You know it is election season on these islands when butterflies start switching allegiances.

In a political system where the absence of clear-cut and definite platforms and agenda is the norm, expediency and self-preservation become every politician’s overriding concerns. Nothing else comes close — not genuine concern and care for the common people; nothing that even remotely resembles adherence to statesmanship.

Alas, one other thing that signals the coming of the country’s biggest circus is when politicians and their cohorts start calling their opponents names. Actually being done the whole year round, name-calling gets to cacophonous levels during election season.

Take the case of that old man of traditional politics moonlighting as a broadsheet columnist. He wrote a blind item alleging that a leading presidential candidate was autistic. Another columnist picked that up and made more allegations implying the same thing. It is so easy to pick on somebody who are powerless and, hence, cannot defend themselves.

How can autistic children protect themselves from the physically and mentally well-equipped scums of the world? And would these scums ever see the light, and start living honest and upright lives?
Apple releasing a line of netbooks seems more likely than these scums becoming humans.

Changing Phones

For some mobile subscribers, letting go of their old and trusty handsets and buying a new one can bring about some psychological pains. And since all electronic devices, no matter how cool they are, ultimately fall prey to time’s clutches, mobile phone users should be ready for some separation anxiety and heartaches along the way.

While most tech lovers are excited by those sweet-smelling, shiny new toys (There are only a few things more thrilling than unboxing a new mobile phone or some other gadget.), some consumers find it hard to let go of their ageing devices.

Conserve Energy

Everybody is talking about sustainable energy. With today’s rising oil prices and declining stocks of fossil fuels, it certainly makes sense to find or develop ways of generating clean and sustainable energy. That is why scientists are working nonstop to come up with better ways of powering up our homes, factories, cars, and electronic equipment and toys.

Some observers, however, are telling us that the fastest and cheapest means of ensuring the availability of power is conserving what we currently have. We want our power supplies to last longer? Then use energy efficiently, they say.

Only fools and corrupt politicians would disagree.