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This article merits your attention.

CLICK HERE. 

Sad but true situation as explained there. Don't miss it.

Consider THIS ARTICLE as well.

When one partakes in fallacious thinking and then divides the world into black and white spheres where neither shall the twain meet, it could either signify the effects of subliminal programming or could herald the dawn of a new age whereby immaturity and narrow mindedness rule the day.

I believe that when people disagree, it shows they care, albeit to different degrees about different aspects of a particular issue/problem/situation. The argumentative state could indicate attempts to unravel better solutions to the issue. If that is the case, why are there others who try to stifle any expression of opinion - supportive or contrarian?

To disagree is not equivalent to betrayal, unkindness, disloyalty or insensitivity.

There is no use in:

• sweeping issues under the carpet
• being delusional by pretending with a smile that all is well
• being blind by living in oblivion that a particular issue does not exist when many are aware of its existence
• condemning voices of dissent
• taking an angry or retaliative or childish stance

If the rough and rocky road of angry rumblings is taken, surely tension will be the name of the game and it does no good at all. In fact, it only exacerbates the situation because progress is not attained and the cold wall of denial or confrontation or inertia drains people thereby making it even more difficult to reach conciliation. Then, the longer the problem will be unresolved and the more frustrated and negative would be one's reaction or perspective to change for the better when mutual respect fizzles through the air.

To me, it is largely due to how different individuals/groups communicate their frustration or concerns and how the other party reacts - positively or negatively. That makes all the difference.

At the same time, some may choose to remain silent. If that be the case, this cold wall can be interpreted as support, tolerance and/or ambivalence to the heart of the matter. Some may say they don't have the courage to say or do anything about it and then they are written off.

The more vocal ones are more than often ready to vocalise but have inertia in really getting down to the brass tacks of serious work. It is easier to be an arm-chair critic than to be in the thick of things doing real serious work - as an employee, team member or a volunteer.

In an environment where critical thinking skills are absent, where herd mentality rules, when the pressure to conform reigns or when one is subject to propaganda, it is very easy to forget that each concerned person should review and discuss critical issues and work it out together for a favourable win-win situation.

For example, I have my concerns about the state of education here. And I do have legitimate reasons to rant because I am directly involved in education and can see and assess the downhill trend. At the same time, apart from ranting, I have also given many suggestions many times as to why the problem exists, how it can be tackled and why there seems to be no progress, only regression.

However, there are also non-teaching Malaysians who share similar views and they can listen to explanations, make rational observations and discuss honestly in an environment where positive energy can flourish. In that way, differences in opinion can be appreciated, valued and taken into consideration while viable solutions are being worked out.

To me, there is nothing wrong in looking at what's happening, listening attentively and questioning passionately because of a heart that cares.

I advocate inquiry and not the dogma of advocacy or authoritarianism where one party says 'SIT' and everyone else sits.

Honestly, I perceive this is the root of the matter in this country where differences are played up, loyalties questioned, inquiries treated with disdain and quelled and then opinion leaders proclaim only theirs is the right way with the right answer and the right solution. Everyone else is wrong so zip up. Tragically, such overtures reflect the immature and low mentality of leaders who indulge in the 'gospel' of advocacy and then avenues of dialogue are slowly sealed one by one.

Why can't we have healthy debates? Why must it be angry debates/accusations in a win-lose kind of communication model?

We have to differentiate diversity, freedom of expression and also accountability. To give a blanket judgement that one has to accept A and reject B and that is the way it goes for otherwise, you are an outcast is a move which robs us of our thinking faculties to differentiate and to assess what would be the critical problem.

And this situation begins in the classroom right from kindergarten to even university or at the work-place. For instance, I always tell my students that they are free to disagree with me in issues discussed in class. If they feel natural disasters is an act of God whereas I may feel that it is due to man's irresponsible acts, it is completely fine with me and I will still give them the marks they deserve based on the rationality and maturity of their arguments, style and flair in sewing the whole case together and other aspects of the marking scheme.

The reality is this - for at least two to three months, few dare to offer their opinions. Why? Because they were shot down by teachers or classmates or they faced negative responses such as 'This is not in the syllabus' or 'Don't try to be funny..' and other attempts to derail their journey to inquire and to learn. When they grow up, they may carry with them this baggage of nonchalant ambivalence  and kow tow to others who are perceived to be more credible and vocal and in a better position to argue to fight the case.

We see this in the political sphere. When one party says one thing, attacks ae launched, denials churned out at supersonic speed and red herrings thrown along the way for good measure.

Tragically, a few intelligent ones even spin the whole story to detour the whole focus of the discussion to a topic based on popular sentiment that is known to trigger umbrage. And then - tar da - people are led by their noses and rant and curse on that non-related issue, forgetting the main issue all the way. And they also forget to pick out nuances in the main issue because they forgot to ask, to inquire, to do research and then to collate, digest, analyze before they verbalize.

Sighs.

And that, dear reader....is the state of affairs in this country.

Where outspoken ones take the wrong track, miss the journey and face consequences.

Or how cunning ones are employed to confuse the masses.

Or non-thinking ones go with the flow.

The time has come to be rational, logical and fair in our assessment of conflict/issues/people.

Pin point the main issue and do not target the person. Forget not who is affected. The victim has the right to voice the heart of the matter. On-lookers may not have the same frame of reference. As such, they would view the problem or the road to the solution differently.

Let us focus on solutions and stay away from dramas and problems. Leave that to Hollywood, Bollywood, Hong Kong tv stations or Korean soap opera experts.

Observations should come first before opinions and we have to do our research to test the veracity of arguments/evidence.

Give others respect and listen to their arguments without any interruption or cajoling.

Question to illuminate, not to humiliate or to interrogate unless we are in a formal position that empowers us to do so,

Ask pertinent and not leading or loaded questions that could affect the response of the receiver.

Respect others always. Speak when we have the opportunity or else remain silent until the next opportune moment arises.

I always tell my students that they need to pay special attention to the tone and style of their writing and I try to practise what I teach.

Much like fashion where one adopts a particular style of dressing by choosing certain types of clothes, style in communication is our choice of words used in any form of communication.

Tone is the effect of those words.

Hence, to maintain peace, harmony and order in our society, especially during the election campaign period, let us respect and honour fellow citizens and set the right tone in our forms of communication be it at a ceramah, dinner, email, interposed or interpersonal communication and encourage a healthy discussion and debate.

Sometimes there could be no right or wrong response but it is important that we do not comment on what others say lest it triggers a row. The best bet would be to listen respectfully. I know it is very difficult, especially when one is aware of certain problems or unresolved issues and all one can see is the brick wall ahead with no road behind it.

Laughing is a good way to defuse a tensed situation, especially when we listen to witty, clever and amusing responses. Such a relaxed ambiance could encourage congeniality and a willingness to accept differing opinions till we agree to disagree.

However, logically speaking, each of us must now list out pressing issues of this country, our concerns. And to question our outgoing ADUN, candidates who are contending for those seats and to ask them to present their views and solutions.

Now I am not at all proposing conflict avoidance because the absence of a healthy debate and/or dissent and differences could be causal factors for faulty decisions!

That way, we can have a healthy and open debate to empower us to make intelligent decisions in our voting when deciding WHO IS THE ONE WORTHY OF OUR VOTE and whether or not, THEY CAN DELIVER - based on their record of service, character, manifesto etc.

As the nation moves into a major decision-making mode, may diversity be celebrated in such a way that we can attain harmony and unity, not factionalism.



Let's embrace differences without compromising ethics, values or principles. May God bless Malaysia with leaders - fine men and women of God who are intelligent, courageous, ethical, responsible and the heart to serve the people - truly, honestly and sincerely.

A few days ago, this site hosted an excerpt from Aaron James book called  “Assholes: A Theory” . AARON JAMES holds a PhD from Harvard and is associate professor of philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. He is the author of Fairness in Practice: A Social Contract for a Global Economy, and was awarded the Burkhardt Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies, spending the 2009–10 academic year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. He’s an avid surfer (the experience of which has directly inspired this book) . . . and he’s not an asshole.

According to Amazon.com which sells the book here:


In the spirit of the mega-selling On Bullshit, philosopher Aaron James presents a theory of the asshole that is both intellectually provocative and existentially necessary.

What does it mean for someone to be an asshole? The answer is not obvious, despite the fact that we are often personally stuck dealing with people for whom there is no better name. Try as we might to avoid them, assholes are found everywhere—at work, at home, on the road, and in the public sphere. Encountering one causes great difficulty and personal strain, especially because we often cannot understand why exactly someone should be acting like that.

Asshole management begins with asshole understanding. Much as Machiavelli illuminated political strategy for princes, this book finally gives us the concepts to think or say why assholes disturb us so, and explains why such people seem part of the human social condition, especially in an age of raging narcissism and unbridled capitalism. These concepts are also practically useful, as understanding the asshole we are stuck with helps us think constructively about how to handle problems he (and they are mostly all men) presents. We get a better sense of when the asshole is best resisted, and when he is best ignored—a better sense of what is, and what is not, worth fighting for.

Some of the editorial reviews on Aaron James' book that have been featured in Amazon include:


Advance Praise for Assholes: A Theory:

“Aaron James provides us with a delightful philosophical romp through the world of assholes. I was especially tickled by his analysis of different types: smug assholes, royal assholes, the presidential asshole, corporate assholes, the reckless assholes, to name a few.”

—Robert I. Sutton, Stanford professor and author of the New York Times bestsellers The No Asshole Rule and Good Boss, Bad Boss

“Aaron James explores a very rude term that many now find unavoidable in the description of an alarming human type. His witty and accessible study of the personal and social problems the asshole creates draws on his lucid and brilliant accounts of the best in contemporary moral and political philosophy. James’s analysis of asshole capitalism is a tour de force of philosophically astute political analysis and criticism. This is a book that should appeal equally to the general reader and the philosophical specialist.”

—Marshall Cohen, founding editor of Philosophy and Public Affairs and university professor emeritus, University of Southern California

I hope I have convinced you to CLICK HERE to enjoy the  excerpt from “Assholes: A Theory”  by Aaron James. That post currently has more than 200 comments!!!

Happy reading and have a great day!!!!

By losing something, Catarina Migliorini could gain $780,000.

The 20-year-old Brazilian woman has been auctioning off her virginity online for the past few weeks and a man from Japan known as "Natsu" came out on top with the winning bid.

Natsu beat out five other bidders after a feverish final day where the price of Migliorini's virtue jumped from $190,000 on Oct. 23 to the final $780,000 price tag.

The news wasn't so good for her male counterpart, Alex Stepanov, whose virginity only racked up $3,000 from a woman in Brazil named "Nene B."

Although Migliorini, a physical education student, has claimed to media that she planned to donate as much as 90 percent of the auction price to charities that will build homes in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, even auction organizer Justin Sisely, who devised the plan for a proposed documentary, was skeptical.

CLICK HERE for the full story and over 34 photographs.

An old Arab story goes that two boys – one rich and the other poor – were returning home from the market.

The rich boy bought honey-covered cookies and the poor one, a piece of old bread. 'I will let you eat my cookie if you play the dog for me,' the rich boy said.

The poor boy accepted and, on his fours on the walkway, he began to eat the rich boy's goodies.

The wise man Fath, who was watching the scene, said: 'If this poor boy had a little bit of dignity he would find out a way of making money.

But he prefers to turn into the rich boy's dog in order to eat his cookies. Tomorrow, when he is grown up, he will do the same for a public office and will be capable of betraying his country for a bag of gold.'

 'Many times we are tools of evil when we try to do good,' Al- Fahid said to his friend. 'I try to be constantly alert, but today I was used by the demon.'

'How come? You are known to be wise!' 'This morning I went to pray at the mosque.

Respecting the tradition, I took off my shoes before I went in; as I came out I noticed they had been stolen: I ended up creating a thief.' 'But that isn't your fault,' his friend said.

'It is my fault. It is easy to awake our fellow men's bad side. It is easy to irritate someone, sow discord, raise doubts, separate brothers. The Devil needs Man to carry out his actions - and that is why I am responsible.'

A group passed through the street: soldiers led a sentenced man to the gibbet. 'That man was no good,' a disciple said to Awas-el Salam.

'I once gave him a silver coin to help him get out of misery and he did nothing important.' 'He may be no good, but he might be walking to the gibbet now because of you.

It is possible that he used the money you gave him to buy a dagger, which he ended up using in the crime he committed; so, your hands are bloody as well. Instead of supporting him with love and tenderness, you chose do give him alms and get rid of your obligation.'

An old man was selling toys at the market in Bagdad. His buyers, knowing he had weak sight, would sometimes pay him with fake coins.

The old man noticed the trick but didn't say anything. In his prayers he asked God to forgive those who had tricked him.

'Perhaps they don't have much money and want to buy gifts for their children,' he would say to himself.

Time passed by and the man died. Standing before the portal of Paradise, he prayed once again. 'Lord,' he said, 'I am a sinner.

I did many things wrong, I am no better than the fake coins I was given. Forgive me!'

On that moment the gate opened and a Voice said: 'What should I forgive? How can I judge someone who has never judged anyone throughout his life?

-Translated from Portuguese by Bettina Dungs-
Source: HERE

Jean was walking with his grandfather through a public square in Paris.

At a certain point, he saw a shoemaker being mistreated by a client, whose footwear showed a flaw.

The shoemaker listened calmly to the complaint and apologized, promising to correct the error.
Jean and his grandfather stopped to have coffee at a bistro.

At the table next to them, the waiter asked a man to move his chair a little in order to make space.

That man burst into a torrent of complaints and refused to move.

“Never forget what you have seen today,” Jean’s grandfather said, “the shoemaker accepted the complaint, while this man next to us didn’t want to move.


“Useful men, who do useful things, don’t mind being treated as useless.

“But the useless always judge themselves as being important and hide all their incompetence behind authority.” 

-Written by Paul Coelho- 

"Big Spender" is a song written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields for the musical Sweet Charity, first performed in 1966. It is sung, in the musical, by the dance hostess "girls"; it was choreographed by Bob Fosse for the Broadway musical and the film. It is "set to the beat of a striptease" as the girls "taunt" the customers.

A hit version of the song by Shirley Bassey reached #21 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1967. This version featured in the 2004 film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, and in the 2005 film Nynne. The song has become one of Bassey's signature songs. She has performed the song numerous times, most notably for the 80th birthday of Prince Philip. She also sang it at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival.
Source: HERE  The following clip was choreographed by the famous choreographer, Bob Fosse.

Malaysia also has a big spender. But this time, we should sing aloud, "Hey Big Spender, spend a little less of the rakyat's money!"

Check out the following article by Adila Razak of Malaysiakini.

Customs officer goes on RM1.82mil shopping spree

A Customs officer bought hundreds of items not allocated for, raking up a bill of RM1.82 million, the Auditor-General's Report 2011 reveals.

The officer, who is not named in the report, had placed a verbal order for the items, some of these costing several thousands of ringgit, without the procurement division's approval, leaving the Treasury to foot the bill.

He had ordered:

•     An extra 50 GPS navigation systems when he was only authorised to order 30, costing  RM6,174 each;
•     An extra 100 search lights, when he had obtained approval to order only 50, costing      RM1,292.60 each;
•     60 beacon lights at RM1,311 each;
•     250 rechargeable torchlights at RM1,217.16 each; and
•     100 walkie-talkies at RM5,259 each.

The officer had not been authorised to order any of the last three items.

According to the audit report, the purchases were made in 2007 but the supplier, True Target Resources, could not be paid as the bill went beyond the procurement budget of the Royal Customs and Excise Department.

It added that the Treasury in in 2010 approved the payment and an investigation into how the breach of regulations had taken place was started.

The Finance Ministry on Dec 22, 2010, issued a directive to the Customs Dpartment to lodge a police report against the errant officer.

"However, no action was taken against the officer involved as he had given a 24-hour notice of resignation on Feb 26, 2008," the audit report states.

On May 24, 2012, the Customs Department lodged a police report against the errant officer.

Tourism projects swept into the sea

The auditor-general also ticks off the Tourism Ministry in the 2011 report for "poor location or justification" for some of its tourism infrastructure projects.

The ministry had built 13 gazebo (wakaf) costing a total of RM190,000 and a floating restaurant in Bachok, costing RM200,000 in 2008, but none of these survived.

The audit revealed that the area was close to a river and flood-prone, and that the ministry did not check with the Meteorological Department before building the huts and restaurant.

A replica of a Japanese fort and two gazebo in Kota Bharu, costing RM180,000 that were also built in 2008, were brought down by high tide.

An appended picture taken in November, 2011 (left) shows the fort and gazebo in pieces in the sea.

"Planning should take into consideration the suitability of land and location to ensure that tourists can use these infrastuctures optimally and safely," the report says.

In response to the audit fundings, the ministry said it would plan better in the future and would consult agencies such as the Meterological Department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage before doing so.

Death came to a Man and said, “My friend today is your last day on the earth”

Man : But I am not ready..

Death : Well your name is the next in my list..

Man : Okay why don’t you take a seat and I will get you something to eat before we go..

Death thought for a moment and said : All Right..

The Man gave Death some food with sleeping pills in it. Death finished eating and fell into a deep sleep..

The Man took the list & removed his name from top of the list and wrote it into the bottom of the list.

When Death woke up, he said to the Man : Because you have been so very nice to me, I will start from the BOTTOM of the list..

Moral of the story : Never Manipulate.

There was a well known logician from Bengal. In his times, his intelligence was considered unparalleled. Besides his expertise in logic, he was proficient in the scriptures and had memorised almost all the major ones.

One day, while the logician was buying some oil at the miller’s, he observed that just behind the shop, was the miller’s ox going round in circles.

There was no one to guide its movement. The ox was moving on its own accord. Surprised, the logician asked the miller how the ox was moving under the illusion that someone was guiding it, when no one was actually present.

The miller pointed to the bell tied around its neck. As long as the bell kept tinkling, the miller knew that the ox was moving.

As soon as he bell stopped, the miller would shout out and the ox would move on. “Stupid ox!” the scholar exclaimed, “If I were in its place I would only stand and keep shaking my head, so that the bell would keep ringing, and you would remain under the illusion that I was moving.”

The miller laughed, “Sir! It is not a scholar or a logician, but a simple ox. It has not read any scriptures. It does not know logic. That is why it is simple and humble. Now please go from here, for even if your shadow falls on the ox, it may possibly start cheating me.”

Think about it… Do we use are education to benefit others or deceive them?

-Author Unknown-

Undeniably, mankind has progressed in many unprecedented ways. However, the fact remains that many problems still exist. In fact, those related to moral values seem to be on the increase. To me, all this is caused on the missing factor in the world today. Factor 'I' is integrity. While the world was burdened by the acquired immunity deficiency syndrome in the past, Malaysians are suffering the effects of acquired INTEGRITY deficiency syndrome as seen in those who ought to have that "I" factor!

This disease is rife in modern society where the producer's satisfaction takes precedence over customer satisfaction. Policies are deliberately implemented to deny consumers their rights and defraud them of their cash. You are enticed with pretty promises but when you need the service you were promised you come to the ugly realisation that it was all lies, they just wanted your money.

It is rife in our employment field where too many employees see if they can get out of work or to see what they can get out of work. They willingly enter into an agreement with their employer and then once employed, demand improved conditions of employment without offering improved levels of service. Sadly, there are many employers who offer below subsistence wages yet expect above average performance - much like the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Needless to say, it is rife in the political arena of many countries, even a little closer home.

What are the symptoms? You know someone or some organization has this ailment when you see what they can get away with the most bizarre acts/statements. What happens is that the more that those unscrupulous ones can get away with it, the less they see the need to actually do what they perceive as the right thing. Eventually, this happens so often that it becomes their nature to do the wrong thing whole actually believing that the wrong thing is actually the right thing. Even the crap that they tell the public sounds true in their ears!!!In other words, there is a complete absence of HONEST INTENT.

Many areas seem to demonstrate a lack of integrity. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines integrity as the ability to have a “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.” The Oxford American Dictionary defines it as “honesty, incorruptibility.”

Recent events have truly shown up the deficiency of integrity. Are leaders consistent in their actions? Can we trust them? Can we believe in what they are saying? Can we stomach their absurdities any more? Frankly, I am so fed up and during such times, I lose my voice in my writing - which explains why I have not been blogging for the past two weeks or so.

Can there ever be a new breed of leaders who dare to rise above moral and ethical standards and adhere to religious and moral principles in the things they do and say? When an organization chooses a leader that does not demonstrate such ideals and cowers in fear of others, it is the beginning of the death of that organization. When an organization follows a leader that looks at others through race-tinted glasses and other leaders DO NOT chastise him, then we know something is seriously wrong.

We HAVE to make a difference in small but meaningful ways to raise awareness about all this crap that we see. Ranting alone is not enough. Most sincerely, I confess I am at my wits' ends trying to figure out how we can escape from this malaise.

Naturally, we must continue to uphold moral and ethical standards not forgetting religious and moral principles. Our challenge is to teach our children and the youth of today and tell them where some went wrong and to ensure they do not follow the wrong examples and to ensure that they do not look up to the wrong models of behavior. The world is full of deceit and immorality and public outcry MUST rise above all the deceit, deception, foul play and compromise of ethics, values and norms.

We MUST speak up when the situation warrants it and demand for the truth and nothing but the truth!!!! We must speak up loudly when things are not and keep silent no more. But what happens when elected leaders keep silence in the line of duty?

May there be leaders who are wise and strong enough to unravel and to expose the truth. If not, our nation will be gnawed slowly but surely by this acquired integrity deficiency syndrome where the truth will then be buried somewhere out there in mysteries that even Mulder and Scully cannot solve!

Please leave a comment if you wish to share your thoughts and views. Thanks. Have a lovely week ahead.
_________________________________

There is something wrong with the comment system in my blog as it cannot take links. I do not know what happened. Thanks to Antares who alerted me. Here's his comment sent via email. If you have problems in commenting, kindly send it to
mwsmithunplugged@gmail.com

It's timely to take another look at Buckminster Fuller's 1973 poem HERE. Problem is, ruling elites tend to marry amongst themselves to keep the wealth within the family - and so, after hundreds of generations, they become vulnerable to regressive genes and instead of evolving, their bloodlines begin to devolve. Much as we detest violence and abhor the use of brute force, in most cases conditions have become so critical we may be forced to follow our young ones out into the streets. No police force can subdue a crowd that outnumbers it 1,000 to 1.

Antares
~^@^~

The various headlines of online news portals and MSM tell us one thing - that our political parties are in a crisis situation. A crisis can be any situation that threatens the integrity or reputation of a group usually brought on by adverse or negative media attention. Politicians from BOTH sides of the divide have been affected either directly or indirectly. Naturally, any onlooker is likely to conclude that response to the crisis situations have been far from appropriate.


There is one difference though - whilst the BN may be getting the brunt of adverse media attention, we must remember that they have at their disposal, professional consultants to steer them out of troubled waters. Obviously, PR practitioners can attest to the fact that if a crisis situation is handled correctly, the damage can be minimized.

The most crucial remedy to a crisis such as in the PKFZ scandal and many other controversies plaguing our political landscape is for the authorities to tell it all, tell it fast and ultimately tell the truth. Now if they can succeed in doing that, then I am sure BN will win in the next GE.

The question is, are they willing to tell all and to tell the truth. If not, why?

Many may be numbed by the horrifying amounts involved in the various controversies. If the authorities are also as concerned, they should be aware of what actions to be taken.

For instance, once the scandal emerged, those authorities concerned should have created a team that comprise of key personnel such as the CEO, Public Relations Manager, and all the staff who were directly or indirectly involved in the situation that has brought about the crisis or any one else such as lawyers and others who might be able to shed some light on the situation such as eye witnesses.

The next step would be a plan of action and appointment of the spokesperson to speak with the media. Obviously, the Public Relations personnel should have a PR pack ready that includes a summary of key personnel involved and an official summary of the situation.

Clearly, our politicians are ill-advised as to how to tackle bad media publicity because many of the statements they make independently cannot really protect the integrity and reputation of the party and could be doing the opposite!

As we see the various developments, rarely do we see OFFICIAL announcements/clarifications for the crisis situation such as in the Selangor DAP spat. The individuals concerned issue statements that project the impression that they are more intent on protecting their own turf than that of the party.

Shouldn't the parties concerned have an internal disciplinary meeting and/or enquiry and to advise members NOT to speak to the press until all is resolved?

When members are not disciplined, naturally they will do and say whatever suits their whims and fancies and I am speaking objectively. I feel so disappointed that some cannot observe basic decorum. Granted that in this IT era, information can be transmitted speedily with the click of the mouse but that should only impress upon them the need for uniformity and consistency in the official messages that are broadcast to the public.

It is the same with the status quo. We all know that our PM has mooted the 1Malaysia. Putting aside our feelings for 1Malaysia, I am appalled that a former PM can be speaking negatively about 1Malaysia (with the DPM agreeing with him) while our Prime Minister is ON LEAVE!!! I believe that this should be addressed face to face when the PM is around and not in this way. Click HERE for a report on this issue.

Does that not reflect badly on those who made those statements?

At least one faithful soldier defended the PM. Let's look at Nazri's response from The Malaysian Insider:

Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz defended the Najib administration’s 1 Malaysia concept today, claiming that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed was in “no position” to criticise the government slogan as Malaysians have yet to understand the latter’s own “Bangsa Malaysia” slogan.

The former prime minister said on Monday that 1 Malaysia needed further “explanation” to prevent it from being interpreted differently by various races.

“What is the true issue here? What is the fuss? If there was no need to explain Bangsa Malaysia back when he was prime minister, why does Dr Mahathir now want the government to explain 1 Malaysia? We don’t even understand what is Bangsa Malaysia about, the purpose of his concept,” said the minister in the prime minister’s department.

I am really aghast with horror as to how different people are approaching crisis situations. And that is only ONE example of how a situation is being handled.

On one hand, we all know that one must never try to lie, deny or hide involvement in an issue but this means telling the truth and how many are ready to do that? A good example would be the PKFZ scandal.

Some say ignorance is bliss but if you ignore the situation, it will only get worse. A classic example is the Selangor DAP issues.

Any decision that is made wrongly, even with good intentions may cause the crisis to escalate.

The cause of almost all crises fall into two broad categories:

One would be overt acts to cover up and the other would be acts of omission in disclosure of information.

The rakyat always want reports on issues of competence or lack thereof in matters of public perception. If a mistake has been made, just admit it up front and work hard to re-establish credibility and confidence with the rakyat. A good example can be found HERE where Immigration director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman put his head on the chopping block over two break-outs at the Sepang Immigration Detention Centre by his statement, "IF I have not delivered, then I am prepared to face the consequences."

Crisis situations are true tests for our politicians or anyone for that matter. How we handle ourselves in the middle of a crisis reflects our character. Unfortunately, we never know for sure how well we'll do or what to do until the situation arises. However, simple common sense tells us that all of us can prepare ourselves in principle.

In the first place, as public servants, avoid a crisis by practising competency, accountability and transparency in all deliberations and transactions. If a crisis situation arises, the parties concerned must quickly address and resolve crisis issues before they escalate.

For example, when RPK talked about The Bizarre Case of Sodomy 2, DPP Farah Azlina Latif wasremoved from the prosecution team in Anwar Ibrahim's current sodomy trial and from the prosecution division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers to avoid negative public perception of the prosecution team in the wake of his allegation that she is romantically involved with lead witness Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan (as reported by TheSun HERE). Imagine what would have happened if nothing was done. At the same time, that move raised many questions as well!

Suffice to say, many situations have not been handled well by various parties from both sides of the divide. It is about time they read up on public relations strategies (no need to spend millions of RM from tax payers' money) to seek possible ways to turn any crisis into an opportunity of conquest.

Until and unless they learn to do so, I guess we will have to sit back and observe how some will be sinking in the quicksand of disgrace and booby traps laid by their so-called peers or even enemies. The best defense is a good offense but the players still insist on playing their defense in worn-out ways that proved futile in the past by proclaiming innocence or singing the song of denial. They have to look for a new opportunity in the middle of a crisis. Then only can they move from crisis to conquest!

A very dear friend of mine keeps telling me NOT to use the word 'leaders' when I refer to politicians. He surmised that there is a MARKED difference as a leader must be conferred that status when those who are supposed to be led, follow that leader willingly with no coercion., complaints or protests. However, when the masses complain about the same persons, he surmised that they would be merely politicians. He believes that the difference between the two is like night and day. That got me thinking about the term 'leader'. While responding to Nick's comment, I decided to write this post on the root of leadership.

Years ago, I came across this quotation by Brian Tracy which says:

"The glue that holds all relationships together -- including the relationship between the leader and the led is trust, and trust is based on integrity." --Brian Tracy

To me, integrity is knowing who we really are, our purpose, values, direction , vision and the legacy we want to leave. I believe it is all all about getting ourselves whole first, so we don’t look somewhere else or to someone else to complete us or to do anything which should be done ourselves. We deserve the best and we have to be the best ourselves before we can expect anyone else to do that same. But how many of our politicians want to be the best?

Perhaps that is the malady of many in our country - a condition which has retarded instead of spurring our growth.

For too long, many are like Thomas Wilson in Somerset Maugham's The Lotus Eater:

Most people, the vast majority in fact, lead the lives that circumstances have thrust upon them, and though some repine, looking upon themselves as round pegs in square holes, and think that if things had been different they might have made a much better showing, the greater part accept their lot, if not with serenity, at all events with resignation. They are like train-cars travelling forever on the selfsame rails. They go backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, inevitably, till they can go no longer and then are sold as scrap-iron. It is not often that you find a man who has boldly taken the course of his life into his own hands. When you do, it is worth while having a good look at him.

Each of us has different motives for a particular action and it is the same for politicians. To be a political leader, one must believe in integrity, display impeccable integrity and operate from the highest level of integrity.

To be a good political leader, that person must be in the state or quality of completeness, wholeness and has successfully dealth with any emotional baggage of past that plagued him/her. To carry any baggage with him/her would be akin to carrying a time bomb after which a host of problems might beset him/her. For instance, if one joined Party B after resigning from Party A, he should have left behind whatever corruptible culture he had adopted and take on a new persona, forgetting what lies behind and also clearing whatever debts and old issues from the past. Failure to do so would mean that he could still be yearning for the lifestyle of Party A much like a man yearning for his first love after a divorce and after remarrying. And that is exactly what we see before us. To prevent this scenario from becoming a stumbling block again, spring cleaning must be carried out and all must be orientated in the same direction.

Apart from that, the person must have moral soundness in all aspects of his life and demonstrate honesty and freedom from corrupting influence or motive. There is no looking back to the past once he has assumed a new role. If any self-doubt occurs, this has to be dealt with and he has to talk to the RIGHT persons.

Each of us has our own unique path to travel. Living our lives with integrity is about honouring our souls and being true to ourselves.

Once a person demonstrates INTEGRITY, followers can TRUST them and then there can be binding allegiance and unity.

Tragically, in so many areas - integrity is missing and yet, some who lack it can have the cheek to demand the same from others. Such double standards only serve to exacerbate the problem, thereby undermining the relationship between the one who is TRYING to lead but cannot (for the lack of integrity and other factors) and the one being led.

Unless our politicians realize the root of leadership is integrity and work with commitment to ensure this is seen in all aspects of their deliberations, I guess they will just remain as politicians...and not leaders.

When I graduated decades ago :-), I first worked as a writer with an environmental NGO. Then, my colleagues were completely sold out on campaigning to defend the environment and many other issues. Since then, I have been a greenie and am most concerned about the many environmental threats that we face today, one of which is the impact of the bottled water industry.

Even in Penang where I live, it is a well known fact that waste management is a serious problem. Landfills have grown to monstrous sizes while recycling remains a rare habit. If you were to look at any rubbish dump, you can see the number of plastic bottles discarded by consumers!

According to Wikipedia:

The global bottled water market valuation grew by 7% in 2006 to reach a value of $60,938.1 million. The volume of bottled water grew by 8.1% in 2006 to 115,393.5 million liters. In 2011, the market is forecast to have a value of $86,421.2 million, an increase of 41.8% since 2006. In 2011, the market is forecast to have a volume of 174,286.6 million liters, an increase of 51% since 2006.

The global rate of consumption more than doubled between 1997 and 2005.

The major criticism of bottled water concerns the bottles themselves. Individual use bottled water is generally packaged in Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). According to a NAPCOR study, PET water bottles account for 50% of all the PET bottles and containers collected by curbside recycling, and the recycling rate for water bottles is 23.4%, an increase over the 2006 rate of 20.1%. PET bottled water containers make up one-third of 1 percent of the waste stream in the United States.

The International Bottled Water Association also reports that the average weight of a plastic bottle water was 13.83 grams in 2007, compared to 18.90 grams in 2000, representing a 26.7% decline. Pepsi-Co has since introduced a bottle weighing 10.9 grams and using 20 percent less plastic, which it says is the lightest bottle of its kind that is nationally distributed.

An estimated 50 billion bottles of water are consumed per annum in the US and around 200 billion bottles globally.

Bottled water processed with distillation or reverse osmosis lacks fluoride ions which are sometimes naturally present in ground water. The drinking of distilled water may conceivably increase the risk of tooth decay due to a lack of this element.

According to a 1999 NRDC study, in which roughly 22 percent of brands were tested, at least one sample contained chemical contaminants at levels above strict state health limits. Some of the contaminants found in the study could pose health risks if consumed over a long period of time. However, the NRDC report conceded that "[m]ost waters contained no detectable bacteria, and the levels of synthetic organic chemicals and inorganic chemicals of concern for which were tested were either below detection limits or well below all applicable standards." Meanwhile, a report by the Drinking Water Research Foundation found that of all samples tested by NRDC, "federal FDA or EPA limits were allegedly exceeded only four times, twice for total coliforms and twice for fluorides." CLICK HERE to read more.

Allaboutwater.Org has this to say:

Besides the sheer number of plastic bottles produced each year, the energy required to manufacture and transport these bottles to market severely drains limited fossil fuels. Bottled water companies, due to their unregulated use of valuable resources and their production of billions of plastic bottles have presented a significant strain on the environment.

The authors of the WWF report suggested that water bottles be washed and reused in order to lessen their negative impact on the environment. Unfortunately, reusing plastic bottles further compromises the quality of the water, due to the fact that more and more phthalate leaches its way into the water as the bottle gets older. In another suggestion, the authors recommended that bottled water companies use local bottling facilities in order to lessen fuel expenditures for transportation needs. Regrettably, local bottling further compromises water quality due to the reduced health standards for in-state bottled water production and consumption. It seems there is no feasible solution to this problem. The bottled water industry causes a severe strain on the environment, but solutions to this environmental damage significantly lessen the quality of water in the bottles. CLICK HERE to read more.

Incidentally, Bundanoon in New South Wales has voted overwhelmingly to ban the sale of bottled water over concerns about its environmental impact. Click here to read more.

So the next time you want to buy bottled water, think again carefully. Try to bring along your own water bottle from home and love the environment by not buying bottled water unless it is absolutely necessary.

Here's a video clip to make your day. Enjoy! I really love it and wonder if I grooved like that as a baby haha! I bumped into it while visiting one of my reader's blog. Take care and have a nice day.

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First one jet engine went missing followed by another. Then NST reported that the parts of the jet-fighter were also missing. Now, we have consignments of live animals and body parts worth millions of ringgit that slipped through Malaysia undetected as reported in The Star.

Interpol estimates that illegal wildlife trade worldwide is worth US$10bil (RM35bil) to US$20bil (RM70bil) a year. It is third behind only the illegal drug and arms trades. In fact, it is the second biggest threat to species survival after habitat destruction.



Many people intentionally participate in the illegal wildlife trade for material gain. Some illegal items, such as ivory trinkets and turtle shells, can easily be purchased in stores or on the Internet by unsuspecting customers. Worse still, wildlife and wildlife products may be legally sold at tourist destinations, but bringing these items home with you may be illegal or require special Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permits.


Many Malaysians DO NOT KNOW that some Malaysians are making waves in the shadowy world of illegal wildlife trade. The shocking thing is that foreigners know more than us about this. By next week, all and sundry will know about it when the January 2010 issue of National Geographic hits the stands on December 29th, 2009!

That issue will have The Kingpin - An exposé of the world's most notorious wildlife dealer, his special government friend, and his ambitious new plan written by Brian Christy. An advanced web edition was released on December 15th 2009 at National Geographic official web site. It is a very long story that took THREE YEARS of research. Believe me - the intricate details of illegal wildlife trade and its ties with ONE MALAYSIAN man and his cronies will blow your brains to smithereens. It is an awfully long article but one that YOU HAVE TO READ!!! I cannot post on it because of copyright and embargo reasons.

Brian Christy is a very highly qualified conservationist with degrees who has written many books that have received rave reviews. Known as the Lizard King, Brian Christy is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Cornell's FALCON Japanese Program, the University of Michigan Law School, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Tokyo University Law School. He passed the CPA and bar exams and worked as a lawyer in Washington, DC, including in the Executive Office of the President. As a lawyer he advised on such topics as relations with Libya, U.S.-Japan supercomputer trade, and the sale of light-water nuclear reactors to North Korea.

His official website has archived many newspaper articles on the whole issue. Please check the following articles for a better understanding of the intricate details of the illegal wildlife trade in Malaysia. While doing research for this post, I discovered that Starprobe conducted a lot of investigations on this issue, in particular by award-winning journalist Hilary Chiew. Brian Christy has painstakingly compiled these in chronological order.

Link 1 on Penang that contains four articles from MSM