serpent and white guy

In 7 days today, there were two news items that caught my attention:

1) The headline read FROM THE DEEP, and it was in big white letters, on a big picture of the Jebel Ali side of the beach, where there were two sunbathers, and out in the water, the rising of a terrifying GIANT serpent. And then the caption said: "Granted, it probably doesn't look quite like this, but there's something fishy going on in Jebel Ali. I was confused for a while there, and then I came around to reading the byline "Experts say mystery creature biting bathers brought into our waters by construction". What?! However HUGE construction projects are in the region, they would never be able to bring a humongous sea monster to the shore, because (yep, sorry to disappoint the readers), no such creature exists. And the graphic artist who added Mr. Serpent using Photoshop wasn't even that good. My friend Ria could do it MUCH better, only she wouldn't , as she knows it's crazy to publish a "cured" photo on the frontpage of a newspaper (even a tabloid). Not ethical, and not appropriate, as it is not a Harry Potter book cover. A reputable paper must scream FACTS. I know it's a way to grab readers' attention, but then make them feel mislead or disappointed in the end.

2) "Praise for Botha". Botha, an old white guy who used to rule South Africa and lived for apartheid (he had an all-whites government policy), died in his sleep last night. And while the native Africans were expected to celebrate, Nelson Mandela honored him and gave him nothing but praise. For taking steps to pave the way to the end of apartheid, for allowing the blacks to reclaim their country once again. Unbelievable. Very very inspiring. It made me want to upgrade my state of mind (as I have done that just recently), and see the good in everyone. While it may seem like common sense, it is so hard for all of us to do that, but taking the first step --- which is swallowing your pride like bad phlegm you don't want to see in the sink but dissolved with hot lemon tea. I have to write more about people who inspire me. And no, I'm not talking about that millionaire who builds towers all over the city.

Yep. That's about it for this morning.