On hearing the news repeated incessantly throughout the day over all the news media here in the West, for 365 days a year, one gets the impression that Man is even trying to play God.

We're been told in a fine and subtle way that he (the Human) is gaining full knowledge of the weather and that he (the Human) can predict with a degree of certainty cataclysmic events. This is nothing short of a big fat lie as the facts show us that, on the contrary, he remains very much at the mercy of the Laws of Nature, because in his arrogance and his folly he does not respect them.

For instance: He (the Human) insists on building more grandly on ill-sited locations. Those living by the sea and/or in wind-swept regions are bound to bear the brunt with devastating consequences when hurricanes, tornados and tsunamis strike, as they have always done since primeval times; while those in notably seismic zones, when the forces propelling the thin floating plates that make up the Earth's crust, manifest themselves. An unstoppable phenomena which has been happening for eons before hominoids roamed the planet, and is expected to continue, even after our disappearance!

Moreover, the events of the day are indelibly dotted with human fragility, avoidable man-made disasters, a melange of relative 'values', woolly thinking, the now habitual spat of scandalous corruption, political dirty laundering and a dash of vanity from the 'entertainment' industry thrown in for surrealistic effect, while the world of Sport is rendered as a gladiator fight of sorts. The picture is bleak and the tone negative, in sync with the hopeless and prevalent culture of death.

On the other hand, there is much to be done and gained should Man's efforts be brought to bear in areas closer to home.

(1)  High on the agenda should be the relief from hunger and misery brought about by the savage exploitation of resources and humans; generally the product of wars, declared or not. Working positively to eradicate famine is not an option but a very serious obligation.

(2) We cannot afford the 'luxury' of armed conflict. This is not on the table and should never have been. Non-belligerent nations have a vital role in having their voices heard and respected when differences arise among diverging parties.

(3)  Genuine concern for the environment should go far beyond global warming issues and comprehensively address the delicate balances of what actually sustains life. 

It is most noble and worthy of the superior intellect of Man to occupy himself with the things he can and ought to change. For his own benefit, he should desist from mucking up our little one-room house; far removed from all forms of injustice, slavery and robbery.

Then, and only then, can we safely hope for a healthier pallor on the face of "News from the World".

Try this out - Visualize: WORLD PEACE!

Ramon Borg-Bartolo