masterwordsmith-unplugged

I woke up this morning feeling quite philosophical and over my favourite cup of white coffee, wondered why youth today are more gungho than those in the past. As I recalled various recent developments and pitched them against a few theoretical frameworks, this blog post was soon birthed.

When young or 'enlightened', an idealist can be regarded as a visionary who chases what he/she regards as high purposes and goals - normally for the betterment of the society to which he belongs. Such a person would do his/her utmost to strive for the ideal goals regardless of the painful current reality. Idealists believe in hopeful possibilities.

A stark contrast to cynics.

To a large extent, however, many, if not all of us, were born to be idealists and such a characteristic is fuelled by people who made us understand our potential with the hope that could push us forward to achieve our goals.

As a once-upon-a-time young and idealistic person, now that I am older I can see how many who are young (or who are young at heart) enthusiastically work towards changing the world either via anti-war campaigns or efforts to reduce/eliminate poverty or work diligently in environmental conservation or saving a particular threatened species or bringing justice to the world regardless of age, sex, race, gender, creed, location etc.

Undeniably, cynical older persons would react to such issues differently. Some might even regard such idealistic overtures as mere tomfoolery with a hopeless future because they would have a pessimistic view of the world and what the future holds for all.

I reckon that through the passage of time, blind idealism is gradually transformed into cynicism when reality bites. One may suddenly realize that we do not live in a black and white world of good vs bad or of status quo vs opposition. Or one may realize that a single person does not have power to effect change. While others may say that there is strength in numbers, one must question whether the numbers can be translated into leadership qualities that are capable of propelling, effecting and sustaining change.

Both the idealist and the cynic are not wrong or fully correct. There is no absolute measure of the their ideals or opinions.

I am just sharing my thoughts with the hope that when one talks about change, one cannot switch sides as easily as changing underwear. One must be cautious that whatever ideals one may have is not the product of propaganda, jumping on the bandwagon or conforming to populist views. A middle ground exists and rather than slamming one for not choosing one of two extremes, perhaps we should consider the reason for their stand. To be and to me, balance is important. There cannot be a dogmatic view of  "if you’re not with us you’re against us" because such fallacies are born out of conformity to hard-hitting campaigns.



If we care to look beyond the surface, there is a lot of false dilemmas created for hidden agenda.

"A false dilemma (also called the fallacy of the false alternative, false dichotomy, the either-or fallacy, fallacy of the excluded middle, fallacy of false choice, black-and/or-white thinking, or the fallacy of exhaustive hypotheses) is a type of informal fallacy that involves a situation in which limited alternatives are considered, when in fact there is at least one additional option. The options may be a position that is between two extremes (such as when there are shades of grey) or may be completely different alternatives. The opposite of this fallacy is argument to moderation.

False dilemma can arise intentionally, when fallacy is used in an attempt to force a choice (such as, in some contexts, the assertion that "if you are not with us, you are against us"). But the fallacy can also arise simply by accidental omission of additional options rather than by deliberate deception." MORE HERE.

Generally, many may not be aware that they are the victims of black and white fallacies.

According to this site:

black-or-white

You presented two alternative states as the only possibilities, when in fact more possibilities exist.
Also known as the false dilemma, this insidious tactic has the appearance of forming a logical argument, but under closer scrutiny it becomes evident that there are more possibilities than the either/or choice that is presented. Binary, black-or-white thinking doesn't allow for the many different variables, conditions, and contexts in which there would exist more than just the two possibilities put forth. It frames the argument misleadingly and obscures rational, honest debate.

Example: Whilst rallying support for his plan to fundamentally undermine citizens' rights, the Supreme Leader told the people they were either on his side, or they were on the side of the enemy.

You may want to explore more AT THIS SITE.

In my lectures, I used to make it a point that my students understood and could identify fallacies of thoughts/ideas so that they could separate the wheat from the chaff and not fall prey to all kinds of messaging.

When one subscribes to a certain ideal, explore all facets. Question. Investigate. Analyze and then conclude.

Are the messages consistent?

Are the measures logical? Or are they repeating what was done in the past EVEN THOUGH history has shown us that all came to naught due to the futility of such overtures which probably had ulterior motives.

Never be used by anyone/group/party. Exercise independent thinking and do not be bullied into conformity or succumb to peer pressure. Instead, let God or our conscience and analytical conclusions based on facts be our guide.

It is one thing to be idealistic or hopeful and another thing to demand more from what people are ready to give. It is not fair to condemn others for not acquiescing to demands/expectations for such a platform of dogmatism would work against the cause, if it is a noble one. I surmise it is good to demand certain ideals but if undertaken insensitively, would surely elicit negative or even violent/undesirable reactions.

The bottom line is think independently and questions. Always have a balanced view. It does not mean that just because 500 000 people share the same view is a guarantee that it is a valid view. Few realize it could mean that 500 000 or less have been misled or influenced subliminally or unconsciously or just swept away with the moment.

As for me, I just wish that more people, myself included, can have the desire and ability to question and to think beyond whatever platter of messages that are offered to us.

There has to be more than what we see.

And, it is up to us to discover it for ourselves instead of conforming to the hypodermic syringe model of communication as theorized by Katz and Lazarfeld (1955). One must remember that whatever the media tells us must be finely sieved lest we fall prey to the selective messages that are intended for specific audiences. Read more here.

Between dreams and ideals, I would hold on to dreams for the lack of those would mean the death of an active mind that works independently. Dreams keep us alive. For now, I have learnt that idealism weakens the ability of an individual to be objective. There can never be absolutes in life for we live in a dynamic world subjected to so many internal and external forces at work.

Do share your responses to this post. Thanks!

~Sun Tzu~

Here's another post by Cowboy Bob aka Sagebrush Philosopher, one of the few bloggers that I have been following devotedly. Born and raised in the State of Wyoming, he attended High School at Thermopolis, Wyoming and has a Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from U.C. Berkeley. His insightful and incisive writing is powerfully and passionately written with much wisdom, sincerity and patriotism. Many of the sentiments expressed by him sound eerily familiar. Are we like sheep gone astray looking for opinion leaders/media or MSM reports to show the way? God forbid! May we never be victims of propaganda, psychological warfare or media spins. The time has come for us to arise from slumber, to think and act rationally. Let us look beyond what we are told, what we read or hear. And I am sure the answer is at hand if only we would look a little deeper, further and nearer - even within our conscience. Please leave a comment to share your response. Thanks!

Vance Packard hit it right on the button when he titled one of his best-selling books, A Nation of Sheep. I believe we have finally arrived at the point in our societal evolution where that pretty well sums up what and where we are. It is not only a sad commentary on what we have become, but further indicts us on our complacency with all it means. Most of what we are seems to be determined by the entertainment industries, reality television, social networking and whether it brings us “fun,” whatever that is. We can’t carry on a conversation, we can’t read, we can’t write, we can’t engage in critical thought or reflective contemplation, we can’t demonstrate even a modicum of human curiosity. If the movies can’t do it for us, television can’t do it for us, computers and the internet can’t do it for us, social networking can’t do it for us, and the image makers can’t do it for us, forget it. We are not interested. It isn’t worth the expenditure of time and effort it would require of us.

We are ripe for the picking by every predator of the human condition imaginable. They numb our minds, they pollute our food, they rob us of our treasures, they evict us from our homes, they abolish our jobs, they create our system of beliefs, they define our morality and they convince us of their superiority over us. And, they finally impoverish us and reduce us to the subsistence level of existence. We exist by permission from all they own and control. They have overdosed us on all the shallow fun and materialism we covet, and they have reduced us to zombies. While we dismissed our responsibilities to society and the world we live in, they sapped the life-blood right out of us. They got progressively richer and we moved closer to becoming the living dead.

Who are these agents of change that do so at our peril? They are the oligarchs, the plutocrats, big corporations, corrupt political parties, and a government owned by big money. They are the ones that have fleeced us out of all that we need for normal, fulfilling and fruitful lives. We have become the sheep being led to the slaughter.

I am persuaded that it can safely be concluded that we have evolved to the point where we can lay claim to the fact that we are, indeed, totally disinterested in anything that does not bring us more “stuff,” pleasure, fun or a sensuous experience. The thought of having to engage in anything that would require even a modicum of intellectual effort or mental exertion just scares the hell out of us! What do these vessels of protoplasm do with their lives, after they go to the gym for a workout, caress their bodies in the shower and drink in the sheer beauty of all they have become? Intellectual stimulation? Who needs it? Reflective thinking? What is that and can I put it on my credit card? Where are my pills to fight erectile dysfunction and my sexual climax enhancement drugs? I can’t get through the day without them! My life has no meaning.

We are sacrificing our very survival on the altar of human greed. Sadly, few of us are even aware of the power of the forces that are in the process of destroying us and all that we hold near and dear as members of the human race. We have abdicated all that we have been and should be to centers of power and influence that control virtually every aspect of our existence. We are in denial about the perils facing us. We are blind to the wanton destruction of this planet that are glaringly apparent are crying out for resolution for our common good.

We have become the sheep, all too willing to be led by those to whom we have given power over us and all that we cherish. What they covet and what we hope for in return could not be further apart. Their preoccupation is with insatiable greed. Greed knows no limits and is fueled by “more, and more, and more …… ad infinitum.” The average American simply wants his/her fair share of the wealth of this country, honestly earned and rightfully taken.

We are quickly descending into a two-class society. There are those at the top who will have the lion’s share of the spoils of our common efforts, and those who are expected to be eternally grateful for a life of scarcity for all things allocated to those at the bottom of the food chain. Sadly, we hardly utter a whimper as we so willingly give up the last vestigial remnants of all they want from us.

Distilled to its most common denominator, Power is defined as the “possession of control, authority or influence over others.” Power can be generated by wealth, or it can reside with people because of their social position. It can be generated by what is inherent in an office or station in life. Power resides in expertise or a body of knowledge embodied in an individual or institution. Most ominous of all is, of course, “the sheer force of the means to wreak destruction on or inflict subjugation over others.” From all material pursuits by those who simply seek more, more and more, comes the prize to be most coveted – sheer, raw power.

Those at the very top have acquired and retain their power by a variety of means, not the least of which are the following:

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ENTRY.

Many have expressed how it is difficult to gauge the political scenario. The main variables are constantly changing and the most destabilizing truth is that in politics, there are no permanent friends or foes; only permanent interests.

Having stayed away from the fray for months now, I have been analyzing the sequence of events from pre-2008 days till now.  After enjoying solitude for the past two months, I can see more clearly now and surmise that it is possible that Malaysians have been led by our noses, possibly due to an insidious agenda set by X with the aid of Y so that we can arrive at Z.

Unbeknownst to us, I hypothesize that social engineers, as instructed by X, in disguise as opinion leaders and/or writers have been twiddling with public opinion so as to overtly and covertly influence activism and the face of politics, paving the way for the rise of some followed by their downfall. And many have been had for few saw through the smokescreen.

This can be analyzed via a few models/theories

A. Theory of Persuasion

B. Grunig's Situational Theory (particular focus on activism)

C. Yale Development Model (CLICK HERE for detailed explanation)

D. Situational Theory of Publics -Tailoring the message

E. Heider's Attribution Theory


Heider's attribution theory is a motivational theory that looks at how the average person constructs the meaning of an event based on his /her motives to find a cause and his/her knowledge of the environment.

Basically, this theory looks at how people make sense of their world; what cause and effect inferences they make about the behaviors of others and of themselves. Heider states that there is a strong need in individuals to understand transient events by attributing them to the actor's disposition or to stable characteristics of the environment.

The purpose behind making attributions is to achieve COGNITIVE CONTROL over one's environment by explaining and understanding the causes behind behaviors and environmental occurrences.

F. Media - Using the media to disseminate information, frame messages and shape perceptions, even in agenda setting strategies. The one who dominates the news is more likely to maintain status quo. Minority voices are then excluded.

If you scan the news, you can see many instances where there appears to be a strange and dysfunctional pattern where politicians seem to think they play outside or above the rules. And it's a game that the press love to join. A good example would be unsupported allegations after which there is the usual talk of a lawsuit and the whole works.

When such news explodes, many are all too ready to join the fray just so they can claim another scalp. Is this how the unelected have power over the elected? Records show that the greater your fame, the more likely you would be cut down and cast out. Following that would be increasing howls for resignation and with much determination, the high and mighty might soon be bulldozed. Some come back though and have the audacity to claim that they were brave to admit their wrong and resigned.

Whatever it is, both sides of the divide must be fair to each other and themselves. If one side expects honesty and transparency from the other, when the latter requests the same, the other side should comply in a spirit of honesty.

With all the different shades of news bombarding us from all fronts, the electorate cannot know the minds of their elected leaders. Their perception may not be accurate because obviously, that had been shaped by unknown forces. If they like what they see or read, the tendency if to assume he is kind and caring and worth their votes. And sadly, that is the way it goes in many instances - paving the way to arrogant/ineffective/absent or worse still, obnoxious leaders.

It is so easy for us to form wrong opinions if we depend on online portals or MSM for news/opinions etc. Personally, I believe each of us MUST really critically assess the situation/news and do our own research and not be led by the noses to always believe what we are told.

Otherwise, we have no one to blame but ourselves if we do otherwise and/or think in black and white terms. Still, I hypothesize that we have been fooled - hook, line and sinker. Only time will tell whether we have been led round the mulberry bush!

Recently, I came across this YouTube video clip called "The Door" which was nominated for the Academy Awards in 2010 for the live action short film category. Directed by Juanita Wilson and produced by James Flynn, "The Door" was filmed on location in Ukraine.

The clip is based on the painfully true story of a family victimized by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. Forced to evacuate quickly, the father later sneaks back to their old apartment in order to steal a door for a sad but important purpose.

Unfortunately, part 1 of the clip is missing. You can watch Part 2 AT THIS LINK.

Here's a fantastic review of the movie by Duncan:


The Door, a 17 minute film directed by Juanita Wilson and produced by James Flynn, has been nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the Academy Awards 2010. Filmed in Pripyat and Kiev, Ukraine, with Russian dialogue and English subtitles, The Door explores events associated with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster through the eyes of Nikolai (Igor Sigov), Anya (Juliette Gering) and their daughter Lena (Liliya Grechk). The film opens with an absurd act: stealing a door. This raises a question in the viewer’s mind, a question which is not answered until the final shot where the door’s purpose is revealed. Then, what had seemed an absurd act turns into a simple statement of human dignity, of people making sense of loss through ritual.

THE DOOR reflects the fact that it is based on someone’s testimony. Images are impressionistic, haunting, like fragments of memories which the viewer must piece together. Although the main character, Nikolai, gives us the facts, he himself is trying to make sense of them in his own mind. The story moves forwards and backwards in time, revealing the events retrospectively as the viewer bears witness to the universal tragedy of Chernobyl through the eyes of one man.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the entry and to view its captivating photographs.

I also came across this refreshing video made by a promising young man. According to the YouTube link:

"When you Love Someone" tells the story of a boy who tries to run away from his love, after realising that his memories are the only thing he still keeps from his past.

The idea for this project was to create a simple, yet inspiring video, something that could actually make people feel better, awakening deep feelings and emotions. While the original story doens't search for great attention, its potencial remains on the beauty of the images and landscapes, combined with the musical experience. Our goal was not to impress the public with a remarkable screenplay, but to give a brighter look to your day. We hope we did it. Thanks!

Shot with Canon EOS 550D/T2I, with lens 18-55mm and 80-200mm in somewhere near Cabeceiras de Basto, Portugal.
Edited on Sony Vegas Pro 9.0

CLICK HERE TO WATCH "WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE".

Have a pleasant evening!

Between 1845 and 1846, Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote the forty-four poems/love sonnets that became Sonnets from the Portuguese while she was being courted by Robert Browning. From then till now, the collection, especially "How Do I Love Thee?" is widely acclaimed and greatly loved by many all over the world. Many regard it as the greatest love poem of all time.

Written in her Italian days at the Casa Guidi, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was actually addressing her husband who used to call her 'My little Portuguese" as she was dark.

According to Wikipedia HERE:

The courtship and marriage between Robert Browning and Elizabeth were carried out secretly as she and her siblings were convinced their father would disapprove. Six years his elder and an invalid, she could not believe that the vigorous and worldly Robert Browning really loved her as much as he professed to. After a private marriage at St. Marylebone Parish Church, they honeymooned in Paris. Browning then imitated his hero Shelley by spiriting his wife off to Italy, in September 1846, which became her home almost continuously until her death. Elizabeth's loyal nurse, Wilson, who witnessed the marriage, accompanied the couple to Italy.

Mr. Barrett disinherited Elizabeth, as he did each of his children who married. Elizabeth had foreseen her father's anger but not expected the disgust of her brothers, who saw Browning as a lower-class gold-digger and refused to see him. As Elizabeth had some money of her own, the couple were reasonably comfortable in Italy, and their relationship together was harmonious. The Brownings were well respected in Italy, and even famous. Elizabeth grew stronger and in 1849, at the age of 43, between four miscarriages, she gave birth to a son, Robert Wiedemann Barrett Browning, whom they called Pen. Their son later married but had no legitimate children. At her husband's insistence, the second edition of Elizabeth’s Poems included her love sonnets; as a result, her popularity increased (as well as critical regard), and her position was confirmed.

Please CLICK HERE to read more about her life and you would be thoroughly amazed to discover how precocious she was as a child. Despite the many struggles and challenges she experienced, she remained positive and productive, even as an invalid. In Italy where she and her beloved husband lived, they hobnobbed with other brilliant artists and writers such as William Makepeace Thackeray, sculptor Harriet Hosmer, Harriet Beecher Stowe,Margaret Fuller and the female French novelist George Sand. They met with Lord Tennyson in Paris, and John Forster, Samuel Rogers, and the Carlyles in London, later befriending Charles Kingsley and John Ruskin. With such an inspiring circle of friends, it is no wonder that each of them were prolific in their own right leaving a legacy of brilliant literary works for us to remember them!

Personally, I regard this poem as the ultimate epitome of love poems where the writer just pours out the emotions of her heart in every single word simply and yet sublimely! Try reading it aloud and you might have goosebumps on your skin, especially from Lines 9-12.

It is not easy to write sonnets. A sonnet is a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure. A Shakespearean, or English, sonnet consists of 14 lines, each line containing ten syllables and written in iambic pentameter, in which a pattern of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable is repeated five times. The rhyme scheme in a Shakespearean sonnet is a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g; the last two lines are a rhyming couplet. (Source: Wikipedia)

This post is actually a distraction because I woke up early to finish grading my essays before I hang my laundry and then I am off to college for my lecture. Yet, in between my marking, this poem came to my mind and I was inspired to write about it.

Interestingly, the love letters did not flow one way for Robert Browning also wrote beautiful mails to reciprocate her outburst of love to him. In fact, it was her 1844 volume Poems which shot her to fame that inspired Robert Browning to write to her, telling her how much he loved her work.



He had been an admirer of her poetry for a long time and wrote "I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett" praising their "fresh strange music, the affluent language, the exquisite pathos and true new brave thought".

Here is the original love letter he wrote to her on 10th September, 1846:


It might be easier to read this version without straining your eyes :-).

I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett, -- and this is no off-hand complimentary letter that I shall write, --whatever else, no prompt matter-of-course recognition of your genius and there a graceful and natural end of the thing: since the day last week when I first read your poems, I quite laugh to remember how I have been turning again in my mind what I should be able to tell you of their effect upon me -- for in the first flush of delight I though I would this once get out of my habit of purely passive enjoyment, when I do really enjoy, and thoroughly justify my admiration -- perhaps even, as a loyal fellow-craftsman should, try and find fault and do you some little good to be proud of herafter! -- but nothing comes of it all -- so into me has it gone, and part of me has it become, this great living poetry of yours, not a flower of which but took root and grew ... oh, how different that is from lying to be dried and pressed flat and prized highly and put in a book with a proper account at bottom, and shut up and put away ... and the book called a 'Flora', besides!

After all, I need not give up the thought of doing that, too, in time; because even now, talking with whoever is worthy, I can give reason for my faith in one and another excellence, the fresh strange music, the affluent language, the exquisite pathos and true new brave thought -- but in this addressing myself to you, your own self, and for the first time, my feeling rises altogether. I do, as I say, love these Books with all my heart -- and I love you too: do you know I was once seeing you?

Mr. Kenyon said to me one morning "would you like to see Miss Barrett?" -- then he went to announce me, -- then he returned ... you were too unwell -- and now it is years ago -- and I feel as at some untoward passage in my travels -- as if I had been close, so close, to some world's-wonder in chapel on crypt, ... only a screen to push and I might have entered -- but there was some slight ... so it now seems ... slight and just-sufficient bar to admission, and the half-opened door shut, and I went home my thousands of miles, and the sight was never to be!

Well, these Poems were to be -- and this true thankful joy and pride with which I feel myself.


Yours ever faithfully
Robert Browning

No wonder she fell in love with him even though she was SIX years his senior and an invalid! I would swoon too if someone wrote to me that way :-). Apparently, Barrett wrote to a friend that Browning's letter 'threw her (me) into ecstasies'. Now that is romantic!!

In Love Letters: An Anthology of Passion, Michelle Lovric wrote about the letter seals used by Elizabeth and Robert. Robert used a signet ring bearing a seal of the Browning crest and motto, a lion rampant upon a shield above the word "Virtue.' Elizabeth's seal contained her 'pet' name, 'Ba.'

I know. That was in the 19th century and we are living in the 21st century. Still, there is no reason why you cannot write a love letter to the person who occupies your heart, mind and life today! :-) Such romantic gestures are rare and few in between. I remember how I used to wait everyday for the postman because my first love wrote to me EVERY single day. Mondays/Tuesdays were bonuses for there is always no mail on Sunday.

Try it, dear reader! You may not be Robert Browning but I am sure that you will touch the one you love today because you said it straight from your heart! Have a nice day! :-)

*Thanks to all friends and readers who sent me Get Well wishes. I am much better today! :-) And yes, I am running late!

Investigators at a major research institution have discovered the heaviest element known to science. This startling new discovery has been tentatively named Governmentium.

This new element has no protons or electrons, thus having an atomic number of 0. It does, however, have 1 neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons, and 111 assistant vice neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by a force called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since it has no electrons, Governmentium is inert.

However, it can be detected as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.

According to the discoverers, a minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would normally take less than a second. Governmentium has a normal half-life of approximately four years; it does not decay but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons, vice neutrons, and assistant vice neutrons exchange places.

In fact, a Governmentium sample's mass will actually increase over time, since with each reorganization some of the morons inevitably become neutrons, forming new isotopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to speculate that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration.

This hypothetical quantity is referred to as the "Critical Morass".

You will know it when you see it. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element which radiates just as much energy since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

-Author Unknown-

*This is a fictitious satirical fable, author unknown. I only changed the paragraphing of this piece which I first posted HERE under a different title.

*Posted for laughs and a grim reminder of the reality before us. I reckon such a scenario will be ad infinitum unless major changes can be made by people power.

Have a nice day.

In mid-November last year, Pauline Hanson, the Australian politician noted for her anti-immigration outbursts, has said she is abandoning plans to move to Britain because “it’s overrun with immigrants and refugees.” She went on to say that France is becoming filled with Muslims and that the French and English are losing their way of life because they’re controlled by foreigners. That scenario could well happen in our own backyard at the rate things are going.

Today, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers demanded an emergency sitting of Parliament over claims that 1,600 foreigners had been given citizenship and voting rights, claiming that if left unchecked it would erode Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy.

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar rationalized that the permanent residents who were being given “express” citizenship and voting rights “would not appreciate our royalty as we do.” And why?

RPK's latest post Upsetting the Ecological Balance gives the answer: 

But the new (post-Merdeka) immigrants into Malaysia do not face death in their country. They do not owe Malaysia their lives. They are merely ‘economic refugees’. It’s all about money. Their loyalty is to money, not to Malaysia.


Those are the types of people we are giving ‘instant citizenship’ to. And in time we shall realise the folly of this immigration policy.


They have no memories of the British Colonial era. They have no memories of the Japanese occupation. They have no memories of Merdeka. They have no memories of the Emergency. They have no memories of the creation of Malaysia. They have no memories of the Konfrontasi with Indonesia. They have no memories of May 13. They have no memories of anything at all that Malaysians hold dear. They are here only for the money.


So where do these people’s loyalty lie? Certainly not where our loyalties lie because they do not share our culture and value system. They are only loyal to the Ringgit and as long as the Ringgit is there they will become ‘true Malaysians’. However, once the Ringgit is no longer there, they would not care two hoots about Malaysia.

What Malaysia could have on its hands is a time-bomb ticking its way to a socio-economic disaster. The prevailing situation is somewhat like a Reverse Takeover whereby you acquire something and then what has been acquired ends up owning you instead!! In short, the hunter has now become the HUNTED!!!

Note also, in the corporate world, a 30% stake in a public enterprise is as good as a controlling stake. So beware. If you think you will limit this exercise to only 30%, it may end up with you losing control.

According to The Malaysian Insider, PR had also claimed that 1,108 permanent residents in the Klang Valley were given the status of full citizens on August 2 alone, and ridiculed the notion that over 1,000 identity cards were issued within a day.

Most alarmingly, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub also showed documents claiming that between 1.06pm and 2.30pm on August 2, three voters had their status changed from permanent residents to citizens “in the blink of an eye.” The Kubang Kerian MP said that the information was downloaded from the NRD website itself and we have a total of 1,597 cases across the country. These are official statistics. What about the dark figure then? (The dark figure represents the discrepancy between actual statistics and those that are not reported.)

Personally, many perceive this is the tip of the iceberg. In my post on Immigrants and Emigrants - Facts and Figures, I wrote:

Strangely, this site shows that the population trend in Malaysia in on an increasing trend and is slightly over 27 million in 2008.

Compare this chart with the tables in the earlier links. Judge for yourself. I am sure the statistics are available but how come the net migration rate is unavailable? How come the population pattern is on the increase in the light of the statistics for birth rate, death rate and the absence of net migration rate for the country?

Just who are leaving and WHO ARE COMING IN???? Can someone kindly explain the demographic pattern??

Clearly, the Pakatan lawmakers and RPK are on the right track in highlighting this impending doomsday scenario awaiting Malaysians. We can talk till the cows come home about 1Malaysia and unity/harmony and all that jazz but if the gene pool of the population is in imbalance, what will happen? Obviously, they will not be loyal citizens.

There is a high probability that Durkheim's anomie will occur here. Anomie is a term meaning "personal feeling of a lack of social norms; normlessness". It describes the breakdown of social norms and values arising from a mismatch between personal or group standards and wider social standards, or from the lack of a social ethic, which produces moral deregulation and an absence of legitimate aspirations.

When immigrants outnumber the original host population, social cohesiveness might be at stake. The social system may then decay into a state of anomie. By then, common values and common meanings are no longer understood or accepted, and new values and meanings have not developed.

For Malaysia to develop, we need citizens with a sense of belonging.  Why are we chasing our own bona fide CITIZENS  (whom some have called pendatang or prostitutes) and letting the first world countries welcome them to contribute to their economies while we place the welcome mat for third world brawn to come in? Worse still, we have those who call themselves citizens who call the authorities to strip some noble citizens of their citizenship! They are well fed and fat!

With absolutely no sense of belonging (normlessness/alienated state), would such citizens care what happens to Malaysia? Their hearts are still with their homeland! Mercenary in nature, they would only care for money. After all, that was why they came in the first place.

The lack of unity will tear the nation apart. If after over half a century of independence, and we still have diatribes almost daily, how can we expect foreign migrants to come in and gel with the population? The nons generally stay away and have been working hard for a future, for a government that does not take care of them. Even so, unity is lacking. What more with migrants?

Take a look at what happened in London recently. Note that the riots happened in the poor section of London where many migrants live.



While we may laugh at Pauline Hanson's statement, the horrible truth is the UK of today in that respect, could be Malaysia in the future!!!

The difference is - Malaysia will get that way faster because some people are thinking of meeting their own objectives and have no qualms about making the rest of us suffer. Furthermore, Malaysia, with its 28 million population compared to UK's 72 million will undergo a faster speed in 'dilution'.

Multi-cultures can be a good thing for our country if they accept our cultures and our way of life. But look at history and how immigrants thrive in their own culture bubbles! How many are willing to assimilate? What they do is to duplicate a neighbourhood of their own ethnic group in their host country and make little effort to assimilate with the host country. Worse still, they leech onto public goods such as hospitals and schools which are PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS!!!

Some immigrants may respect our culture but how many would? What respect would they have for a country whose leaders sold out its own citizens and brought them in just so they could get the numbers needed for their purposes?

To exacerbate the situation is the fact that they are not even accepting smart or educated foreigners who will benefit the country in any way.  To top it all, they are bringing in migrants who have no basic education and are surely liabilities to the country socially, economically and even in terms of health issues.

It seems that some do not wish to rest until they witness the eventual destruction of this land we love!!! How can any sane human sell out their motherland just so they can claim to have the mandate to rule? Isn't this daylight robbery in the highest degree? What an outrage!

They have certainly given new meaning to Reverse Takeover not just to their own peril but to the eventual destruction of all that our forefathers fought for! This reverse takeover will impact and hurt them more than the nons because the pie will get smaller! Now they are the fed and the fat!!! But with this development, they will have to share the pie with them!!!  And what do we have left for the rest of us???

People, you know what to do at the next GE! VOTE WISELY!

As expected, BN has retained Sarawak as it has secured a two-thirds majority win in the 10th Sarawak State Election. As at 10.10pm, BN had already won 54, or 75 per cent, of the 71 seats in the Sarawak legislature. Am I surprised? No. I expected BN to win and also expressed this in my post on O Ye Men Of Little Faith. At the same time, I expected DAP to do better than the previous state elections and thought that the only PKR win would have been from Baru Bian. I expected PAS to lose 100% and they did!

The results show that DAP has hit BN Sarawak the hardest, doubling its seats in this election, and it is likely that the pace will get hotter from hereforth.  PKR has also gained two extra seats, notably Krian clinching a surprise win.

Final tally with all results in: BN - 55, DAP - 12, PKR - 3, Ind - 1.

Congratulations to all winners! Well done to all campaigners and supporters!

I am no political analyst but I opine that the results could have been better if not for a few factors.

1. The DAP-PKR spat

It was not a good sign when DAP and PKR fought over seat allocations, namely N9 Padungan, N13 Batu Kawah, N25 Balai Ringin, N63 Piasau and N65 Senadin. Did such a scenario affect public opinion of PKR and affected its performance?

2. The PAS Factor

I expected PAS to lose 100% because of the lottery issue, Valentine's Day issue and the banning of concerts (plus other issues which may have slipped my mind). Sarawak has a high percentage of Christians and it is likely that such developments did not go down well with the electorate. Perhaps PAS might want to explore the separation of politics from religion.

3. The DVD allegations

Some reported that the dvd of the alleged tryst in a hotel room made its rounds in certain parts of the state. I believe that there was some damage caused by this development.

4. The Putrajaya Presence

For six days, our PM and DPM plus their entourage were in Sarawak campaigning. The promises of infrastructure development and other areas obviously worked to their advantage.

5. Disruption of various websites

This affected dissemination of information and might have rattled those who were depending on these sites for support.

6. Nature of the electorate

Read this report to understand how difficult it is for PR to defeat BN. It said:

While those with net connection understand key issues at hand, we must remember that many in the interior do not. Their needs are not the same as ours and those who can meet those needs, are more likely to garner their support.

7. Has Pakatan Rakyat made inroads?

Both BN and PR have differing views.

The Malaysian Insider reported HERE that:

Flushed with its historic 12-seat victory in Malaysia’s biggest state tonight, the DAP has declared boldly that Sarawak is no longer the ruling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) fixed deposit as the prime minister mulls nationwide polls ahead of its 2013 expiry.


Despite failing to block the BN from winning back its traditional two-thirds control in the oil-rich state and having its Islamist partner in the opposition, the DAP and PKR made major inroads in the 71-seat state legislative assembly.


“This is the biggest setback for the Barisan Nasional. Sarawak is no longer the fixed deposit for the Barisan Nasional,” party adviser, Lim Kit Siang told a news conference here tonight.


He remarked that PR’s collective 16 seats mark the biggest defeat faced by the BN’s Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in his 30-year career as Sarawak chief minister.

At the same time, it also reported HERE that:

Barisan Nasional’s (BN) victory in the Sarawak state election is proof that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has failed to make any major inroads in the hornbill state, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said tonight.

“Despite whatever Pakatan has thrown at us, through its election campaigns and alternative media, it is clear that voters do not accept PR.

“They have tried to create a political tsunami in Sarawak, but they have failed,” the prime minister told reporters here during a press conference at the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC).

8. The TV3 Interview

Did the TV3 interview with RPK impact the elections? I don't really think so as evidenced by the results of the urban constituencies who have net penetration. But, I believe it posed some elements of distraction to the political landscape.

9. The Leadership

I hate to say this but Pakatan Rakyat needs to revamp its leadership. It has failed to present itself as a viable coalition that is capable of leading the country. Of course DAP achieved victories but look at PAS and PKR. I doubt there has been a time when the three groups REALLY worked together.

I blame it on the leader of the coalition who has not been able to deal with matters in his own party and to draw the PR component parties together on a united platform. Gradually, each component did its own thing thereby weakening its ties. Fighting over seat allocation was a clear indication of the lack of unity.

On top of that, have they groomed the next-in-line to take over or are they depending on old, tired and drained leaders who have their own baggage to carry?

Until and unless they deal with internal issues, it will be very difficult to realize their dreams.

While many may rejoice at the victory of DAP, I believe NO ONE can rest on their laurels.

The PM said they need to build on this momentum, what’s important is to maintain support so that it can be translated in the next general elections. He said that BN would keep all its election promises and implement them soon.

BN has $$$ and PR does not. BN has the machinery and PR does not.

I am being realistic and not idealistic here. If PR wants to win big time in the next GE, PR MUST ensure that there is a capable leader who can propel the party forward, establish unity, vision and confirm their mission for this country.

Mere bashing of BN will not work. People can come for ceramahs to be entertained but at the end of the day vote the other side. Why? The leaders must conduct post mortems to find the reasons for the gap.

At this point, no one can be too elated. In fact, they should be more worried as the going will get tougher from now. Every leader will try to improve their performance and track record for the next GE. No more fighting or putting out bush fires, please.

Will their dreams die or will they press on to improve in areas of weakness to make those dreams come true?


The answer lies within the leaders of PR and every single one of us.

Whilst IT has broken down geographical and cultural barriers, it has also enabled ordinary citizens like you and me to keep an eye on what is happening locally and internationally. Advances in telecommunications such as text messaging, social networking and the Internet have allowed many to share ideas, hopes and even to unite many in their political aspirations. The 2008 GE bears testimony to the power of cyberspace but alas, the times, they are a-changing and as the next GE looms round the corner, we cannot take cyberspace for granted.



In the last decade, countries such as Philippines (2001), Ukraine (2004) and Lebanon (2005) organized demonstrations via text messages/emails/twitter in their respective countries. Note that it was only in democracies that communications objectives achieved their objectives. Countries such as Columbia, Myanmar, Zimbabwe and Iran that used cell phones, Facebook and Twitter for their revolutions/protests etc. merely managed to embarrass the government but failed to remove it from power.

In other words, Opposition parties had better start cracking with regards to their strategies and election machinery and not think that cyberspace and netizens can still weave their wands for the same 2008 tsunami. Whilst they may have reaped some advantages in the last GE, one thing for sure is that cyberspace is certainly a very complicated society. One can never replace human wisdom by the digital world/space.

Since 2008, while net usage may have increased due to greater broadband penetration, we have to bear in mind that this may have changed over time. Netizens may be using cyberspace differently and for their own ambitions/appetites such as on pop culture, social networking, marketing and other reasons than that of advancing their own political philosophy which may even be absent/deficient!

The period before and after the 2008 GE saw many research studies being carried out on the impact of IT on the democratic system. In fact, I had a research proposal on the same topic but never saw it through as my father passed away just before the deadline. What I realize of late is that many may have forgotten that modern communication is a neutral place. Whilst we may have the freedom to use these avenues for our own devices, this freedom may not be promoting other forms of freedoms. It is the person who gives meaning to the message so how a message is formulated may not achieve the desired effect. Each of us interpret messages according to our frame of experience, past experiences, expectations and many other factors. Thus, for the next couple of months, the Opposition had better work hard to convey the right messages to increase voter confidence in their respective parties!

Theoretically speaking, use of the net may expose netizens to the harsh realities of the world they live in such as the increasing cases of corruption, leakages, injustice etc. and at the same time, provide avenues for them to request for change.

But is there any guarantee that all or many will react to the advantage of the Opposition after reading exposes? Granted that some may vote for change to put to an end authoritarianism or corruption but how can we guarantee that communication of messages via the net can elicit the reaction that is desired?

Exposes may create negative reactions such as anger, frustration, rationalization, hope and so on. While the messages are sent, there is the certainty that it will reach a particular target audience but the numbers can never be definite, neither can the reactions. The Net is a very mysterious place. While it may make it easier for those of us with similar political inclinations to hob nob, and to engage with others with similar beliefs, there is no guarantee that the content can persuade them to change their minds to voting a particular way for the collective good of the nation.

That is why the same government has been voted back over and over again for the past few decades even though many are aware why this should not be the case. We read outrage comments here and there about this. Such trends point at a very alarming fact.

There has to be a change in the way we reach out to the citizens of the country to elicit change. To use known and old methods is a sure way of sabotaging the journey to Putrajaya which at the moment, sounds like a pipe dream to me.

Many do not realize that the status quo is working very hard to recapture lost ground. They have at their disposal experts and consultants to boost their public image, prepare persuasive speeches, launch public relations blitz or even to manipulate the topic of discussion for the nation. They started their election campaign the minute the 2008 GE was over. The strategies, plans, blueprints were rolled into action after serious thought, discussion and debate. What about the Opposition? Complacency, disunity and to a certain extent, foolishness in the way some messages/policies were communicated. I have said it many times and am saying again - Pakatan Rakyat must really get together to plan. Enough small talk, pipe dreams and failed visions. Time to shape up and really deliver before the next GE!

The rakyat will not just accept lock, stock and barrel messages about how we need to vote for change or how Pakatan wants this or that, especially if Pakatan Rakyat cannot pakat amongst themselves.

The Opposition must realize that the internet may have changed the world - but the truth is - that was in the past. Currently, it is the world that is changing the internet. Net usage even in Malaysia, has been changing. A look at various online portals can show you that many sites are trying to present their messages differently via different templates, writing styles, focus etc. but the fact remains that responses to these have been slowly but gradually dwindling. Not a good sign at all.

An overdose of articles with political slant can be too much to bear for some. I have noted before that political fatigue is in the air. People are tired of the nonsense that filled air space in the last six months and the fact remains that Opposition leaders are still not pulling up their socks. A surfeit of hammering personalities or the same issues over and over by the same personalities can actually be an overkill working to their own disadvantage. I am not sure if some are still floating away in their ivory tower with no inkling as to how the rest of the political landscape may have changed. Surely messages can be communicated differently. But are they even attempting to do that or are they contented to replay the same overused worn-out tunes that irritate our ears?

While there may be achievements in some areas, huge cracks and chasms seem to be driving parties apart from within and even in the wider society. Apathy, indifference and silence is on the increase. This must be arrested. Something must be done.

We cannot sing the same tune. There are just far too many factors at work to confidently predict or even hope that cyberspace can help bolster the position of the Opposition in the next elections. Suffice to say that it will certainly vary according to the motivation and agenda of those who seek to use them for their own devices.

Honestly, there has been so much talk of the imminent elections. The question burning in my heart is whether or not the Opposition parties have rolled their machinery, manifesto and shortlisted their potential candidates. They must reinvent themselves and communicate differently to change minds/attitudes/behavior and empower others to moot for change.

They had better start cracking or crack when the crunch comes!

Last night, I had dinner with my close pals, Philip (whom I have known for 32 years) and Dr. Murali (whom I have known for over a year) at No Eyed Deer. It is amazing how our lives are inextricably linked. The first time I introduced Philip to Murali, it turned out that they go to the same gym. As expected, they have been relentlessly badgering me to join them at the gym. As we enjoyed our delicious dinner, we exchanged notes on our plans for 2011.

It is indeed difficult to find good friends with whom I can be myself and know that regardless of my weaknesses, they accept me for who I am. Respect for each other, a forgiving spirit, a giving nature, sincerity and the desire to bring out the best in the other have been the buzzwords in my friendship with Philip and Murali. In fact, I have written about them a few times in my blog. Through thick and thin, good times and bad times, they have stuck with me patiently giving me their support, encouragement and unabashedly knocked me on the head when I needed to be on track again. The same goes for StraightTalking and Angela (not forgetting other dear friends and blog readers) except they are not in Penang.

This evening, I am posting an old write-up that I wrote in 2008. By January 7th 2009, all my blog posts were deleted and this was subsequently reposted again HERE on February 21st, 2009 (with lost of beautiful photos). I am reposting it to say thank you to all my dear friends, blog readers and subscribers who in their own own have been a constant source of encouragement for me to be more than who I am today. God bless you all.

Mirrors of My Soul

There are mirrors and then there are mirrors.

There are those small ones that you carry in your handbag, large ones placed at your console table, decorative ones in restaurants, practical ones in the bathroom and functional ones in your bedroom that come in all shapes and sizes.

Each has a different effect.

When the light is soft and direct, the image will tell us wonderful things about our faces, even though they may not be true.

Those placed in boutiques seem to make you look slimmer, sexier, fairer and better so you end up buying that dress or shirt that you did not even need.

At carnivals and theme parks, we have a gala time laughing at the distorted images in fun house mirrors where our images are skinny, convoluted, fat or distorted.

Then there are one-way mirrors which can be deceiving or revealing depending upon which side of the mirror you are standing.

Similarly, our friends are like mirrors because friends let us look at ourselves. There is one big difference though - friends are better than mirrors because regardless of the light, angle, time or place, the reflection of ourselves that we see in the face of a friend is always true.

As I age day by day while trying to keep young as well, I regard my friends as my mirrors - mirrors who let me see myself as I really am.

For those who are close to me, I sometimes see expressions there that I don’t want to see but I have to see because I know the time has come to make changes in my life. And I do make those changes. It makes a difference when people communicate it differently and it must come from a heart filled with love, understanding and tolerance.

Now, regardless of how I feel, I know I can never hide my true emotions from my friends and loved ones. Their faces even through the web cam or in reality, tell me that my ‘act’ is not very convincing or there is this certain dead giveaway lilt in my voice which reveals my true state of emotions. So that is good because I just drop the screen and talk things out frankly and start to feel better right away - really better. In fact, now there is no facade any more - what you see in me is what is me and what you will get just like what you are reading now is what I feel and what I am typing straight from my heart.

Thus, when I am at my best, feeling full of joy, the reflection of me that I see in the faces of my loved ones makes me even happier.

I hope that you all will continue to be the perfect mirror of your friends - a caring mirror, honest mirror, a mirror that loves, shares, feels, understands and is never cruel or judgemental.

When your friends look into your eyes whenever you communicate, they will see themselves and all the possibilities of improvement and goodness within themselves. And you know what, no other mirror in this world could ever allow them to experience themselves so deeply and fully as you do.....

It is so easy to blame others for problems or for our own failings. I thought I'd post this story to help us to think through the situation in our country. Many may say it's the fault of PKR or PR or BN etc. but what about ourselves? What have we done? Is our contribution just a tiny drop in the ocean? Together, we can...Enjoy this tale and may it inspire you to be more than who you are for Malaysia!
P.S. I cannot remember if I have posted this before so please forgive me if this is a repeat of an old post. Thanks! Do leave a comment to share your thoughts.




There was once a young ballerina who had taken ballet lesson all through her childhood. She wanted to be a prima ballet dancer but she wanted to be sure that she had the talent. When a ballet company came to town, she went backstage after the performance and spoke to the ballet master.

“I want to be a great ballet dancer but I don’t know if I had the talent” she said.

“Dance for me” the master said. After a minute or two, he shook his head and said “No, no, no, you don’t have what it takes to be a great ballerina.”

The young woman went home heartbroken. She tossed the ballet slippers into the closet and never wore them again. Instead she got married, had children. When the kids were old enough, she took a part time job manning a cash register at a corner shop.

Years later, the same ballet company came into town. She attended it and on the way out, she ran into the same old ballet master who was then in his eighties. She reminded him that they had spoken before. She showed him photos of her children and told him about the corner shop job that she is doing now. And then she asked “There is just one thing that really bothered me. How could you tell me that I didn't have what it takes to be a great ballerina?”

“Oh, I barely look at you when you danced, that’s what I told all of them who came to me” he said.

“But…but, that’s unforgivable! You have ruined my life, I could have been a great ballet dancer!” she cried.

-Author Unknown-
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So whose fault was it? The old ballet master or the budding ballerina or both of them?

Please leave a comment..I would love to hear your views. Thanks.