left around that time, and when I returned a few years later the change was in full swing. Satellite television had fallen on India like a brick and the flood gates opened and India took a sharp turn.

More than two decades later, India is still transforming, with rapid urbanization and an average growth rate of 7%. Immense amount of wealth and prosperity has been created for many in the process. The middle class has expanded and the unending thirst for cheap skilled labor from America has fueled a meteoric job growth in the IT (information technology) industry. The advent of tech companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, FlipKart and Uber have created tremendous job opportunities for many. Education institutes have popped up in every corner to meet the demand, churning out assembly line software engineers. With all the wealth generated conspicuous consumption has become the mainstay. The American dream is taking shape in India as more and more expats return and crave for a mix of American and Indian conveniences. From mansions with private home-theaters, to mega cars and flat screen TVs to Gucci and Prada, there is nothing the Indian consumer can now not afford. He or she is as savvy as any other denizen in any part of the world.

But somethings have not changed, and the prospects of them changing seem remote. There are large sections of society that are falling through the cracks. The infrastructure is not keeping up with the consumerism. The environment outside ones air conditioned car window or ones gated house, is deteriorating rapidly. Lakes are turning into cesspools and rivers are turning into sewage canals, ancient rocks are plundered for high rise apartments. The glimpses of poverty I grew with are still present. The soiled face of a child in tattered clothes on a traffic island, a man strewn on a sidewalk, public defecation and urination is still a common sight. As a result the Prime Minister has rightfully launched a massive clean India campaign with much passion and fervor, but sometimes it feels that slogans and public service advertisements fall on deaf ears as a culture of corruption across all walks of life seems as intact as ever.

The present government in power is planning for more growth by inviting foreign investment via it's "Make In India" campaign. India's business friendly Prime Minister is convinced that only more factories and companies can alleviate the suffering of India's masses by creating jobs. Even American defense companies like Lockheed Martin are being given access to setup factories in India in an attempt to create jobs. There is no question more jobs can bring people out of poverty and create an environment of prosperity. But one cannot negate the fabric of the country in the process. India still has a vast rural economy and if everyone were to become an urban dweller, it would be a prime a recipe for disaster. Only 2% of America's population are farmers, and thanks to machines and corporate farming they can produce all the food the nation needs. That model is unsustainable for India, whose villages still form its very backbone. While there is a push to expand the manufacturing and service sectors the emphasis and investment to better the lives of small farmers is uneven or non-existent.

Despite all the challenges and political and social upheaval, for a nation this size, India has a significantly low official unemployment rate hovering just below 5%. That is because people in India do like to work. They are driven to be productive and have an immense desire to climb the social ladder. But what is lacking is a work ethic that delivers efficiency and time sensitivity. A large labor force, often means a dozen people employed to do the job of one. That should translate to better efficiency, but in the case of India it does not. You could walk into a bright shiny store to purchase a TV and there would be a dozen sales people on the floor serving you, but the customer service would not be what you would expect. They lack training and knowledge of the product they are selling and often are not driven sales people. Then there is a culture of lethargy and nonchalance that is infectious, almost to the point that they are there just to read out the sticker price, that is all.

There is no social safety net for most citizens. Government employees and some large corporations offer great retirement plans and pensions, but for the rest, it is a "do or die" insecure future. Against all odds of castism, racism, classism and regionalism, many Indians have to build a future. Therefore people see children as their most reliable asset and investment and then gold, real estate and tax evasion. And when all else is uncertain, India provides the largest selection of gods, godmen and spiritual leaders to put your faith into.

And so India trudges on as one of the worlds best functioning chaotic democracies in the world. Despite all the challenges and collective cultural indifference and apathy towards basic governance, India creates from its marrow some of the kindest, humblest, loyalest, warmest people a nation can offer. While sudden acquisition of wealth does spawn a certain display of brashness, barbarism and disregard for humanity among some, there are those who respond with utter kindness and loyalty when treated well. The kindness and familiarity I receive from some people who I have known since I was a dusty boy playing marbles in an open field, is something truly remarkable and irreplaceable.

Like every nation, a lot has changed in this country and somethings have not budged an inch. The disregard for the environment is appalling. Polluted lakes and rivers, toxic air, unhygienic sidewalks and open garbage dumps only seem to get worse. Hyderabad, the city I grew up in was recently named one of the best cities to live in, in India. Many who live here were shocked and amused to hear that. As when they leave their doorstep these days, they have to put on a face mask.

My evenings in Hyderabad most often end over a glass of beer with my father reminiscing about the days of clean air, open fields with greenery abound. A time when people were emerging from a feudal system and trying to chart their own destiny as a worldly nation. When 200 rupees earned after a hard days work meant you were on the rise. When you knew with a little more effort and honesty you could own a house, a car, send your children to a good school and even take a vacation. When it seemed like there would emerge a more equitable society than previous generations. Almost seven decades later the harsh reality is somewhat different. The old has been made obsolete and irrelevant in every sense of the word. The city has turned into a metropolis that has overrun everything in its path. The soft, sleepy, sophistication that once defined the people of this city has been replaced by something unrecognizable. But refreshingly, some people have held on to a work ethic of old, that was driven by hard work, loyalty and kindness. This rarity is still found in many pockets among people who are the salt of this earth and speak a common language of love and respect. It is what it is.

The Disease Within

"America the Beautiful" a famous patriotic song from the late 1800s, is often sung celebrating the natural beauty of the United States of America. The song is relevant even today as it captures the vast unsurpassed beauty of this land in all its majesty. This and other characteristics of this nation still draws people from all over to its shores. The creativity this land sparks in its people, is second to none. Its music, literature, films and technological ingenuity has infiltrated every corner of the planet like no other force. Its overwhelming economic and military might is constantly molding the globe, not always with positive outcomes. Its universities are cauldrons from which people from all around yearn to sip at any cost. The crown America wore soon after the second world war, as the leader of the free world, is still intact. This fact is mentioned over and over again at every podium by every politician, as every speech ends with, "God Bless America. The greatest nation on earth". But in no means America is perfect. It was always meant to be a work in progress and centuries later it still is. The constitution that was drafted many centuries ago, is sacrosanct, and continues to challenge the nation to shape itself to the best of its ability.

Even though the constitution was drafted by mostly white slave owners, at a time when America was at war with itself, it took human nature and desires of all mankind into account. It was not in the interest of the people of that time to enshrine words such as "... all men are created equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" into the Declaration of Independence. But they did, with some vague vision of the future. For which they established a system of government, which to a large extent would keep absolute power in check and prevent the president from becoming a tyrant. But there is only so far they could see.

The American system of government is not perfect, and has proven to be profoundly dysfunctional in the recent past, more so than ever. Under President Obama's administration, the polarization of politics, exposed the deep flaws within the American system. Leading to appalling moments of grid lock and the people's work being sacrificed at the alter of racially motivated partisan politics.

All nations around the world have problems that are symptomatic of their unique system of governance. But one aspect that runs common across all systems is corruption. The impact of corruption sometimes is direct as people in power momentarily enrich themselves with the people's money. But most often it is a corruption of humanity that is more destructive. While monetary corruption may be less of a problem in America, moral corruption has become a main stay in a bitterly divided political environment.

If one were to pick one issue around which there is a degree of insanity bordering on total moral bankruptcy, it is the issue of "guns". Many nations deal with epidemics, which are devastating to the health of their people. The outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and now the Zika virus in Brazil has brought nations to their knees. If there is one epidemic that plagues this mighty nation it is without question, guns.

A disease is defined as a particular quality, habit, or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group of people. Every year 30,000 people die of gun violence in America. When a handful of people were infected by the Ebola virus in this nation a few months ago, the whole nation was on high alert. The fear was palpable. But only when little children are gunned down in their school by demented people, is when America momentarily wakes up to this scourge, and then goes back to sleep as the news cycle breaks.

Enough has been said and heard on this issue. I have written a few essays on this issue as nothing troubles me more. All sides of the argument have been presented. People who want to hold on to their guns and feel deeply about the 2nd amendment, refuse to understand what it means. They negate the fact that the 2nd Amendment only gives you the right to bear arms if there is a need for a "well regulated militia" against the tyranny of a state. No matter how delusional and pained one is by the verdict of the centuries old Civil War, there is no tyranny of the state that can be identified in the United States of America. Even if there is, there is no way it can be confronted with guns of any sort. The state has significantly bigger ones.

Another argument that is often put forth, is that guns are an instrument of personal safety. That maybe the case, if you were living in a war zone. Statistically the chances of you or your loved one falling victim to your own gun is much higher, than by an assailant. This is a fact which most gun owners are in denial about.

The third most commonly heard argument is, owning guns is a way of life, a family tradition. Big game hunting is a favorite pass time in many parts of this country, no matter how barbaric and inhumane it is. What is certain though, is that one does not require a bushmaster machine gun to kill a bear or a deer in their own habitat.

The last but most ludicrous argument that is used by gun ownership proponents, is that guns don't kill people, but bad people behind them do. This is like saying cigarettes don't cause cancer, it is the hands that put cigarettes to lips do. There is no doubt, you take the gun out of any scenario, it really does not matter if it is a good person or a bad person involved in conflict, the harm done is dramatically less.

There is no rational argument for gun ownership in the present, modern society we live in. If you were living in the jungle, in a tent, maybe there is one. Even there the chances of you being killed by your weapon are higher than a large animal. As most animals do not consume human flesh as a source of their diet. They much rather stay clear of the deadliest animal on earth.

What prompted me to write this piece, even though much has been said, was a mind numbing fact I read in a recent New York Times article. Since President Obama took office in 2009, shares of Smith and Wesson and Sturm, Ruger and Co. have each increased more than 900 percent, far surpassing and even outperforming tech stocks such as Google and Apple (up 800 percent). This fact reveals that the business climate for many gun manufacturing companies has never been better. Another bizarre behavior that has become prevalent in this nation, is that gun sales skyrocket whenever there is a mass shooting of a horrific nature and there have been far too many in the last eight years. People believe that the government would come after their guns in response to the shootings, even though time and again it is proven that it is impossible for a government to do so. So this human behavior defies all logic leading me to conclude that it is a symptom of a mental illness that is deep seeded.

Most often things change when there as an economic climate to facilitate it. The economic climate has never been better for guns today, so the chances of any drastic change happening is limited. Lobbies such as the NRA, who serve the gun manufacturers, have every incentive to make sure nothing changes. Therefore they would do anything for this disease to go unaddressed.

President Obama has always openly expressed how powerless he has felt, for not being able to address this problem with any significant legislation. So on January 16, in his final few months as president, he decided to address it with an "executive action". By circumventing the congress, which has been the most rabid opponent of a president in American history, he used his limited power to enforce new federal regulations on how guns are bought and sold. Shedding tears he said, as president he had to respond to the countless parents who had lost children to mindless gun violence. He could not ignore them anymore with inaction. Even though some called his reforms "sweeping", they were only marginal. The reality is, much like anything in this country, the real reform and enforcement happens at the state level. The federal government can only nudge, and the states have to follow through with real action.

There are almost as many guns in this nation as there are people. America has the most well armed civilian population in the world. There is no way any government can take away guns from its people. That is bound to spark a real rebellion, as it will be seen as tyranny. So the best thing to do, is to incentivize people to give up their weapons on their own, make sure there is a strict limit on how much ammunition one can purchase per year, and completely outlaw assault weapons that can fire hundreds of rounds per second. The only way gun violence will decrease, is when there are fewer guns in society. The Australian gun by back program enacted after a mass shooting in 1996, decisively proved this fact. Nations with less guns, or strict gun ownership laws, loose fewer people to gun violence. This is an undeniable statistical fact.

This month Smith and Wesson, one of the largest gun manufacturers in the nation, alerted Wall Street analysts and investors that it believed its full-year sales would be higher than expected, above $650 million for its fiscal year, which ends in April. That is up more than 57 percent from its 2012 sales of $412 million. This economic reality spells death to more people in this country, as this disease within will continue to spread unabated. It is what its.

Full Circle

For 4.5 billion years our planet has been making circumambulations around the sacred sun. In a few days it will complete yet another, and us humans will jump for joy and stay up late, marking the moment with an arbitrary number. We will call it the start of year number 2016, as we have been made to accept that the birth of Jesus was a moment in time worth counting from.

A great many things have happened on our sphere, while it has been making its rounds as a prisoner of gravity. For one, the understanding of our origins is more clearer now, than ever before. Since the moment Eratosthenes showed us the earth was spherical and Copernicus discovered the earth revolved around the sun, and Galileo laid the foundation to modern science and astronomy, it took only a few hundred years for us to discover the Higgs Boson, also known as the "god particle". Today we can most certainly estimate how our universe began and know that the "stuff " we are made off, is nothing but star matter.

A few thousand years is but an infinitesimal point on the timeline of our planet and the universe. But it is our relatively recent shared stories, histories and mythologies that continue to dominate our imagination with enduring force. Stories of miracles passed down through generations, seem to prevail and resonate stronger, no matter how much science unravels.

The power of myth gives identity to large swathes of humanity. The sharing of common belief systems, is the glue that binds us, dividing us into tribes and making us vie for power and significance. One group says their stories are more defining of humanity than others. Others say yours are not in touch with the times and are dogma from a bygone era. Another says ours are more universal, all encompassing and pluralistic and humane in nature. While all seem to agree that there is a master pilot somewhere guiding us through our life's journey and we will be rewarded or punished based on who we follow or how we live this life. 

And so people find meaning, entertainment and solace in ritual, scripture, custom, tradition and mortals who project wisdom and saintliness. Others find meaning in violence and following leaders who propagate visions of the "end of times". The clash of cultures one sees today in some parts of the world, driven by stories some hold dearer than life, is quite appalling. One group feels their stories are misrepresented and another feels theirs are not given enough credence. Another feels there is an inherent phobia against one and another a bias. The polarization that ensues, leaves only disdain and discontent in its path. Leading to violence in thought and action.

While we humans conflict over our shared stories from days of old, the planet keeps spinning and going round the sun oblivious to the behavior of its recent human ant like inhabitants. But now the ants are becoming consequential. Not by their tribal wars but by their very existence. The year 2015 was the hottest on the planet in recorded human history. The human ant colony has become so over powering and expansive, that it is releasing more carbon dioxide and methane than ever before.

And so while a large human colony of seven million in the city of Chennai, India, clung to life, inundated by a deluge of relentless rain, representatives from 196 nations met in Paris to devise a plan to save the planet from the heating. The unprecedented rains in Chennai were partly a product of global warming. The examples of what a planet out of balance can become are more and more apparent as island nations see the ground beneath their feet swallowed by the sea. A recent animation of global emissions released by NASA , shows the extent of the devastating impact industrialized nations are having on the atmosphere. The irresponsible behavior of industrialized nations has put the lives of millions around the globe at risk. If we are to leave a healthy planet for our children, it is they who would have to restore balance. It is also the responsibility of other nations to join hands in the saving, if not restoration of the planet by acting responsibly and learning from past mistakes.

The earth will continue its circumambulations around the sun for millions of years to come. The survival of the human species and its belief in stories and myths is of no concern to it. But it is time for us to create new stories for our children, that talk about a return to balance, as there is nothing more urgent. 

If we are to inhabit this world, we have to pilot this ship ourselves with grace, humility, unity and action. As for the way things are at the moment, I don't see a cosmic pilot doing that for us. And our undying belief in antiquated stories is not going to save us from the deluge. To come full circle, we have to begin now. It is what it is.

Terrorism of Bigotry

It is lamentable to observe, that in the face of unspeakable human violence, what emerges is more violence and less compassion. We see this cycle repeat time and again, as people lose all rational thought, and replace it with fear, racism and bigotry. As a result every generation has its group of people it demonizes and vilifies. Sometimes the group is defined by its belief system and at other times by its race or region of origin. But for the most part, the whole group is victimized in response to the actions of a few. This time, it is the Syrians who are at the receiving end.

The recent carnage in Paris shook us yet again, as did the bombings in Nigeria and Beirut and in Turkey last month, the killing of school children in Pakistan a year ago, and the senseless attacks on the people of Mumbai in 2011. This list is painfully long and only gets longer. Even though it seems clear that the value and attention put on life lost is determined by where one resides, under the skin, all victims share a common bond. The bond of innocence. And so the grief felt for each innocent life lost must be the same. Every decent life lost to violence is worthy of an obituary in the New York Times or The Economist. It is reprehensible though, how our grieving has become selective and how the media chooses to highlight one over the other. Giving us the impression that it is only the west that is at the brunt of mindless terrorism and it is only "their way of life" that is under threat. When in fact more Muslims have died at the hands of demented terrorists and their way of life matters as much as anyone else's.

The fear, paranoia and hysteria that follows terrorist attacks, especially in the west, has become much too predictable these days. The usual politics of fear enters the debate and the media pundits and politicians blast off with little regard for  facts and no patience for the investigation to reveal reality.

This time around, the Paris attacks exposed a side of American politics that is deeply disturbing. Racism was dished out overtly without apology. All Republican candidates running for the presidency, saw it as an opportunity to play into the fear of people watching gore on television. As it was revealed that these terrorists had links to ISIS and were motivated by their hatred for all things western, it was soon translated into a fear of all 1.6 billion Muslims living in the world. When it was found that one of them could have been among the thousands of refugees fleeing Syria, all refugees were declared dangerous and suspect. And the fear mongering began unanimously across the board.

Republican candidate Donald Trump called for the creation of an exclusive database to track Muslims in America and those entering the country. Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz called for only Christian Syrians to be let into the country. When asked how one would determine this, Jeb Bush shrugged and said "well you could tell!". Other candidates unanimously chimed in on barring Syrian refugees from being let into the country for fear of a terrorist attack.

But what was most appalling was when the United States House of Representatives passed a bill banning Syrian and Iraqi refugees from entering the country until key national security agencies certified that they didn't pose a security threat to the nation. Refugees entering America already undergo between 18 months to two years of screenings by intelligence agencies. So what this bill would accomplish in addition to what already is in place, escaped all logic. The bill was hastily passed in the aftermath of the Paris attacks. The vote was 289-137, with 47 Democrats joining 242 Republicans in favor of the bill, creating a majority that could override President Barack Obama's promised veto. The bill though faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Minority Leader Harry Reid said he will try to block the bill.

At the heart of this bill is nothing but fear, bigotry and racism. No one in their sane mind with any integrity can deny, that what lit the fuse to the chaos that is engulfing Syria and Iraq today, is America's short sighted, illegal and ill-conceived invasion of Iraq, more than a decade ago. Therefore the United States is culpable in the misery that has befallen the people of Syria. The least we can do, is offer them a safe haven and not demonize them as terrorists. Earlier as the refugee crises stressed Europe, President Obama offered to allow 10,000 refugees into the country. A minuscule amount in the face of tens of thousands on the run. The congress is now attempting to condemn even those to the dark.

America's generosity, sometimes offsets the chaos that its government's damaging policies unleash upon the globe. Many nations have not stepped up to the task of helping the refugees fleeing war in Syria. The least America can do, is show some heart. There is nothing more shameful for a nation that prides itself in hosting the Statue of Liberty, in my city of New York, than to turn away people in dire need.

What we see today in America is nothing new. In 1938 fewer than 5 percent of Americans believed the United States should raise its immigration quotas or encourage political refugees fleeing Fascism in Europe. The vast majority of those refugees were Jewish. Thousands of Jews died as a result of America dragging its feet. Bigotry against the Jews was wide spread in American society then, even though the largest prewar population of Jews in the world, thrived in the US. We see the same bigotry against Muslims now, as the words Islam and Terrorism ring together more and more on our television screens and social media.

Most of the terrorists who took part in the horrific attacks in Paris, were French citizens with links to ISIS. The one who was found with a Syrian passport, had entered through Greece, and the authenticity of that passport is still unclear. So to make the lives of thousands of Syrian refugees - many of them women and children- suspect, is not only misguided and misinformed, but evil.

Much like cancer, terrorism has become a disease we all have to live with as long as there are wars on this planet. The reality is, wars in far off places cannot be contained as they used to. The globe has shrunk and violence sees no borders. When you have people who are willing to strap bombs to their bodies to kill, incidents like Paris will return time and again. But that does not mean we accept it and not look for a cure. As we take preventive measures and live healthy to reduce the risk of cancer, we do not stop looking for a cure. Similarly, yes we must defend ourselves from terrorism with all means possible, but we must also take a hard look at why some people are motivated enough to cause harm and change their circumstances. And we must acknowledge that all lives, everywhere, matter - equally.

The phrase "winning hearts and minds" is often used as a remedy to stop young people from sacrificing their lives at the alter of extremist ideology. But if we are going to be bigoted, how does one even begin to win hearts and minds? The double standards of waging war on one hand and deeply being immersed in the commerce of weaponry and talking peace and democracy on the other, does not go unnoticed even to the most uninitiated.

Recently, a meeting between whistle-blowers Daniel Ellsberg and Edward Snowden, author Arundhati Roy and actor John Cusak in a hotel room in Moscow, has been in the news, for being both a seminal and a quasi-Hollywood moment. The unflattering photo of Roy, Cusak and Snowden on a Ritz-Carlton bed, undermines all seriousness, but what struck me was what Daniel Ellsberg said in a conversation with Arundhati Roy, which she published in a piece for The Guardian. He said with regards to the US, "One more 9/11, and then I believe we will have hundreds of thousands of detentions. Middle Easterners and Muslims will be put in detention camps or deported. After 9/11, we had thousands of people arrested without charges… But I’m talking about the future. I’m talking the level of the Japanese in the second world war… I’m talking of hundreds of thousands in camps or deported. I think the surveillance is very relevant to that. They will know who to put away – the data is already collected.” So the database Donald Trump said he would like to create for Muslims if he were president, may already exist. It is what it is.

Beef with Beef

It is fairly plausible that before us humans learned how to manufacture hunting tools and make fire, animal protein was not part of our diet. We mainly foraged for fruits, nuts and berries and our diet was rich in fiber and other vital nutrients. Then came the agricultural revolution, when homo sapiens developed the art of crop cultivation. Agriculture began to domesticate humans and the less diverse diet of rice, corn and wheat became a staple source of nutrition. We then started to live next to our fields to protect them from pests and animals. Living along water bodies to grow our crops year round became important. Animals began to get used to help till the soil. Foragers became farmers. Then their milk and meat began to get consumed for further sustenance. Our bodies adapted to digest lactose, and we became the only species deriving nutrition from the milk of a completely different species.

Our extraordinary cognitive abilities began to tame nature and civilization in all its complexity began to take shape. And thus the human population began to grow rapidly. Everywhere the homo sapiens went, other species of plants and animals began to disappear in astronomical numbers. In his stellar book Sapiens- A Brief History of Humankind,  Yval Noah Harari charts the destructive nature of humanity, by categorizing its evolution into the First, Second and Third waves of extinctions. The first was accompanied by the spread of the foragers across continents, the second by the advent of agriculture and the third by industrial revolution, which is still on going. The first two waves of extinctions were largely restricted to land. The third moved into the oceans as well and continues unabated to this day. Hariri says "we (sapiens) have the dubious distinction of being the deadliest species in the annals of biology". We have singularly wiped out biodiversity to such an extent, that our very own existence hangs in the balance today.

It is forecasted that by 2050 the human population will rise to 9.6 billion and the greatest challenge mankind will face, will be its ability to feed itself.

Today at 7.2 billion, some challenges are becoming apparent. There are places on earth where food is abundant. Then there are those where children die routinely of malnutrition. In the developed and developing world, obesity is on the rise, and discussion around healthy diets and lifestyle choices have given rise to fads and new business opportunities on a mammoth scale. While countless television shows and restaurants tempt us with an ever increasing array of delectable delights, living healthy has become the need of the hour. The need for exercise in a sedentary urban environment is constantly marketed as a key to long life. The rapid spread of cancer and other diseases constantly push people to take pause and examine the impact of their vices. Abject consumerism across the planet has brought us to a point of reckoning and even though the direction to take is clear, politics and greed fails us from seeing the light.

The last century on the human calendar, was marked with great shortages in food across the globe. During the Great Depression in America, the wars in Europe and the great famines of India and Africa and communism in China, Soviet Russia and elsewhere, food was always scarce. Even though for many today, food is still in short supply, for those who have moved up the socioeconomic ladder the desire to celebrate their rise by indulging in a variety of food has become a trend in this century. Eating at restaurants has become a symbol of affluence and in some cultures so has fattening up.

Recently, there has been a frantic debate on what excessive food consumption is doing to our bodies and the planet, especially meat. The World Health Organization  released a report this week, warning that excessive consumption of processed and red meat can cause cancer. Bill Gates and other luminaries have been sounding the alarm for a while now, that the industrial scale production of meat and dairy is causing serious environmental damage that needs urgent global attention. It is not just fossil fuel and smoke stacks that are contributing to global warming but cows are making things worse.

According to a recent United Nations survey, cattle farming occupies 30 percent of the world's surface and its environmental impact will double by 2050. When cows digest their food they produce methane gas as a by-product; around 250 to 500 liters a day according to a Washington State University study. Methane warms the earth around 20 times faster than carbon dioxide and therefore is a major contributing factor to climate change. Cattle also stress our water resources and forests.

As societies become more affluent they tend to consume more meat. In India and China, the two most populous nations on the planet, meat consumption is rapidly rising. Eating meat is seen as a symbol of upward mobility and prosperity. Australia and New Zealand, one of the world's largest beef producers are clearing more and more land to meet that demand.

Some people from the newly elected government in India, recently launched a conversation to ban beef consumption nation wide. The slaughter of cows is already banned in many states across the country, and has been so for a while, but the government thought it was a worthwhile issue to reignite. As a result a Muslim man was lynched by a mob for allegedly storing beef in his refrigerator and other places witnessed attacks on people transporting cows for slaughter.

Hindus consider the cow to be sacred. There are many stories in Hindu mythology that sanctify the cow for being Lord Shiva's ride and as a beast of burden that tills the land and gives milk for sustenance. But there is also vigorous debate among historians over ancient Hindus having sacrificed cows and eaten beef. In the Hindu nation of Nepal, cows are sacrificed every year in abhorrent numbers in the name of a religious festival. Muslims in India and elsewhere sacrifice goats in the thousands to mark the festival of Bakreid.

In India, lately beef has become a meat of choice for both Hindus and Muslims as it is cheaper than goat meat, a staple. Most Hindus in India are vegetarian, therefore Muslims are most often identified as the chief consumers of beef. This latest drive to ban beef consumption by the central and state governments, was largely seen as an attack on the Muslim community. As always the ensuing debate polarized the nation. Arguments ranging from the government infringing on people's dietary freedoms, animal rights to religious fanaticism, all clogged the media sphere. As the debate took on sectarian overtones writers and filmmakers began to protest the intolerance and apathy by returning their government issued awards. The Prime Minister's long silence on this issue was seen as giving credence to right wing Hindu groups to carry out a sinister agenda. Mass hysteria began to spread on all sides.

The reality is, despite the slaughter of cows widely banned in India, the nation ranks as the worlds top beef exporters. According to the US Department of Agriculture, India is expected to export 2.4 million tonnes of beef in 2015, against Brazil's 2 million tonnes. India also has one of the largest leather processing industries in the world.

What was lost in the cacophony was any sensible debate on the real problem and glaring statistics that show that beef consumption is not a sectarian issue but a global environmental issue that effects us all. No government can address this by instituting bans. It can make a difference though by educating the public. But the results there are suspect, as the human species does not respond well to discomfort, especially when it comes to its food.

Apart from being the architect of India's freedom from colonialism, Mahatma Gandhi is known for his self imposed experiments with abstinence, which tested the limits of human endurance. He exerted all his inner strength to see how he could stay free of all temptations and desires. He believed that the first place a person is tempted is on his or her tongue. If one could conquer one's temptation of taste, one could conquer all and change the world. We now know that human addiction to oil has wreaked havoc on the planet. It seems that our addiction to meat is also doing us in. It is what it is.

Papal Pandering

The news of a Pope arriving in any country is greeted with much pomp and fanfare. Streets are cleaned, flags are unfurled, giant posters are drawn up and the news media goes into high gear with round the clock incessant coverage. So the arrival of the Pope in the US this week was treated no different. A countdown clock was set into motion in New York city, eagerly awaiting his arrival from Washington D.C.. Half the island of Manhattan was shut down as a security measure, irritating some New Yorkers, while making others ecstatic. So as the Pope rode down fifth avenue in his compact black Fiat waving, thousands cheered on with cell phones in hand, trying to capture a fleeting glimpse of the pontiff for their Facebook page. There was excitement in the air, but also vexation as many did not get their packages delivered on time and their favorite restaurants were inaccessible for the day.

In Washington the Pope addressed the joint session of congress. A historic first for any Pope, and a little appropriate for this one, as he is very popular in America and the world for his largely liberal, socialist and humanistic views. After ascending to the Vatican throne in 2013, Pope Francis captivated many by his refreshing remarks on issues, which in the past the Catholic Church was unyielding on. In his sleepy monotonous diction the Pope challenged the US congress and visa vie Americans to reform certain fundamental aspects of their society. He called for an end to capital punishment and to the commerce of weapons of war. He expressed sympathy towards the Native Americans who were decimated in the name of religion by the invading Europeans. He made a plea for immigrants to be treated with compassion and respect, reminding that after all America is a nation of outsiders. He called for religious tolerance in a time of religious extremism spreading around the globe. But he stopped short on expressing any views on abortion and gay rights. Two polarizing issues, one that threatens to shut down the government next week and the other, that still faces challenges despite the unprecedented Supreme Court ruling that made gay marriage constitutional.

All in all the Pope made quite an impression on the congress and the thousands who had gathered outside the Capitol Hill to hear him speak. Whether his words actually have any impact at a time when Americans plunge themselves into yet another bitterly fought scathing election season, I doubt it.

So why the pandering? There is no question the Pope is a powerful entity with over 1.2 billion Catholics around the globe seeking membership. Catholicism with all its recent scandals of child abuse and a dark legacy of bloodshed and oppression through the ages, has prevailed and continues to be wealthy and strong as ever. Pope Francis has certainly restored some shine to its recently tarnished legacy. But in the end the Pope is only a religious figurehead to its members, and to others an amusement. He has symbolic political power via statements that catch media attention, but beyond that there is very little the Pope influences in terms of global events. Yet his standing is exceptional, as he is the only religious leader in the world who is given the privilege to address the United Nations.

Socially, the Vatican exerts great power through the riches that it has amassed over time. Through schools, colleges, charitable institutions, churches and social programs, the Catholic church exercises unparalleled influence across the globe. Especially in poor countries where basic services are sparse, thereby bringing more and more people into its fold. Politically it can influence as a voting block on issues such as abortion, traditional family values and contraception. With America becoming more and more Hispanic in demographic, the Catholic church's clout grows, as its membership base is very strong on the continent of South America.

Religion in American society and politics has historically played a significant role and continues to do so even today, even though people would like to believe it did and does not. Even though the constitution clearly makes an attempt to keep religion out of politics, it is always lurking in the shadows as something to abide by to gain public legitimacy. Recently religion was again a part of the political debate when a Republican presidential candidate openly stated to the media that he would not support a Muslim for president. President Obama is still hounded by many on the right for being a closet Muslim, because his biological father was a Kenyan Muslim. When John F. Kennedy ran for president his Irish Catholic background was an anathema. The reality is, even though the constitution says religious affiliation cannot be a litmus test for presidency, it is impossible to be elected president if you are not mainstream christian today. As a Mormon the last presidential hopeful Mitt Romney faced an uphill task. Ben Carson, the presidential candidate who cast aspersions on Muslims as being un-American to be president, himself is a Seventh Day Adventist, which to many is not acceptable. Whether President Obama kneels or stands when he prays, or prays at all is immaterial, as long as he does the job he has been hired to do. But in today's politics optics is everything, and for the president to proclaim and act as a christian is very important, in order to maintain the enduring persona of an American presidency.

A majority of American's today, about 70%, identify themselves as Christians belonging to various denominations, mostly considered as protestants. About 20% of Americans are Roman Catholic. This demographic make up undeniably has a huge impact on the politics of this nation. It is delusional to deny that this nation is not Judaeo-Christian in nature. Despite the constitution and the wisdom of the founding fathers, America at its core is without a doubt a christian nation.

Hence this level of pomp and pageantry only reserved for the "Holy Father".  It is an indication of how firmly the christian ethos dictates and influences the decision makers and the power elite of this country. So while the Pope maybe a figurehead with little tangible political power, his influence cannot be underestimated. In a shocking announcement the present speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boenher, a Catholic, submitted his resignation today. He said his meeting with the Pope helped him arrive at this decision he was mulling over for sometime now.

A few years ago I visited St.Paul's Cathedral in the Vatican city. What struck me most about this place of worship was its enormity and its ostentatious ornamentation. The purpose was clear. To dwarf humanity and to proclaim the wealth and power of the church in an awe inspiring manner. In many ways the cathedral was antithetical to the story of their deity, Jesus Christ. That's when I realized that the image of Jesus was just a means to an end. The Catholic church through out history was and is about amassing power, wealth, influence and dominance. The Pope was installed as the caretaker and king of its wealth and power. Popes through out history have used this power to not only grow the church and its riches but to influence people globally. Behind the angelic, humane, civilizational guise the Pope radiates and the charitable acts the church engages in around the world, this fact never changes and never will. It is what it is.