In Wonderland
Lewis Carroll’s famous 19th century novel, “Alice in Wonderland” tells of a girl falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar, weird creatures. The tale plays with logic, turning it upside down, and is the best example of the literary nonsense genre.
In Pakistan these days, thoughtful citizens must feel that they too have fallen through a rabbit hole, into a topsy turvey Wonderland. Consider. There was a time when politicians would contribute funds to the late lamented Big Ben’s party in return for election tickets. In Wonderland, Big Ben’s party is now contributing funds to politicians in return for them taking their election tickets! There was a time when the late lamented Big Ben’s jalsas in Central Punjab were populated by a sea of humanity. In Wonderland, Hubby’s recent jalsa in Central Punjab was a desert of a gathering. There was a time when victors would celebrate court verdicts. In Wonderland, losers are also celebrating court verdicts. This is because there was a time when there were clear winners and losers. In Wonderland, there are no clear winners or losers. There was a time when the “winning side’s” lawyers were all on the same side, buoying up their colleagues even if they lost the case. In Wonderland, the winning side’s lawyers are on the other side of their colleagues, even if they’ve won the case. And on and on, it gets “curiouser and curiouser”, as Alice says in Wonderland!
Vive la France!
The French electorate has recognized Emmanuel Macron for what he is – a sincere and single-minded man. For it takes guts and unswerving commitment to do what he’s done. We’re referring not only to his staunch opposition to the xenophobic extreme-Right politics of Marine Le Pen, and beating her in the first round of Presidential elections, but for his dedication from an early age to his wife, 25 years his senior. Soon, we may see a 40 year old French President with a 65 year old wife, and step children who are older or the same age as him! Vive la France!