WHO'S ON FIRST?

   The title comes from the famous Abbott and Costello skit, using confusing names and answering questions with answers only muddling the issue even more. Attempts to clear out the confusion results in even more confusion, more misunderstanding and less communication. Questions such as, who's on first and what's on 2nd, with the answers yes, results in audiences in stitches but beneath all is a darker thread. 

Attempts to dissolve the confusion only adds to it, with true connection and communication just about impossible. Even if we subscribe to the view that all participants are doing the best they can to connect with the other, it just never happens. The end result is worse in an ever more confusing state of mind along with a niggling sense of "perhaps this was intentional", and in that case, what are the true desires of those in the conversation. 

What 'game' are they playing? How long do we let this continue?  Befuddlement all around. Suspicion and fear, degree of mistrust rising rapidly. Shoulders hunch up beside the ears and hackles are raised. The conversation was getting nowhere other than giving rise to a soul deep weariness and growing doubt that anything positive could come out of the current conversation. 

Within this constant state of confusion, the participants now seek independently for other pathways, and inevitably, or for the most part, rarely does anything positive arise. One path is concession, which only arouses more negativity and anger. The second path is worse, a more drastic path of enmity, to the point of violence. No competent leaders to be found, no expert translation available. And it all goes from bad to worse. In short, my friend, this is the state of the world today and has been so since time immemorial.

The situations worsen but more aggravating and irritating, itches demanding to be scratched. The population of one nation or both call for redressing of their grievances and naught of what the other side is saying is heard. Things which demand and should be explained are neglected as the rising voices drown out the voices calling for calm and more attempts to break the dam hindering that so necessary smooth flow of communication.     

The questioning, the confusion, the anger and in the deadly game of musical chairs of politics the only ones consistently without seats is the population. No one to lead. No one righteous enough in thought. No one clever enough, agile enough, with the ability to bring things round to a better stance. Hope drains from the nation's population as they watch with terrified minds and hearts as the viral and vicious game goes on. 

Leaders so not leading, with chairs and occupants revolving so quickly, joining and splitting, name calling and hugging. Choosing names of parties. and then rejecting them. Spouting lines of platforms which break loose from their inadequate nails and the rising level of confusion encourages and enables ever more extreme viewpoints. Be it Left or Right, truly, there is not much air between them. Moderates, losing space and air, choose sides in a desperate attempt to ameliorate and moderate, but all is in vain. 

Extremism grows within the various nations of the world. There is a plethora of politicians, of leaders claiming to be that which the country needs. Then tomorrow, another leader takes the place as the original one goes somewhere difficult to find, nary a trace until suddenly there he is again, same but different. 

Life goes on, ever more tense and elections grow near. Is the government intact or is it collapsing? Whom to believe? Who indeed is on first base and What's on second? Nobody is in right field and in the critical position of shortstop is I don't give a damn; I do not care.  

Here we are today. Most nations of the world are on empty as far as leaders, true leaders are concerned. Most, the shameful majority, grovel at the feet of those in power, amassing more power, manipulating fear, even as their competitors glom onto memes of  ancient threads of Hate.  

We, the voters, stand in confusion at the voting booth. Not sure if they should even make the effort. It does not matter where one is on this globe of ours, ever wobblier on its axis. It is the same all over. The shame is also the same.

 Yesterday we had many similar situations.

 Today, as soon as we ameliorate them, it all goes sideways again.

Tomorrow - will there be a tomorrow and what kind of tomorrow will it be?

Think on that.