An Intent - A Personification

I am always hidden
yet highly sought after?
I beget every action
but then I cease to matter.
Unless things go wrong!
And then I'm hunted!
They want me, one and all
if only to defend or take offense.
Yet mostly I am a 'pretend'
one that you can't contend,
so well hidden am I.
My covertness on guile depends;
tact with respectable demeanor
which to some the body lends.
Sadly, on my own I cannot fend,
but usually on language depend.
Who I am, and what I become
wish I could control that one.
More oft than not...
a disarming smile,
and I'm undone.
Yet it's me by which people abide;
whether it's life or death, I decide.
Covertly I'm all important,
an overt me, nobody would care.
Sadly, I matter most
when I am not
or don't appear to be.

The 'Mahatma' Blinded in NY City - Is there a message therein?

The Mahatma doesn’t need to see

The bloodshed and the poverty

of a weary n' strife-torn humanity.

The Mahatma won’t want to see

Wall Street' s corruption and apathy

that's sapping dry the US economy.

The Mahatma had better not see

educators aspire to mediocrity

and dwindling student alacrity.

The Mahatma shouldn’t have to see

the manifestations of ethical paucity

in trends and choices bereft of nobility.

The Mahatma mustn’t want to see

the end of human virtuosity.

Then why replace Gandhi's glasses? That’ll let the Mahatma see!!

Full Veil Niquab Ban in France _ Sarkozy's 'Veiled' Agenda?

"France's ban on full face veils, a first in Europe, went into force on Monday, making anyone wearing the Muslim niqab or burqa in public liable to a fine of 150 euros (133 pounds) or lessons in French citizenship."

France has a 5 million Muslim population of which less than 2000 wear the face veil and it is this small group of individuals that will be affected by the new law that went into effect today. However, contrary to expectation, France protested this law but in a controlled and subdued manner as compared to the rage and criticism expressed by Muslims living abroad who called the law an "impingement on religious freedom".

In 2004, Sarkozy's Government had banned the use of head scarves and other religious symbols in schools, as a step toward enforcing the separateness of church and state. At the time Sarkozy went as far as to call " these veils “unwelcome in France” as a symbol of the subjugation of women and backed the call for an inquiry. Today's law will ban veils and niquabs in all public places which includes streets and public transportation, and one wonders whether Sarkozy is using this measure to improve his public approval ratings in a France caught in the grip of Islamaphobia.