Robert Hawkins

A few days ago, in the US, Robert Hawkins walked into a mall, killed eight shoppers before killing himself. Isolation and depression are problems that seem to have become symptomatic with the US teenagers. Such shootouts are becoming a regular feature there. I wonder what President Bush will do, given his penchant for raiding a nation for any US national killed. Such incidents have killed more US citizens than in terrorist attacks since 9/11.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3012136.ece

Please do click on the link given above. It’s a news article on the murder. There are a few views at the bottom of the page. One of them is by Maureen, Denison, Iowa. The comment goes thus:

Parents, you need to love your kids when they are little. Watch what you say and do. They are very fragile . I have heard parents call their children stupid and idiots. That is DEGRADING. we are all guilty of this Stop the ABUSE. Be aware of other peoples feelings and care about other people . I had a wonderful son who commited suicide 25 years ago and thank the Lord he didn't take anyone with him. I just wish Roberts parents would have been there for him and this maybe would of had a differant outcome.Bless all the families who suffered a loss and God Bless You All

This woman actually feels good that her son committed suicide without murdering anyone else and, on re-reading the comment a few times, I think she actually seems to think she has done a good job at parenting!

Lets move away from depressing stories.

Animation and me:

I simply dig animation movies. I guess that is a natural progression for a child who devoured comics. Given a choice I would rather watch Cartoon Network the whole day. Animated characters not only have human qualities, they also go beyond human endurance limits. That’s why one doesn’t flinch when Nemo’s father swims all the way to Australia in search of his son.

Finding Nemo is incidentally my favourite movie. Along with The Lion King.

Past two days, I had the good fortune of catching up with two more films on DVD. Ratatouille and Surf’s Up. For anyone who likes, forget loves, animation films, do watch them, in case you haven’t. with the advancement of technology, the animation characters are getting so real. I could actually feel the rat and the penguin breathing in the two movies.

I am keenly waiting for Hanuman Returns. It should be good fun.

Violin playing Robot:

Do read the article that left me both awestruck and embarrassed.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071206141647.92lzyqx2&show_article=1

The fact that a root was capable of playing violin left me awestruck. What embarrasses me was the fact that, some years ago, I couldn’t learn playing guitar. Maybe I didn’t try hard enough. Hopefully, its not too late yet.

Of course, there was another interesting comment on that article. By a person called Gary….

The Japanese have been very active in developing anthropomorphic robot servants like this. Too bad they aren’t dealing with the backstory — the elderly, especially in Asian societies, used to be cared for by their families.

With that I sign off.

Good night.