The video clip

So I did survive the chicken salad at McDonald's. I went further than that. Seeing that I have missed out on all the Christmas culinary niceties, I decided I really also deserved a Baci ice-cream as payment for all stress and gut incontinence. And it was fine, is must have been because I have lived to tell the tale to a day which I cannot stand much. It's the Strina day, when everyone huddles themselves opposite their TV plasma screens, or even a humble old TV screen to watch people going nuts. And because people like watching other people sing and act themselves silly, that means they will be donating money. I have no qualms about the donation bit. But really, do we have to watch clips of sick and disabled people at their worst every five minutes? Isn't that stripping them of their dignity? And no, I don't think that the ends justifies the means. People can amuse themselves silly and donate money, that is not a problem because for TV people like my twin, that means exposure and they choose to do it without anybody forcing them to. But for the other people who are less well off physically, mentally and whatever else, then no, reeling video clips of how these people are suffering is not on. If that is what it really takes to appeal to the population to donate for charity, then this is a country I'd rather not be in on days like today. And it's not because these video clips are ugly or anything of the sort. I am not complaining because I'd rather not see these people since they make me sick to my stomach. No, hell no. I am used to it, we had it in our family, we somehow managed, and we know what it's like to have people stop and stare as if we were some green people disembarking off a UFO. It's rude, and unkind to stop and stare at disabled people. And a lot of people will agree with me here. Why then, isn't it rude and unkind to stare at these people just because they are being aired on TV, so that gives us the opportunity to stare at them every five minutes while we're cosily curled on our sofa? It's the same, only worse. And do we Maltese really have to see physically twisted people to do out bit and think of the people who are less lucky? If it is the case, then I guess, it's us being mentally twisted and not the every-5-minute-video-clip. And perhaps they should turn the cameras to us who are comfortable seated, munching some mince pie, and being amused. I can take the TV personalities doing all the silly things in the world, I can take MP's doing all the silly things in the world. They're funny, and we get to see their less pedantic side. And they're funny because they have had their say, they know very well they are being caught on tape, and theirs is a bid to collect money for charity by looking silly. That's ok, quite commendable too. But it's not funny to watch that video clip. And while it perhaps is the only way that can reach some hardened hearts, I am not so sure. Because again, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and in this case they are heartbreaking, not for us, we can handle it. But what if we were them? Would we think it's a very good intention? And would we walk down that rocky path?