Abandon The "Silo" Mentality

(Photo from The Sun)

The Malaysian Insider carries this report:

[ KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 - The Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah said today that governments should not set down discriminatory laws or policies but must ensure inclusive development through empowerment.

"No segment of society must be disrespected, discredited and disenfranchised," he said in his address at the 21st LawAsia Conference here.
He said that no single group in any country should feel their contributions are unrecognized or unwanted.

While the Perak Raja Muda did not specify what laws or which countries he was referring to, his remarks comes amid a roiling debate over the country's "social contract" and the government's pro-Bumiputera affirmative action policies.

His advice also comes on the heels of the recent statement by the Rulers Council calling on all parties to stop questioning the social contract between Malays and non-Malays as it would cause unease.

In his speech today, Raja Nazrin called for the abandonment of what he called "the silo mentality where we only look up at what is happening and not beside us at what others are experiencing."
He made a case instead for policies which empower through inclusiveness.

"Only with inclusive development through empowerment can societies become strong," he said.
The lack of empowerment, he said, would lead to a sense of alienation and hostility that could result in "rash acts of violence."
"We cannot morally turn our backs on the fundamental responsibility of ensuring that all stakeholders in our society, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, have a place under the sun."

Among the prerequisites cited by Raja Nazrin for empowerment was for governments to strengthen the rule of law and to ensure greater political participation for citizens as stakeholders.

"It is only when citizens are also stakeholders will there be the widest sense of ownership of problems and challenges," he said. ]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

And here is a somewhat related article on "Race and Islam" by Farish Noor which has the closing remark which I quote:

[In any case, for Muslims to even think in racialised communitarian terms is a misnomer of sorts as such modes of communitarian, sectarian thinking has no real place in Islamic orthodoxy and ethics. To quote Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, spiritual leader of the Malaysian Islamic Party PAS: ‘tell me, what race was Adam?".]

For the full text, you can read HERE:

Have A Nice Day!!

Tasty Art (#16 of 18) Watermanon

I am Watermanon, greater than Superman.

Tasty Art (#15 of 18) Pear Mandolin

After playing you can eat me!

Money : The Dirtiest Piece Of Paper

Money is the dirtiest piece of paper on earth. It carries millions of germs; handled by all sorts of people you can think of; cheats, robbers, the diseased, murderers, rapists, holy people, infidels, and what have you.

Any holy cow considering a ban on handling such despicable piece of paper?

Maybe on another unrelated subject...YES!

Please go read for yourself HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE and many other places.

Or Go Fly A Kite!

Have a nice day!

Obama Under Threat

(Picture from BBC News)



(Pictures from BBC News)

(Paul Schlesselman (l) and Daniel Cowart were arrested last week)

BBC News reports:

"Two men, who officials describe as neo-Nazis, have appeared in a US court accused of plotting to kill Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart planned a murder spree targeting dozens of black people and culminating in Mr Obama's murder, officials said."

It was also reported (See below "Attachment") by Avaaz that fear tactics are being used in the guise of race, religion and terrorism as tools to intimidate and influence the American voters.

All these sound too familiar in Malaysia.

Below is the message from Avaaz which is of interest to everyone. I like to share it with all you good people. The message is also very relevant to Malaysia. I can't "copy and paste" the full message because this blog does not take "tags" (whatever they are). You can register with Avaaz HERE.

ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in Ottawa, London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Sydney and Geneva.


[ Dear friends,

Right now, desperate conservatives are employing the dirtiest of tactics in the US election -- distributing millions of videos, online ads and fliers deceptively linking Obama with terrorism, deliberately inciting hatred against Muslims and foreigners, and creating a sense of global fear and suspicion amongst Americans voters.

We won't remain silent in the face of these negative and misleading global messages. That's why Avaaz members from across the world have made a positive advertisement calling for change, which we aim to have viewed by millions of Americans before they go to the polls in just one week.

American talk shows are looking for what is hot online, and together we can reach the global numbers required to attract the national attention to counter their dirty tricks head on.

US Avaaz members have asked for this help. The ad doesn't tell people who to vote for, but its overriding message of tolerance, diplomacy, human rights and equality is unmistakable. If the ad hits the media airwaves, it will reach the nation's undecided voters just as they are starting to tune in -- and are determining which issues will underpin their vote.

A week is an eternity in politics. We've witnessed before what happens when there's the ugly combination of race, politics and the threat of terrorism: at the last moment, citizens shift their vote in droves as they're made to be fearful about their own security.

Watch this latest ad and then put your name to endorse its compelling and respectful message:

In recent weeks, we surveyed Avaaz members about the messages important to convey to US voters -- this is an opportunity to have those voices broadcast directly to key constituencies in the US.

So much depends on this election -- our climate, the war in Iraq, the Iran crisis, our global commitment to human rights. Help counter the voices of extremism, with this positive and powerful message of hope.

With hope,

Brett, Ricken, Graziela, Iain, Paula, Alice, Paul, Pascal, Milena, Veronique -- the entire Avaaz team ]

Have A Nice Day!

The Wise Old Goat

http://www.flickr.com/photos/topsy/66025835/

"The Wise Old Goat Soon Has A Plan
To Help The Two Chums, If He Can..."

Tasty Art (#14 of 18) Fruity Neighbours

Why humans can't be good neighbours like us?

Tasty Art (#13 of 18) Floury Hair

This is a bit small, but it's floury hair.

Etching on flour.

Why kill the Dolphins??

This came through email:


[ Pass it on to your friends around the world! It is OUTRAGEOUS!!!!! Make Denmark STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DENMARK: WHAT A SHAME
This happens in Denmark .

DENAMRK: WHAT A SHAME, A SAD SHAME. THIS MAIL HAS TO BE SEEN. THERE IS NO WORST BEAST THAN HUMAN KIND ITSELF!!!!

While it may seem liar even today continues to be made this time of year BRUTAL, Dantesque, bloody slaughter in the Faroe Islands, which belong to Denmark . A country supposedly 'civilised' AND A EUROPEAN UNION country.

For many people this attack to life is unknown , to sensitivity. IN THIS bloody slaughter to attend Moz to 'show' entering adulthood (!) Is absolutely incredible that no one does A SHIT to prevent this barbarism that are committed against Calderon, an intelligent dolphin who has the particularity of approaching People out of sheer curiosity.

fwd this everywhere, PLEASE. ]

Are humans more intelligent than Dolphins??

Melamine is not for eating

Received this from email:

[ China milk poisoning incidents make everyone afraid to look at the daily news report.

Every day, the reports are changing. No one can clearly tell us what to eat and not to eat.

What really is poisoned milkIt is the milk powder mixed with "MELAMINE"


What is Melamine use for?

It is an industrial chemical use in the production of melawares.



It is also used in home decoration." US resistant board".

Do you understand? Melamine is use in industrial production, it cannot be eaten.

Why is Melamine added in milk powder?

The most important nutrient in milk is protein.

Melamine has the same protein that contains "NITROGEN"

Adding Melamine in milk reduces milk content and it is cheaper than milk ,so it lowers cost and increase profit. Melamine looks like milk. It doesn't have any smell, so cannot be detected.





When was it discovered?

Year 2007@US cats and dogs died suddenly, they found that pet food from China contained Melamine.

Starting 2008, in China , an abnormal increase in infant cases of kidney stones.

August 2008 China Sanlu Milk Powder tested with Melamine.

Sept. 2008@New Zealand gov't asked China to check this problem.

Sept. 21, 2008@Lots of food products in Taiwan tested with Melamine.

What happens when Melamine is digested?

Melamine remains inside the kidney. It forms into stones, blocking the tubes. Pain will be eminent and person cannot urinate. Kidney will then swell.

Although surgery can remove the stones, but it will cause irreversible kidney damage. It can lead to loss of kidney function and will require kidney dialysis, or lead to death because of uremia. ]

Please be careful !

Drink and drive

If you drink and drive,
you have three choices.

Have A Nice Day!

Kids give all the correct answers!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keyf/272096502/

Kids Are Quick

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America ..

MARIA: Here it is.

TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?

CLASS: Maria.

____________________________________

TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?

JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.

__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'

TEACHER: No, that's wrong

GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.

________________________________ ____________

TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?

DONALD: H I J K L M N O.

TEACHER: What are you talking about?

DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.

__________________________________

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.

WINNIE: Me!

__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?

GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.

_______________________________________

TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with 'I.'

MILLIE: I is..

TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'

MILLIE: All right..... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'

______________ ___________________

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?

LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand. ______________________________________

TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?

SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.

______________________________

TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?

CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.

___________________________________

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?

HAROLD: A teacher

__________________________________

PASS IT AROUND AND MAKE SOMEONE LAUGH!

LAUGHTER IS THE SOUL'S MEDICINE!!

Happy Deepavali !!

HAPPY DEEPAVALI TO ALL OUR HINDU FRIENDS !!

Mercy Suicide?!

Daniel James with his mother and father.
The engineering student became a tetraplegic after a scrum
collapsed on him during rugby practice
(Picture from Mail Online)

Mail Online reports:
The mother of a paralysed rugby player who killed himself at a suicide clinic has defended her right to help him end a life 'filled with terror and indignity'.


This is serious matter, and a controversial one too.
This post is not to voice my opinion, but to share a story told in another blog maintained by one of my spiritual teachers.


It is quite long but well worth reading.
Please take your time:

Life. Don't Take It Lightly

[Just yesterday I heard that the British footballer Daniel James had gone to a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland and committed suicide, assisted suicide being legal in that country, even for non-terminal patients. James had been paralyzed from the neck down in a sporting accident and decided his life wasn’t worth living. When I heard about this I was both appalled and saddened.

A few years ago while I was staying at a Buddhist society in Europe I was informed that at 3 in the afternoon someone was coming to see me to talk about the Dhamma. Just before 3 I heard the front gate open and I saw a man in a wheelchair entering the premises. After a bit of fuss getting the wheelchair through the front door the man was pushed into the library by the person accompanying him and I entered to meet him. As we introduced ourselves he held out his hand, I took it and his grip nearly crushed my hand as he shook it. He was a good-looking man of about 25 with a fine complexion and well-developed arms and chest.

Almost immediately he got down to business. ‘Two years ago I was in a car accident in which the driver, my friend, and another person were killed. I was left paralyzed from the waist down. I’m undergoing therapy at present but the doctors tell me that if I have not regained the use of my legs within another 12 months I probably never will. I have decided that if I can’t walk again by that time I’m going to kill myself’. He paused for a moment, letting this piece of information sink in. Then he continued. ‘I have gone to Catholic and Protestant clergymen, a rabbi, a Baha’i teacher and a Hindu swami to ask them if they can give me good reasons why I should not end my life. Now I want to know what a Buddhist would say about this. That’s why I’m here.’ All this was said in a no-nonsense, matter-of-fact manner that convinced me he meant what he said. I asked him, ‘What did these other religious teachers say to you?’ ‘They all said I shouldn’t do it’ he replied. ‘Is being in a wheelchair so terrible,’ I asked him. ‘I will never get an erection again. I leak urine. You can probably smell it a bit. I can’t shit any more like normal people. Every morning I have to remove it manually. I used to love sports, I was a real sportsman. Ill never be able to run and jump like I used to. For the rest of my life I’m going to have to depend on others and quite simply, I don’t want to live like that.’ As he said this I detected a hint of emotion in his voice for the first time. I asked, ‘And have you given any thought to how you intend to kill yourself?’ ‘Gas’ he replied, ‘Its quick, clean and painless. So that’s it. Can you, as an expert in Buddhism, give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill myself?’ I listened to all this and decided to take the approach I have sometimes found useful in such cases. I spent a few moments pretending to ponder his question and then I said. ‘No I can’t. Given your circumstanced I think suicide is your best option.’ He opened his mouth to say something but nothing come out. He must have assumed that I was going to try to convince him not to kill himself and when I didn’t respond as expected he was knocked off balance. His friend who was standing behind him gave me a horrified look and waved his hand indicating that I should not say such a thing. ‘So you agree. You think I should kill myself?’ ‘Yep, I said.’ Now it was my turn to be silent while my words sunk in.

Finally I said, ‘The only thing I think you should reconsider is how your going to commit suicide. May I recommend another way?’ ‘Er, yes’ he said. His friend looked down and shook his head in despair. ‘This is what I would recommend. I live in Sri Lanka, in Kandy up in the mountains. Every time I go to the town market I see dozens of young guys on all fours crawling around amongst the crowd begging for money or food. They’ve all been crippled by polio. Now because they spend all their time down near ground level and are always breathing in dirt and dust, they often get lung infections. And of course because they crawl around their hands and knees are bruised, calloused and covered with scabs. I also know that almost none of them get any help from the government or any charitable organizations. They live by begging and petty theft. Now this is what I recommend you do. Sell everything you have, go to Sri Lanka, get yourself a one year visa, and do everything you can to improve the lives of these young guys. They have lived on the streets for years so they are a pretty tough bunch. I will be more than happy to give you contacts in Kandy who can help you get a house and the other things you will need. Of course there are no facilities for wheelchair-bound people in Sri Lanka, no ramps or anything. The pavements are uneven and the roads full of pot holes, so getting around will be a constant struggle. I calculate that two years of this plus the strain of working with these very difficult kids should finish you off. I think the only problem you might have is that someone might come to know of what you are doing and try to help you which might prolong your life or even stave of death altogether. But you can always tell them to piss off.’ I said all this in the same no-nonsense tone that he had used when telling me of his resolve to commit suicide. He sat looking at me for a while and then we had a long talk.

I can understand and I sympathize with the terminal patient who is in great pain and who wishes to end (or perhaps better, to shorten) his or her live. But to want to kill yourself just because your life is not going the way you want it, is, to me at least, nanarcisistic, selfish and stupid. The ‘If I can’t win I’m going to take my ball and go home’ attitude to life bewilders me. In Vienna I met a distinguished surgeon who told me his life had become meaningless since he retired some years previously. He didn’t know what to do with himself and was increasingly suffering from bouts of depression. I felt like grabbing him by the collar and shouting, ‘You selfish old man!’ With the skills he had developed during his career there was so much he could do for others – tutoring young medical students, volunteering his knowledge to some charitable organization, spending periods during the year in an undeveloped country passing on his skills to surgeons there. And even if he didn’t want to share what he knew, he could travel, write a book, do some research or take up a hobby. But for whatever reason such possibilities just never occurred to him. The Buddha said that to be reborn as a human is a rare opportunity pregnant with possibilities (S.V,457). To squander that opportunity, to fail to see its potential or to be so fixated on one particular course that it blocked out all others, seems to me to be a terrible tragedy; far worse than being confined to a wheelchair or paralyzed from the neck down. I am not advocating that ‘you can achieve anything if you really want it’ or that ‘never give up’ approach to life so popular in America. The first is a delusion – you can’t achieve anything you want; life is full of limitations. And the second is almost a recipe for unhappiness – knowing when to gracefully surrender, when its time to call it quits, is a mark of good judgment. I am talking about an appreciative awareness of the fact that we are alive and using the time we have well. Yes, we may find obstacles in our way, sometimes very serious ones, so we may have to modify our goals, adjust our expectations or consider completely new ones. I am constantly astonished at how people with serious disabilities find fulfilling and creative ways to spend their time or make their lives meaningful. Daniel James’ self-pity, lack of imagination and willfulness led him to take his life. How very sad.

When I returned to the Buddhist society the next year the young man in the wheelchair came to see me again. He invited me to lunch in the flat he had just bought and where I met his new girlfriend, who quite coincidently, happened to be a Buddhist. I didn’t ask him if he had changed his mind about killing himself but I assumed he had. Sometimes you have the privilege of making a significant difference to someone’s life. If Daniel James had made the goal of his life inspiring and encouraging those less disabled than he himself, I wonder how many lives he might have been able to change. ]

Well, what do you think?

How quickly the years pass!!

Now smile and tell any girl to visit this blog,

if she is wasting time at work,

suffering from a hangover,

or just suffering from work,

that might need a reason to smile!

Life is short! Break the rules!
Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly!
Love truly! Laugh uncontrollably!
And never regret anything that made you smile.

(Above not my quotation;

just "copy and paste" for

your reading pleasure!)

Have a nice day!!

The Might Of The Pen

Picture From Flickr

This recent blog, "The Might Of The Pen" is worth taking a second look, if you haven't already. Below is its objectives.

About SJS and Team

[We are a team of professionals from varied disciplines from across the world. We are engaged in informing the public on various issues of importance. Our cause is to liberate the minds of all men and women towards freedom, justice and equality.

All revenues derived from this blog, will be channelled to the rural poor in Malaysia, who have suffered many agonizing years of poverty, as a result of complete system failure in Malaysia. We welcome suggestions on the best possible ways to achieve this, and it should be a collective team effort.

“One who writes from his thoughts and who writes as a passion, merely translates them as news!”

“One who writes from his heart and who writes with tears and joy, champions the true human cause…and such is the might of the pen!”]

You make your own judgement.

Bright sky and stormy weather

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prap/2178132516/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiki_/545138714/


The Star reports:

"Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says he is working towards the gradual liberalisation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and elements of this can be seen in the not too distant future."

Just like the Malaysian weather, one minute it's threatening thunderstorm in Bolehland, the next minute it's warm sunshine in Happyland.

Malaysia Boleh.

Have you heard of the phrase "cry wolf"?

I have also posted an article about "the boy who cried wolf".

Anwar not in a hurry, but we are!!

(squirrel monkey)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridapfe/2243401439/

Associated Press Writer Eileen Ng reports:

["Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged Thursday he won't be able to bring down the government any time soon, but said he is in no hurry to take over given the nation's economic problems."

"We are not in a terrible hurry. Particularly in the present economic downturn we need to engage with government leaders to ensure that they take the right measures," Anwar said.]

Hey what about RPK?

Anwar, "you" are not in a hurry, not "we".

"We" are in a hurry!!

Aiyoooooooooh!!!

Botak From Today For RPK !

This is definitely not RPK.

This is I, Justin Choo.

Botak from today!

This is for RPK..
Real People's King...
Raja Petra Kamarudin!

Signs Of The Time

Retirement Vs Inflation

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kt/56580816/

The Malaysian Insider reports:
[ It's hardly a surprise, but an increasing number of Malaysians consider their retirement savings insufficient.

Their pessimism is not without justification. Although Malaysians - like all Asians - have a high propensity to save - 72 per cent claim they do save for retirement - their current savings behaviour shows a lack of proper planning, according to PAM chief executive Bill Lisle.

Few Malaysians are focused on saving for retirement. Forty-one per cent put aside as much as they can, hoping it will suffice - but nine out of 10 would dip into retirement savings if they had to.

This undisciplined approach is compounded by a lack of retirement products, Lisle said, adding that the government ought to provide more tax incentives so people are prepared to take responsibility for their retirement needs.

"We should aim to enjoy, rather than endure, retirement," he said. But he acknowledged that few Malaysians want to worry themselves about it now. ]

Many of you readers here will not be interested in this topic as you are young and have many years ahead of you to think of retirement and its problems.

Lisle is not correct in blaming the retirees (I included) for "the undisciplined approach". It is more of the lack of "education" towards the importance of savings for retirement. Hopefully, with the recent terrible/tragic economic events around the world, young people will be better prepared.

As for me, worry cannot solve any problem. At the rate inflation is going I will not be able to last for very long!

Have a nice day.

Najib denies manifesto

http://www.flickr.com/photos/new2mac/2768627184/


The Malaysian Insider reports:

[ "Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday slammed the Malaysiakini online newspaper for running a controversial report that he called part of an "obvious smear campaign" against him."

Najib added, "Rest assured that the manifesto neither reflects my thinking nor track record of public service." ]

Hellooooooo...... Track record? Isn't the track record etched on rock that he would want to smear something on his kris? Or was it wrongly reported over such a long period and over so many times? If it is, then I will also apolgise and retract this information which has been circulating for years.

It's not me alone who peruse his track record; millions did. So far no denying from him!? I wonder whether there is a You Tube on this event. Anyone knows, please inform me.

Have a nice day!

Encore!

(Photo from The Malaysian Insider)

The Malaysian Insider reports:

"Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has hit back at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi over his right to comment on Umno affairs, escalating what is turning into open warfare between the two men."

You can read the rest HERE.


Who would dare to tell the Tun off except the Number One. Abdullah is really Number One when he told Tun to mind his own business. You can read it HERE.

Nothing to write. Just relax.

It's A Doggie's Life!

(Young Ratchet could face the death-penalty by U.S. Army officials)



(Ratchet as a puppy)



(Gwen with 'lifeline' Ratchet in Iraq)

In case you missed out on the little news today on the right column of this blog, it is here for you to think about. "Mail Online" reports:

[ A soldier who saved the life of a young puppy in Iraq and expected to bring him back home with her could see her dog executed by her U.S. superiors.

Sgt. Beberg's mother Patricia said: 'This year has been extremely difficult on my daughter and her family. It has been a year of disappointments, loneliness, and fear because of all the sacrifices the army has required of Gwen.'

'Ratchet was the savior of her sanity. Now they have cruelly ripped Ratchet away from her and sentenced him to death. I don't know how my daughter will cope. Ratchet has been her lifeline.'

'Soldiers can face immediate court-marshal for befriending animals and some even see their animals brutally murdered by a direct gunshot to the head from commanding officers who will not bend the rules.' ]

Let's see how powerful and influential the pressure groups in the US are. Hope they can save Ratchet.

Read the whole story HERE.