SHOE BIZARRE

DGM's Messages

2009

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2009 January February March April May June July August September October November December

RW DGM' s MESSAGE FOR May 2009

SHOE BIZARRE

      We have, lately, been witnessing an accelerated demand for shoes erupting from uses other than as normal protection for the feet. The epidemic had its origins in Iraq, and has now moved to India where our respected Home Minister, a Prime Minister-in-waiting and another M.P. seeking re-election have recently been used for target practice. They are now even providing a safety net to protect speakers from such missiles. What’s even more surprising is that the assailants using this particular mode of protest represent members of the (presumably) educated classes of our society, one offender being a journalist, and the other a Retired Principal of an educational institution.
      Even if we were to condone the journalist’s behaviour as being one that can be dismissed as a solitary aberration, the Principals’ descent into rowdyism is cause for alarm, although it has been reported that he had retired from his vocation. While in service, one wonders what mores he imparted to his young wards while exercising academic authority over them, or even with his own children on behalf of one of whom he directed his footwear at the Member of Parliament (for reportedly not favouring his son with a job).
      Our descent in public life, and even in private encounters, into violent behaviour is a cause for concern, as our children and youth in general need better examples to emulate, which should begin with the head and heart, and not emanate from the bodily extremities.
       Which brings us of course to the lessons we learn through our own Masonic ritual, i.e. never to countenance any act that may have a tendency to subvert the good order of society. Which also means that we keep cool and wise heads on our shoulders, and leave our shoes when required, firmly attached to where they belong, or stored away safely when they are not.
      As in the next few weeks we should all be required to be exercising our collective franchise we need to use our faculties to discharge this constitutional duty of choosing our various central and state legislators. To the best of my knowledge, with the multiplicity of election symbols available to identify the various candidates for our legislatures, the shoe is not one of them !