Change!

This note is about the verb "change" and not the noun change (e.g. coins of low denomination, fresh set of clothing, etc. )!

We often talk about the need to change, adapting to change, change of attitude, mind or ways. In all these examples we are talking about self motivated change that in most cases is driven by circumstances that have unfolded in our lives and potentially resulting from emulating people we admire.

A change in our lives may occur either slowly (over the years) or rapidly as a result of a single-event upset. Rate of change will differ from one individual to another and therefore I will leave that statement in its present form rather than attempting to break it down further!

It is a fact of life that as we grow older we will slow down in performing several activities that we were previously able to do. However, because of our changing world and technological innovations, we may also continue to learn new skills and, as a result, we may perform activities which were previously unavailable!

Arguments for and against whether or not change in our lives is preordained has posed itself over the centuries. Whereas I am not sufficiently versed in either religious or philosophical dogma to unequivocally answer that question, my instinct, coupled with my acquired with age logic, prompts me to conclude that, like light, which has a dual nature of wave and particle, change must have a similar duality in nature too.

After all, if all change is preordained, what control do we have over our lives? Whether we believe in a Supreme power or in forces of nature, fairness dictates that we must have a clear choice in many aspects of change in our lives, and, of course, by the same token, you can make your own choice as to what to believe!

Hani Badawi

December 4, 2016

Howling Politicians

When vociferous careless politicians howl out statements in all directions, ultimately some of them are bound to stick. The ones that don't resonate are often forgotten until they reappear and manifest themselves as the ones that pertain to the core of the howler!

Hani Badawi
November 17, 2016

Time for Electoral College Reform?

This round of US presidential elections coughed up 2 unpopular candidates and the one who instilled fear and promoted hateful feelings and divisive ideas won! To determine whether the winner meant to do that out of personal belief or was it a ploy that he used to win the elections, we will have to wait for a few months!

The system of electoral college is in need of major reform but the resistance to change remains in effect because of many reasons, most of which pertain to special interests. 

Begs the question: What is a better system, not only to bring about the success of the better candidate, but to present without exorbitant expenses the best candidates who will propel the country forward?

The simple answer lies in the possibilities of amendments to the US constitution, a constitution that undeniably, to date, remains the best one that was put together by any country in the world. 

The more complex answer lies in economic reforms, ones that will ultimately prevent financial tycoons from muscling their way to the top without the necessary political and ethical qualifications.

Bottom line: We are witnessing a work in progress and another chapter in the history of a great country that, because of it's great potentials and its built-in checks and balances, will, in time, overcome the obstacles that continue to pose themselves from time to time.

Hani Badawi

November 10, 2016

Is The World Changing?

In the ongoing rally by the US presidential contenders to gain people's trust and support, I thought I should reflect a little about the thoughts that go on in my mind. They are thoughts that extend well beyond the scope of the forthcoming US presidential elections. 

I strongly support the notion of patriotic selfless, dedicated non-politicians taking the helm and presiding over the affairs of a nation.

What I have an issue with is when selfish, self serving, pretentious, unscrupulous bullies assume that they are worthy of that position and when sadly they succeed!  

More than two thousand years ago the collapse of the Roman Republic occurred at the hands of military individuals who used their military might to secure political power and prominent leadership positions. It is noteworthy that accumulation of wealth in those days was almost exclusively achieved via gains from spoils of war. It is also noteworthy that history shows that personal ambition and devious manipulation by the political leaders had much to do with the collapse of the Roman Republic!!

Fast forward to the 20th and 21st Century AD (Aka as CE), I wonder if, apart from the tremendous evolution in Science and Technology and diverse ways of accumulating wealth, has the world witnessed a true reform in the methods and ways adopted by those seeking to get to the helm and those who've succeeded in getting there?

Devious rhetoric by politicians and gullibility of the masses over the years seems to indicate that the answer to that last question is a resounding "absolutely not!!!"

So, is the world changing? 

Well, let me put it this way: The world continues to rotate around its axis once a day and revolves around the sun once every 365.25 days without any noticeable change. 

Perhaps the power seekers believe that, like the rotation and revolution of the world, their world is unchangeable. Alas, perhaps in their assumption, they are right too!!!

Hani Badawi
October 2, 2016

A Reflection on Radicalism

When the identity of a country is tainted and/or influenced by radical ideas it reflects a deficiency and weakness in its educational structure and historic awareness. A dearth in economic resources is a byproduct of the above shortcomings and cannot be used as an excuse.

Hani Badawi
September 1, 2016

With Hilary Or Donald Life Will Go On!

If we believe in the power of free elections then we must heed what Plato, the Greek Philosopher (c. 428-348 BCE) intimated many centuries ago: “This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.”

Even though Plato’s words ring true today, one must reflect on the past and ponder whether “free elections” ever lived-up to its meaning and/or promise!

Fast forward from the days of Plato to the Roman Philosopher Cicero (106-43 BCE) who, in addition to being a philosopher, was a, lawyer, orator and politician. Cicero had a seemingly different view from the one held by Plato about citizens, when he professed: “Nothing is more unreliable than the populace, nothing more obscure than human intentions, nothing more deceptive than the whole electoral system.”

In actuality, the two great philosophers were not in conflict in their thoughts, they only reflected upon what they observed in their respective eras. Needless to say, they were prophetic in their thoughts too.

One thing we can say, apart from the passing of time, nothing much has changed!

Hani Badawi

Sptember 1, 2016

Smoke and Mirrors

Events around the world, as portrayed in the news on TV or any other communication media, seem to indicate an alarming escalation in social and economic chaos, factional strife and general unrest.

I was initially inclined to start my previous paragraph with the word “recently” but upon further deliberation I realized that it would be inappropriate to do so in light of the fact that the preceding phenomena and symptoms have been going on for a very long time. The main difference is that our immediate awareness has been considerably heightened by the diverse communication media channels that have become easily accessible to us during the past decade or two.

Talking about communication, and specifically about the tools of today versus those of yesteryear, some of you may remember some of the Old Western (previously referred to as Cowboy and Indian) movies depicting the olden tools used by Native Americans for communication, namely “Smoke and Mirrors”. These were predominantly used for sending signals of some impending danger and certainly not whimsical tidbits!

Oddly enough, our modern usage of the term “Smoke and Mirrors” has a very different connotation from that which was used by some Native American tribes! As defined in the Cambridge Dictionary: “Something that is described as Smoke and Mirrors is intended to make you believe that something is being done or is true, when it is not”!

Perhaps a live example of today’s “Smoke and Mirrors” can be gleaned anytime we read for or watch speeches delivered by some politicians!

Hani Badawi
August 4, 2016