A Call to Alms

This is that time of year when many people are thinking about the act of giving and compassion towards those less fortunate than ourselves.

I don't know if it is the BOFEE (Boring Old Fart Evolution Effect), but as I get older, I just witness the whole commercial frenzy of Christmas and it makes me want to barf. Anticipating the bulging cash registers, the shops start advertising Christmas in early October before the general populace has given it a moment's thought. Then if you don't put a "No Junk Mail" sticker on your letterbox, the glossy missives start engorging the letterbox, nearly choking the air from true mail such as letters from your Mum or bank statements. You cannot relax in front of the TV without the clarion call to "Buy! Buy! Buy!" screaming out at you from the box.

Get your children IPods this Christmas, buy your old man a new car and, hey, why not chuck in a boat while you're at it, buy the missus a 14-carat diamond ring and the list goes on.

Remember when you were little and your parents told you to finish your dinner because "think of those starving children in India". Those starving children have grown up now and are starving adults assembling IPods in a sweatshop in Mumbai.

Jesus or Buddha or Mohammad or Zoroaster or Baha'u'llah or Krishna or Abraham or Moses wouldn't be rushing out to Harvey Norman Ross Smiths City K Mart to buy IPods and 50" TVs and Home Theatres. They'd be giving each other a hug, a hearty meal...
"No pork chops for me, thanks," says Jesus.
"Just the roast spuds and some asparagus for me," says Gautama Buddha.
"What Jesus said. Ditto re the pork chops," says Mohammad.
"I'll skip the beef noisettes," says Krishna.

...and they would be spreading love not Chinese plastic. LOVE, it doesn't cost anything and the more of it you give away the more you get back. That's better than any deal you'll get at Briscoes!!!