DUNCES WITH FOOLS

DUNCES WITH FOOLS

    I remember the award-winning movie “Dances With Wolves”; Kevin Costner’s role as a cavalry lieutenant whose request to be posted at the frontier was granted; and his eventual encounter with a Sioux tribe temporarily settled in the same location. It taught me a truth, or a reality, in life which I learned way after I repeatedly watched the film. In relation to this would be the phrase I often heard since a child: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

     It turns out, in this world; the majority always sets the tone or the standards of how things are to be. If one wants to be accepted; he should ‘play along’ and become like the many or else, be rejected. I have seen faults, shortcomings, inadequacy, mediocrity, and all such items which can be improved or corrected in communities and clusters of individuals. When having attempted to right these wrongs and flaws, because a majority of persons were practicing the latter; it became apparent that I was not accepted, nor were my efforts appreciated. The alternatives I had was to either disregard my principles/standards and degrade myself by emulating their actions; or stand firm and allow myself to be scorned. Fortunately, varying circumstances rewarded me the privilege to exist with both; since there were a few who shared the same sentiments, and others who chose to remain idiotic, but affable enough to concede when interacting with me.

    Irrationality and obstinacy, put into play by the multitude, will justify even what is errant. Because it is ‘in’; it will be what is accepted. Anything better than this; any effort to enhance what is presently mod; is condemned. Moreover, not only are the suggested methods and/or remedies despised; but the soul that offered it will be considered an outcast.

    As disagreeable as this axiom is, I considered it a practical strategy to work out a compromise. So I introduced my coffee and guns to the indigenous folks I had to exist with; and took a whiff of their spiritual pipe then danced around a campfire like a mad fool. 

WBF, WWF, WTF: "Is This The Real Thing? Is This Just Fantasy"

WBF, WWF, WTF: “Is This The Real Thing? Is This Just Fantasy?”

  

   In the days of the Roman Empire, people reveled in the deaths of prisoners and slaves; used as a form of entertainment and compelled to extend their existence by taking away those of others who stood in the similar predicament; and all for the sake of mollifying the blood-thirsty spirit of the masses. Perhaps they were so jaded and dissatisfied with the monotonous life which ensued from the legionnaire armies’ countless victories that their ruler and his constituents needed to provide a different manner of placating their craving. If the phrase “putting color in one’s life” was already part of the general dialect then; the tint of hemoglobin would have been the means of fulfilling such an act.

     In the 80’s, there was a program aired on television called ‘Ring Gladiators’. To the mind of someone ignorant of what professional wrestling really stood for; all the pugilistic behavior displayed by the protagonists appeared true to form. The adult die-hard fanatics of this spectacle, seated among the bleachers; cheering or booing the antics of the vaudeville participants, could presumably be suspected of being involved in the overall satire.

    Professional boxing would give the impression that it was more authentic compared to a number of actors feigning bellicose personalities inside the ring. But if the ardent followers of this sport would give a more keen sense of notice to what is recently occurring; they might just realize that this, too, is just another form of revelry ensuing from litigation done outside of their awareness.

    When boxers make the climb to fortune and fame, their performances are obviously laudable; hence making them worthy of the acclaim given them. They are more aggressive and act with determination when situated before their opponents; emulating the desperate souls standing at the center of the Roman Coliseum. In the early days of their rise to glory; their indisputable victories came by bringing their adversaries down to the canvas with knockdowns and knock-outs; or obliging the referee to stop the fight by maiming the other competitor. But when they are at the pinnacle of their career, the hostility in their competitive strategies begin to fade; and bouts usually end by the will of judges who may inspire skepticism for being involved in a grand scheme involving the event’s results and consecutive outcome.

    Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has stood as a national icon, admired and endeared by the Filipino people after having impressively pummeled numerous individuals he faced in the ring; rendering them unconscious or helplessly batter by the strength of his blows and his clever strategic movements. However, his previous fights have all ended by decisions. Would this be a sign of his aging; the falter of his capabilities; or an impassive attitude toward his career since he has attained what once was his ambition: possession of wealth and prestige that this sport brought him?

    When the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight comes to realization;(IF it does come to realization, knowing all the contemptuous alibis that may hinder it), the Philippines’ “Pambansang Kamao” can remove himself from the ranks of fighters described above by emphatically defeating Floyd Mayweather in a manner that will cause shame and degradation to the latter’s image.

    Provided these two competitors have not yet worked out a clandestine agreement for their mutual benefit; it being a fact that they BOTH have already reached their prime.