Life is bewildering

Life is bewildering

My nephew, who is an ardent admirer of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), followed closely
on television the presidential voting between Megawati
Soekarnoputri and Abdurrahman Wahid. When Megawati finally lost
the battle, he was so disappointed and angry that he vented his
anger by punching the wall in front of him. He grimaced with pain
when he smashed his knuckles. I don't know how to describe such
behavior; is it overacting or simply childish?

There is another story which is no less bewildering. Our
family doctor's younger brother, a high school student who
happened to be riding in a bus passing a place where a student
brawl was taking place, was suddenly confronted by some students.
Despite his strong protest that he did not belong to the brawling
teenagers, one of the students hit his right arm with a piece of
wood. As a result his wrist was broken. According to the doctor,
it would take a few months to heal.

Is it not outrageous? Are we living in the stone age? How many
students have been killed in brutal brawls that often happen in
the city. I shudder at the thought that the country's current
students will become the nation's leaders in future.

A. DJUANA

Jakarta