An Indecent Proposal

In the 18^th century that great Anglo Irish writer Jonathan Swift, wrote a treatise called “ An Indecent Proposal”. Appalled by the poverty surrounding him in Dublin city, he proposed that rather than abandon children to a life of poverty and starvation in the filthy streets of the time, that a society that clearly didn’t care for all its children equally would be better off fattening them up and selling them as food.

His article caused an uproar. Dean Swift, author of “Gulliver’s Travels” is proposing that we eat children? Shock and horror!

They didn’t get it; come to think of it they didn’t get “Gulliver’s Travels” either. People may criticise the USA but don’t let us forget that the current incumbant of the presidency has been subjected to a sustained campaign of vilification since the day he took office. People are not thrown out of the country because they criticise the Republican regime; indeed some, like Michael Moore, become rich on it.

This freedom to criticise and have a laugh at the expense of our leaders adds greatly to the gaiety of nations. Unfortunately, though, in some countries, the freedom to poke fun at rulers and their funny little ways is not as cherished as it is in Ireland, say, or France.

Off with their heads, say these little rulers of modern day Ruritanias! Well,maybe not that, but certainly if you veer away from happy-clappy positivity,, you may rightly fear the knock of the door, followed by the swift bundling into an aeroplane and out of said earthly paradise.

In such countries, you would well believe it if you heard that there was a small room somewhere where men with black felt tipped pens doggedly go through all the newspapers and books coming into a country. When they see a picture they consider suggestive – say an African woman suckling a baby in National Geographic or a reproduction of an Ingres painting, in the Sunday Times, out comes the makers so that the page can be rendered decent.

Does it happen – of course not! What civilised country doesn’t allow its citizens to make their own choices about what is decent or not? What enlightened society doesn’t allow women the freedom to become president if they so wish?

Yes indeed, the world is so perfect that we’re all going to die of boredom . Nothing to niggle or upset us; perfect equality between all religions and classes; immigrants paid a fair wage; art and culture promoted; the earth that sustains us looked after and cherished.

Thanks heavens we don’t need a Dean Swift any more!