Life is so desperately serious most of the time, but one has
to see the humorous side of life and sometimes have a good laugh too. I mean,
there is so much going on in the world today that it’s very difficult to keep
track and have a knowledge of everything. Some issues are very serious and
worth knowing about, but some are simply ridiculous. And please do not forget
the conspiracy theorists. Some of their theories are very interesting and some
are the truth, but many are to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Now, if there are two topics of discussion that one tries to
avoid at any gathering, it’s politics and religion, unless everyone is one the
same page. Yeah, right.
Both religion and politics have one common goal: that is to
acquire power over the people and use it to fulfil their aims. However, to
achieve this objective, their methods are different. Religion mobilizes religious
sensibilities of people in order to get their support; while politics uses
intrigue, diplomacy, and makes attempts to win public opinion.
Religion determines its authority on "divine laws" which
normally cannot be changed with human intervention, while in politics, society
should move ahead, change and adjust itself with the new arising challenges of
the time. Who really knows who’s speaking the truth and who’s deceiving the
masses in either case.
When one looks at popular mega churches and preachers like Joel
Osteen, for example, you cannot help but wonder about the splendor of the
entertainment, gullibility of the audience, level of deception and mind
control, and the mega millions of dollars that is taken from the people. Some give
their last few pennies with the belief that it will come rushing back hundred-fold,
like a tsunami. It’s preached from the pulpit so it must be true. And what
are these funds used for (tax free)? Mansions, sports cars, helicopters, boats,
planes, holidays. It’s a booming business, no, a blooming great business! It’s
a massive and lucrative circus act.
Getting back to politics. In South Africa the politics is a
real comedy show, and the ruling party takes center stage. From mismanagement,
to lack of services, to misappropriation of funds, to outright corruption and
an absent president. It’s a genuine circus with so many performers all busy
with their various acts and delusions.
In a real circus each performer has a unique talent and act,
but keeping our current government in mind, you can almost visualize certain individuals
in these rolls.
Enter the circus ring master with his fancy outfit and assuming
stance, charming the audience with his eloquent words.
There are the clowns, keeping the audience laughing and
clapping, all the while disguising who they really are. What goes on behind all
that face paint and fake smiles?
There’s the contortionist who is able to bend and move in
any direction, as flexible as a piece of putty and totally able to adapt to
every circumstance.
Don’t miss out on the human cannonball. Thankfully a lot of
practice helps him to land in the right spot every time.
The trapeze artists and acrobats look like they’re
weightless as they jump, somersault and swing through the air.
The equestrian director guides the horses and ponies as they
trot, turn and gallop at command and sometimes there’s a bareback rider doing some
fancy tricks too.
The animal trainer has the difficult job of training the
lions, elephants and other animals to do their amazing display of submissiveness.
Sometimes there’s a magician entertaining his audience with
his mesmerizing illusions.
And last but not least, is the freak show - the misfits,
oddballs and socially unacceptable – on display for the audience to gawk at.
To be quite honest, I am no lover of circuses, especially
when animals are used for entertainment. Everything about a circus gives me the
hibbimajibbies. It just seems like a very unsanitary setup.
A movie which I can highly recommend is The Greatest
Showman starring Hugh Jackman (aka Wolverine), one of my favorite actors. The
movie is about the life of PT Barnum who invests everything he has at great
risk to start a circus called Barnum’s Circus. Even though it’s a musical,
which might put some people off, I thought the music and dancing were
spectacular. The movie is based on a true story, however, the people and events
depicted in the movie are heavily fictionalized. But I don’t want to let the
cat out of the bag. Grab a big bowl of popcorn and a warm blankey and snuggle
up to this very entertaining story.
***
For us here in South Africa, the circus is still in town and
a new act is about to begin. Watching all the performers get their act together
and practice their stunts is very entertaining. Danie likes to listen to all
the main performers give their various speeches to impress their audiences with
all their hot air and fake smiles. Each one has his own unique trick up his
sleeve and promises to give the people a mesmerizing performance they will
never forget. And, back in the circus arena, all they’re doing is confusing
their audiences. Who should we vote in to take over the current circus? Who’ll
be the best contortionist or juggler? Who will be the best ring master out of
the vying candidates? Who has the best solution to repair the bankrupt and mismanaged
circus? Who’s act carries the most weight? Who’s guarding the cash register?
It is worrisome for us living here, and at the same time quite
entertaining. With all the cacophony in the background, it’s really hard to
make sense of who’s offering what, and who will stick to their guns. Who knows
what the future holds? So, off to the polls we go, fingers crossed and hoping
against all odds.
It truly is a circus spectacle of other worldly proportions.
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