Turning Japanese

It’s just amazing and truly inspiring how the Japanese have maintained their demeanour and poise in the face of the massive tragedy they are currently facing in earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster-ravaged Japan.

I’m trying to imagine South Africans maintaining that level of decorum and all I visualize is people running around like headless chickens, looting, behaving selfishly; the government authorities clueless and unresponsive.

In tribute to these remarkable men, women and children, I dedicate the song Turning Japanese by Liz Phair. It was originally recorded by the Vapors, but I’m partial to this cover by Liz.

The world would surely be a better place if everyone turned Japanese…

Turning Japanese

I’ve got your picture
Of me and you
You wrote “I love you”
I love you too
I sit there staring and there’s nothing else to do
Oh it’s in color
Your hair is brown
Your eyes are hazel
And soft as clouds
I often kiss you when there’s no one else around
I’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture
I’d like a million of them all ’round my cell
I asked the doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You’ve got me turning up and turning down and turning in and
     turning ’round
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture
I’d like a million of them all ’round my cell
I want the doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You’ve got me turning up and turning down and turning in and
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it’s dark
Everyone around me is a total stranger
Everyone avoids me like a psyched lone ranger
Everyone
That’s why I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
     (think so think so think so)
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so

South Africa on the verge of becoming another dysfunctional State?

Image via Wikipedia

A South African constitutional watchdog body, the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) has cautioned that the country is on the verge of becoming just another dysfunctional state.

Sipho Pityana, the chairperson of CASAC stated today in no uncertain terms that:

It is now beyond doubt that corruption and patronage are so pervasive, rampant and crippling in our society that we are on the verge of being deemed a dysfunctional state …

Perhaps South Africa is already a truly dysfunctional state. Like a dysfunctional family that somehow manages to stay together, the country is tottering along, with everything seemingly functional to the casual observer. There are the contributors who ensure a constant supply of funding to the state’s coffers, and then there are the politicians and their cronies who siphon it off, ever so smoothly. An ugly un-symbiotic relationship that works!!!

Underneath the visage of normality however, the ugly rot that embodies the patronage, corruption, looting, disdain and incompetence, is starting to break the surface. Those who care enough to notice and speak out are reviled and castigated for being racist or impudent or both, or in most cases simply ignored.

But those who stand the most to lose when the rot finally consumes the entire country, remain amazingly silent. Are we experiencing ignorance on a massive scale, or have Africans [people of Africa, not race] become immune to being persecuted?