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