Ah, and Scammers.
Lately, many people, including the Prime Minister, have written about Spirits. The negative one like Demons and Devils have a word in Malay -- Iblis -- which was used by dear Pak Lah. I was proud he used that word because it was about time he spoke what was on his mind, after holding his tongue for so long -- former DPM described it as keeping "elegant silence"; Mr Opposition countered it was "inelegant". Many haeds spent volumes wondering a certain MSM journalist was spinning changing "elegant" to "eloquence" -- and many of these were the "same" mouthers/ defenders of "shoot that 'Gina' ...for good" remark by Ilmran...I believe too much politics in blogsworld recently has made many usually sane minds go bonkers...
Another friend shared with Desi about the problem of "spammers" in Blogging. All of us would face this "unwelcome" category of visitors at one time or another... usually they visit in "da Steal of the Nite"...(with apologies to Mave SM who keeps Desi in check from overkilling...).
I was once asked by another ER if I entertain Anonymous bloggers seriously; I told her NO.
Another ER asked me to the face when I replied to her query if I cared to visit a certain weblog, so to be consistent to my earlier answer, I said I don't take seriously to people blogging on serious issues behind Anonymity. I got an advice that I should read the contents, forget the face behind the writes.
Being an idealist, I would like to see or know the singer as well as listen to the song. Hence, beautiful songs of faith by beautiful Faith Hill. Inspirational songs by towering Johnny Cash. I'll stop belabouring this point. Actually I was reluctant to take on this topic, but it weighed on my mind. Just like certain blogsworld friends -- they are, like Willie Nelson sings, (You're) Always On My Mind.
I felt constrained in elaborating on my answers because I would then have to share "personal" experiences to anchor my stands/stances, which I am reluctant. After sitting on the egg for about a week or so, today I break my elegant silence. A FEW DAYS AFTER MY ESTEEMED PRIME MINISTER DID HIS -- See, the power of association?
Okay, the following is especially dedicated to Helen, inspired also by a Fashionista and a Libbie, whom I have not met but like I say, our personae coalesce -- doe they collide sometimes? -- much. I'm happy we connect, and I trust one day we will meet and become Reality friends, graduating fom cyber, Yes?
You would have noticed that in certain Posts at Desi's -- these are normally Posts discussing national issues, chiefly touching on politics, civil society, and occasionally, race and religion -- I disallowed Commenters without a pseudonym that links to a website/blog, that is, what I term "Anonymous" commenters. Pennames e.g. Anak Merdeka and Twisted Heelsand Sweetspirits are alright by Desi as they connect to blogsites with whom I can interact, and I am proud to say I read the "personlaity" behind these two names, for instance, pretty well. (Does the reverse hold,you ask them and get back to me, SEMUANYA OK?:)
So my reservations in engaging with Anon, maybe I'm paraphrasing RPK (who I hold in high esteem for writing without fear or favour) a bit here, so some thoughts coincide ~~
What are there son many Malaysians so full of opinions that they are so vocal about -- writing under various nicknames -- but dare not identify themselves? I have commenters coming writing under different nciks -- black panda, white panda, fierce panda etc, etc pandering to his ever-chaning fancies and inclinations -- are these people serious?
I have enough experience there are many "spammers" coming in to spoil for a fight! I had had first hand experience of Agitators and even a case of a now-famous Blogger who writes in under various nicks to amplify his "particular school" of thought. You want name/s? Buy me tehtarik at Haridas', or better still, send me an Email plus a check for r0million... Desi has become quite mercenary nowadays -- influenced by the politics of the day?
On balance, I find the conversationists who visit regularly are more than proud to identify themselves, and also stand proudly with their views, consistent and in tandem with their "character" that has formed in my mind. Yes, you are always on my mind, and I often ask my guardian angels to waxtch over my Blogsworld friends too.
To such sweetspirits is a poem I borrow from my Sifu, Max Ehrmann:
The Noise of the City
If the noise of the city offend you,
go ahead when you may, with the birds and
the wild, free life that troubles not;
The growing grain and the placid sky
have a kind of voice; and though you are
alone, the boundlessness of the universe
is with you.
Go afield and dream and forget:
and you will see that you are changed when
you return and the lights of the city
gleam in the twilight.
When Desiderata wrote about Demons, Ghouls & Iblis, Devils
last Friday, it was mainly a sigh of relief that finally our
Esteemed Prime Minister fell back to his 'spiritual" soul in him
to rebut the strongest challenge -- IMHO-lah -- that has been
levelled at him, for months. I salute his "enduring" spirit.
Many of my ER would deem that a weakness (I gather tis inference
from their blog writings or comments!), I call that a "redeeming" asset
of a national leader -- and that's why we are lucky to have him as PM for now.
There is such a thing as "hiting below the belt". Pak Lah the
Mr Nice Guy had had taken many Blows Below The Belt before he
resorted to the metaphor of Iblis and Adam to convey a
"subtle" message to fellow Malaysians I hope the "majority" of
the Rakyet received the message. Decoding is quite an interesting
past-time at Desi's Place. If you have doubt, email me,
accompanied by a check, NOT kangaroo please.
Meanwhile, have a nice Sunday ahead. If you can find Desi through
the Furong Maze, I'll but thee CON BF at the usual korner from 9.00AM
through 11.30AM; ask Anak Merdeka for directions.
If she claims Ignorance, Ignorance is Iblis.
On parting, a minor dedication to mGf in blogosphere~~
Remember me in thy prayers
Just as Desi would in his
That our spirits be calm and genteel
as we bid farewell to each tired day
That the breeze of nightfall blows
an Angelic wind
To calm jagged nerves
Restores some smoothness
on the furrowed brow
Beware that through all the
cacophony of manmade sounds
There sometimes lurks an Iblis
Selling a smile in disguise
Putting a few foul dollars in one's ready palm
But when one's bodily needs easily succumb
The priceless soul is slowly corroded
And during this Double Ghost Ghost season
There roam many hungry ghosts
Actually they are just
Devils in disguise
Could be a commoner
like you and me
Could also be a
VVIP.
May my and your guardian angels
combine forces
To watch over us because we deserve it
We are God-fearing creatures
Sweetspirits all.
Finally, the nigh-springtime winds carried these sweetnotes from Down Under to Seremban valley so thae Desi can have a GOoD APpetite for CON BF eight hours hence...Thanks to a sweetspirit.
Friday, August 11, 2006
EVERYTHING
Find me here
and speak to me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
you are the light
that's leading me
to the place
where I find peace again
you are the strength
that keeps me walking
you are the hope
that keeps me trusting
you are the life
to my soul
you are my purpose
you're everything
and how can I
stand here with you
and not be moved by you
would you tell me
how could it be
any better than this yeah
you calm the storms
and you give me rest
you hold me in your hands
you won't let me fall
you still my heart
and you take my breath away
would you take me in
take me deeper now
and how can I
stand here with you
and not be moved by you
would you tell me
how could it be
any better than this
and how can I
stand here with you
and not be moved by you
would you tell me
how could it be
any better than this
cause you're all I want
you're all I need
you're everything
everything
you're all I want
you're all I need
you're everything
everything
you're all I want
you're all I need
you're everything
everything
you're all I want
you're all I need
you're everything
everything
and how can I
stand here with you
and not be moved by you
would you tell me
how could it be
any better than this
and how can I
stand here with you
and not be moved by you
would you tell me
how could it be
any better than this
would you tell me
how could it be
any better than this.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Asking for special treatment,eh?
Frankly, Desi won't blame the Government for many instances of commssion of DOUBLE STANDARDS. Often it's the people themselves asking for such treatment.
WITNESS the news yesterday, in The Star:~~
Friday August 11, 2006
Discussion ban on all, says Radzi
KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad has reminded all groups, including Muslims, not to organise inter-religious discussion forums which are deemed sensitive.
“What the Prime Minister said is meant for everybody. It is not applicable only to non-Muslims,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“The Prime Minister asked everyone to cool off and hold on. I don’t know why some Muslims groups should be doing it now. It will only create unnecessary misunderstanding, tension and suspicion.”
Radzi said the groups should call off the conferences and seminars.
“I’m not trying to pick on the opposition but it is irrespective of political party. Religion is sensitive. Everyone should follow the Prime Minister’s advice and stop (inter-faith discussions),” he said.
A group calling itself Secretariat Himpunan Ulama Rantau Asia (Shura) is organising a two-day seminar at Hotel de Palma, Shah Alam, over the weekend to discuss Challenges Facing the Muslims.
The secretariat, when contacted, confirmed there would be discussions on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution and the Lina Joy case, among other things. Article 11 refers to freedom of religion.
At the Shura seminar, Jemaah Islah Malaysia president Zaid Kamarudin will speak on The Issue of Freedom and Human Rights in a Democratic Nation, while Abim’s Dr Nur Manuty is expected to present a paper on Religious Pluralism: From an Islamic Perspective, while PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Md Isa will talk on Big Agenda for Muslims to Combat Apostasy.
Another group calling itself Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic Non-governmental Organisations, a coalition of 14 Muslim NGOs, is organising a seminar on Challenges on the Rights of Muslims on Saturday at Hotel Plaza.
Last week, several university Muslim student bodies held discussions at Universiti Malaya to oppose the Article 11 forums and express unhappiness over incidents, which they said challenged Islam.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had on May 25 called for the immediate stoppage of inter-faith forums, including on Article 11, because they were deemed to have caused tension in the multi-religious society.
The Prime Minister had then said the Government would act against those who did not heed the warning.
The forums were organised by Article 11, an umbrella body of 13 NGOs which came together following concerns over cases involving inter-faith issues.
~~~~~~~
WITNESS the news today,in The Star page N31:
Groups: Our talks
on Muslims not
against PM's oder
KUALA LUMPUR: Two groups organising semionars
on the challenges facing Muslims said their programmes would
go on because they believe these do not contradict the
Prime Minister's directive to lay off inter-religious issues.
Secretariat Himpunan Ulama Rantau Asia (Shura) and the Allied
Coordinating Committee of Isalmic non-governmental organisations
(Accin) said they were not going to specifically touch on Article
11 of the Federal Constitution, which refers to freedom of religion.
:
"We are focusing on international issues such as the different
mazhabs (schools of thought), like Sunni and Sh'ite, and the
Muslim world as a whole," said Shura chairman Abdul Ghani Shamsudin.
"Our speakers and delegates are scholars from all over.
They are learned people.
"If one or two of our speakers indirectly touch on
Article 11, we can't stop them because that is within their right.
"But it won't cause religious tension because this will be
from an educated and knowledgeable perspective and not to incite
people to riot," Abdul Ghani said.
He stressed that Article 11 was not the focus of the seminar.
"When scholars have discussion, the temperature is different. It is done in a learned way," he added.
~~~~~~~~~~~
DESIDERATA: I won't comment much but ask my ER to note the HIGHLIGHTED PORTIONS (Desi's BOLDING THUS). Just wonder whether this Shura guy wants us to take his "words" as gospel assurances, and his implications that his group and participants are "learned" but not those who organised the Article 11 Forums IN PENANG AND JOHOR BARU RECENTLY, BOTH ENDED PREMATURELY BY THE PROTESTERS WHO MOST LIKELY ALSO COMPRISED SOME OF THESE LEARNED PEOPLE.
"...temperature...different" Yeah, how? Lower, or Higher? Shura has a golden thermometer, yes?
I am amazed by this Shura guy's line...""If one or two of our speakers indirectly touch on Article 11, we can't stop them because that is within their right.
WoW, such great assurance in the same breath earlier that "...they were not going to specifically touch on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which refers to freedom of religion."
In Malaysia they feed differenyt diets to the Goose up north and the Gander down south or central? Or a better analogy is that It's gold when Shura spokesman spits fire; it's shit when Desi speaks, IS IT?
I hope my ER would ponder over the two news items above if you agree that some of our Malaysian brethren are calling on the Government to practise DOUBLE STANDARDS, which already it has been guilty of many times over. I pray IT won't add one more soon ...
When it comes to discussions on Religion and on cultural milieu I'm not adequately ionformed about -- especially outside my own limited field of knowledge -- I usually seek other resources which I deem to be better equipped, so I rely on another item to share. Thinking ALLOWED, is there a THREAD between the following extract and the foregoing reports, please feedback me, mty dear ER.
So for spirited starters,or dessert after lunch, I reprise substantially from Raja Petra Kamarudin's August 8, 2006's post entitled
Dear Waiter 2
:
:
"...I realise when you read some of the comments by the Malay readers, who are Muslims by birth but not necessarily by practice mind you, it gives an impression that Malaysia is no better than Iran or Afghanistan. Actually, these are postings of but a handful of readers who certainly do not represent the view of the majority of Malaysians. I mean, when we get an enormous number of hits a day, we are bound to attract a dozen or so weirdoes who talk from the other end of their anatomy, if you know what I mean. I am sure even in the UK you come across patronising bigots and narrow-minded individuals who make you sick. But just like what you do in the UK, in Malaysia we too ignore them and pass them off as numbskulls that need not be given the time of day. Malaysians in general are a friendly lot, but unfortunately they would rather remain the silent majority while these few dear-know-alls monopolise the stage and give the impression that they speak for the majority.
I too sometimes feel like screaming when I read or hear what they write or say. But then, if I do that, I would also be viewed as a nut. So, instead, I retaliate by writing uncomplimentary articles in my column and take them to task. Then I sit back and enjoy the spectacle of all these people crawling out from their holes to scream and holler that I am an apostate, enemy of Islam, ignorant (the word they use on me is ‘jahil’, the Arabic word for ignorant), and much more. It is actually quite funny watching these narrow-minded people telling me how ignorant I am. Most times they do not even understand what I am saying, but they not only pretend they do, they also try to give this impression that they are more learned than me and that they have studied Islam thoroughly and know more about Islam than even Prophet Muhammad himself.
I do not of course want to reveal to them where I have studied religion and who my tutors were. I purposely allow this perception that I am unlearned. It is more fun when they whack me with this holier-than-thou and I-am-more-learned-than-you attitude. If I were to attack them and challenge their view on Islam, then they would go on the defensive. I tried that a few times but they do not respond to that. They keep quiet and ignore me and pretend that they did not read what I wrote. For example, as a joke, I inserted a ten-point ‘test’ questionnaire which I called ‘ujian keislaman’ in my previous article and all those who had earlier been screaming and shouting about Islam did not dare take the test. It’s really very hilarious.
Anyway, as I said in one of my previous letters, I know the Western media has been very unkind towards Islam. But things are not really as bad as what the media portrays, especially in Malaysia. You will not find Malays with dynamite strapped around their chest embarking on a suicide mission or ‘jihad’. In fact, all you need to do is organise a protest demonstration in front of the United States Embassy, and if it rains or the sun is too hot, not many would turn up. All it takes is the rain or sun to dampen their spirits. Imagine if it was raining bullets or the heat is from bombs. These people would abandon their ‘jihad’ and migrate to England. Actually, jihad does not mean killing as what you probably understand from the media reports. Jihad means struggle and it is basically your personal struggle against temptation and other vices. This is where the western media has been most unkind to Islam. They make it appear like jihad is an Islamic concept of killing or dying. It is not.
In fact, even in Christianity you have jihad. For example, when you say “get behind me Satan”, that is jihad. You are asking that temptation (or nafsu in Malay) be cast aside. The only thing is you do not have a name for it while Islam calls it jihad, plain and simple. But the term jihad has been twisted to mean killing and dying which is actually very wrong. For example, Jesus was against usury. The Jews too are against usury and they would never charge interest if they lend money to a fellow Jew. But it is kosher if they charge interest to a non-Jew. So Islam is no different from either Judaism or Christianity. The only thing is most Jews, Christians and Muslims do not practice what their religions profess.
:
:
:
I know my outspokenness is going to get me into trouble one of these days. Well, I have been getting into trouble since the 1970s. So I suppose after 30 years what difference can it make? Anyway, Islam teaches us that we must never be frightened of fellow humans. Ultimately, man proposes but God disposes. As much as man may plot, at the end of the day God decides. And if God has already decided that I will go to jail, then who am I to fight against this? And as long as God does not will it, then it will not happen. That is how you are supposed to live the life of a true Muslim. But Malays are more frightened of the government than God. So, in that sense, Malays are bad Muslims. I mean, they do not even dare post comments in the Blogs under their own names. They are so scared of openly telling the truth lest they suffer arrest. Islam considers this as putting another power above God and that demolishes one’s faith; which is called akidah in Arabic.
You know, I almost stood up to interrupt the imam during last Friday’s prayer sermon at the mosque near my house in Sungai Buloh. The imam actually misinformed the congregation and I thought it was my Islamic duty to correct this error. (DESI: This reminds Desi of one Ipohlang putting up her hand, with significantly Other's when asked by her Pastor who among them did NOT speak in tongue... Guess who?) But in Malaysia this is not allowed. So I did the wrong thing -- I just sat there quietly without saying anything. During the Prophet’s time, members of the congregation can stand up to question the imam or dispute what he says if they feel he is wrong. But in Malaysia we are warned we cannot do this and if we do then our Friday prayers become nullified. Sheesh, and they say Islam in Malaysia is the Islam that the Prophet taught us. I would of course not dare publicly say this as this statement of mine will attract an outrage from those pretending to be ‘true’ Muslims but who in fact have no inkling of what Islam is really all about..."
:
:
:
~~~~~~~~~~
DESIDERATA:
First, I recommend that you visit malaysia-today.net to read the article in full -- woth severeal times that Nazi berani you're gobbling now, I can assure you.
Second, I don't have RPK's patience, to suffer such fools gladly allowing them so much space, especially the Anon; but reading the comments on his blog, I truly find therapeutic value -- Chuckling to myself, maybe the next-door neighbours would think there's a "nut" case beyond the wall that separates us. (For more on this, I would add to Helen's chuckles tomorrow...Insya-Allah, when I inter-lude on, Again, Ghouls and Demons!
PS: I feel very tired and wearied again just after returning from Hiatus one week.
Maybe I should retire?
Can any of my ER send desi 20million?
Okay, rupiahs also can! Beggars can't be choosers...
Spirit you tomollow!
WITNESS the news yesterday, in The Star:~~
Friday August 11, 2006
Discussion ban on all, says Radzi
KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad has reminded all groups, including Muslims, not to organise inter-religious discussion forums which are deemed sensitive.
“What the Prime Minister said is meant for everybody. It is not applicable only to non-Muslims,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“The Prime Minister asked everyone to cool off and hold on. I don’t know why some Muslims groups should be doing it now. It will only create unnecessary misunderstanding, tension and suspicion.”
Radzi said the groups should call off the conferences and seminars.
“I’m not trying to pick on the opposition but it is irrespective of political party. Religion is sensitive. Everyone should follow the Prime Minister’s advice and stop (inter-faith discussions),” he said.
A group calling itself Secretariat Himpunan Ulama Rantau Asia (Shura) is organising a two-day seminar at Hotel de Palma, Shah Alam, over the weekend to discuss Challenges Facing the Muslims.
The secretariat, when contacted, confirmed there would be discussions on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution and the Lina Joy case, among other things. Article 11 refers to freedom of religion.
At the Shura seminar, Jemaah Islah Malaysia president Zaid Kamarudin will speak on The Issue of Freedom and Human Rights in a Democratic Nation, while Abim’s Dr Nur Manuty is expected to present a paper on Religious Pluralism: From an Islamic Perspective, while PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Md Isa will talk on Big Agenda for Muslims to Combat Apostasy.
Another group calling itself Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic Non-governmental Organisations, a coalition of 14 Muslim NGOs, is organising a seminar on Challenges on the Rights of Muslims on Saturday at Hotel Plaza.
Last week, several university Muslim student bodies held discussions at Universiti Malaya to oppose the Article 11 forums and express unhappiness over incidents, which they said challenged Islam.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had on May 25 called for the immediate stoppage of inter-faith forums, including on Article 11, because they were deemed to have caused tension in the multi-religious society.
The Prime Minister had then said the Government would act against those who did not heed the warning.
The forums were organised by Article 11, an umbrella body of 13 NGOs which came together following concerns over cases involving inter-faith issues.
~~~~~~~
WITNESS the news today,in The Star page N31:
Groups: Our talks
on Muslims not
against PM's oder
KUALA LUMPUR: Two groups organising semionars
on the challenges facing Muslims said their programmes would
go on because they believe these do not contradict the
Prime Minister's directive to lay off inter-religious issues.
Secretariat Himpunan Ulama Rantau Asia (Shura) and the Allied
Coordinating Committee of Isalmic non-governmental organisations
(Accin) said they were not going to specifically touch on Article
11 of the Federal Constitution, which refers to freedom of religion.
:
"We are focusing on international issues such as the different
mazhabs (schools of thought), like Sunni and Sh'ite, and the
Muslim world as a whole," said Shura chairman Abdul Ghani Shamsudin.
"Our speakers and delegates are scholars from all over.
They are learned people.
"If one or two of our speakers indirectly touch on
Article 11, we can't stop them because that is within their right.
"But it won't cause religious tension because this will be
from an educated and knowledgeable perspective and not to incite
people to riot," Abdul Ghani said.
He stressed that Article 11 was not the focus of the seminar.
"When scholars have discussion, the temperature is different. It is done in a learned way," he added.
~~~~~~~~~~~
DESIDERATA: I won't comment much but ask my ER to note the HIGHLIGHTED PORTIONS (Desi's BOLDING THUS). Just wonder whether this Shura guy wants us to take his "words" as gospel assurances, and his implications that his group and participants are "learned" but not those who organised the Article 11 Forums IN PENANG AND JOHOR BARU RECENTLY, BOTH ENDED PREMATURELY BY THE PROTESTERS WHO MOST LIKELY ALSO COMPRISED SOME OF THESE LEARNED PEOPLE.
"...temperature...different" Yeah, how? Lower, or Higher? Shura has a golden thermometer, yes?
I am amazed by this Shura guy's line...""If one or two of our speakers indirectly touch on Article 11, we can't stop them because that is within their right.
WoW, such great assurance in the same breath earlier that "...they were not going to specifically touch on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which refers to freedom of religion."
In Malaysia they feed differenyt diets to the Goose up north and the Gander down south or central? Or a better analogy is that It's gold when Shura spokesman spits fire; it's shit when Desi speaks, IS IT?
I hope my ER would ponder over the two news items above if you agree that some of our Malaysian brethren are calling on the Government to practise DOUBLE STANDARDS, which already it has been guilty of many times over. I pray IT won't add one more soon ...
When it comes to discussions on Religion and on cultural milieu I'm not adequately ionformed about -- especially outside my own limited field of knowledge -- I usually seek other resources which I deem to be better equipped, so I rely on another item to share. Thinking ALLOWED, is there a THREAD between the following extract and the foregoing reports, please feedback me, mty dear ER.
So for spirited starters,or dessert after lunch, I reprise substantially from Raja Petra Kamarudin's August 8, 2006's post entitled
Dear Waiter 2
:
:
"...I realise when you read some of the comments by the Malay readers, who are Muslims by birth but not necessarily by practice mind you, it gives an impression that Malaysia is no better than Iran or Afghanistan. Actually, these are postings of but a handful of readers who certainly do not represent the view of the majority of Malaysians. I mean, when we get an enormous number of hits a day, we are bound to attract a dozen or so weirdoes who talk from the other end of their anatomy, if you know what I mean. I am sure even in the UK you come across patronising bigots and narrow-minded individuals who make you sick. But just like what you do in the UK, in Malaysia we too ignore them and pass them off as numbskulls that need not be given the time of day. Malaysians in general are a friendly lot, but unfortunately they would rather remain the silent majority while these few dear-know-alls monopolise the stage and give the impression that they speak for the majority.
I too sometimes feel like screaming when I read or hear what they write or say. But then, if I do that, I would also be viewed as a nut. So, instead, I retaliate by writing uncomplimentary articles in my column and take them to task. Then I sit back and enjoy the spectacle of all these people crawling out from their holes to scream and holler that I am an apostate, enemy of Islam, ignorant (the word they use on me is ‘jahil’, the Arabic word for ignorant), and much more. It is actually quite funny watching these narrow-minded people telling me how ignorant I am. Most times they do not even understand what I am saying, but they not only pretend they do, they also try to give this impression that they are more learned than me and that they have studied Islam thoroughly and know more about Islam than even Prophet Muhammad himself.
I do not of course want to reveal to them where I have studied religion and who my tutors were. I purposely allow this perception that I am unlearned. It is more fun when they whack me with this holier-than-thou and I-am-more-learned-than-you attitude. If I were to attack them and challenge their view on Islam, then they would go on the defensive. I tried that a few times but they do not respond to that. They keep quiet and ignore me and pretend that they did not read what I wrote. For example, as a joke, I inserted a ten-point ‘test’ questionnaire which I called ‘ujian keislaman’ in my previous article and all those who had earlier been screaming and shouting about Islam did not dare take the test. It’s really very hilarious.
Anyway, as I said in one of my previous letters, I know the Western media has been very unkind towards Islam. But things are not really as bad as what the media portrays, especially in Malaysia. You will not find Malays with dynamite strapped around their chest embarking on a suicide mission or ‘jihad’. In fact, all you need to do is organise a protest demonstration in front of the United States Embassy, and if it rains or the sun is too hot, not many would turn up. All it takes is the rain or sun to dampen their spirits. Imagine if it was raining bullets or the heat is from bombs. These people would abandon their ‘jihad’ and migrate to England. Actually, jihad does not mean killing as what you probably understand from the media reports. Jihad means struggle and it is basically your personal struggle against temptation and other vices. This is where the western media has been most unkind to Islam. They make it appear like jihad is an Islamic concept of killing or dying. It is not.
In fact, even in Christianity you have jihad. For example, when you say “get behind me Satan”, that is jihad. You are asking that temptation (or nafsu in Malay) be cast aside. The only thing is you do not have a name for it while Islam calls it jihad, plain and simple. But the term jihad has been twisted to mean killing and dying which is actually very wrong. For example, Jesus was against usury. The Jews too are against usury and they would never charge interest if they lend money to a fellow Jew. But it is kosher if they charge interest to a non-Jew. So Islam is no different from either Judaism or Christianity. The only thing is most Jews, Christians and Muslims do not practice what their religions profess.
:
:
:
I know my outspokenness is going to get me into trouble one of these days. Well, I have been getting into trouble since the 1970s. So I suppose after 30 years what difference can it make? Anyway, Islam teaches us that we must never be frightened of fellow humans. Ultimately, man proposes but God disposes. As much as man may plot, at the end of the day God decides. And if God has already decided that I will go to jail, then who am I to fight against this? And as long as God does not will it, then it will not happen. That is how you are supposed to live the life of a true Muslim. But Malays are more frightened of the government than God. So, in that sense, Malays are bad Muslims. I mean, they do not even dare post comments in the Blogs under their own names. They are so scared of openly telling the truth lest they suffer arrest. Islam considers this as putting another power above God and that demolishes one’s faith; which is called akidah in Arabic.
You know, I almost stood up to interrupt the imam during last Friday’s prayer sermon at the mosque near my house in Sungai Buloh. The imam actually misinformed the congregation and I thought it was my Islamic duty to correct this error. (DESI: This reminds Desi of one Ipohlang putting up her hand, with significantly Other's when asked by her Pastor who among them did NOT speak in tongue... Guess who?) But in Malaysia this is not allowed. So I did the wrong thing -- I just sat there quietly without saying anything. During the Prophet’s time, members of the congregation can stand up to question the imam or dispute what he says if they feel he is wrong. But in Malaysia we are warned we cannot do this and if we do then our Friday prayers become nullified. Sheesh, and they say Islam in Malaysia is the Islam that the Prophet taught us. I would of course not dare publicly say this as this statement of mine will attract an outrage from those pretending to be ‘true’ Muslims but who in fact have no inkling of what Islam is really all about..."
:
:
:
~~~~~~~~~~
DESIDERATA:
First, I recommend that you visit malaysia-today.net to read the article in full -- woth severeal times that Nazi berani you're gobbling now, I can assure you.
Second, I don't have RPK's patience, to suffer such fools gladly allowing them so much space, especially the Anon; but reading the comments on his blog, I truly find therapeutic value -- Chuckling to myself, maybe the next-door neighbours would think there's a "nut" case beyond the wall that separates us. (For more on this, I would add to Helen's chuckles tomorrow...Insya-Allah, when I inter-lude on, Again, Ghouls and Demons!
PS: I feel very tired and wearied again just after returning from Hiatus one week.
Maybe I should retire?
Can any of my ER send desi 20million?
Okay, rupiahs also can! Beggars can't be choosers...
Spirit you tomollow!
Friday, August 11, 2006
Ghouls & Demons...
Ah, and Iblis.
Desi went into thhe woods today for a personal errand.
Suddenly a lady dressed in white with the most enchanting smile that erased Nicole Kidman's image temporarily from my mind, appeared out of nowhere. Maybe from the water -- as there was a lake nearby.
She then walked beside Desi, so I did not have a "good" look at her facial features. I awlays look at a female's face before I come to any conclusion about her beauty. Nicole scores 10 out of 10 in the facials.
So not diressing too much, we started a conversation. Luckily her voice was feminine enough.
This is to assure mGf such as Howsy that no Brokeback cowgals descended for my company outr of nowhere.
As I was saying, not to digress any further, she sudenly asked me, without turning to look me in thge eye/s.
As we walked side-by-side, she said: "Desi, do you believe in glosts?"
I turned to look at her, but only her side -- flowing black smooth tresses over the shoulder over a completely white dress -- greeted me. She stared ahead... (my assumption she had a pair of brown or blue eyes).
I hesitated, then in a low voice replied: " I'm a writer, trained in journalism and so I deal mainly with things I can see. So I generally don't believe in ghosts ..."
I wanted to continue to explain myself -- that I also indulge in creative writing, making fiction as I have quite an imagination, thanks to listening to psychedelic bands like tghe Beatles singing songs like Strawberry Fields Forever and Hey Dude.
I turned sideways again -- "she" was no longer walking alongside with Desi. Sprawled on the wet grassland and twigs was a compeltely white dress.
~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a short Post for the many good spirited friends I acquired in my 1-1/2 years of blogo-sphering. I could nopt put "faces" to the many "names" I am familiar with. But I remember telling Helen -- Ipohlang whom I have not yet met -- that I caught up with some Seven to Nine bloggers in person, and mostly, their spirits surely match the "personae" I have formed about them in cyberspace.
~~~~~~~~~~~
NOW WHERE INTO THE WOODS AM I LEADING THIS FLOCK INTO?
Oh, the story above came from the richness of my God-gifted talent which I exploit -- sometimes for financial interest to keep the body in tact as we can't survive on sunshine, air and water and green leaves along, that's a fact.
I recall vaguely reading about our Prime Minister talking about Iblis, translated as Demons in the English press; at the same time Desi heard from the Organiser of the Ghouls, Spirits etc Exhbition which came under heavy criticism because one Minister and an MB deemed the show INapproipriate for a developed nation state that is Selangor.
"In three weeks time, I will prove you sceptics wrong by bringing back to life one of the Toyo-exhibits (now dead of course) and release it into the woods.
So I've marked my diary for an appointment with that Rendesvous with a Ghost in the woods in three weeks' time. Hey, Miss Sunthi -- she just whiffed past but I could detect her scent -- "PLease remind Desi, eh!"
PS: You didn't hear this tale from Desiderata20000
PPS @7.00pm:
Jest to irrify mGf mave sm, I prolong this post with somethin' I spied at an MSM contained within moNSTer, Cut&Paste before IT disAPpears into thin air.~~
PM warns of 'lies of the devil'
11 Aug 2006
KUANTAN: Go ahead and criticise but make sure you are sincere in wanting to improve the country.
That was the Prime Minister's message to all Malaysians. But those words would have had a special meaning to those who have attacked his sytle of governance and accused him of selling the country's interests.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that he had little time for those who spread rumours and indulged in slander.
He had even less tolerance for the "devils" who whisper evil thoughts into the ears of the people.
"We just rolled out the Ninth Malaysia Plan but there are already those who claim that projects are reserved for certain people. These deceitful people also come out with all sorts of other lies.
They are like devils who want to disrupt our plans", he told a gathering of 1,000 civil servants at the Silver Jubilee Hall yesterday. Abdullah, who is on a working visit to Pahang, was met by several thousand people at the airport. They held up banners in support of him.
Over the past few months, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has attacked Abdullah, accusing him of reversing his policies and questioning his leadership of the Government.
In recent weeks, the former prime minister has increased the intensity of the attacks.
In his speech, Abdullah explained his style of governance.
"I am not the smartest ... there are others who are smarter but I am the Prime Minister and it is not wrong for me to take some time to listen to more views in order to get the best opinion," he said.
Taking an example from the Cabinet meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister said he gave all ministers the chance to air their views on each matter.
"Yesterday, I chaired the Cabinet meeting to discuss next year’s budget.
"Nowadays, our ministers talk a lot, not like before ... even Datuk Seri Najib (Razak) once told me that we never had this before.
"It used to be okay, okay, okay and a decision was made."
Abdullah advised civil servants to be positive in facing criticisms.
"We live in this world only once and therefore should do our best to do good," he said.
Desi went into thhe woods today for a personal errand.
Suddenly a lady dressed in white with the most enchanting smile that erased Nicole Kidman's image temporarily from my mind, appeared out of nowhere. Maybe from the water -- as there was a lake nearby.
She then walked beside Desi, so I did not have a "good" look at her facial features. I awlays look at a female's face before I come to any conclusion about her beauty. Nicole scores 10 out of 10 in the facials.
So not diressing too much, we started a conversation. Luckily her voice was feminine enough.
This is to assure mGf such as Howsy that no Brokeback cowgals descended for my company outr of nowhere.
As I was saying, not to digress any further, she sudenly asked me, without turning to look me in thge eye/s.
As we walked side-by-side, she said: "Desi, do you believe in glosts?"
I turned to look at her, but only her side -- flowing black smooth tresses over the shoulder over a completely white dress -- greeted me. She stared ahead... (my assumption she had a pair of brown or blue eyes).
I hesitated, then in a low voice replied: " I'm a writer, trained in journalism and so I deal mainly with things I can see. So I generally don't believe in ghosts ..."
I wanted to continue to explain myself -- that I also indulge in creative writing, making fiction as I have quite an imagination, thanks to listening to psychedelic bands like tghe Beatles singing songs like Strawberry Fields Forever and Hey Dude.
I turned sideways again -- "she" was no longer walking alongside with Desi. Sprawled on the wet grassland and twigs was a compeltely white dress.
~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a short Post for the many good spirited friends I acquired in my 1-1/2 years of blogo-sphering. I could nopt put "faces" to the many "names" I am familiar with. But I remember telling Helen -- Ipohlang whom I have not yet met -- that I caught up with some Seven to Nine bloggers in person, and mostly, their spirits surely match the "personae" I have formed about them in cyberspace.
~~~~~~~~~~~
NOW WHERE INTO THE WOODS AM I LEADING THIS FLOCK INTO?
Oh, the story above came from the richness of my God-gifted talent which I exploit -- sometimes for financial interest to keep the body in tact as we can't survive on sunshine, air and water and green leaves along, that's a fact.
I recall vaguely reading about our Prime Minister talking about Iblis, translated as Demons in the English press; at the same time Desi heard from the Organiser of the Ghouls, Spirits etc Exhbition which came under heavy criticism because one Minister and an MB deemed the show INapproipriate for a developed nation state that is Selangor.
"In three weeks time, I will prove you sceptics wrong by bringing back to life one of the Toyo-exhibits (now dead of course) and release it into the woods.
So I've marked my diary for an appointment with that Rendesvous with a Ghost in the woods in three weeks' time. Hey, Miss Sunthi -- she just whiffed past but I could detect her scent -- "PLease remind Desi, eh!"
PS: You didn't hear this tale from Desiderata20000
PPS @7.00pm:
Jest to irrify mGf mave sm, I prolong this post with somethin' I spied at an MSM contained within moNSTer, Cut&Paste before IT disAPpears into thin air.~~
PM warns of 'lies of the devil'
11 Aug 2006
KUANTAN: Go ahead and criticise but make sure you are sincere in wanting to improve the country.
That was the Prime Minister's message to all Malaysians. But those words would have had a special meaning to those who have attacked his sytle of governance and accused him of selling the country's interests.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that he had little time for those who spread rumours and indulged in slander.
He had even less tolerance for the "devils" who whisper evil thoughts into the ears of the people.
"We just rolled out the Ninth Malaysia Plan but there are already those who claim that projects are reserved for certain people. These deceitful people also come out with all sorts of other lies.
They are like devils who want to disrupt our plans", he told a gathering of 1,000 civil servants at the Silver Jubilee Hall yesterday. Abdullah, who is on a working visit to Pahang, was met by several thousand people at the airport. They held up banners in support of him.
Over the past few months, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has attacked Abdullah, accusing him of reversing his policies and questioning his leadership of the Government.
In recent weeks, the former prime minister has increased the intensity of the attacks.
In his speech, Abdullah explained his style of governance.
"I am not the smartest ... there are others who are smarter but I am the Prime Minister and it is not wrong for me to take some time to listen to more views in order to get the best opinion," he said.
Taking an example from the Cabinet meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister said he gave all ministers the chance to air their views on each matter.
"Yesterday, I chaired the Cabinet meeting to discuss next year’s budget.
"Nowadays, our ministers talk a lot, not like before ... even Datuk Seri Najib (Razak) once told me that we never had this before.
"It used to be okay, okay, okay and a decision was made."
Abdullah advised civil servants to be positive in facing criticisms.
"We live in this world only once and therefore should do our best to do good," he said.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
A Potential PM Speaks
ANWAR IBRAHIM, according to Desiderata, is a possible Option for the country's CEOship, although it's unlikely to happen until the next General Elections due 2009. Meanwhile, probably the incumbent PM Pak Lah would call an early GE to best suit his own survival in the ongoing tussle, a predictable result of UMNO polittics in the Changing of the Guards. I term the Face-Off between Pak Lah and Dr Mahathir Mohamad Camps (even a third Camp may be brewing in the wings of the PWTC Stage...) as a Mutiny on the Bounty, and the Fight is about getting the bigger share of the dwindling Bounty.
I have urged my ER to consider the former DPM who has come back from the Cold -- six years in jail is no walk in the park! -- as about the onlyu Option avialble until you wish to continue with more of the race-based Politics that Barisan Nasional represents. See what are the Reforms that Anwar has to offer~~
From the Asia Times Online:
Aug 8, 2006
Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim speaks his mind
By Zari Bukhari and Shawn W Crispin
KUALA LUMPUR - Former Malaysian deputy prime minister and finance minister Anwar Ibrahim is on the political offensive. Nearly two years after his early release from six years in prison on trumped-up corruption and sodomy charges, he now represents the biggest opposition threat to Malaysia's government led by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
Once groomed as former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's successor, Anwar, now 58, has spread his wings widely since his 2004 release, serving as an academic fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington and later teaching courses on Arab politics, inter-religious relations and Islam and modernity at Georgetown University. On the international lecture circuit, including high-profile stops in Europe and the Middle East, he frequently speaks about the growing
schism between Islam and the West.
Throughout, Anwar has presented himself as the cool, rational voice of moderate Islam, and his name is now frequently mentioned as a possible successor to outgoing United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Although his candidacy has not been launched formally, Anwar is believed to have support in Europe and close ties with several senior US political figures, including World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz and former US trade representative and deputy secretary of state Robert Zoellick.
In a recent e-mail interview with Asia Times Online contributor Zari Bukhari and Southeast Asia editor Shawn W Crispin, Anwar aired his views on Malaysian politics, his personal future and the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
ATol: How and why in your opinion would you represent a better political choice than the incumbent UMNO-led government? What would you handle differently and what specific political, economic and social policies would you enact toward that end?
Anwar: I believe that the opposition, particularly [Partai] Keadilan [Sejahtera], would be able to offer a new brand of politics in Malaysia. There is a greater realization that the race-based politics of the ruling BN [Barisan Nasional] is obsolete, and is unable to face the present challenges.
First, we are committed to democratic renewal - abolishing draconian laws such as the ISA [Internal Security Act], enhancing the role of parliament, restoring the independence of the judiciary and freeing up the media. Secondly, we are committed to a new economic agenda - one that takes a non-racial approach towards enhancing economic competitiveness and alleviating poverty for all Malaysians.
ATol: How do you reconcile your moderate Muslim image with your affiliation with the Islamic fundamentalist PAS [Parti Islam SeMalaysia, or Islamic Party of Malaysia]? Is this a marriage of political convenience, or does your affiliation indicate that you have returned to the more conservative Islamic views you held during your early political career?
Anwar: Yes, PAS is a political party based on Islamic ideals. Yet what many people fail to appreciate is that it has been operating faithfully within the democratic framework for over 50 years, in spite of undue pressures exerted to its participation by the BN government.
There are things [on] which I do not agree with PAS, but in my engagement with them I am confident that we can work on a minimum set of programs that are in tandem with Keadilan's ideals.
When I was arrested under the ISA for the first time, it was because I protested against the poverty and economic deprivation of the rural folk in Baling, Kedah. My commitment to Islam has always been consistent - as a source of an ethical framework for Malaysia, and one that promotes freedom, justice and human dignity.
ATol: What is your assessment of Abdullah Badawi's government? Has he lived up to his reform promise and, if not, what do you see as the more glaring discrepancies in his government's actions? What are your thoughts on the Mahathir versus Abdullah row? Do internal UMNO disputes provide you with a valuable political opening? Any plans to politically exploit the widening row?
Anwar: Undoubtedly Abdullah's big victory in the 2004 elections was partly due to the fact that he campaigned on eradicating corruption and enhancing accountability. While there have been some changes - eg, in the freer democratic space, less interference in the judiciary - I think overall Abdullah has failed to fulfill his pledge. There seems to be a lot of intent, but not so much political will in initiating change within UMNO. A lot of people have been disappointed, and Mahathir is exploiting on this.
Personally, I view this clash as a personal dispute, as it seems ironic that Mahathir is talking about strong opposition, free press and accountability when it was he who destroyed all that during his rule. I believe that this has allowed the people to see our consistent commitment to reform more clearly, and hopefully they will give us the opportunity to implement it.
ATol: Looking back at your time in detention, what realizations did you come to while in prison about Malaysia's governance? As a former senior UMNO member, what do you view as the party's biggest historical shortcomings and future political soft spots?
Anwar: Even when I was back in UMNO, I was committed towards combating corruption and promoting freedom. But when in prison, it made me realize that I underestimated the force of the vested interests that are committed to derail reform.
The problem with UMNO is that it has been in power for so long, and that it relies on racial politics as its strength. At times, this requires it to stir racial emotions for the sake of political expediency, but at the expense of the country.
ATol: Your name has recently been bandied about as a possible candidate to succeed Kofi Annan as United Nations secretary general. Any truth to those rumors, and if so, how will you campaign? Did you broach this idea with your contacts in Washington during your recent stint at Georgetown University? Obviously there is a growing global call for a moderate and modern Muslim leader to take the UN secretary-general post. Are you that candidate? Why or why not?
Anwar: I have [made] some comments to that effect ... The problem is that the discussion involves presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers. The discussion has been going on for the past six months, more serious now with non-governmental organizations and the UN apparatuses - across the world. So I don't think it's polite to be so dismissive in rejecting the option. Most of them asked me to give it serious thought, or at least to consider the option.
To my colleagues here in the Keadilan and the opposition I have stated that my commitment is here. They asked, why don't I state a categoric rejection or denial? I told them I don't think that would be polite. I am not saying that it would be easy for me [to get the UN post] in the event I choose to run, but I think it is a serious proposition. But in the discussion with party leaders, I have made it clear that I am ready to work here.
ATol: What are your thoughts on the unfolding events in the Middle East, including the spiraling Israel-Lebanon conflict, the United States' occupation of Iraq and the growing pressure emerging on Iran? As UN secretary general, how would you hypothetically respond to these challenges?
Anwar: It is disgraceful that the US has given Israel yet another blank check in its offensive against Lebanon even when the whole world is condemning it. The US has to realize that it needs to be consistent to its own ideals of promoting freedom and democracy in the Middle East even if that requires distancing itself from Israel.
This will only serve to infuriate Muslim opinion even more. The few Arab countries that the US can deal with are all unpopular with their own citizens. In reality, the UN can only do so much if the US continues to stand by Israel come what may. Israel must be reined in, and genuine democracy must be promoted in the region - which means the US must be prepared to deal with parties that are not willing to be dictated by its whims and fancies.
This is really unfortunate, because historically the US has been seen as the beacon of freedom and democracy throughout the world. The neo-conservative policy unfortunately has only exacerbated anti-Americanism in the Muslim world.
I have urged my ER to consider the former DPM who has come back from the Cold -- six years in jail is no walk in the park! -- as about the onlyu Option avialble until you wish to continue with more of the race-based Politics that Barisan Nasional represents. See what are the Reforms that Anwar has to offer~~
From the Asia Times Online:
Aug 8, 2006
Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim speaks his mind
By Zari Bukhari and Shawn W Crispin
KUALA LUMPUR - Former Malaysian deputy prime minister and finance minister Anwar Ibrahim is on the political offensive. Nearly two years after his early release from six years in prison on trumped-up corruption and sodomy charges, he now represents the biggest opposition threat to Malaysia's government led by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
Once groomed as former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's successor, Anwar, now 58, has spread his wings widely since his 2004 release, serving as an academic fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington and later teaching courses on Arab politics, inter-religious relations and Islam and modernity at Georgetown University. On the international lecture circuit, including high-profile stops in Europe and the Middle East, he frequently speaks about the growing
schism between Islam and the West.
Throughout, Anwar has presented himself as the cool, rational voice of moderate Islam, and his name is now frequently mentioned as a possible successor to outgoing United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Although his candidacy has not been launched formally, Anwar is believed to have support in Europe and close ties with several senior US political figures, including World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz and former US trade representative and deputy secretary of state Robert Zoellick.
In a recent e-mail interview with Asia Times Online contributor Zari Bukhari and Southeast Asia editor Shawn W Crispin, Anwar aired his views on Malaysian politics, his personal future and the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
ATol: How and why in your opinion would you represent a better political choice than the incumbent UMNO-led government? What would you handle differently and what specific political, economic and social policies would you enact toward that end?
Anwar: I believe that the opposition, particularly [Partai] Keadilan [Sejahtera], would be able to offer a new brand of politics in Malaysia. There is a greater realization that the race-based politics of the ruling BN [Barisan Nasional] is obsolete, and is unable to face the present challenges.
First, we are committed to democratic renewal - abolishing draconian laws such as the ISA [Internal Security Act], enhancing the role of parliament, restoring the independence of the judiciary and freeing up the media. Secondly, we are committed to a new economic agenda - one that takes a non-racial approach towards enhancing economic competitiveness and alleviating poverty for all Malaysians.
ATol: How do you reconcile your moderate Muslim image with your affiliation with the Islamic fundamentalist PAS [Parti Islam SeMalaysia, or Islamic Party of Malaysia]? Is this a marriage of political convenience, or does your affiliation indicate that you have returned to the more conservative Islamic views you held during your early political career?
Anwar: Yes, PAS is a political party based on Islamic ideals. Yet what many people fail to appreciate is that it has been operating faithfully within the democratic framework for over 50 years, in spite of undue pressures exerted to its participation by the BN government.
There are things [on] which I do not agree with PAS, but in my engagement with them I am confident that we can work on a minimum set of programs that are in tandem with Keadilan's ideals.
When I was arrested under the ISA for the first time, it was because I protested against the poverty and economic deprivation of the rural folk in Baling, Kedah. My commitment to Islam has always been consistent - as a source of an ethical framework for Malaysia, and one that promotes freedom, justice and human dignity.
ATol: What is your assessment of Abdullah Badawi's government? Has he lived up to his reform promise and, if not, what do you see as the more glaring discrepancies in his government's actions? What are your thoughts on the Mahathir versus Abdullah row? Do internal UMNO disputes provide you with a valuable political opening? Any plans to politically exploit the widening row?
Anwar: Undoubtedly Abdullah's big victory in the 2004 elections was partly due to the fact that he campaigned on eradicating corruption and enhancing accountability. While there have been some changes - eg, in the freer democratic space, less interference in the judiciary - I think overall Abdullah has failed to fulfill his pledge. There seems to be a lot of intent, but not so much political will in initiating change within UMNO. A lot of people have been disappointed, and Mahathir is exploiting on this.
Personally, I view this clash as a personal dispute, as it seems ironic that Mahathir is talking about strong opposition, free press and accountability when it was he who destroyed all that during his rule. I believe that this has allowed the people to see our consistent commitment to reform more clearly, and hopefully they will give us the opportunity to implement it.
ATol: Looking back at your time in detention, what realizations did you come to while in prison about Malaysia's governance? As a former senior UMNO member, what do you view as the party's biggest historical shortcomings and future political soft spots?
Anwar: Even when I was back in UMNO, I was committed towards combating corruption and promoting freedom. But when in prison, it made me realize that I underestimated the force of the vested interests that are committed to derail reform.
The problem with UMNO is that it has been in power for so long, and that it relies on racial politics as its strength. At times, this requires it to stir racial emotions for the sake of political expediency, but at the expense of the country.
ATol: Your name has recently been bandied about as a possible candidate to succeed Kofi Annan as United Nations secretary general. Any truth to those rumors, and if so, how will you campaign? Did you broach this idea with your contacts in Washington during your recent stint at Georgetown University? Obviously there is a growing global call for a moderate and modern Muslim leader to take the UN secretary-general post. Are you that candidate? Why or why not?
Anwar: I have [made] some comments to that effect ... The problem is that the discussion involves presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers. The discussion has been going on for the past six months, more serious now with non-governmental organizations and the UN apparatuses - across the world. So I don't think it's polite to be so dismissive in rejecting the option. Most of them asked me to give it serious thought, or at least to consider the option.
To my colleagues here in the Keadilan and the opposition I have stated that my commitment is here. They asked, why don't I state a categoric rejection or denial? I told them I don't think that would be polite. I am not saying that it would be easy for me [to get the UN post] in the event I choose to run, but I think it is a serious proposition. But in the discussion with party leaders, I have made it clear that I am ready to work here.
ATol: What are your thoughts on the unfolding events in the Middle East, including the spiraling Israel-Lebanon conflict, the United States' occupation of Iraq and the growing pressure emerging on Iran? As UN secretary general, how would you hypothetically respond to these challenges?
Anwar: It is disgraceful that the US has given Israel yet another blank check in its offensive against Lebanon even when the whole world is condemning it. The US has to realize that it needs to be consistent to its own ideals of promoting freedom and democracy in the Middle East even if that requires distancing itself from Israel.
This will only serve to infuriate Muslim opinion even more. The few Arab countries that the US can deal with are all unpopular with their own citizens. In reality, the UN can only do so much if the US continues to stand by Israel come what may. Israel must be reined in, and genuine democracy must be promoted in the region - which means the US must be prepared to deal with parties that are not willing to be dictated by its whims and fancies.
This is really unfortunate, because historically the US has been seen as the beacon of freedom and democracy throughout the world. The neo-conservative policy unfortunately has only exacerbated anti-Americanism in the Muslim world.
HW3
For late-comers or thinkers, HW stands either for Heart-warmer, or HW3 is the number plate of the city taxi that Desi once proudly owned but had to dispose of (Some MSM editors prefer 'off' not because they are Bardist but they knoweth not better:) due to hard-pressed times.
A challenging thinking aloud by my sin-land counterpart Joepsc yesterday is worth 3sen worth pondering now. (Some MSM prefer 'ponderance', but let's leave that for another day while I check the Dick..., and don't anyone too sensitive that This Blogger is a corrupting influence and is another reason why Blogging be subject to the PPPA1984.:)
Joe, not so average, mind you because sometimes I race him neck-and-neck to the ridge where some bride with a G-string awaits, PAtiently, with unabated breath (MSM sometimes use neck-to-neck, but that's alright by non-professionals like Desi and Joe:) commented:
"I agree that the Internet will find its level, probably like you said "..Good (few), the Average (majority), and the Bad (few)"
The question is what are we going to do with the "few bad ones", say in the blogsphere for example?
If the "bad ones" are readers, the blog owners can push the "delete" key; what if the "bad ones" are bloggers themselves, threatening peace and harmony...shouldn't a "delete" key be availabe to a kind of controlling body? Can we really leave it to ethics and common sense, with all respect for freedom of speech/_expression ?
Brother Mave SM now equipping himself with tomes of law and order and jurisprudence books may be better endowed to answer Joe's poser, but as hoRst, I'd give it a first go, half loyar buluk that I'm.
Before I do that, let me start off with a short HW from the news today.
Page N16 of The Star, but the source-attribution is to BERNAMA:
Ex-head prefect is top M'sian student in South Australia
ADELAIDE: Former headprefect of SMK Damansara Jaya Justin Lee has been voted the Most Outstanding Malaysian university student in South Australia.
Lee, from Petaling Jaya, was presented with a certificate, a laptop computer and $1,000 (RM2,774) by fromer South Australia Governor Sir Eric Neal at a gala dinner here to mark Malaysia's 49th National Day.
:
:
DESIDERATA: WOULD JUST SUMMARISE HERE THAT TWO OTHER WINNERS SWEEPING THE 2ND AND 3RD PRIZES WERE ALSO MALAYSIANS, namely, drum roll...:
Daisy Kee of Penang, and Ng Han Tien, from Subang Jaya.
First off, CONGRATULATIONS to the trio. Desi, hacing worked with the Australian diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur for 12 years-plus, but paying Malatysian taxes throughoput that period, is familiart with the "outstanding" results achieved by our brethren overseas.
The "unfortunate" aspect (...it could be "fortunate" to the other party/parties concerned) is that more often than not, these "performers" chose/choose to stay back in the countries they graduated/will graduate from, which translates into a nett loss for NegaraKu.
My question is: Do our national leaders care? (I could have used 'bother', but that would not be giving them the benfit of the doubt, yes?)
Now I reprise another news item -- sounds neutral enough and seemingly disparate, but perinent to today's discussion if you bother to put on your thinking caps, which seems quite lacking noadays (The 'lacking' can either refer to 'putting on' or 'caps', I'm tryibg to be very democratic in my writes, giving my ER many multiple-choice situations, like doing some examinatios in a few local universities...I'm not so good as Howsy, linking you back to one-year-back entries; further, that would truly involve diversion, making worse my many digressions I stand guilty of. One 'f', not two!) I already hear whispers of WTF!, the asses had not come in yet... Hey, Desi's truly ENJOYING the Blogger's luxury of abusing his Digression LIcence besides the PL:) That's another reason why I belatedly welcome one PATCHWORK @patchwork.wordpress.com to Blogsworld ~~ the saying, Better Late Than Never, does pay, especially when Desi visits Catsville!
One "cheong hei" (that would be coming from Helen or Anak Merdeka!) paragraph leading to this:
from Starbiz B9~~
Survey: Corporate ethics a
growing concern in the US
NEW YORK - Unethical corporate managers contribute to lower worker productivity, drive away recruits and make some employees leave, a new survey says.
Ethics is a growing concern among American workers, according to the employee survey being formally released Thursday by LRN Corp., a Los Angeles based-company that works with corporations on ethics issues.
Eighty-two percent of a group of 834 full-time employees surveyed across the country said they would work for less to be at a company that had ethical business practices, and more than a third said they have left a job because they disagreed with the actions of fellow employees or managers.
Chief Executive Dov Seidman, who founded LRN in 1994, said Wednesday the survey shows the advantages of being ethical and being a winning business.
In January, a similar survey showed 76 percent of respondents saying that how they perceived the company's ethics would affect whether they would want to work there. In the most recent survey, 94 percent said it was either critical or important that the company they work for is ethical.
Female managers over the age of 35 living in the western and southern U.S. were most likely to say they cared deeply about ethics in the workplace.
The growing importance of ethics is reflected at the nation's business schools. The number of schools with professors devoted to business ethics has risen to 68 in 2004 from 50 schools in 2000, said Joseph Mondello of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.--AP
DESIDERATA: I sincerely hope that Malaysians who proceed overseas for studies benefit with the progressive policies pursude by institutions holding business schools with staff committed to ETHICAL THINKING & IDEALS as promoted by the likes of LRN CORP.
I was working at an MSM when the Arthur Andersen-Enron scandal broke, raged on for months, effected tsunami mindset debate, saw the big bosses dragged to court, etc. At the height of the scandal, which also brought on similar ones in the greatest opower on eartgh, United States of America, one local topgun was interviewed by a local press. Ther cpatian of industry when asked if there were similar ENRONS happening in Malaysia, he answered firmly, and proudly, to this effect:
::No. Malaysia has better corporate governance. There is NO enron or anything simuilar in Malaysia.::
Then there was no bloggers like JeffOoi's Screenshots, and Desiderata was just another madcap poet's life philosophical soliloquoy that Ignoramuses like YLChongy thought was a special thingy. Ooops, I digress agin...
My sentiments then as I read the long interview aresuccintly captured by today's headline, I borrow with gratitude from from The Star, page N25~~
Please excuse me while I laugh
NOW
Remember the famous case/s of Pak Lah's Cabinet members -- baggage inherited from the olde regime? -- who did not pay the many years-old traffic offences fines? Some later did, after some nosey Journalist asked about the Emperor's nu'e clothes... after hefty discounts -- MORE THAN 50%!
What the F***s, Desi paid RM600 for two compound fines -- exptred road tax by a few days, and q questionable "beating the lights" which turned Amber (no Cha-cha!) when I was already in the "yellow triangle" fronting Phoenix Plaza one fine day when I did not drive Cheras enough...One Moo_t adds on the salt by saying I over-paid by double which is now a Moot point I'd take up later...
At the back of my mind is would our "performing" and average undergraduates and uner-performing students on joining the workforce emulate the examples set by our national leaders?
Or would they try to improve -- EVEN REFORM? -- the present system should they come back to work in NegaraKu and help to propel us into First World Mindset? Be good students now, do some homework ~~ GO read one letter in The Star, page N48, titled
"So much progress,
but not in mindset
of Malaysians"
And a very good article whihc must be read IN FULL for full APpreciation, so I'm asking my dear ER to be obedient performers to refer to page 16, theSun, August 7, 2006 from the articulate columnist Tan Siok Choo writing (weekly?)
Making Sens
Sports - a window into
a country's psyche
Just some paragraph extracts here~~
"More telling of the Malaysian mindset is the proposal to build a short-term training centre and forward training base at a site presently occupied by the Tun Razak Research Centre (TRRC) in Brickendonbury, England, a proposal that raises several questions.
Why was the decision made to locate a sports training centre at a site that would require the approval of the East Hertford council to change its land use? Was its location just 24km from the 2012 London Olympic Games Village the compelling reason?
Given the proliferation of sports facilities all over Britain, what is the justification for building a short-term training centre in Brickendonbury? According to news reports, some East Hertford councillors say because there are several sports facilities in the vicinity, planning approval is unlikely to be forthcoming.
If the proposed facilities to be built at Brickendonbury are intended to provide the comfort of Malaysian food and a "home away from home" environment for Malaysian players, will such a move enhance their mental strength and determination to win, come what may?
Isn't building mental strength a key determinant of sporting success? Golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods says his father honed his determination to win by deliberately creating distractions. When Tiger was trying to tee off, Earl Woods would jingle coins in his pocket or stand in front of his son and say "I am a tree".
Although the intention is laudable, enhancing a sportsperson's comfort zone can weaken their mental strength. Malaysian sports officials would do well to remember that fire causes plastic to melt but tempers steel. Are Malaysian sports authorities interested in creating sportspersons with the mental strength akin to steel or of plastic?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DESIDERATA: The key word is mindset. I'm not too optimistic about Malaysian mindset being so easily elevated to First world. I read somewhere just days ago a recent survey on INTEGRITY showed that some 30% (one-third) of the Youth Respondents said they would give a "bribe" (or recive one) under the Malaysian sky. So will academically shining students like Justibn Lee, Daisy Kee and Ng Han Tien join the normal distribution of such youths as exposed in the survey? (APPEAL: Some kind soul who has this news report please forward to Desi?)
Ah, the Moot point cometh~~
If next you are stopped by the Traffic police for illegal parking at a No-Parking Zone, would you pay RM50 to RM100 ("Sekarang apa nak buat? Settle sini ke atau I bagi kompaun?" that's a script-writer thinking allowed...)
Or be an Ignoramus like Desiderata" pay some RM300 several months later when you need to "revew" youer car roadtax and the PC,, so efficient one! says You have an outsanding traffic summons to settle?
Or do you do what was heard, and concurred by the majority of a batch of Masters students at a Management Ethics lecture: When in Rome, Do as the Romans do?
Desi awaits thy esteemed adVice...
So, at long last, answering Joepsc's poser:
"If the "bad ones" are readers, the blog owners can push the "delete" key; what if the "bad ones" are bloggers themselves, threatening peace and harmony...shouldn't a "delete" key be availabe to a kind of controlling body? Can we really leave it to ethics and common sense, with all respect for freedom of speech/_expression ? "
Desiderata's roundup and rounabout response is that we depend on the future Young&Articute ones, especially those exposed to Ethics education whether locally or abroad, to return to put into practice -- like their American counterparts as expressed in the reported surveys in the AP new -- that we go forward. Not regress klike some Ministers who think that because they sit in positions of power, they are entitled to nbe exempt paying that RM300 compound. WTFs, I have urged that for their recalcitrance they should pay double/triple the amonts according to the number of years of default.
An more knowledge-based and educated populace inculcated with universal values of Ethics, Justice, Equity and Humanity will not have to be policed by repressive Legislation like PPPA1984, the Internal Security Act ... and whatever that's in the mind of the over-powering Executive's mind to clamp down on Bloggers community. I
remain ever Optimistic Vision 2020 means First World mobility upwards,. Pak Lah, I believe in you.
DON'T LISTEN TO CLOSTED MINDS THAT URGE YOU ON THAT DOWNWARD SPIRAL -- yes, paved with many good intentions.
Desi ends HW3 with
Three little words like
I Love You.
OR
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE.
A challenging thinking aloud by my sin-land counterpart Joepsc yesterday is worth 3sen worth pondering now. (Some MSM prefer 'ponderance', but let's leave that for another day while I check the Dick..., and don't anyone too sensitive that This Blogger is a corrupting influence and is another reason why Blogging be subject to the PPPA1984.:)
Joe, not so average, mind you because sometimes I race him neck-and-neck to the ridge where some bride with a G-string awaits, PAtiently, with unabated breath (MSM sometimes use neck-to-neck, but that's alright by non-professionals like Desi and Joe:) commented:
"I agree that the Internet will find its level, probably like you said "..Good (few), the Average (majority), and the Bad (few)"
The question is what are we going to do with the "few bad ones", say in the blogsphere for example?
If the "bad ones" are readers, the blog owners can push the "delete" key; what if the "bad ones" are bloggers themselves, threatening peace and harmony...shouldn't a "delete" key be availabe to a kind of controlling body? Can we really leave it to ethics and common sense, with all respect for freedom of speech/_expression ?
Brother Mave SM now equipping himself with tomes of law and order and jurisprudence books may be better endowed to answer Joe's poser, but as hoRst, I'd give it a first go, half loyar buluk that I'm.
Before I do that, let me start off with a short HW from the news today.
Page N16 of The Star, but the source-attribution is to BERNAMA:
Ex-head prefect is top M'sian student in South Australia
ADELAIDE: Former headprefect of SMK Damansara Jaya Justin Lee has been voted the Most Outstanding Malaysian university student in South Australia.
Lee, from Petaling Jaya, was presented with a certificate, a laptop computer and $1,000 (RM2,774) by fromer South Australia Governor Sir Eric Neal at a gala dinner here to mark Malaysia's 49th National Day.
:
:
DESIDERATA: WOULD JUST SUMMARISE HERE THAT TWO OTHER WINNERS SWEEPING THE 2ND AND 3RD PRIZES WERE ALSO MALAYSIANS, namely, drum roll...:
Daisy Kee of Penang, and Ng Han Tien, from Subang Jaya.
First off, CONGRATULATIONS to the trio. Desi, hacing worked with the Australian diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur for 12 years-plus, but paying Malatysian taxes throughoput that period, is familiart with the "outstanding" results achieved by our brethren overseas.
The "unfortunate" aspect (...it could be "fortunate" to the other party/parties concerned) is that more often than not, these "performers" chose/choose to stay back in the countries they graduated/will graduate from, which translates into a nett loss for NegaraKu.
My question is: Do our national leaders care? (I could have used 'bother', but that would not be giving them the benfit of the doubt, yes?)
Now I reprise another news item -- sounds neutral enough and seemingly disparate, but perinent to today's discussion if you bother to put on your thinking caps, which seems quite lacking noadays (The 'lacking' can either refer to 'putting on' or 'caps', I'm tryibg to be very democratic in my writes, giving my ER many multiple-choice situations, like doing some examinatios in a few local universities...I'm not so good as Howsy, linking you back to one-year-back entries; further, that would truly involve diversion, making worse my many digressions I stand guilty of. One 'f', not two!) I already hear whispers of WTF!, the asses had not come in yet... Hey, Desi's truly ENJOYING the Blogger's luxury of abusing his Digression LIcence besides the PL:) That's another reason why I belatedly welcome one PATCHWORK @patchwork.wordpress.com to Blogsworld ~~ the saying, Better Late Than Never, does pay, especially when Desi visits Catsville!
One "cheong hei" (that would be coming from Helen or Anak Merdeka!) paragraph leading to this:
from Starbiz B9~~
Survey: Corporate ethics a
growing concern in the US
NEW YORK - Unethical corporate managers contribute to lower worker productivity, drive away recruits and make some employees leave, a new survey says.
Ethics is a growing concern among American workers, according to the employee survey being formally released Thursday by LRN Corp., a Los Angeles based-company that works with corporations on ethics issues.
Eighty-two percent of a group of 834 full-time employees surveyed across the country said they would work for less to be at a company that had ethical business practices, and more than a third said they have left a job because they disagreed with the actions of fellow employees or managers.
Chief Executive Dov Seidman, who founded LRN in 1994, said Wednesday the survey shows the advantages of being ethical and being a winning business.
In January, a similar survey showed 76 percent of respondents saying that how they perceived the company's ethics would affect whether they would want to work there. In the most recent survey, 94 percent said it was either critical or important that the company they work for is ethical.
Female managers over the age of 35 living in the western and southern U.S. were most likely to say they cared deeply about ethics in the workplace.
The growing importance of ethics is reflected at the nation's business schools. The number of schools with professors devoted to business ethics has risen to 68 in 2004 from 50 schools in 2000, said Joseph Mondello of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.--AP
DESIDERATA: I sincerely hope that Malaysians who proceed overseas for studies benefit with the progressive policies pursude by institutions holding business schools with staff committed to ETHICAL THINKING & IDEALS as promoted by the likes of LRN CORP.
I was working at an MSM when the Arthur Andersen-Enron scandal broke, raged on for months, effected tsunami mindset debate, saw the big bosses dragged to court, etc. At the height of the scandal, which also brought on similar ones in the greatest opower on eartgh, United States of America, one local topgun was interviewed by a local press. Ther cpatian of industry when asked if there were similar ENRONS happening in Malaysia, he answered firmly, and proudly, to this effect:
::No. Malaysia has better corporate governance. There is NO enron or anything simuilar in Malaysia.::
Then there was no bloggers like JeffOoi's Screenshots, and Desiderata was just another madcap poet's life philosophical soliloquoy that Ignoramuses like YLChongy thought was a special thingy. Ooops, I digress agin...
My sentiments then as I read the long interview aresuccintly captured by today's headline, I borrow with gratitude from from The Star, page N25~~
Please excuse me while I laugh
NOW
Remember the famous case/s of Pak Lah's Cabinet members -- baggage inherited from the olde regime? -- who did not pay the many years-old traffic offences fines? Some later did, after some nosey Journalist asked about the Emperor's nu'e clothes... after hefty discounts -- MORE THAN 50%!
What the F***s, Desi paid RM600 for two compound fines -- exptred road tax by a few days, and q questionable "beating the lights" which turned Amber (no Cha-cha!) when I was already in the "yellow triangle" fronting Phoenix Plaza one fine day when I did not drive Cheras enough...One Moo_t adds on the salt by saying I over-paid by double which is now a Moot point I'd take up later...
At the back of my mind is would our "performing" and average undergraduates and uner-performing students on joining the workforce emulate the examples set by our national leaders?
Or would they try to improve -- EVEN REFORM? -- the present system should they come back to work in NegaraKu and help to propel us into First World Mindset? Be good students now, do some homework ~~ GO read one letter in The Star, page N48, titled
"So much progress,
but not in mindset
of Malaysians"
And a very good article whihc must be read IN FULL for full APpreciation, so I'm asking my dear ER to be obedient performers to refer to page 16, theSun, August 7, 2006 from the articulate columnist Tan Siok Choo writing (weekly?)
Making Sens
Sports - a window into
a country's psyche
Just some paragraph extracts here~~
"More telling of the Malaysian mindset is the proposal to build a short-term training centre and forward training base at a site presently occupied by the Tun Razak Research Centre (TRRC) in Brickendonbury, England, a proposal that raises several questions.
Why was the decision made to locate a sports training centre at a site that would require the approval of the East Hertford council to change its land use? Was its location just 24km from the 2012 London Olympic Games Village the compelling reason?
Given the proliferation of sports facilities all over Britain, what is the justification for building a short-term training centre in Brickendonbury? According to news reports, some East Hertford councillors say because there are several sports facilities in the vicinity, planning approval is unlikely to be forthcoming.
If the proposed facilities to be built at Brickendonbury are intended to provide the comfort of Malaysian food and a "home away from home" environment for Malaysian players, will such a move enhance their mental strength and determination to win, come what may?
Isn't building mental strength a key determinant of sporting success? Golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods says his father honed his determination to win by deliberately creating distractions. When Tiger was trying to tee off, Earl Woods would jingle coins in his pocket or stand in front of his son and say "I am a tree".
Although the intention is laudable, enhancing a sportsperson's comfort zone can weaken their mental strength. Malaysian sports officials would do well to remember that fire causes plastic to melt but tempers steel. Are Malaysian sports authorities interested in creating sportspersons with the mental strength akin to steel or of plastic?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DESIDERATA: The key word is mindset. I'm not too optimistic about Malaysian mindset being so easily elevated to First world. I read somewhere just days ago a recent survey on INTEGRITY showed that some 30% (one-third) of the Youth Respondents said they would give a "bribe" (or recive one) under the Malaysian sky. So will academically shining students like Justibn Lee, Daisy Kee and Ng Han Tien join the normal distribution of such youths as exposed in the survey? (APPEAL: Some kind soul who has this news report please forward to Desi?)
Ah, the Moot point cometh~~
If next you are stopped by the Traffic police for illegal parking at a No-Parking Zone, would you pay RM50 to RM100 ("Sekarang apa nak buat? Settle sini ke atau I bagi kompaun?" that's a script-writer thinking allowed...)
Or be an Ignoramus like Desiderata" pay some RM300 several months later when you need to "revew" youer car roadtax and the PC,, so efficient one! says You have an outsanding traffic summons to settle?
Or do you do what was heard, and concurred by the majority of a batch of Masters students at a Management Ethics lecture: When in Rome, Do as the Romans do?
Desi awaits thy esteemed adVice...
So, at long last, answering Joepsc's poser:
"If the "bad ones" are readers, the blog owners can push the "delete" key; what if the "bad ones" are bloggers themselves, threatening peace and harmony...shouldn't a "delete" key be availabe to a kind of controlling body? Can we really leave it to ethics and common sense, with all respect for freedom of speech/_expression ? "
Desiderata's roundup and rounabout response is that we depend on the future Young&Articute ones, especially those exposed to Ethics education whether locally or abroad, to return to put into practice -- like their American counterparts as expressed in the reported surveys in the AP new -- that we go forward. Not regress klike some Ministers who think that because they sit in positions of power, they are entitled to nbe exempt paying that RM300 compound. WTFs, I have urged that for their recalcitrance they should pay double/triple the amonts according to the number of years of default.
An more knowledge-based and educated populace inculcated with universal values of Ethics, Justice, Equity and Humanity will not have to be policed by repressive Legislation like PPPA1984, the Internal Security Act ... and whatever that's in the mind of the over-powering Executive's mind to clamp down on Bloggers community. I
remain ever Optimistic Vision 2020 means First World mobility upwards,. Pak Lah, I believe in you.
DON'T LISTEN TO CLOSTED MINDS THAT URGE YOU ON THAT DOWNWARD SPIRAL -- yes, paved with many good intentions.
Desi ends HW3 with
Three little words like
I Love You.
OR
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Two heart-warming articles
HW1
Desi does not know ZAINUL ARIFIN; would be proud to "befriend" though, though he's from MSM. MSM is short for mainstream media, borrowed from Howsy.blogspot.com -- he I know via cyberphere, I don't know if I'd hug him in person!
Back to Zainul, KUDOS for a thoughtful commentary on a medium dear to many of my EsteemedReaders. So NSTP does not produce ball-cariers all-the-time; only sometimes as I used to say, in all fields of human endeavour, there is the Normal Distribution if you take a big enough sample. You get the Good (few), the Average (majority), and the Bad (few).
Desi was tempted to say: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly,
but Clint Eastwood protesteth. Or was it Lee van Cliff?
Without permit, I'm reprising the article in full. Being a Non-Profit endeavour, I pray the NSTP won't send me a bill. The only guy I know pretty well there is G Umakanthan, and he's not from Finance Department -- Ooops, I digress again -- this is done delibeerately to irrify (combo of irritate and terrify) Mave SM who overly-praised Desi Yesterday, which actually gave me a HI, so the use of "overly" is improper. But what the hell! This is my Blog!:(
The emphasis (as BOLDED THUS) in the article is also entirely mine.
Facts will stand the test of time
9 August 2006.
APART from death and taxes, two things are for certain: The Internet is here to stay and there is no way of policing it.
It is the new frontier, the new Wild West where anything and everything goes. It can be quite liberating, really.
The Internet is the great equaliser. It has low entry costs, consisting of passion, time and a service connection. It allows anyone to participate.
It must be the most democratic of all media currently, taking all comers, and does not discriminate between literary genius and smut, the sacred and the profane.
In cyberspace, it seems you can scream all you want. If you are lucky, maybe someone will hear you. Or else you will be murmuring in the ether of the World Wide Web until the wonders of search engines like Google and Yahoo! direct surfers to you.
This new technology is a revolution in the annals of mass communication. There was a time when mass communication tools required licensing.
During the war, it was the radio, then the teleprinter, and, in its early days, the facsimile machine or fax. Even walkie-talkies required licensing before cellular phones made the law untenable.
These were once licensed to check against the transmission of unsanctioned materials. Nevertheless, technology and the lowering of production costs have made attempts at control redundant.
Regardless, the mainstream mass media such as newspapers, radio and TV are still licensed, with permits to be renewed annually which can be revoked if their reports are found to be offensive. This remains an anomaly in the Internet age.
As far as the Internet is concerned, control and curtailment are pointless. It can be attempted, of course, but it will be expensive and tiring. Above all, any policing will be ineffective.
The telephone line is all one needs, and in the era of Wi-Fi and cellular telephony, you don’t even have to be tethered to your desk.
Two decades ago, if someone were to say that we would be carrying our telephones in our pockets and be able to contact anyone in the world from anywhere, we would have assumed the person was getting too much into science fiction.
Obviously, time and technology have proven to be the biggest disprovers of conventional wisdom.
With all these realities, is the talk about monitoring blogs just posturing and bluster?
In some ways, yes, since technology has argued that it cannot work and we as a nation have pledged to leave the Internet free of censorship.
On the other hand, such warnings should be taken seriously if only for the existence of laws that deal with sedition, libel, security and the like. The intoxicating power of the Internet should not allow someone to shout "Fire!" in a crowded theatre and get away with it, some say.
While I find websites offering pornography and spewing hatred and racism more offensive and, I might add, more popular, I can’t imagine them being blocked either.
Human ingenuity often wins over dictates.
We all know that the freewheeling nature of the Internet often blurs fact from fiction, and perception from reality. Thus, assuming that the end game is to counter false and hurtful content on the Internet, how do we get there?
"Facts, my dear Watson, facts," the fictional Sherlock Holmes would have said. Opinions are cheap, epecially on the Internet, but facts have a way of standing the test of time, even after all the excitement has gone and the dust has settled.
As much as the Internet has blown the lid off information control, it has, more importantly, changed the way we do things. From governance to business to social interaction, we have benefited from this technology.
We should embrace the new media like it is our new best friend, and not alienate it.
We should not be throwing the baby out with the bath- water. In fact, the new media should be allowed to prosper.
Even in the most controlled environment — without the Internet or other alternative media — there will be dissenters and mavericks who defy convention.
But, like water, the Internet will soon find its level.
The issue of the Internet is not control or policing but a question of ethics. It requires responsibility from readers, web owners as well as the authorities and, above all, common sense.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
HW2
Desiderata: you might be interested in this http://theaustralian.com.au report.
Net advertising rockets up 59.4pc
Lara Sinclair
08 August 2006
INTERNET advertising grew by an astonishing 59.4 per cent to $778 million in the year to June, as advertisers reported "disillusionment" with traditional media.
At current growth rates, internet advertising will overtake the $978 million magazine advertising industry by December, according to internet research firm Frost & Sullivan.
General display advertising on the internet, including banner and video advertising, was the fastest-growing sector online in the June quarter, with ad sales rising 32.2 per cent to $76 million.
That still trails the search and directories sector dominated by Sensis and Google, which was up 9.9 per cent to $83 million.
Classified advertising increased by 8.1 per cent to $67 million.
Search and directories was the strongest sector over the 12-month period, up 74.2 per cent to $287.5 million, while display, which grew 60.7 per cent to $247.5 million, overtook classifieds (up 43.8 per cent to $243 million).
Lee Stephens, chief executive of agency Emitch, said online publishers such as Ninemsn, Yahoo7, Fairfax Digital and News Interactive were increasingly focused on video advertising.
Online display advertising would continue to grow strongly as more homes took up broadband internet access, he said.
"There's still strong growth to come, particularly in broad-based advertising such as top-and-tailing video downloads with television-style commercials," Mr Stephens said.
Most publishers, including Ninemsn, Yahoo7, Google - and even the ABC - have foreshadowed online video advertising initiatives in the past month.
Mr Stephens said those initiatives allowed advertisers to book-end downloadable video content with commercials in a similar way to traditional television media buys.
However, he said the jury was "still out" on search engine Google's global click-to-play video advertising offer, announced last month, which allows advertising to be targeted to specific sites or placed on Google's content network.
Finance, communications and computers, automotive and travel continue to dominate online advertising, but Mr Stephens said entertainment and leisure was also showing strong growth.
Meanwhile, the internet is benefitting from "disillusionment" among advertisers with other media this year, according to Paul Fisher, national advertising sales director of News Interactive.
"Clients are not generating significantly additional budgets (to spend online) so the money's got to come from somewhere," Mr Fisher said.
The free-to-air television market shrank by 0.08 per cent in the six months to June, according to figures from industry body Free TV.
DESIDERATA:
The above is about the Australian scene, so the currency is in AUSD. I Guess, though I don't wear any, the scene is similar in most countries, including Malaysia.
The Internet medium will pull away more and more ADEX from the traditional media like the NST, The Star, the Sun, theSien...
So with the likes of Zainul, NSTP will survive.
Desiderata2000 too.
If you were wondering what HW1 and HW2 is about,
there are two licence plates of my two taxis now up for bids on eBoy. Starting @2billion.
If you can't get any AP, get an HP!:):)
Desi does not know ZAINUL ARIFIN; would be proud to "befriend" though, though he's from MSM. MSM is short for mainstream media, borrowed from Howsy.blogspot.com -- he I know via cyberphere, I don't know if I'd hug him in person!
Back to Zainul, KUDOS for a thoughtful commentary on a medium dear to many of my EsteemedReaders. So NSTP does not produce ball-cariers all-the-time; only sometimes as I used to say, in all fields of human endeavour, there is the Normal Distribution if you take a big enough sample. You get the Good (few), the Average (majority), and the Bad (few).
Desi was tempted to say: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly,
but Clint Eastwood protesteth. Or was it Lee van Cliff?
Without permit, I'm reprising the article in full. Being a Non-Profit endeavour, I pray the NSTP won't send me a bill. The only guy I know pretty well there is G Umakanthan, and he's not from Finance Department -- Ooops, I digress again -- this is done delibeerately to irrify (combo of irritate and terrify) Mave SM who overly-praised Desi Yesterday, which actually gave me a HI, so the use of "overly" is improper. But what the hell! This is my Blog!:(
The emphasis (as BOLDED THUS) in the article is also entirely mine.
Facts will stand the test of time
9 August 2006.
APART from death and taxes, two things are for certain: The Internet is here to stay and there is no way of policing it.
It is the new frontier, the new Wild West where anything and everything goes. It can be quite liberating, really.
The Internet is the great equaliser. It has low entry costs, consisting of passion, time and a service connection. It allows anyone to participate.
It must be the most democratic of all media currently, taking all comers, and does not discriminate between literary genius and smut, the sacred and the profane.
In cyberspace, it seems you can scream all you want. If you are lucky, maybe someone will hear you. Or else you will be murmuring in the ether of the World Wide Web until the wonders of search engines like Google and Yahoo! direct surfers to you.
This new technology is a revolution in the annals of mass communication. There was a time when mass communication tools required licensing.
During the war, it was the radio, then the teleprinter, and, in its early days, the facsimile machine or fax. Even walkie-talkies required licensing before cellular phones made the law untenable.
These were once licensed to check against the transmission of unsanctioned materials. Nevertheless, technology and the lowering of production costs have made attempts at control redundant.
Regardless, the mainstream mass media such as newspapers, radio and TV are still licensed, with permits to be renewed annually which can be revoked if their reports are found to be offensive. This remains an anomaly in the Internet age.
As far as the Internet is concerned, control and curtailment are pointless. It can be attempted, of course, but it will be expensive and tiring. Above all, any policing will be ineffective.
The telephone line is all one needs, and in the era of Wi-Fi and cellular telephony, you don’t even have to be tethered to your desk.
Two decades ago, if someone were to say that we would be carrying our telephones in our pockets and be able to contact anyone in the world from anywhere, we would have assumed the person was getting too much into science fiction.
Obviously, time and technology have proven to be the biggest disprovers of conventional wisdom.
With all these realities, is the talk about monitoring blogs just posturing and bluster?
In some ways, yes, since technology has argued that it cannot work and we as a nation have pledged to leave the Internet free of censorship.
On the other hand, such warnings should be taken seriously if only for the existence of laws that deal with sedition, libel, security and the like. The intoxicating power of the Internet should not allow someone to shout "Fire!" in a crowded theatre and get away with it, some say.
While I find websites offering pornography and spewing hatred and racism more offensive and, I might add, more popular, I can’t imagine them being blocked either.
Human ingenuity often wins over dictates.
We all know that the freewheeling nature of the Internet often blurs fact from fiction, and perception from reality. Thus, assuming that the end game is to counter false and hurtful content on the Internet, how do we get there?
"Facts, my dear Watson, facts," the fictional Sherlock Holmes would have said. Opinions are cheap, epecially on the Internet, but facts have a way of standing the test of time, even after all the excitement has gone and the dust has settled.
As much as the Internet has blown the lid off information control, it has, more importantly, changed the way we do things. From governance to business to social interaction, we have benefited from this technology.
We should embrace the new media like it is our new best friend, and not alienate it.
We should not be throwing the baby out with the bath- water. In fact, the new media should be allowed to prosper.
Even in the most controlled environment — without the Internet or other alternative media — there will be dissenters and mavericks who defy convention.
But, like water, the Internet will soon find its level.
The issue of the Internet is not control or policing but a question of ethics. It requires responsibility from readers, web owners as well as the authorities and, above all, common sense.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
HW2
Desiderata: you might be interested in this http://theaustralian.com.au report.
Net advertising rockets up 59.4pc
Lara Sinclair
08 August 2006
INTERNET advertising grew by an astonishing 59.4 per cent to $778 million in the year to June, as advertisers reported "disillusionment" with traditional media.
At current growth rates, internet advertising will overtake the $978 million magazine advertising industry by December, according to internet research firm Frost & Sullivan.
General display advertising on the internet, including banner and video advertising, was the fastest-growing sector online in the June quarter, with ad sales rising 32.2 per cent to $76 million.
That still trails the search and directories sector dominated by Sensis and Google, which was up 9.9 per cent to $83 million.
Classified advertising increased by 8.1 per cent to $67 million.
Search and directories was the strongest sector over the 12-month period, up 74.2 per cent to $287.5 million, while display, which grew 60.7 per cent to $247.5 million, overtook classifieds (up 43.8 per cent to $243 million).
Lee Stephens, chief executive of agency Emitch, said online publishers such as Ninemsn, Yahoo7, Fairfax Digital and News Interactive were increasingly focused on video advertising.
Online display advertising would continue to grow strongly as more homes took up broadband internet access, he said.
"There's still strong growth to come, particularly in broad-based advertising such as top-and-tailing video downloads with television-style commercials," Mr Stephens said.
Most publishers, including Ninemsn, Yahoo7, Google - and even the ABC - have foreshadowed online video advertising initiatives in the past month.
Mr Stephens said those initiatives allowed advertisers to book-end downloadable video content with commercials in a similar way to traditional television media buys.
However, he said the jury was "still out" on search engine Google's global click-to-play video advertising offer, announced last month, which allows advertising to be targeted to specific sites or placed on Google's content network.
Finance, communications and computers, automotive and travel continue to dominate online advertising, but Mr Stephens said entertainment and leisure was also showing strong growth.
Meanwhile, the internet is benefitting from "disillusionment" among advertisers with other media this year, according to Paul Fisher, national advertising sales director of News Interactive.
"Clients are not generating significantly additional budgets (to spend online) so the money's got to come from somewhere," Mr Fisher said.
The free-to-air television market shrank by 0.08 per cent in the six months to June, according to figures from industry body Free TV.
DESIDERATA:
The above is about the Australian scene, so the currency is in AUSD. I Guess, though I don't wear any, the scene is similar in most countries, including Malaysia.
The Internet medium will pull away more and more ADEX from the traditional media like the NST, The Star, the Sun, theSien...
So with the likes of Zainul, NSTP will survive.
Desiderata2000 too.
If you were wondering what HW1 and HW2 is about,
there are two licence plates of my two taxis now up for bids on eBoy. Starting @2billion.
If you can't get any AP, get an HP!:):)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The Elegant Silence Is Broken
Finally, I hear many of my ER sigh: It's about time.
Did I see some faces light up?
(Some Editors of MSM would write: Did I see some faces lighted up?)
But Desidearat wishes to remind that his Silence was long ago broken in low desibels. Just as those with eyes who do not see, many with ears do not hear. I heard on behalf of some ER so that I could pen some Acts for the Epic Play.
We are now at ACT 2: Scene 2
ACT 2: Scene 1
saw Dr Mahathir Mohamad being pepper-sprayed?
The Q mark is on the word 'pepper' -- some reported chemical, others said 'mace'; the Malaysian Chemistry Department is so efficient it's still waiting for the cleaning lady to bring in the samples.
I originally wanted to elaborate on my previous advocation that Pak Lah had already opened up his ammunition box and sprayed some venom into the atmosphere, but let me reproduce an ongoing item and hopefully my intelligent Readers will pick up the scent. There is a saying that (I wanted to use 'shoots' but hesitated, so to be safe) says: LET A CASE SPEAK FOR ITSELF.
From the go'd olde days of yore cometh a case of the present troubling times~~
The Star, page N14
Why I took RM100m loan
Lawyer: I was told I would be borrower only for three months
Plaintiffs
> RHB Capital Bhd
> RHB Securities Sdn Bhd
> RHB Equities Sdn Bhd
The Defendants
> RHB group founder Tan Sri Rashid Hussain
> RHB Capital and RHB Equities former directors
Chong Kin Leong and Seah Fook Chin
> RHB Securities former executive ditrector and RHB Equities
fomer director Tajul Ariffin Mohd Tahir
> RHB Equities former director Ong Tiang Lock
> Capital former legal adviser and fromer company
secretary Rosley Ahmad
The suit
> Plaintiffs claim that the application for margin financing
facilities by five borrowers to finance the purchase of
Omega Holdings Bhd shares and their approval by Rashid Hussain
in Nov 1997 were "irregular, improper and wrongful".
> The loan application forms were said to be undated and
did not have complete particulars required, save for the
applicants' names, IC numbers, birth dates, addresses and
signatures.
> Apart from the facilities being secured for the purchase
of wholly inadequate and highly volatile shares, there was
also no credit assessment done on the applicants to determine
their credit standing.
:
:
NB: Readers are advised to read the full press reports
for their own education ~~ Desi
I read my ER' minds: Blardy hell, Desi, what's the relevance of the saying/shot?
The answer is blowing somewhere in the forestry of words from the Mr Elegant Silence, explaining away his 30-year-old son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin's investment in ECM-Libra, on loans amounting to about RM10million.
My EsteemedReaders, the context is to note the numbers involved, when compared with Olde times like Petronas' RM1.8billion bailout of someone's company; and a ministerial underling's 27-year-old being granted bank facilities amounting to RM1.2billion for a stockmarket spree...
mGf: If you're still in the blur, email Desi with a cheque for XXXmillion (NO kangaroo checks please!); I ain't no billionaire wannabe. RM20million suffices. RM2billion suffocates.
Did I see some faces light up?
(Some Editors of MSM would write: Did I see some faces lighted up?)
But Desidearat wishes to remind that his Silence was long ago broken in low desibels. Just as those with eyes who do not see, many with ears do not hear. I heard on behalf of some ER so that I could pen some Acts for the Epic Play.
We are now at ACT 2: Scene 2
ACT 2: Scene 1
saw Dr Mahathir Mohamad being pepper-sprayed?
The Q mark is on the word 'pepper' -- some reported chemical, others said 'mace'; the Malaysian Chemistry Department is so efficient it's still waiting for the cleaning lady to bring in the samples.
I originally wanted to elaborate on my previous advocation that Pak Lah had already opened up his ammunition box and sprayed some venom into the atmosphere, but let me reproduce an ongoing item and hopefully my intelligent Readers will pick up the scent. There is a saying that (I wanted to use 'shoots' but hesitated, so to be safe) says: LET A CASE SPEAK FOR ITSELF.
From the go'd olde days of yore cometh a case of the present troubling times~~
The Star, page N14
Why I took RM100m loan
Lawyer: I was told I would be borrower only for three months
Plaintiffs
> RHB Capital Bhd
> RHB Securities Sdn Bhd
> RHB Equities Sdn Bhd
The Defendants
> RHB group founder Tan Sri Rashid Hussain
> RHB Capital and RHB Equities former directors
Chong Kin Leong and Seah Fook Chin
> RHB Securities former executive ditrector and RHB Equities
fomer director Tajul Ariffin Mohd Tahir
> RHB Equities former director Ong Tiang Lock
> Capital former legal adviser and fromer company
secretary Rosley Ahmad
The suit
> Plaintiffs claim that the application for margin financing
facilities by five borrowers to finance the purchase of
Omega Holdings Bhd shares and their approval by Rashid Hussain
in Nov 1997 were "irregular, improper and wrongful".
> The loan application forms were said to be undated and
did not have complete particulars required, save for the
applicants' names, IC numbers, birth dates, addresses and
signatures.
> Apart from the facilities being secured for the purchase
of wholly inadequate and highly volatile shares, there was
also no credit assessment done on the applicants to determine
their credit standing.
:
:
NB: Readers are advised to read the full press reports
for their own education ~~ Desi
I read my ER' minds: Blardy hell, Desi, what's the relevance of the saying/shot?
The answer is blowing somewhere in the forestry of words from the Mr Elegant Silence, explaining away his 30-year-old son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin's investment in ECM-Libra, on loans amounting to about RM10million.
My EsteemedReaders, the context is to note the numbers involved, when compared with Olde times like Petronas' RM1.8billion bailout of someone's company; and a ministerial underling's 27-year-old being granted bank facilities amounting to RM1.2billion for a stockmarket spree...
mGf: If you're still in the blur, email Desi with a cheque for XXXmillion (NO kangaroo checks please!); I ain't no billionaire wannabe. RM20million suffices. RM2billion suffocates.
Somethin' Light,
And Somethin' Heavy, later?
Sometimes after BF, I surf JeffOoi's to find out the latest HOT topics whirling in Blogoisphere. On laidback Tuesday, quite cool and not persdpiring though I started 'late', I put my legs up for a leisurely BF with my morn papers. No 'U' for moUrn which often is the case with malaysiana-itis because finally the PM broke his trademark "silence" with a V! -- also no CON today as last Sunday passed less than 48 and I'm suffering from an overdose of peaNUTS butter -- so later, I surfed my Sifu's Blog and had to enter the ring of CONversationists to lighten up tghe match featuriong~~
Guna & "Media-and-the-Political Masters" Syndrome
Is the Malaysian Society prepared for total Press Freedom? NO. It is already obvious that many Malaysian bloggers have appointed themselves as Crusaders for ‘exposing’ Malaysian Govt. ‘misdeeds’. The power hungry politicians of the Opposition parties & people with vested interests have started attacking the Govt. through these ‘righteous’ bloggers. Do we Malaysians have to wash our Nation’s dirty linen on the net for every political Mongrel, the likes of the Retard Bush & his Coalition of Dickheads worldwide to glee with happiness?
Journalism in Malaysia is in its infancy. Our cosmopolitan society cannot afford to make mistakes on the net, media or in speech. There is no shortcut to maturity. Hence, let us not get impatient with our Govt. policies but strive as Rakyat Malaysia for the Solidarity, Integrity & Security of our Nation. Does it make sense to some of our brain death citizen bloggers out there? Or has somebody given the order to 'shoot' them already?
Posted by: bnaipal | August 7, 2006 12:03 PM
"To Bnaipal...
Your statement is CRAP yes in capital letters.
I have never heard bigger nonsence.
Malaysia has plenty of capable journalists, only they all left the mainstream media to pick up good jobs elsewhere, and it is absolutely NOT in its infancy.
Whats left in the mainstream media is a bunch of pen (keyboard) pushers who give a damn what they write, as long as they earn a nice living.
So go and defend your boss elsewhere!
Posted by: Albert | August 7, 2006 03:29 PM
::
::
(The above symbol shows a REFEREEE to keep the two Boxers in their Corners so that Decorum -- I don't know about Peace -- is maintained. ~~ Desi
::
::
"Dear Albert,
Your kind words depict the current standard of journalism in Malaysia. Need I elaborate more? And by the way, I do not live & work in a place where there is a 'boss' - It seems the remnants of Colonialism still reverberate in your gullible soul. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will prove highly beneficial to you in your current state of mind. Best of Luck with the recovery process.
Posted by: bnaipal | August 7, 2006 04:54 PM
Desiderata's 3sen worth follows as I beleive someone "defamed" me and my Blogger friends with one BIG brush, and I don't think he's such a painter to deserrve this scribe maintaining Elegant Silence. No, I'm not yet in Pak Lah's league...mayhaps bnaipal spells it as "lick"?
"bnaipal:
I don't know you, neither do you know me. But I do blog and I don't think you know bloggers well enuf to justly write thus:
"Do we Malaysians have to wash our Nation’s dirty linen on the net for every political Mongrel, the likes of the Retard Bush & his Coalition of Dickheads worldwide to glee with happiness?
Journalism in Malaysia is in its infancy. Our cosmopolitan society cannot afford to make mistakes on the net, media or in speech. There is no shortcut to maturity. Hence, let us not get impatient with our Govt. policies but strive as Rakyat Malaysia for the Solidarity, Integrity & Security of our Nation. Does it make sense to some of our brain death citizen bloggers out there? Or has somebody given the order to 'shoot' them already?"
First, bloggers as in any other field make up hopefully a normal distribution -- a few excellent, the majority mediocre and another few atrocious.
Second, "washing dirty linen" is for commenters like you who can't see the good of bloggers like jeeooi are doing on the Malaysian media landscape.
Third,"the likes of Retards like Bush..."?--the 'dickheads' encompass the ilk like thee, Sir bnaipal?
Third, "Infancy..." after almost 49years of Merdeka? Hey, it's a blardy 1/2 of yoyur lifetime if you live to 100, which I dearly pray you would so that you see the "outcome" of CRAP (Albert, pls DON'T SHOOT Desi for borrowing your mouth, I didn't fire any blanks!) citizens like thee&its progeny minus the contributions of the likes of jeffooi&Co:)
Fourth, "brain death citizen" is for Commenters like Bnaipal who think we are ":impatient" by writing about the problems facing NegaraKu and criticising the "elected" leaders, including the PM -- we are just responding to Pak Lah's request to the Rakyat "Talk straight with me".
I'll stop at four, in Chinoserie, the numeral can be pronounced "see" as some with eyes who do not SEE; or "Sei" to those people like bnaipal who label me as "brain dead" when I'm kicking and alive, still able to SHOOT at some "heads", Dick!:)
PS: Dear ER, go away for an early lunch, I promise to be back -- with a V! in Sabrina-style:) -- with that Somethin' Heavy?
CONTINUED @1.05PM, A man's word is his bond.
But nowadays, there are many men out there whose words are just MOUTHINGS. Shoot them. These LOUD MOUTHS. I don't know how the precedent few sentences have anything to do with my afternoon reflection, but I did preface that it was Somethin' Heavy, didn't I?
So serving my pre-lunch menu because I'm feeling heavy. Pak Lah ain't heavy, he's my prime minister. Desi would add any Comments at this moment as he need to do some RESEARCH (my journo training tells me indeed, you need to get the EVIDENCE before making any allegations. Just point out again that the present numbers are in millions (eg Khairy's RM9.6million borrowings to buy ECM-Libra shares) compared with BILLIONS under the olde regime (as in Peronas RM1.8billion bailout of one UMNO VVIP's son rolling on the high seas..., and another MCA VIP's son involved in purported RM1.2billion stockmarket spree to enjoy Eat, Drink and Be Merry klifestye...). I take leave and leave thee with just this one single reminder, can I?
And from BERNAMA, the national news agency, for what it's worth~~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 07, 2006 23:32 PM
Abdullah Replies Frankly To Allegations Against Him
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday night replied frankly to allegations and prejudices on him, particularly on his leadership style and decisions he made as the prime minister.
In a 40-minute special interview aired by TV3 Monday night, Abdullah, among others, admitted it was difficult for him to be "Mr Nice Guy", as this had given rise to all sorts of allegations against him.
He said every decision he made, though it took time, was made very carefully, giving credence to the truth and fairness for the good of all Malaysians, regardless of race.
"There are times I have to be very careful... One thing I realise since I became Prime Minister, I know whatever decision I make, be it good or bad, many people will feel the impact.
"If I made a bad decision, the consequences will be bad. If there is a good impact on the people, I thank God for it.
"But what worries me is that if it turns out to be wrong... not good, a lot of people will suffer and face hardship... this is what I am afraid of," he said in an interview with Bernama chairman Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini on "Bersemuka Bersama Perdana Menteri" programme aired by TV3 Monday night.
Abdullah also gave a lengthy reply to deny all allegations on his son Kamaluddin who allegedly benefited as the son of the prime minister and his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin, who allegedly influenced every decision made by Abdullah.
"People say all my decisions are influenced by Khairy. Where's Khairy? After suffering for umpteen years in politics, how difficult to become the prime minister, and then hand over power to him. How can?" he said.
On Kamaluddin, Abdullah said his son's businesses are mostly overseas and he was never involved in local companies or concessions offered by the government.
"(Kamaluddin) never asked help from the government, he never got involved in anything that requires bail-out... never," he said.
Asked on talk that the Penang monorail project has been awarded to Kamaluddin, Abdullah said: "Why talk like that... who said so? I want to tell you (Datuk) Annuar, it is not easy to be a good person, you know."
On why he was silent when former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made stinging attacks on him and his administration, Abdullah said he did not want to use the media as the platform to quarrel with his predecessor.
Moreover, he said, the questions and issues raised by Dr Mahathir were directed to the Government and should be replied by the ministers concerned who know their field better.
"My cabinet preferred me not to talk. And many people feel it's better I don't talk. Many people told me Pak Lah you don't talk. Then it will become messy. Don't. Allowing the ministers to reply was good enough," he said.
Abdullah also said he did not like to discuss his family matters though they have also become victims to the accusations of irresponsible parties.
"I know my children are not involved in the things that certain people have accused. Now, since you (Annuar) have asked me, I have to answer," he said.
Asked on talk that his leadership was "soft and weak", he said it was not his style to be a "gung ho" or to show-off.
"Please be patient... I am like what people say in a football match, not even 10 minutes of play, people want to punish me... How can? Wait for me to warm-up, pick up tempo and move," he said.
Abdullah said though his leadership style was different from that of Dr Mahathir's, he never deviated from the real goal -- to achieve Vision 2020 -- which would definitely be achieved in its own way after taking into account the circumstances.
He said he also held to his principle to be a respected leader rather than follow the philosophy of the famous political scientist Nicolo Machiavelli who held to the concept of a feared leader by the people.
He said he wants to lead the country like his marriage to his late wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, filled with love, sincerity and fairness.
"This is my principle which I will hold dearly," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Sometimes after BF, I surf JeffOoi's to find out the latest HOT topics whirling in Blogoisphere. On laidback Tuesday, quite cool and not persdpiring though I started 'late', I put my legs up for a leisurely BF with my morn papers. No 'U' for moUrn which often is the case with malaysiana-itis because finally the PM broke his trademark "silence" with a V! -- also no CON today as last Sunday passed less than 48 and I'm suffering from an overdose of peaNUTS butter -- so later, I surfed my Sifu's Blog and had to enter the ring of CONversationists to lighten up tghe match featuriong~~
Guna & "Media-and-the-Political Masters" Syndrome
Is the Malaysian Society prepared for total Press Freedom? NO. It is already obvious that many Malaysian bloggers have appointed themselves as Crusaders for ‘exposing’ Malaysian Govt. ‘misdeeds’. The power hungry politicians of the Opposition parties & people with vested interests have started attacking the Govt. through these ‘righteous’ bloggers. Do we Malaysians have to wash our Nation’s dirty linen on the net for every political Mongrel, the likes of the Retard Bush & his Coalition of Dickheads worldwide to glee with happiness?
Journalism in Malaysia is in its infancy. Our cosmopolitan society cannot afford to make mistakes on the net, media or in speech. There is no shortcut to maturity. Hence, let us not get impatient with our Govt. policies but strive as Rakyat Malaysia for the Solidarity, Integrity & Security of our Nation. Does it make sense to some of our brain death citizen bloggers out there? Or has somebody given the order to 'shoot' them already?
Posted by: bnaipal | August 7, 2006 12:03 PM
"To Bnaipal...
Your statement is CRAP yes in capital letters.
I have never heard bigger nonsence.
Malaysia has plenty of capable journalists, only they all left the mainstream media to pick up good jobs elsewhere, and it is absolutely NOT in its infancy.
Whats left in the mainstream media is a bunch of pen (keyboard) pushers who give a damn what they write, as long as they earn a nice living.
So go and defend your boss elsewhere!
Posted by: Albert | August 7, 2006 03:29 PM
::
::
(The above symbol shows a REFEREEE to keep the two Boxers in their Corners so that Decorum -- I don't know about Peace -- is maintained. ~~ Desi
::
::
"Dear Albert,
Your kind words depict the current standard of journalism in Malaysia. Need I elaborate more? And by the way, I do not live & work in a place where there is a 'boss' - It seems the remnants of Colonialism still reverberate in your gullible soul. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will prove highly beneficial to you in your current state of mind. Best of Luck with the recovery process.
Posted by: bnaipal | August 7, 2006 04:54 PM
Desiderata's 3sen worth follows as I beleive someone "defamed" me and my Blogger friends with one BIG brush, and I don't think he's such a painter to deserrve this scribe maintaining Elegant Silence. No, I'm not yet in Pak Lah's league...mayhaps bnaipal spells it as "lick"?
"bnaipal:
I don't know you, neither do you know me. But I do blog and I don't think you know bloggers well enuf to justly write thus:
"Do we Malaysians have to wash our Nation’s dirty linen on the net for every political Mongrel, the likes of the Retard Bush & his Coalition of Dickheads worldwide to glee with happiness?
Journalism in Malaysia is in its infancy. Our cosmopolitan society cannot afford to make mistakes on the net, media or in speech. There is no shortcut to maturity. Hence, let us not get impatient with our Govt. policies but strive as Rakyat Malaysia for the Solidarity, Integrity & Security of our Nation. Does it make sense to some of our brain death citizen bloggers out there? Or has somebody given the order to 'shoot' them already?"
First, bloggers as in any other field make up hopefully a normal distribution -- a few excellent, the majority mediocre and another few atrocious.
Second, "washing dirty linen" is for commenters like you who can't see the good of bloggers like jeeooi are doing on the Malaysian media landscape.
Third,"the likes of Retards like Bush..."?--the 'dickheads' encompass the ilk like thee, Sir bnaipal?
Third, "Infancy..." after almost 49years of Merdeka? Hey, it's a blardy 1/2 of yoyur lifetime if you live to 100, which I dearly pray you would so that you see the "outcome" of CRAP (Albert, pls DON'T SHOOT Desi for borrowing your mouth, I didn't fire any blanks!) citizens like thee&its progeny minus the contributions of the likes of jeffooi&Co:)
Fourth, "brain death citizen" is for Commenters like Bnaipal who think we are ":impatient" by writing about the problems facing NegaraKu and criticising the "elected" leaders, including the PM -- we are just responding to Pak Lah's request to the Rakyat "Talk straight with me".
I'll stop at four, in Chinoserie, the numeral can be pronounced "see" as some with eyes who do not SEE; or "Sei" to those people like bnaipal who label me as "brain dead" when I'm kicking and alive, still able to SHOOT at some "heads", Dick!:)
PS: Dear ER, go away for an early lunch, I promise to be back -- with a V! in Sabrina-style:) -- with that Somethin' Heavy?
CONTINUED @1.05PM, A man's word is his bond.
But nowadays, there are many men out there whose words are just MOUTHINGS. Shoot them. These LOUD MOUTHS. I don't know how the precedent few sentences have anything to do with my afternoon reflection, but I did preface that it was Somethin' Heavy, didn't I?
So serving my pre-lunch menu because I'm feeling heavy. Pak Lah ain't heavy, he's my prime minister. Desi would add any Comments at this moment as he need to do some RESEARCH (my journo training tells me indeed, you need to get the EVIDENCE before making any allegations. Just point out again that the present numbers are in millions (eg Khairy's RM9.6million borrowings to buy ECM-Libra shares) compared with BILLIONS under the olde regime (as in Peronas RM1.8billion bailout of one UMNO VVIP's son rolling on the high seas..., and another MCA VIP's son involved in purported RM1.2billion stockmarket spree to enjoy Eat, Drink and Be Merry klifestye...). I take leave and leave thee with just this one single reminder, can I?
And from BERNAMA, the national news agency, for what it's worth~~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 07, 2006 23:32 PM
Abdullah Replies Frankly To Allegations Against Him
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday night replied frankly to allegations and prejudices on him, particularly on his leadership style and decisions he made as the prime minister.
In a 40-minute special interview aired by TV3 Monday night, Abdullah, among others, admitted it was difficult for him to be "Mr Nice Guy", as this had given rise to all sorts of allegations against him.
He said every decision he made, though it took time, was made very carefully, giving credence to the truth and fairness for the good of all Malaysians, regardless of race.
"There are times I have to be very careful... One thing I realise since I became Prime Minister, I know whatever decision I make, be it good or bad, many people will feel the impact.
"If I made a bad decision, the consequences will be bad. If there is a good impact on the people, I thank God for it.
"But what worries me is that if it turns out to be wrong... not good, a lot of people will suffer and face hardship... this is what I am afraid of," he said in an interview with Bernama chairman Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini on "Bersemuka Bersama Perdana Menteri" programme aired by TV3 Monday night.
Abdullah also gave a lengthy reply to deny all allegations on his son Kamaluddin who allegedly benefited as the son of the prime minister and his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin, who allegedly influenced every decision made by Abdullah.
"People say all my decisions are influenced by Khairy. Where's Khairy? After suffering for umpteen years in politics, how difficult to become the prime minister, and then hand over power to him. How can?" he said.
On Kamaluddin, Abdullah said his son's businesses are mostly overseas and he was never involved in local companies or concessions offered by the government.
"(Kamaluddin) never asked help from the government, he never got involved in anything that requires bail-out... never," he said.
Asked on talk that the Penang monorail project has been awarded to Kamaluddin, Abdullah said: "Why talk like that... who said so? I want to tell you (Datuk) Annuar, it is not easy to be a good person, you know."
On why he was silent when former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made stinging attacks on him and his administration, Abdullah said he did not want to use the media as the platform to quarrel with his predecessor.
Moreover, he said, the questions and issues raised by Dr Mahathir were directed to the Government and should be replied by the ministers concerned who know their field better.
"My cabinet preferred me not to talk. And many people feel it's better I don't talk. Many people told me Pak Lah you don't talk. Then it will become messy. Don't. Allowing the ministers to reply was good enough," he said.
Abdullah also said he did not like to discuss his family matters though they have also become victims to the accusations of irresponsible parties.
"I know my children are not involved in the things that certain people have accused. Now, since you (Annuar) have asked me, I have to answer," he said.
Asked on talk that his leadership was "soft and weak", he said it was not his style to be a "gung ho" or to show-off.
"Please be patient... I am like what people say in a football match, not even 10 minutes of play, people want to punish me... How can? Wait for me to warm-up, pick up tempo and move," he said.
Abdullah said though his leadership style was different from that of Dr Mahathir's, he never deviated from the real goal -- to achieve Vision 2020 -- which would definitely be achieved in its own way after taking into account the circumstances.
He said he also held to his principle to be a respected leader rather than follow the philosophy of the famous political scientist Nicolo Machiavelli who held to the concept of a feared leader by the people.
He said he wants to lead the country like his marriage to his late wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, filled with love, sincerity and fairness.
"This is my principle which I will hold dearly," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Monday, August 07, 2006
The Singer, Not the Song...
Thanks to the Government and some bungling ministers and deputy ministers, Blogging in Malaysia has come under the Spotlight (become controversial?) for the wrong reasons. Let me state clearly this is one blogger Desiderata's views and why I blog and what I enjoy most about this journey.
First what I don't do -- in a short LIST BELOW -- in puting up my posts which I almost do as a daily ritual xcept for occasional hiatrus (plural for those hwo can afford it: Haiti!) to recharge the human battery which has a finite lifespan, just as your car's.
* I don't write to discredit my country - I love my NegaraKu as much as the neighbours.
** I don't write like it is a contest -- to score points, against any third parties.
*** I don't write for income generation -- no advertisements, no mercenary posting for pecuniary interests.
On why I write:
+ I write on key issues of Malaysian society, focusing on its civic-sociol-political happenings -- I care too much for NegaraKu to refrain from NOT writing.
++ I write with quality in mind, with First World benchmarks like clarityifnight.blogspot.com to guide me because it's precisely what Vision 2020 entails -- Therefore I think, I write, then I am. Did I borrow this?
+++ I write because I must do justice to God's gift to "Desi" for bestowing "him" with a flair of wordsmithry. I used "Desi" as if the Blogger is a "third person", hence "him" which is partially true. My persona in real life and in blogsporld definitely differ. I hope the difference is not "big", but there is always a "gap" (not intentional but nevertheless existant). I really hope to meet as many of my fellow Bloggers and EstemedReaders as possible, hence my G7 Meets (three to date, still counting...) Those I have
met" in person are quite close to their blogosphere personalities, because whether you like it or not, your writing "reveals" more of thee than a studio best-foot-forward shot, or your iompromptu party acts, which are 'two-dimensional'. A person is at least three-dimensional, as represented by the conventional x-, y- and z-axes. But there is the all-defining 4th axis -- I call IT the s-axis, for soul-axis.
I came back from a four-day hiatus -- chiefly for soul-nourishment interacting with Mother nature and my soulmates, comprising past and present teachers and poets -- and decided to write again on this topic because of a Meme I spied at Jason Evans. Those who have followed Desi's writes closely would know I had ventured to ClarityOfNight for some creative advenctures (Remember Twin Lights and Midnight Sanctuary?) and I promised a myGOoDfriend I would visit that field again to plant some seeds.
Just extract two points to learn from a fellow writer who is professionally trained as a lawyer, Jason:
::
from his post of Friday, July 28, 2006
The Interview Meme
:
:
1. When did you first start blogging and why?
I started The Clarity of Night on August 18, 2005, so I'm coming up on my one year anniversary.
I suppose I did it out of desperation. Novel writing is a dangerous business. Mistakes aren't cheap. Let's face it, we only have so many years to live, and each less-than-successful attempt is one less novel we can write later. I had been banging around on my own for a few years, and I started to feel trapped. I wasn't sure I was on the right track. I wasn't sure I was writing the right way. I wanted to explore more things than one storyline revision after revision. This blog started as a wide-open creative outlet for me to pour all of my far-flung interests into. Since each post didn't take too much effort, I could do anything, take chances, and most importantly, get feedback. I soon discovered how much I could learn simply by watching how people reacted.
:
:
3. Are you and your blogging persona the same person?
Yes. What probably doesn't come through is I like to joke around, think on my feet, and have philosophical conversations. I have a dark, dry sense of humor. Also, in whatever group I'm in, I usually become the resident confidant/psychologist. And if you won't tell me, I can usually find a way to coax it out of you.
4. How do you use blogging to build friendships?
I've always felt a bit out of step with most people around me. By creating a little reflection of my perceptions here and opening it to the world, I've been able to meet like-minded people. I'd have to say this ability to break down distance and isolation is one of the greatest gifts of the internet.
::
Coming back from hiatus, these few comments of my regulars elicited my writing above in trying to be honest in my responses. I will also address some specific points following the comments where needed, but LATER, bear with Desi while I bore you a little on
THE SINGER, NOT THE SONG ~~
sabrina said...
hey desi:
yes, take a break and indulge in the world of literary =)
Msia politics.. haiyah.. no need to see or say anymore lah..
it's hopeless, from where i see it :P
only solution: V for Vendetta stuff.. muahahah :)
take carez, my friend
Anak Merdeka said...
AAB & gang are such killjoys, aren't they? But I'm expecting Dr M to take that as a challenge & give us more entertaining stuff now that the gloves are off. We live in such boring times, we shud all be thankful that someone is willing to spice up our lives a bit!
howsy said...
Ooopss...typo. Image=imagine.
Since you're taking a hiatus from socio-poli, why not talk about yourself. C'mon, it's time you do yourself some self-interview, like me. :P
Helen said...
**knock knock** Miss you.
I second howsy's suggestion. Err, photo illustration would be a good start. Influential blogger said face behind a blog gives more credibility.
Twisted Heels said...
Hello Desi!!
You're on a break eh? I had been reading your posts and saw one where you were asking about me :)
How are you? Hope you're enjoying your Sunday con bf! (See, I remember!)
Blog when you feel fresh, up and running okay? Miss your political brainstorming puzzles!
Yan said...
mGf,
Have enough break. I thought it's just a "Kit-Kat" break!
DESIDERATA:
Sabrina, and All:
You always challenge Desi which is good, but I ditto likewise to thee so that we won't give in, or up, so easily without a fight. You agree to be positive; as a writer with passion, I go one plane higher, I urge my Y&A readers to be Optimistic as well so that we can be proactive and noit just be spectators of what's happeing around us -- be it political, social, arts and the eco-environment. An individual can make a difference -- it's the mind that will determine if you are prepared to be a Mahatma Gandhi, Marin Luther King, or Evita or Madonna. Or Shakespeare, or Lin Yutang, or John F Kennedy, or Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"V" for Vendetta -- care to elaborate?
Anak M:
++AAB & gang are such killjoys, aren't they?++
mGf, I agree with some parties being "killjoys", but it's NOT AAB, imho, it's his underLINGS, who don't know any better. May I hold that for discussion later with The Singer...?
++
Howsy & Helen, ipohLANG acting in concert/consort:
And from one of my fave groups, it's only
WORDS, and words are all I have
To take your heart away.
BTW, if you can call this a 'reveal': if you wanna know, some "greatest" (where almost every single track is a winner in its own right) ALBUMS I listen to to rev up my brain cells while writin':
Carole King's TAPESTRY
Faith Hill's PEARL HARBOR
Bee Gees' FIRST OF MAY
(Unfortunatel the King of Rock&Roll has all his greatest hits spread all over many albums...so go spend a fortune!)
'Zhen Rong':
This one does not 'twist' her words, often only her 'heels', and when I got to know the 'real' name behind the pen, I feel privileged to address her in reality, yet cyber~~ I recall thee just to 'Pep" thee up at a key turning of the tide.
Blog when you feel fresh, up and running okay? Miss your political brainstorming puzzles!
I'm so relieved someone appreciates when I write tongue-in-chic' (of course it has to be a she, NOT howsy or Mave, and please no green-eyed Incredible Hu'ks!:)
And mGf yan ~~ to whom I owe much, and yet it's so little -- like just carry-on boasting! -- when it comes to being Just Friends. Now do you need Sabrina, Kyels and Theels to be your Pom-Pom ...?
And this came in from my Poetic counterpart in sinGalong land, Joe.Psc~~
Desi,
Chew on this for a minute:
"Men seek out retreats for themselves in the
country, by the seaside, on the mountains... But
all this is unphilosophical to the last degree...
when thou canst at a moment's notice retire into
thyself." - Marcus Aelius Aurelius
The Singer Not the Song
aMore after news catch-up and tummy tucker-up~~
I googled and for time-saving, here's the summary:
Starring: Dirk Bogarde, John Mills, Mylène Demongeot, Laurence Naismith, Eric Pohlmann, John Bentley
Directed by: Roy Ward Baker
1961-UK
PLOT DESCRIPTION
This unusual western concerns the conflict between a priest and a Mexican bandito from A Night to Remember (1958) director Roy Baker. Father Keogh (John Mills) is a Catholic priest who arrives in the remote Mexican village of Quantano to build a congregation, unaware that the town is terrorized by the ruthless criminal Anacleto (Dirk Bogarde). An atheist, Anacleto has forbidden worship, so when Keogh holds services, Anacleto retaliates by murdering the locals in alphabetical order. Keogh refuses to back down.
Impressed by his valor, Anacleto calls his men off and makes the priest an offer -- he'll spare him if he determines which inspires greater good, "the singer" (the priest) or "the song" (religion). Keogh doesn't answer. Meanwhile, one of the clergyman's followers, the young girl Locha (Mylene Demongeot), flees when her family, realizing that she's in love with Keogh, arranges a marriage with someone more suitable. Anacleto finds the girl and offers Keogh another deal. He'll let the girl live if the priest will admit his failure before his congregation. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
As I said often, one field I reluctantly enter into is RELIGION, but today's being fictional, it's easier on my mind.
As with all great religions -- Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Taoism -- most of us would accept they preach universal values of showing compassion, love, humanity to fellow human beings, to creatures big and small, and to do good and avoid doing harm to others. The Song is universal and hardly anyone quarrels about the message.
Only when it comes to the followers. The PREACHERS. That's when the problem starts for then the "human" factor comes in. When it's the Singer who brings along his own personal frailties and prejudices -- like unwitting ignorance, and wrong interpretations -- that taint, even corrupt, the Song.
But in the Cowboy movie, it was the reverse, quite an exception really in life. The bandit Anacleto was impressed by Father Keogh; he was NOT enamoured by the preacher's Word.
In modern life, it's not often we are happy with the Messenger. Based ion personal experience, I often keep at arm's length most Preachers (Singers), for they often don't sing the Song in Essense of the word, rhythm or rhyme. So it's better for opne to refer to the Scriptures directly for inspiration, bypassing the messenger or reader.
WHY IS DESI SERMONISING THIS THIS AFTERNOON?
Mainly giving my 3sen's worth about all the noise -- cacaphony of sounds -- going on in Malaysian politics. For almost two monmths now, former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his lieutenants/henchmen/hatchetmen have been firing round after round of salvoes (SHOOTING AT PAK LAH, is that a crime? Some parties would deem it so if the latest, IMHO-lah!, Much Ado About Nothing created at JeffOoi's screenshots involving P Gunasegaram and a conversationist Ilmran's "shoot him..." comment.)
The Prime Minister has indeed maintained "elegant silence" before opening up his ammunition box -- and don't you underestimate what Mr Nice Guy's stings would amount to when the venom sinks in. And whether you realise it or not, much "venom" has been released into the Malaysian atmosphere, and some will fall victim. And usually THE LOUD MOUTHS HAVE THE MOST TO FEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEIR OWN VOMIT LANDS BACK ON THEIR FACES!
Hence to Anak Merdeka, I agree with you there have lately been many "killjoys". Thye come from NOT THE SINGER -- PAK LAH.
The distortion comes from the CHORUS LINE, and remember, many of them were INHERITANCE FROM THE OLDE REGIME.
So the conclusion is: THE SONG IS NOT WORKING. The song of race-based poltics played by Barisan Nasional -- dominated by UMNO Big Brother -- is not in harmony. Hence the cacophony of sounds.
It's from the chorus line -- a few names? How about Fu Ah Kiow? Claiming he was "mis-reported" when talking about press censorship, including of the Net (by all the press?); subsequent clarification which another colleague ZAM punced own to add to it his own interpretation on the use of Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984.
How about Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman. Another "Semuanya okay" referrrring to Sipadan Island after a strong rebuke from the silent CEO; just like months ago the CEO of Malaysia's Most Decevloped State Khir Toto's chorus with reference to the denudation of environs near Seri Alam Cahaya Agriculture Park...
So my dear ER< blame not Pak Lah the Singer.
The PM has unreservedly said he's not Mr 10%; not even one-quarter per cent! He's happy getting up on ministerial pay. A vow I think consonant with one who in his poltical wilderness days had to sell off the only house he owned. But we can't say about the lifestyles of other ministers in his cabinet -- golden, silver or wooden.
Desi believes the PM 100%. But I'm not too sure about his underlings. I believe the ongoing Sandiwara is slowly building up to a Mutiny. Recalls for Desi the famous/infamous
MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY.
And this could be a case of WHO GETS A BIGGER CUT OF THE SHRINKING BOUNTY?
No, I don't fault the Singer at all. He's a God-fearing man, and I have supported him all the way from Day One.
He asked of us Rakyat to tell it as it is.
Desiderata has taken Pak Lah on his Word -- I'd continue to tell IT as it is. Unless and until I am shown otherwise is the real message.
Raja Petra Kamarudin is among my faviourite singers, right up there with the Bee Gees, Elvis, and Faith Hill. Go listen to his Humouring about Rumours.But make sure your English is right up there before you challenge him. You challenge Desi and I'll still offer thee a tehtarik plus Miss Sunthi, or I'll press DELETE key. But with RPK, thou may get more than an earfool.:)
First what I don't do -- in a short LIST BELOW -- in puting up my posts which I almost do as a daily ritual xcept for occasional hiatrus (plural for those hwo can afford it: Haiti!) to recharge the human battery which has a finite lifespan, just as your car's.
* I don't write to discredit my country - I love my NegaraKu as much as the neighbours.
** I don't write like it is a contest -- to score points, against any third parties.
*** I don't write for income generation -- no advertisements, no mercenary posting for pecuniary interests.
On why I write:
+ I write on key issues of Malaysian society, focusing on its civic-sociol-political happenings -- I care too much for NegaraKu to refrain from NOT writing.
++ I write with quality in mind, with First World benchmarks like clarityifnight.blogspot.com to guide me because it's precisely what Vision 2020 entails -- Therefore I think, I write, then I am. Did I borrow this?
+++ I write because I must do justice to God's gift to "Desi" for bestowing "him" with a flair of wordsmithry. I used "Desi" as if the Blogger is a "third person", hence "him" which is partially true. My persona in real life and in blogsporld definitely differ. I hope the difference is not "big", but there is always a "gap" (not intentional but nevertheless existant). I really hope to meet as many of my fellow Bloggers and EstemedReaders as possible, hence my G7 Meets (three to date, still counting...) Those I have
met" in person are quite close to their blogosphere personalities, because whether you like it or not, your writing "reveals" more of thee than a studio best-foot-forward shot, or your iompromptu party acts, which are 'two-dimensional'. A person is at least three-dimensional, as represented by the conventional x-, y- and z-axes. But there is the all-defining 4th axis -- I call IT the s-axis, for soul-axis.
I came back from a four-day hiatus -- chiefly for soul-nourishment interacting with Mother nature and my soulmates, comprising past and present teachers and poets -- and decided to write again on this topic because of a Meme I spied at Jason Evans. Those who have followed Desi's writes closely would know I had ventured to ClarityOfNight for some creative advenctures (Remember Twin Lights and Midnight Sanctuary?) and I promised a myGOoDfriend I would visit that field again to plant some seeds.
Just extract two points to learn from a fellow writer who is professionally trained as a lawyer, Jason:
::
from his post of Friday, July 28, 2006
The Interview Meme
:
:
1. When did you first start blogging and why?
I started The Clarity of Night on August 18, 2005, so I'm coming up on my one year anniversary.
I suppose I did it out of desperation. Novel writing is a dangerous business. Mistakes aren't cheap. Let's face it, we only have so many years to live, and each less-than-successful attempt is one less novel we can write later. I had been banging around on my own for a few years, and I started to feel trapped. I wasn't sure I was on the right track. I wasn't sure I was writing the right way. I wanted to explore more things than one storyline revision after revision. This blog started as a wide-open creative outlet for me to pour all of my far-flung interests into. Since each post didn't take too much effort, I could do anything, take chances, and most importantly, get feedback. I soon discovered how much I could learn simply by watching how people reacted.
:
:
3. Are you and your blogging persona the same person?
Yes. What probably doesn't come through is I like to joke around, think on my feet, and have philosophical conversations. I have a dark, dry sense of humor. Also, in whatever group I'm in, I usually become the resident confidant/psychologist. And if you won't tell me, I can usually find a way to coax it out of you.
4. How do you use blogging to build friendships?
I've always felt a bit out of step with most people around me. By creating a little reflection of my perceptions here and opening it to the world, I've been able to meet like-minded people. I'd have to say this ability to break down distance and isolation is one of the greatest gifts of the internet.
::
Coming back from hiatus, these few comments of my regulars elicited my writing above in trying to be honest in my responses. I will also address some specific points following the comments where needed, but LATER, bear with Desi while I bore you a little on
THE SINGER, NOT THE SONG ~~
sabrina said...
hey desi:
yes, take a break and indulge in the world of literary =)
Msia politics.. haiyah.. no need to see or say anymore lah..
it's hopeless, from where i see it :P
only solution: V for Vendetta stuff.. muahahah :)
take carez, my friend
Anak Merdeka said...
AAB & gang are such killjoys, aren't they? But I'm expecting Dr M to take that as a challenge & give us more entertaining stuff now that the gloves are off. We live in such boring times, we shud all be thankful that someone is willing to spice up our lives a bit!
howsy said...
Ooopss...typo. Image=imagine.
Since you're taking a hiatus from socio-poli, why not talk about yourself. C'mon, it's time you do yourself some self-interview, like me. :P
Helen said...
**knock knock** Miss you.
I second howsy's suggestion. Err, photo illustration would be a good start. Influential blogger said face behind a blog gives more credibility.
Twisted Heels said...
Hello Desi!!
You're on a break eh? I had been reading your posts and saw one where you were asking about me :)
How are you? Hope you're enjoying your Sunday con bf! (See, I remember!)
Blog when you feel fresh, up and running okay? Miss your political brainstorming puzzles!
Yan said...
mGf,
Have enough break. I thought it's just a "Kit-Kat" break!
DESIDERATA:
Sabrina, and All:
You always challenge Desi which is good, but I ditto likewise to thee so that we won't give in, or up, so easily without a fight. You agree to be positive; as a writer with passion, I go one plane higher, I urge my Y&A readers to be Optimistic as well so that we can be proactive and noit just be spectators of what's happeing around us -- be it political, social, arts and the eco-environment. An individual can make a difference -- it's the mind that will determine if you are prepared to be a Mahatma Gandhi, Marin Luther King, or Evita or Madonna. Or Shakespeare, or Lin Yutang, or John F Kennedy, or Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"V" for Vendetta -- care to elaborate?
Anak M:
++AAB & gang are such killjoys, aren't they?++
mGf, I agree with some parties being "killjoys", but it's NOT AAB, imho, it's his underLINGS, who don't know any better. May I hold that for discussion later with The Singer...?
++
Howsy & Helen, ipohLANG acting in concert/consort:
And from one of my fave groups, it's only
WORDS, and words are all I have
To take your heart away.
BTW, if you can call this a 'reveal': if you wanna know, some "greatest" (where almost every single track is a winner in its own right) ALBUMS I listen to to rev up my brain cells while writin':
Carole King's TAPESTRY
Faith Hill's PEARL HARBOR
Bee Gees' FIRST OF MAY
(Unfortunatel the King of Rock&Roll has all his greatest hits spread all over many albums...so go spend a fortune!)
'Zhen Rong':
This one does not 'twist' her words, often only her 'heels', and when I got to know the 'real' name behind the pen, I feel privileged to address her in reality, yet cyber~~ I recall thee just to 'Pep" thee up at a key turning of the tide.
Blog when you feel fresh, up and running okay? Miss your political brainstorming puzzles!
I'm so relieved someone appreciates when I write tongue-in-chic' (of course it has to be a she, NOT howsy or Mave, and please no green-eyed Incredible Hu'ks!:)
And mGf yan ~~ to whom I owe much, and yet it's so little -- like just carry-on boasting! -- when it comes to being Just Friends. Now do you need Sabrina, Kyels and Theels to be your Pom-Pom ...?
And this came in from my Poetic counterpart in sinGalong land, Joe.Psc~~
Desi,
Chew on this for a minute:
"Men seek out retreats for themselves in the
country, by the seaside, on the mountains... But
all this is unphilosophical to the last degree...
when thou canst at a moment's notice retire into
thyself." - Marcus Aelius Aurelius
The Singer Not the Song
aMore after news catch-up and tummy tucker-up~~
I googled and for time-saving, here's the summary:
Starring: Dirk Bogarde, John Mills, Mylène Demongeot, Laurence Naismith, Eric Pohlmann, John Bentley
Directed by: Roy Ward Baker
1961-UK
PLOT DESCRIPTION
This unusual western concerns the conflict between a priest and a Mexican bandito from A Night to Remember (1958) director Roy Baker. Father Keogh (John Mills) is a Catholic priest who arrives in the remote Mexican village of Quantano to build a congregation, unaware that the town is terrorized by the ruthless criminal Anacleto (Dirk Bogarde). An atheist, Anacleto has forbidden worship, so when Keogh holds services, Anacleto retaliates by murdering the locals in alphabetical order. Keogh refuses to back down.
Impressed by his valor, Anacleto calls his men off and makes the priest an offer -- he'll spare him if he determines which inspires greater good, "the singer" (the priest) or "the song" (religion). Keogh doesn't answer. Meanwhile, one of the clergyman's followers, the young girl Locha (Mylene Demongeot), flees when her family, realizing that she's in love with Keogh, arranges a marriage with someone more suitable. Anacleto finds the girl and offers Keogh another deal. He'll let the girl live if the priest will admit his failure before his congregation. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
As I said often, one field I reluctantly enter into is RELIGION, but today's being fictional, it's easier on my mind.
As with all great religions -- Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Taoism -- most of us would accept they preach universal values of showing compassion, love, humanity to fellow human beings, to creatures big and small, and to do good and avoid doing harm to others. The Song is universal and hardly anyone quarrels about the message.
Only when it comes to the followers. The PREACHERS. That's when the problem starts for then the "human" factor comes in. When it's the Singer who brings along his own personal frailties and prejudices -- like unwitting ignorance, and wrong interpretations -- that taint, even corrupt, the Song.
But in the Cowboy movie, it was the reverse, quite an exception really in life. The bandit Anacleto was impressed by Father Keogh; he was NOT enamoured by the preacher's Word.
In modern life, it's not often we are happy with the Messenger. Based ion personal experience, I often keep at arm's length most Preachers (Singers), for they often don't sing the Song in Essense of the word, rhythm or rhyme. So it's better for opne to refer to the Scriptures directly for inspiration, bypassing the messenger or reader.
WHY IS DESI SERMONISING THIS THIS AFTERNOON?
Mainly giving my 3sen's worth about all the noise -- cacaphony of sounds -- going on in Malaysian politics. For almost two monmths now, former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his lieutenants/henchmen/hatchetmen have been firing round after round of salvoes (SHOOTING AT PAK LAH, is that a crime? Some parties would deem it so if the latest, IMHO-lah!, Much Ado About Nothing created at JeffOoi's screenshots involving P Gunasegaram and a conversationist Ilmran's "shoot him..." comment.)
The Prime Minister has indeed maintained "elegant silence" before opening up his ammunition box -- and don't you underestimate what Mr Nice Guy's stings would amount to when the venom sinks in. And whether you realise it or not, much "venom" has been released into the Malaysian atmosphere, and some will fall victim. And usually THE LOUD MOUTHS HAVE THE MOST TO FEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEIR OWN VOMIT LANDS BACK ON THEIR FACES!
Hence to Anak Merdeka, I agree with you there have lately been many "killjoys". Thye come from NOT THE SINGER -- PAK LAH.
The distortion comes from the CHORUS LINE, and remember, many of them were INHERITANCE FROM THE OLDE REGIME.
So the conclusion is: THE SONG IS NOT WORKING. The song of race-based poltics played by Barisan Nasional -- dominated by UMNO Big Brother -- is not in harmony. Hence the cacophony of sounds.
It's from the chorus line -- a few names? How about Fu Ah Kiow? Claiming he was "mis-reported" when talking about press censorship, including of the Net (by all the press?); subsequent clarification which another colleague ZAM punced own to add to it his own interpretation on the use of Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984.
How about Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman. Another "Semuanya okay" referrrring to Sipadan Island after a strong rebuke from the silent CEO; just like months ago the CEO of Malaysia's Most Decevloped State Khir Toto's chorus with reference to the denudation of environs near Seri Alam Cahaya Agriculture Park...
So my dear ER< blame not Pak Lah the Singer.
The PM has unreservedly said he's not Mr 10%; not even one-quarter per cent! He's happy getting up on ministerial pay. A vow I think consonant with one who in his poltical wilderness days had to sell off the only house he owned. But we can't say about the lifestyles of other ministers in his cabinet -- golden, silver or wooden.
Desi believes the PM 100%. But I'm not too sure about his underlings. I believe the ongoing Sandiwara is slowly building up to a Mutiny. Recalls for Desi the famous/infamous
MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY.
And this could be a case of WHO GETS A BIGGER CUT OF THE SHRINKING BOUNTY?
No, I don't fault the Singer at all. He's a God-fearing man, and I have supported him all the way from Day One.
He asked of us Rakyat to tell it as it is.
Desiderata has taken Pak Lah on his Word -- I'd continue to tell IT as it is. Unless and until I am shown otherwise is the real message.
Raja Petra Kamarudin is among my faviourite singers, right up there with the Bee Gees, Elvis, and Faith Hill. Go listen to his Humouring about Rumours.But make sure your English is right up there before you challenge him. You challenge Desi and I'll still offer thee a tehtarik plus Miss Sunthi, or I'll press DELETE key. But with RPK, thou may get more than an earfool.:)
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Political Crossroads
Whenever someone mentions Crossroads, Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken often comes to mind.
But sometimes it does not amount to such decision-making as to which road to take next at the forked junction. In fact, sometimes it means a travller must take a rest.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, many adults have forgotten to feel the mountain air, smell the fragrance of a rose, listen to a day-old baby cry.
I'm taking a sojourn to taste some of these therapeutic airs and sounds.
Then I may come back to write about Politics.
But Malaysian Politics has become banal and crass.
People don't know what Reasoning is anymore.
It's just the cacophony of sounds. Noise. Noise with no soul.
A baby's cries have soul.
A child's wails have soul
A teenager's laments have soul.
But much of adult politicians's voices have no soul.
They emit noises like Pigs and Babi, and Bastards and Barua, Binatang and Beasts. NO SOUL.
I think I'd live better with less Barua, Babi and Beast.
Malaysia has reached some sort of Political Crossroads that's not consonant with the new millennium.
We are wasting time playing, replaying the same old record.
Older leaders who should have known better are making as much noise as the younger ones.
I think writers should refrain from adding to the noise.
Desiderata would like to. Hence, his diet of Poetry.
Mave, I Apologise if this is not your cup of tea,
I'm trying to CONvert you. He he he. She she she.
I Go My Way
All round is haste, confusion, noise.
For power and wealth men stretch the day
From dawn till dusk. But quietly
I go my way.
For glitter, show, to taunt the crowd,
Desire-tossed in wild dismay,
Men sell their souls. But quietly
I go my way.
The green of all the fields is mine,
The stars, the night, the wind at play,
A peaceful heart, while quietly
I go my way.
UPDATED @10AM
PC1:
The Star frontpage reads~~
Bloggers beware
PM: Those who spread
untruths on the
net wil be detained
PC2:
theSun frontpage reads~~
Billborads
monopoly
SELANGOR PRIVATISES
ALL BILLBOARDS TO ONE
COMPANY FOR 30 YEARS
PC3:
thesun says, page 14
Control the hot air over
media control
WHEN all else fails to convince, national
security is often invoked. To be fair,
quoting national security is not the pre-
requisite of our government alone. Other
governments, uincluding those of the
United States and Britain, resort to citing
it as well whenever they want to make
some unpopular decisions especially
those affecting personal privacy and
freedom.
:
:
:
And while we are at it, we should also
control if not outright ban all politicians
from giving speeches since most often
than not they are the ones who stir up
racial and reliogious emotions, as we
often see happen even in [
parliament.
DESIDERATA: I've reproduced on the starting and ending paras.
Lazy bummmers should not be spoon-fed all the way. You work
the Other 80%~~~~~~~can?
And while you are at it, turn to page 8 as well;
the guy who gave you "22 questions" adds:
The myth of Mahathir's
invincibility
You did not hear IT from Desi,
it's from P. GUNASEGARAM,
group excutive editor
of The Edge.
But sometimes it does not amount to such decision-making as to which road to take next at the forked junction. In fact, sometimes it means a travller must take a rest.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, many adults have forgotten to feel the mountain air, smell the fragrance of a rose, listen to a day-old baby cry.
I'm taking a sojourn to taste some of these therapeutic airs and sounds.
Then I may come back to write about Politics.
But Malaysian Politics has become banal and crass.
People don't know what Reasoning is anymore.
It's just the cacophony of sounds. Noise. Noise with no soul.
A baby's cries have soul.
A child's wails have soul
A teenager's laments have soul.
But much of adult politicians's voices have no soul.
They emit noises like Pigs and Babi, and Bastards and Barua, Binatang and Beasts. NO SOUL.
I think I'd live better with less Barua, Babi and Beast.
Malaysia has reached some sort of Political Crossroads that's not consonant with the new millennium.
We are wasting time playing, replaying the same old record.
Older leaders who should have known better are making as much noise as the younger ones.
I think writers should refrain from adding to the noise.
Desiderata would like to. Hence, his diet of Poetry.
Mave, I Apologise if this is not your cup of tea,
I'm trying to CONvert you. He he he. She she she.
I Go My Way
All round is haste, confusion, noise.
For power and wealth men stretch the day
From dawn till dusk. But quietly
I go my way.
For glitter, show, to taunt the crowd,
Desire-tossed in wild dismay,
Men sell their souls. But quietly
I go my way.
The green of all the fields is mine,
The stars, the night, the wind at play,
A peaceful heart, while quietly
I go my way.
UPDATED @10AM
PC1:
The Star frontpage reads~~
Bloggers beware
PM: Those who spread
untruths on the
net wil be detained
PC2:
theSun frontpage reads~~
Billborads
monopoly
SELANGOR PRIVATISES
ALL BILLBOARDS TO ONE
COMPANY FOR 30 YEARS
PC3:
thesun says, page 14
Control the hot air over
media control
WHEN all else fails to convince, national
security is often invoked. To be fair,
quoting national security is not the pre-
requisite of our government alone. Other
governments, uincluding those of the
United States and Britain, resort to citing
it as well whenever they want to make
some unpopular decisions especially
those affecting personal privacy and
freedom.
:
:
:
And while we are at it, we should also
control if not outright ban all politicians
from giving speeches since most often
than not they are the ones who stir up
racial and reliogious emotions, as we
often see happen even in [
parliament.
DESIDERATA: I've reproduced on the starting and ending paras.
Lazy bummmers should not be spoon-fed all the way. You work
the Other 80%~~~~~~~can?
And while you are at it, turn to page 8 as well;
the guy who gave you "22 questions" adds:
The myth of Mahathir's
invincibility
You did not hear IT from Desi,
it's from P. GUNASEGARAM,
group excutive editor
of The Edge.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Call of the Faraway Hills
If you miss me
Just turn to a page of poetry
Then read ALOUD
I'm beside thee
List'ning to thy music
E'en your heart beats
And my spirited will be lifted
As the poet's words to us are gifted
Without any DOUBT
~~ Desi
Wanderers
A clear, cool night. I have been reading,
but the thoughts of man do not solace me.
I raised thec curtain and looked at the moon,
clear and silvery; and I brushed
some of the unrest out of my mind.
I know all the theories of the moon.
There have been times when the symbols
of science have robbed me of some of its
mystery and charm.
But no one can explain the moon any
more than a grasshopper can explain me.
In youth, the moon promised too much.
But now I understand better; that was not
the moon's fault.
Also the moon and I have this in common:
we both are wanderers across the night.
By
Max Ehrmann
To one Joe.psc, who composed like it's for me ~~
" The Veranda (Poem)
A new dawn broke with its first golden beam,
piercing dense foliage of spreading trees,
in a cold morn smoking low misty fumes,
shrouding sandy beach by the scenic sea.
O What a day sitting at the veranda !
sipping hot black coffee along with breakfast,
let eyes and mind wander far mountains yonder,
ever scrubbed by bobbing water of sea vast.
Bright sunlight struck with heat upon leaves and grass -
cold, smooth, wet, and heavy with night's dew laden -
that welcomed the warmth of sun as morning last,
to help rid their faces of dewy burden.
Night tide had receded into boundless sea,
towards the far horizon's mountainous range,
leaving to early birds a muddy shore free,
to scavenge alongside swampy creatures strange.
:
:
:
Desiderata responded with~~
it's also for Desi the call of the Faraway Hills
After picking sea shells on the sea shore
Barefoot dancing over hot rocks and needdly pebbles
Chasing after mudskippers we kids thought were ffflying fish
And wondering how come star fish would no swim round and round
Joe. thanks for bringing back the sun
even at twilight time
Hot scones with generous toppings of peanut butter
Oh, tehtarik piping hot on a cool windswept evening
That's heaven on earth
I'm glad we can still put in words
Such ecstasy
Monday, July 31, 2006 12:06:02 PM
If you still miss me,
PONDER and then take flight with
The Little Prince
And now here's my secret,
a very simple secret.
It is only
with the heart that
one can see rightly.
What is essential is
invisible to the eye.
by
French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
12.10AM
August 1, 2006
Just turn to a page of poetry
Then read ALOUD
I'm beside thee
List'ning to thy music
E'en your heart beats
And my spirited will be lifted
As the poet's words to us are gifted
Without any DOUBT
~~ Desi
Wanderers
A clear, cool night. I have been reading,
but the thoughts of man do not solace me.
I raised thec curtain and looked at the moon,
clear and silvery; and I brushed
some of the unrest out of my mind.
I know all the theories of the moon.
There have been times when the symbols
of science have robbed me of some of its
mystery and charm.
But no one can explain the moon any
more than a grasshopper can explain me.
In youth, the moon promised too much.
But now I understand better; that was not
the moon's fault.
Also the moon and I have this in common:
we both are wanderers across the night.
By
Max Ehrmann
To one Joe.psc, who composed like it's for me ~~
" The Veranda (Poem)
A new dawn broke with its first golden beam,
piercing dense foliage of spreading trees,
in a cold morn smoking low misty fumes,
shrouding sandy beach by the scenic sea.
O What a day sitting at the veranda !
sipping hot black coffee along with breakfast,
let eyes and mind wander far mountains yonder,
ever scrubbed by bobbing water of sea vast.
Bright sunlight struck with heat upon leaves and grass -
cold, smooth, wet, and heavy with night's dew laden -
that welcomed the warmth of sun as morning last,
to help rid their faces of dewy burden.
Night tide had receded into boundless sea,
towards the far horizon's mountainous range,
leaving to early birds a muddy shore free,
to scavenge alongside swampy creatures strange.
:
:
:
Desiderata responded with~~
it's also for Desi the call of the Faraway Hills
After picking sea shells on the sea shore
Barefoot dancing over hot rocks and needdly pebbles
Chasing after mudskippers we kids thought were ffflying fish
And wondering how come star fish would no swim round and round
Joe. thanks for bringing back the sun
even at twilight time
Hot scones with generous toppings of peanut butter
Oh, tehtarik piping hot on a cool windswept evening
That's heaven on earth
I'm glad we can still put in words
Such ecstasy
Monday, July 31, 2006 12:06:02 PM
If you still miss me,
PONDER and then take flight with
The Little Prince
And now here's my secret,
a very simple secret.
It is only
with the heart that
one can see rightly.
What is essential is
invisible to the eye.
by
French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
12.10AM
August 1, 2006
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