ONE cannot be envious of the legacy of the developing countries. For, the imperialists used these countries to their end.

Had it not been for the Boston Tea party and some patriots that took up cudgels against the British the course of the USA might well have been different and instead of being a leading country today it might have been a vassal state of the mother country.

Very early on, the leaders of the United States took it upon themselves to take on the mother country and how well their leaders did it. Even in the 21st century their actions stand out despite the fact that these were taken in the 18th century. The people of the USA need to be grateful to those leaders for truly bringing in a system that allowed for equal opportunity for all.

That the USA has been a sanctuary for the intellectual, barring short periods in its history, has led to its going places. It is the thought and the freedom to act that has allowed the United States to forge ahead. It is a combination of factors and I am afraid it will take a long time for the developing countries to understand that meaning of freedom. There was this y-cadet turned political leader who was once asked ‘Is there freedom of thought in Pakistan’ and he replied ‘Yes. There is. You can sit in a train and go from Peshawar to Quetta; from Karachi to Landhi Kotal. Who said there is no freedom.’ That ended the conversation for he had never heard of intellectual travel. In fact he was where he was because of lack of it and not because of it. The legacy that resulted was one in which those that were in interaction with the colonizers became the successors to those very colonizers. The contractors became the manufacturers, the favour-seekers did not know anything better and therefore they were of the same mould as their predecessors.

Consider the manufacturing sector and the role of the industrialist. I am loath to call them entrepreneurs because they bore no risk. Slowly and surely the country became a vassal state to this mafia. To start with, the financial improprieties that they indulged in was of cancerous kind. Only the doctor gained, the patient was bound to die. They had, by the corrupting power of the money,been able to cheat, to cheat each and every one. They were able to take money outside the country. It was feasible They are petty buggers. The jagga collectors of the ethnic minority in Karachi are also of the limited kind. This was one kind of jagga that I have indicated. There are others. So let us visit them but some time later.

The tragedy of these parasites is understandable. They want to protect their turf at all costs. Their collective fund for handling these matters is more than the budget of any ministry in the federal government. They can purchase and sell any one. No one is immune from them. You stand in their way and see what happens. They will carry out a tirade against you and threaten you with all kinds of consequences. On occasions they have been known to even have the courage to say we will see how you exist. Vicious is not the word.

So the country and its mafia will continue and has continued. Long ears and short brains was never the strength of the 18th century United States. Long brains and short ears may have been. But the fact still remains ‘How do you take on the mafias.’ Some more are in the process of being created. They will no doubt add to the perverted colour of this country and to the stink that is already becoming unbearable.

I have been told that the line of least resistance is the best. Is that what this country was created for? Is this the only strength of the people of the country? To sit in mute silence while rape is going on? To the feudal where ever he is, good luck.