Menosukhi - a wee tad menoloopal, laced with hope.

Have been trying to shake off some images from a "Storyville" program watched late last week. These shows take up news items and work them more deeply than any newspaper or current affairs production would do. An admirable task; though it does lead to some harrowing viewing.

I once watched quite a lot of telly - though did try to remain discerning as to what. Nowadays, I generally find the telly an imposition. I switch it on for the news, maybe a game show or two (University Challenge is a life long favourite). Other choices are very much of the mood of the moment, and DVDs generally more convenient. More often than not I opt for silence. I do like a decent mystery though, and educational proggies such as history, science or anything to do with animals and nature.

It was the latter which informed the decision to switch on for Storyville. I knew it was not going to be easy - the leadups made clear it was about the death of an elephant, but I was intrigued to find out the view of the handlers.

Needless to say, (with one exception) there was very little in the way of remorse.

It remains a total mystery to me how seemingly intelligent beings, who claim to love their children, families and whatever else they name, can in the same breath say that other creatures require harsh and even life-threatening punishments in order to 'tame' them. They clearly do not understand 'Love' at all.

Does it not compute in their walnut brains that an animal - any animal - taken out of its natural environment, is going to be less than happy and not keen to cooperate; that fear is the only thing which is keeping them in place and that, eventually, fear may turn to rage? Another Storyville item was about the orca Tillicum, who, distressingly, remains at Seaworld. Another orca, Kasatka, also at Seaworld, has shown her aggression too, yet still those people proceed to breed from her (artificially). I am one hundred percent in favour of conservation, but am deeply sceptical about the motives of places which make animals perform.

It is the same mentality which presided during the times of the early slave trade; the thinking that other than white Caucasians, there could be no sense of self, any feeling, any intelligence. Modern-day slavery is not about even this much in the way of rationalisation - it is purely greed driven.

Man's inhumanity to Man and his fellow creatures, continually throws up the dreadful truth that there are those who exist on this Earth who have not one iota of the capital 'ell' among them.

My heart aches for a world where such ignorance remains. Solace is found by supporting those who can make the physical and political efforts to eradicate the darkness and in praying that with each passing year, softer minds, gentler hands and kinder souls will rise. High ideals and strong humanitarian values must prevail. It has been observed in various corners, that some will say - "oh but your values are not my values"... which is missing the point entirely. Genuine values are universal. They may be couched in different language, but the essence is multilingual.

Indulge yourself in Pure Love of the capital 'ell' variety, dear readers. Pray that the Tykes and the Tillicums are eased of their angst. Pray that the children of the world come to know safety. Pray that traffickers of all varieties are called to justice. Do not think prayer to be the domain of the 'religious'; if you have the capacity to sit in silence, focused only on the subject of your Love and Compassion, with thoughts for their improved circumstances, you have prayer in your toolbag of life!

Do not underestimate your own power to add to the difference which can effect change in the world.

Thank you for listening. Yours with the capital 'ell', YAM xx