{"id":2653,"date":"2013-12-20T07:27:49","date_gmt":"2013-12-20T07:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/2013\/12\/20\/a-conversation-with-uncle-claus\/"},"modified":"2018-08-06T14:20:34","modified_gmt":"2018-08-06T10:20:34","slug":"a-conversation-with-uncle-claus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/a-conversation-with-uncle-claus\/","title":{"rendered":"A Conversation with Uncle Claus"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Conversation with Uncle Claus<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBuild bridges between people, all people. That\u2019s what the world needs most\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

* \u201cI am what I am, a make-believe but a powerful one\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We again had a chat with Santa Claus as we did last year. Uncle Santa is a wise old man, although he is made to look younger than his age. He has been around and seen lots \u2013 people, places, events – good and bad. Yet he manages to maintain a jolly spirit and does not seem to get tired. This chubby guy has got quite a few tricks up his sleeves, and is an astute observer of some ground realities around the world, including our small island\u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

TP Saran: Hello, Old Boy! Good to see you in your usual jovial mood again. How are you doing?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Santa Claus:<\/span><\/strong> Very well indeed, and how about you guys down here? Nothing to complain about either isn\u2019t it? Generous budget, bonus, holidays galore, more public holidays than in any other place that I know \u2013 and I do know places! -, sunshine, blue sky, white sand, emerald seas, well, isn\u2019t it a real plaisir<\/em> for you all!<\/span><\/p>\n

* Really amazing how you keep that jolly good mood with the insanity all around. Really amazing indeed!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I like to come to your island. Restores my mood, get rid of the blues. \u2019Cos elsewhere everybody is complaining \u2013 inflation, youth unemployment, drugs and what have you. But you fellows seem to be getting, getting! Instead of losing, growing all the time, I am the one to be amazed!<\/span><\/p>\n

* \u2018The main reason why Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.\u2019 Guess who said that?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Must be some joker!<\/span><\/p>\n

* Well, that was from George Carlin, the American stand-up comedian. He really had a sense of humour, that fellow. Had to, anyway\u2026 That\u2019s quite understandable – he won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums\u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh that guy! Yes, he did have a sense of humour, great satirist of his country\u2019s social landscape as well. But remember he had a very supportive family, and a loving daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Now, tell us about those \u2018bad girls\u2019, will you? Thought you had a weakness for the \u2018good\u2019 ones! All men are pretty much the same, the women folk would say\u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, there are bad girls and bad boys too don\u2019t forget! So I look at everybody with the same eye. No one is all good, no one is all wrong. What can I do, good or bad everybody expects a gift from me. And the men folk say the same thing too about women. But I leave them to sort it out between themselves, I am too old to take sides.<\/span><\/p>\n

* But why is it that \u2018bad girls\u2019 usually get the prize and the nice ones finish last? There must be some good reasons for that, isn\u2019t?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The nice ones always win in the end, make no mistake about that. Put-up charms<\/span><\/p>\n

and cleverness can only go so far. The bad boys too, some come round, most not. <\/span><\/p>\n

* But you do know, dear Uncle, that the kids have a weakness for you. I mean most kids \u2013 Christians or non-Christians alike. You have today become \u201cwholly secular\u201d, as they put it \u2013 \u201ca powerful cultural symbol which is impossible to ignore\u201d \u2026 although some Christians object to you because you are secular rather than Christian. Likewise some non-Christians take objection to your Christian roots. Quite a hard nut to crack, I dare say!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Irrelevant. Forget the labels. I am a creation of cold climes, where it\u2019s freezing and people need to warm up inside and outside. My hugs and gifts touch both, so what\u2019s wrong with everyone irrespective having fun with me? Best is to laugh and connect, that\u2019s what. Build bridges between people, all people. That\u2019s what the world needs most. <\/span><\/p>\n

* But there is a myth that has been built around you and about your \u201cpowers\u201d. And the most serious objection to perpetuating belief in you is that parents have to lie to their children. I mean the \u2018little white lies\u2019 that parents should persistently tell in order to get kids to believe in you. As with any lie, it\u2019s necessary to construct more and more elaborate lies and defenses as time passes.\u2019 Now, that should make you rather uncomfortable, I would think\u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nope. Those who tell the lies must take the responsibility. But you know, don\u2019t you, that modern kids can\u2019t be fooled. After all, they know that their houses don\u2019t have chimneys, and they go about seeing all these toys and what have you in the shops. Do you think they really believe nowadays that Santa Claus pops the iPads and Ninja games from nowhere and push them down an inexistent chimney!!<\/span><\/p>\n

I am what I am, a make-believe but a powerful one, a positive symbol, not one that makes anyone want to go to war against the other. So that\u2019s fine for me. I only hope I will last, even if I am virtual. But again, virtuality is the new reality, so I have a hope for myself. On the other hand, lies get discovered. Kids are smart, they know I am not a lie, I am magic.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Rest assured, dear Uncle: I, for one, do not care about those \u201clittle white lies\u201d \u2013 even if one has to go on constructing more and more lies \u2013 so long as they are made for the kids\u2019 own good\u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s what I said, isn\u2019t it. Keep the magic going, magic belongs to the imagination, man\u2019s most powerful tool. I can be only as strong as your imagination.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Here down dark earth, Uncle, it\u2019s quite a spectacle, I should say. It\u2019s quite depressing at most times, even scary. But you do know about that, don\u2019t you? No need for me to elaborate…<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

No, no need\u2026 But good people must come together, otherwise you guys are done. Don\u2019t worry about me, I will always be available.<\/span><\/p>\n

* What is man up to, Uncle? There doesn\u2019t seem to be any limit to his greed, prejudice, oppression, or violence against his fellow brothers and sisters and even against Mother Earth herself\u2026 Really crazy, this world!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I can do no better than let George Carlin speak. Here goes, take your pick:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> If it\u2019s true that our species is alone in the universe, then I\u2019d have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> I look at it this way… For centuries now, man has done everything he can to destroy, defile, and interfere with nature: clear-cutting forests, strip-mining mountains, poisoning the atmosphere, over-fishing the oceans, polluting the rivers and lakes, destroying wetlands and aquifers… so when nature strikes back, and smacks him on the head and kicks him in the nuts, I enjoy that. I have absolutely no sympathy for human beings whatsoever. None. And no matter what kind of problem humans are facing, whether it’s natural or man-made, I always hope it gets worse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Religion has convinced people that there\u2019s an invisible man\u2026 living in the sky, who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn\u2019t want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer and burn and scream until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you and he needs money.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> The real reason that we can\u2019t have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse: You cannot post \u201cThou shalt not steal,\u201d \u201cThou shalt not commit adultery,\u201d and \u201cThou shalt not lie\u201d in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Let\u2019s take a genuine politician: one of the remaining few leaders who one could look up to has departed. Nelson Mandela, who stood as one of the most admired political leaders of the 20th and 21st century for his vision to forgive and forge a new ‘rainbow’ nation, passed away, as you know, some 15 days back. Well, quite a lot has been said about the larger-than-life statesman that he was; he had indeed been a model to emulate – a great President for South Africa\u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A real Great Man, period. The last of the Mohicans of the 20th century as it were.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Some people have been saying that he had indeed been a great President for South Africa, especially for white South Africa\u2026 Now, that\u2019s unfair, don\u2019t you think?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hypocritical more than unfair. Those who villified him, who labelled him a terrorist when his struggle against apartheid had to take a more muscled turn, those who refused to give him an appointment, those who continued to support White domination, the Blacks who dominated him \u2013 all are hypocrites who are trying to have some of his glory washed on to them by praising him in death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back to the brainy quote from good old George Carlin \u2013 the universe seems to have settled for very little!<\/span><\/p>\n

* As far as larger-than-life leaders are concerned, South Africa has no doubt been lucky. It would seem most countries, including ours, do not have the same luck what with their \u201cpetty, frivolous, pathetic, sneering\u201d chaps all over the place\u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

South Africa will never get that lucky again. Mandela\u2019s legacy there is practically gone. Find out what\u2019s happening at the University of Natal in Durban and you will get to know how much his legacy of social justice remains. You do not upgrade education by lowering the level of the requirements to entry do you? Seems that is what is happening in your education system too, isn\u2019t it, with bilingual exam papers, the official noises about English with no real concrete measures for remedy.<\/span><\/p>\n

* “If it’s inevitable, just lay back and enjoy it.” I am not sure if it\u2019s Confucius who said that, but we seem to be doing just that. I mean the rape by the politicians, the fraudsters, the banksters\u2026 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Very interesting that you should say that! Heard of the Great Train Robber, Ronnie Biggs? He died a couple of days ago at 84 years of age. Here\u2019s what a blogger commented: \u2018At least he was a real “Robber” not one these pretentious ones that dress in suits and hide behind desks and walls giving the impression they are doing an honest day\u2019s work!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Voil\u00e0<\/span><\/em>, there\u2019s your answer, no comments!<\/span><\/p>\n

* And the media is having a field day reporting the daily rape and laughing their way to the bank! It has been rightly said that the misfortune of some makes the happiness of others, isn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Same blog as in previous question applies here too I\u2019m afraid!<\/span><\/p>\n

* “Do not focus on the world that is polarizing toward selfishness and fear. Do not pay attention to the old that is crumbling around you. What has been shall be no more.” I do not recall who said that, but the message is clearly about the need to take heart, for there is reason for hope. Do you still entertain hopes about the \u201cgoodness\u201d of man?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Why not end with our friend George again? Here goes:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> I’m completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Honesty may be the best policy, but it\u2019s important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Thou shalt keep thy religion to thyself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> If the cops didn\u2019t see it, I didn\u2019t do it!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> It isn\u2019t fair: the caterpillar does all the work, and the butterfly gets all the glory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks Santa! I did not know that you kept up to date on so many things! And, by the way, Merry Christmas to you too, even if it\u2019s virtual!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

TP Saran<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Conversation with Uncle Claus \u201cBuild bridges between people, all people. That\u2019s what the world needs most\u201d * \u201cI am what I am, a make-believe but a powerful one\u201d We again had a chat with Santa Claus as we did last year. Uncle Santa is a wise old man, although he is made to look […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[27],"tags":[12791,9916,12792,12793,12794,2216,12795,114],"class_list":["post-2653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-society","tag-a-conversation-with-uncle-claus","tag-confucius","tag-george-carlin","tag-grammy-awards","tag-great-train-robber","tag-nelson-mandela","tag-ronnie-biggs","tag-tp-saran"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8QzSF-GN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2653"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}