Terrible end to a terrible year. Woke up on December 28 to the sad news of out another innocent life being snuffed out so cruelly, in spite of the best efforts of the girl, her doctors and her family.
2012 stands out for its barbarism. Malala, the Newton school kids/teachers, now Amanat/Nirbhaya. All victims of bestial acts by depraved minds. Here's hoping against hope that 2013 proves their sufferings were not in vain, and will lead to meaningful change.
Pessimism abounds. Malala did manage to get most of the totally craven Pakistani politicians to raise a strident voice condemning the attack. The very fact that this universal condemnation of a brutal attack on an innocent girl is considered so noteworthy shows the level to which expectations had fallen. The Pakistan Taliban still thrives, proudly announcing that they will keep trying to kill her. And various government and quasi-government agencies continue to support this odious entity.
The Newton school massacre lends even less prospect of change. The NRA and other gun-nuts outdid our own khaps with their proposed 'solution' to prevent such atrocities : Place armed guards at all schools, and equip teachers with guns. The solution is always 'more guns'. What next? Have the TSA set up their airport style security theater at all schools? Yes, it looks like the US will ban schools before they ban guns.
And then our own country, a proud nation with demented and irresponsible politicians who don't even pretend to listen to their people. Indifference and apathy prevails among the populace, and the process of policing law is so perverse and moribund that the ones punished are always the innocent, be they victims, witnesses, or brave whistle-blowers.
All in all, not inspiring much confidence, but let's pray that hope will prevail in 2013.
