Absurd acts of obstruction

Absurd acts of obstruction

I sat amazed in a traffic jam observing Indonesian drivers
vying for an inch of space, while outside their mostly leaded
cars, poor children hawking their wares or musical talents for
spare change. It wasn't until we reached the traffic lights
that the gridlock revealed a shameful picture. The intersection
was blocked perpendicularly only. Directly ahead of us the road
was absolutely clear of traffic. What's wrong with this picture I
thought? It reeked of a painful and sorry truth and that is a
dire need for compassion.

1. For our humanity. Shouldn't these children be at school
wanting to become a pilot or something instead of one day
becoming a medical burden, for all the poisonous lead their
little growing lungs consume?

2. For our environment. People now assume that as long as the
lights are green it is their right to enter and sit within the
intersection, and commit other countless acts of obstruction to
the natural flow of traffic. It's so wrong allowing this
inconsiderate behavior to continue.

What can be done immediately to improve this appalling
onslaught of pollution on this astonishing planet of ours? This
planet which generously bestrew the gift of life itself. Humbly
enough, not only in Indonesia. Though it's largely populated, its
people are hugely ignorant of environment issues and the impact
of Indonesia's pollution on the rest of the world. We all concur
that poverty and lack of education are the key factors. Until the
day of better distribution of funds and education. Here are two
simple suggestions with immediate benefits.

1. Call on multinationals or manufacturers of air filter masks
to print their logos or slogans on the actual masks and have them
distributed among traffic beggars. What a powerful advertising
tool and sensational message, not to mention humanitarian act.

2. Make it an offense to enter an intersection until the
intersection has been cleared of all traffic. Why don't you, the
educated passenger, refrain your driver from committing these
selfish, absurd acts of obstruction?

Our planet and our people are suffering. I'm not a
multinational nor a manufacturer, all I have is 18 years of
advertising to bring to a worthy cause, who else will contribute
toward a healthier future?

L. SHAW

Jakarta