The Grail
In periods of uncertainty, when looking for direction in our lives,
often we find ourselves referring to the classics of literature for
answers. Whether in Homer, Shakespeare or mythologies there is always
parallel to be found to illuminate the issues that have confronted humanity
during any period of time. Although such an approach has always left a bad
taste in my mouth, the overall response to the terrorist attack of 911
conjures up an indubitable parallel from a classic of English culture.
“A witch, a witch! We have found a witch!” And so King George,
entourage in tow, has presented not just to the American people but to the
entire world the pariah of these Middle Ages. The cacophony of accusations
is broken by a momentary voice of reason (or so it seems), as the
enlightened intellectuals of our day put forward the pertinent question,
“How do you know she is a witch?” But it is of no surprise, for we know
the text well, that the first reply made by our benign leaders and
‘objective’ press is, “She looks like one.” Good enough for many of us.
Fortunately, not for all.
The parallels, ludicrous as they may seem, would end here but the sad
part of the story is that like the village mob looking for a scapegoat, for
some release of the tensions of absolute subjugation and uncertain futures,
it turns out that our leaders have likewise dressed her up in this guise.
And just like in the movie, they admit it. Well, if that isn’t proof
enough there is the final, ultimate proof of guilt. She has got a wart!
Dauntingly, it is only in the theater that the audience is brought to
hysterics by the very ludicrousness of this scene. In real life, the
hysterics are a shame. Not only is Assama bin Laden, guilty as he may be
for these are other actions, has been made the absolute scapegoat along
with many individual human, whose only guilt is having warts.
So enters King George, who is by far no Arthur - as only many of us
scripted Frenchmen seem to see through his guise and know that he is a
silly ‘kanigget.’ Wise King George is deft in dealing the coup de grace,
for even though federal agents admit that they do not posses conclusive
evidence, King George, ‘so wise in the ways of science,’ knows that bin
Laden is the guilty party and must be burned at the stake alive. Proof?
Good enough for the honorable Knights of the Round Table. Except for one
sane dissenting voice on Camelot in the House of Representatives, the
entire political elite of the country is singing praises to the pseudo-
president whom they have made king.
In all this brouhaha, we have lost sight of the goal, the quest posed
by our parallel classic - the ever-allusive Holy Grail. It is a quest will
lead our gallant tragicomics and their minstrels (who, by the grace of god,
turn out to be convenient sources of sustenance) on misadventures with
witches, three-headed giants, and rabbits with nasty, pointy teeth –
misadventures that lead to the dissolution of the round table and the
incarceration of its leaders. Well, at least there is that hope.
often we find ourselves referring to the classics of literature for
answers. Whether in Homer, Shakespeare or mythologies there is always
parallel to be found to illuminate the issues that have confronted humanity
during any period of time. Although such an approach has always left a bad
taste in my mouth, the overall response to the terrorist attack of 911
conjures up an indubitable parallel from a classic of English culture.
“A witch, a witch! We have found a witch!” And so King George,
entourage in tow, has presented not just to the American people but to the
entire world the pariah of these Middle Ages. The cacophony of accusations
is broken by a momentary voice of reason (or so it seems), as the
enlightened intellectuals of our day put forward the pertinent question,
“How do you know she is a witch?” But it is of no surprise, for we know
the text well, that the first reply made by our benign leaders and
‘objective’ press is, “She looks like one.” Good enough for many of us.
Fortunately, not for all.
The parallels, ludicrous as they may seem, would end here but the sad
part of the story is that like the village mob looking for a scapegoat, for
some release of the tensions of absolute subjugation and uncertain futures,
it turns out that our leaders have likewise dressed her up in this guise.
And just like in the movie, they admit it. Well, if that isn’t proof
enough there is the final, ultimate proof of guilt. She has got a wart!
Dauntingly, it is only in the theater that the audience is brought to
hysterics by the very ludicrousness of this scene. In real life, the
hysterics are a shame. Not only is Assama bin Laden, guilty as he may be
for these are other actions, has been made the absolute scapegoat along
with many individual human, whose only guilt is having warts.
So enters King George, who is by far no Arthur - as only many of us
scripted Frenchmen seem to see through his guise and know that he is a
silly ‘kanigget.’ Wise King George is deft in dealing the coup de grace,
for even though federal agents admit that they do not posses conclusive
evidence, King George, ‘so wise in the ways of science,’ knows that bin
Laden is the guilty party and must be burned at the stake alive. Proof?
Good enough for the honorable Knights of the Round Table. Except for one
sane dissenting voice on Camelot in the House of Representatives, the
entire political elite of the country is singing praises to the pseudo-
president whom they have made king.
In all this brouhaha, we have lost sight of the goal, the quest posed
by our parallel classic - the ever-allusive Holy Grail. It is a quest will
lead our gallant tragicomics and their minstrels (who, by the grace of god,
turn out to be convenient sources of sustenance) on misadventures with
witches, three-headed giants, and rabbits with nasty, pointy teeth –
misadventures that lead to the dissolution of the round table and the
incarceration of its leaders. Well, at least there is that hope.
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