Jon Stewart on Crossfire

I recall watching the Crossfire on CNN during the early 90s, 1992 i think. There were some good moments and it served a purpose. But you have to agree with Jon Stewart, when he describes the show as a mockery of journalism.

Crossfire, and later MSNBC, and then FoxNews all took to the concept of "show", and slowly but steadily left "news" way behind. Today this has eroded TV News Journalism across the board everywhere in the world.

In India, TimesNow and a boat load of Hindi news channels have adopted the concept of "debate" shows, where less news is produced or talked about, but more noise is created to dumb down the viewer.

You see, news was and is always boring, and without of drama and punchlines would be unbearable to watch. And so enjoy the news.

I Love My Country ...

India is my country. 

All Indians are my brothers and sisters. 

I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage. 

I shall always strive to be worthy of it. 

I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders respect and treat everyone with courtesy. 

To my country and all my people, I pledge my devotion. 

In their well being and prosperity alone lies my happiness.

These words still ring true in my ears. But when i see what is happening now in the country. I am saddened. Deeply saddened. I wonder if the government yesterday and today realizes what they are doing to the fabric of the nation.
I have hope that we will outcome all this.
One day. Soon!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Somethings you learn at school, you never forget. I am not talking basic arithmetic or science. We all know that 2 times 2 is 4, and the world is not flat etc. I am talking some serious poetry. Poetry for a person who is otherwise not enamored by poetry.

This is one that struck me, the very first day, i read it, and has stayed in my head. I liked the way it was constructed and the story it bared. The last few lines were favorited by many, and has been quoted repeatedly.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

- Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

What struck me the most was how the verses rhymed. The poem itself was simple to read and understand. While many have associated philosophical theories to these simple lines. I see only something simple, that is also beautiful. Kind of like, a Steve Jobs inspired design.

To talk a few words on the rhyme and structure. The poem uses a interesting rhyming scheme. The last word of the second last line in the four line verse, rhymes with the words of the next verse. So the third line of the first verse, "He will not see me stopping here", rhymes with the lines from the next verse. And "Between the woods and frozen lake", from the second verse will rhyme with lines in the next.

Much before i had seen snow in my life, i visualized it. The rider on the horse, and the winding path leading out of the woods. I saw it all. The words made it so easy to imagine it all.

Simple, Beautiful or simply beautiful. You pick your adjective. 

Sometimes, I wonder though. I had seen a movie, Telefon. A spy thriller, starring Charles Bronson. Would this poem have had the same impact, if i had not seen the movie soon after first reading the poem in my school.