eva's haven

HAPPY HAPPY 2012!

2012-01-09T02:42:00.000-08:00

Long break. Too long.

Me and my Harley.

Happy new year, guys!

US$30 Billion In Libyan Assets Seized

2011-03-03T05:39:00.000-08:00

I don't know Col Mommar Gadhafi from Adam.

But I do know that he has ruled Libya for more than 4 decades.

How did the Libyan people go on for that long under a dictator? There's mayhem and murder in Libya. Forces loyal to Gadhafi are attacking dissidents whom some people are calling, rebels. They in turn are attacking the Gadhafi loyalists.

It is civil war in Libya.

The US is just waiting to strike. Just waiting. We hope that will not happen. Let the United Nations crack the whip. They've already citing Gadhafi for crimes against humanity. They're enforcing an embargo against Libya. That will hurt.

So, here's an UPI report from Washington: The U.S. Treasury announced Monday it froze $30 billion in Libyan assets belonging to leader Moammar Gadhafi, his family and government entities he controls.

The action was taken under an executive order President Obama issued Friday, The Washington Post reported.

"As of today, at least $30 billion in government of Libya assets under U.S. jurisdiction have been blocked," David Cohen, Treasury's acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said. "This is the largest blocking under any sanctions program ever."

Click here for the rest of the report.

A Brighter 2011!

2011-01-27T03:25:00.000-08:00

Yay, I say.

An AP report in Washington says that the economy will gorw faster than envisioned threee months ago.

According to the latest quarterly AP Economy Survey, there is growing optimism among leading economists.

Still, unemployment will stay chronically high — nearly 9 percent by year's end.

Also a majority of economists say it will be 2016 or later before unemployment drops to a historically normal rate of around 5 percent.

Economists have become more confident 19 months after the worst recession since the Great Depression ended. Lower Social Security taxes and higher stock prices will embolden Americans to spend more and help power the economy, they say.

Well, as far as I'm conerned, that's good news.

NURIN ALERT! NURIN ALERT!

2011-01-10T19:22:00.000-08:00

There is no denying that the story of Nurin Jazlin can never be forgotten.
The 8 yr-old went missing near her home in Wangsa Maju, KL< in August, 2007 and her dead brutalized body was found stuffed in a sports bag miles away in Petaling Jaya in September, almost a month later.

Today, some 3 years later, the Malaysian government is going to put into place a child abduction alert, modelled on AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert that's being used in the US.

It's going to be called NUR (Nationwide Urgent Response) Alert. But, wait. The original name is NURIN (Nationwide Urgent Response Information Network) Alert. intiated and advocated by a group of bloggers soon after Nurin's body was found.

I sense the exasperation in Nuraina's blog. She pushed for it in her blog. I remember very well. Farina, a reader of Jalan Sudin, who also is a blogger (PrincessJournal) reminded Nuraina of AMBER Alert in the US. Immediately, Nuraina blogged about it and if I remember correctly, Rocky's Bru suggested that it should be called NURIN Alert, after Nurin and to stand for Nationwide Urgent Response Information Network.

The initiative started in the blogospher and gained huge support.

Nope. The government never thought about having this alert system.

Nurin's killer is still out there somewhere. The beast has not been caught.

We all wept for little Nurin. As Nuraina said -- we remember Nurin. She did not die in vain.

Yes. There were other kids too. We weep for them.

But we remember Nurin because she came back, dead. We all failed her.

So, please please...let's do it for our kids. Let's call it NURIN Alert.

Lauren Booth Converts To Islam

2010-10-26T00:59:00.000-07:00

Tony Blair's sister-in-law has converted to Islam after having what she describes as a "holy experience" during a visit to Iran.

Journalist and broadcaster Lauren Booth, 43 – Cherie Blair's sister – now wears a hijab whenever she leaves her home, prays five times a day and visits her local mosque whenever she can.

She decided to become a Muslim six weeks ago after visiting the shrine of Fatima al-Masumeh in the city of Qom.

"It was a Tuesday evening and I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy," she said in an interview today.

When she returned to Britain, she decided to convert immediately.

Booth – who works for Press TV, the English-language Iranian news channel – has stopped eating pork and reads the Qur'an every day. She is currently on page 60.

Booth has stopped drinking alcohol and says she has not wanted to drink since converting.

Before her spiritual awakening in Iran, she had been "sympathetic" to Islam and has spent considerable time working in Palestine, she said, adding that she hoped her conversion would help Blair change his presumptions about Islam. -- The Guardian

Arab-American Babe is Miss USA 2010

2010-05-17T02:48:00.000-07:00

Rima Fakih is a hot babe. She is 24, from Dearborn, Michigan, Muslim and is the new Miss USA who will represent this land of milk and honey in the Miss Unverse pageant.

This dark-haired beauty, I reckon, just broke that glass ceiling, as it were. I sure don't recall any Arab-American or/and a Muslim ever being chosen Miss USA.

And the Donald (Trump) might have been the one to have made it possible for Rima!

You wanna know more...just click HERE!

Just waiting for any brickbats and negative feedback from sore, oka ok...ugly Americans over Rima's win!

Lena Horne : 1917 -2010

2010-05-11T02:38:00.000-07:00

The day Lena Horne died, President Barack Obama twitted: "Saddened to hear about the passing of Lena Horne, a great enetrtainer and a tireless worker for justice and equality."

That said it all.

"Lena Horne, the enchanting jazz singer and actress who reviled the bigotry that allowed her to entertain white audiences but not socialize with them, slowing her rise to Broadway superstardom, died Sunday (May 9). She was 92. (The Associated Press)

The Greek Story -- And What You Must NOT do.

2010-05-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

You must not have too much free lunch because, someONE has to pay for those free lunches.

Here's from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Greece's problems with money shouldn't seem so foreign.

Anyone with a checking account knows you can't buy more than you spend -- at least not indefinitely, anyway.

"People like to pretend budget deficits and entitlement programs are so complicated and hard to understand," said Craig Thomas, senior economist at PNC Financial Services Group in Pittsburgh. "They really aren't. You have income coming in and spending going out. ...

"Greece shows it's not more complicated than this."

Despite promises of a $146.5 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund and other countries that use the euro, Greece's deep debts threaten to take down the European Union -- and perhaps jump across the Atlantic.

Rioting by Greeks upset over proposed cuts in wages and public benefits left three people dead last week.

Indirectly, the European crisis caused jitters on Wall Street, adding to a dramatic decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Thursday and instability through week's end. The Dow on Friday ended down 139.89, to close the week at 10,380.43.

The message about Greece's carefree spending translates around the world, economists said.

If countries want to provide great social services, that's fine -- but they need to pay for them.

"What is happening in Greece is expected," said Dan Donchev, a private economic analyst in Tetovo, Macedonia, which shares a border with Greece. "Obviously, the time has come when our southern neighbor should pay for its free lunch."

Check Your BO The Next Time You Take A Flight

2010-02-19T02:52:00.000-08:00

BO : body odour.

Here's why.

A man on Jazz Air, a regional airline in Canada that also serves U.S. cities, was reportedly kicked off a plane earlier this month because of his strong body odor.

And I'm wondering if this is the first ever case.

Careers On The Way Out

2010-01-29T05:37:00.000-08:00

Some careers have simply faded away over the past 10 years. In most cases, advances in technology eliminated the need for certain jobs. Americans are also more focused on conservation. Here are a few jobs that are being phased out; hopefully your career isn't on this list!

1. Bank Tellers

While the need for banking services has increased, services traditionally performed by tellers (receiving and dispensing cash, depositing money, etc.) is now performed electronically. The use of ATMs and online banking continues to increase. Tellers are only needed for complex transactions.

2. File Clerks

Even the most paper intensive organizations have decreased their use of paper files. Imaging, electronic forms and careful attention to process efficiency reduced the need to maintain paper files. One of the biggest threats to the file clerk occupation is the push toward environmental sustainability (preserving trees by using less paper). The new "file clerk" is a Database Report Writer who knows how to run database queries.

3. Telephone Operators

Even the smallest company can now use sophisticated telephone systems that allow callers to select their own options for needed information. Callers simply listen to pre-recorded telephone directory names and select the person they want to talk to. Voicemail, email and even texting have become preferred forms of communication in addition to traditional telephone conversations.

4. Data Entry Clerks

There is no doubt the amount of data generated over the past decade has swelled. But it was all electronic to begin with, so there's no need to hire a person to copy it from other sources. The ability to integrate systems and make various systems exchange date automatically also reduced the need to for a person to translate or manipulate data

5. Mail Clerks

Yes, there is still plenty of mail, only it's electronic, so the need for people to sort and distribute paper mail has decreased. Also, bar code readers sort mail and pre-printed postage eliminates the need for weighing and applying postage stickers. Today's mail clerks have new tools to allow more work to be done with fewer people. (Not all careers are ho-hum. These 10 have a very high percentage of happy employees.

6. Photo Processors

With the prevalence of digital photography, the need for photo processing has greatly diminished. Even people who still choose to print their photos use self-service kiosks. Photo processors who used to run machines in retail stores, as well as in processing centers, are becoming obsolete.

7. Travel Agents

The internet now makes it possible for the public to schedule their own trips. While there are still many travel agents, incentives once offered by airlines, hotels and car rental companies make the occupation less profitable. Today's travel agents often book long or complicated trips, while the weekend getaway or quick business travel is scheduled individually online.

8. Watch Salesperson

Who needs a watch when your cell phone tells you what time it is 24/7? Everything around you shows the time - most electronic devices have a clock. Even billboards show the current time. Watches and watch salespersons are becoming a thing of the past.

9. Video Store Clerk

Remember the video store? Clerks collected returned video tapes and checked them in. They used to stick the tapes in a re-winder then pluck them back in their cases. Even DVDs are being upstaged by online movie viewing and cable companies with user-selected movies. You can now even watch movies on your video game console. Traditional video stores are going away, and so is the need for workers.

The Bottom Line

The past decade ushered in job market changes that closed out old careers and started new ones. In many cases, the processes performed in old jobs were replaced technology, but in some cases, the processes simply went away. One thing is for sure, there will always be change. The unemployment rate may be high, but that doesn't mean you need to sit on the sidelines.

Now. here's the list of jobs that are here to stay:

1. Automotive technicians and mechanics repair and maintain automobiles and light trucks. Motorists need these services near their homes and businesses, meaning this hands-on work would be pretty hard for someone in another country to do. So rest easy. This job is staying close to home.

2. Teachers help children and adolescents develop intellectually and socially through hands-on instruction that can only be done onsite. With the U.S. Census Bureau projecting that some 56 million K-12 students will enroll in the 2009-2010 school year, teaching is a solid job that's here to stay.

3. Physical Therapy Assistants work with physical therapists to assist in the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered from injury or illness. The work involves using the power of touch to heal and inspire, which means that this work must be done locally.

4. Electricians light up our lives by installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems and components. With work done onsite at our homes, offices, and factories, electrician jobs cannot be sent overseas.

5. Veterinary Assistants assist veterinarians in handling pets and nonfarm animals, administering medicine, and taking x-rays. Most animals can't travel far for their health care

(source: Yahoo)

FINALLY! Some Arrests in the PKFZ Scandal!

2009-12-10T23:40:00.000-08:00

PUTRAJAYA: More people are to face charges in relation to the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco, with three senior executives already brought to court yesterday.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said politicians, civil servants, businessmen and lawyers implicated in the scandal would be charged in stages.

Yesterday, the former general manager of Port Klang Authority, Datin Paduka Phang Oi Choo, was charged with criminal breach of trust amounting to RM254 million.

Stephen Abok, chief operating officer of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, the project’s turnkey developer, and architect Bernard Tan Seng Swee were charged with cheating. All three pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

On Monday, Law Jenn Dong, an engineer with Kuala Dimensi, is to be charged.

For the rest of the story, click HERE.

Well....I thought they'd never arrest anyone for this....

Good, job!

And yet, I can hear dissatisfied voices.

You can NEVER please people with agendas.

Will I Miss Oprah?

2009-11-21T02:41:00.000-08:00

Ms Oprah Winfrey has announced that she will "dim the lights on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at the close of its 25th season in late 2011.

Well, blow me down. She's a clever one. Quit whil the going is good. Quit while you're still riding high.

Truthfully, and I hate to admit it...I will kinda miss her. I think she has been so much a part of our lives -- whether you like it or not.

Of course, it's not that I need her like a drug. I do not make a point of turning her on, if that's what you're thinking. But, well, I do enjoy Oprah whenever she's on.

The lady is smart and very enterprising. For her to be able to survive the industry and be as big as she is now, takes a lot, I tell ya.

She is iconic and is an inspiration to a lot of people.

I'm sure her star will continue to shine.

All about her announcement HERE.

(This image taken from video Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 and provided by Harpo Productions Inc., talk-show host Oprah Winfrey announces during a live broadcast of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in Chicago that her daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air. (AP Photo/Harpo Productions, Inc.) MANDATORY CREDIT, NO SALES

Obama: Guantanamo To Close Next Year

2009-11-19T02:56:00.000-08:00

This is good news. I hope this will really happen.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he believes the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, can be closed next year, but he acknowledged that he will not meet his original January deadline.

Obama said he was not disappointed that he would not meet the one-year deadline he set upon taking office last January because, he said, "I knew this was going to be hard."

He made the comment in Beijing in an interview to be aired on Fox News Channel's "Special Report with Bret Baier" later on Wednesday.

"We are on a path and a process where I would anticipate that Guantanamo will be closed next year," Obama said, declining to name a specific date for when the prison will be closed.

The Obama administration has had difficulty in closing the prison because many U.S. lawmakers are deeply reluctant to transferring the prisoners there to the United States.

"It's hard not only because of the politics. People I think understandably are fearful after a lot of years where they were told that Guantanamo was critical to keeping terrorists out. So, I understood that that had to be processed, but it's also just technically hard -- I just think as usual in Washington things move slower than I anticipated," Obama said.

THE REST OF THE STORY HERE

Give It Up, Tee Keat & Soi Lek..

2009-11-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

I think the MCA is going to the dogs.

I cannot believe the shenanigans of these party leaders -- fr4om Datuk Ong Tee Keat, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek right down to everyone who've been quoted in the media -- mainstream and online!

Like a bunch of puerile brats who insist on getting their own way.

Listen, fellas. You guys are in deep shit, you hear.

You're gonnat take down the Barisan Nasional with you. So stop it already!

I so agree with the Third Force or whatchamacallit -- looks like you can't handle it, guys. You need the big man himself.

Yep. It's got to that point. Now, don't go blaming everyone else but yourselves!

But before, big man Najib sits down and help you clean house -- I agree with so many people that Tee keat and Soi Lek have got to give it up!

Pretty Doesn't Always Work, For Stores

2009-08-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

The world is going crazy. Some time and tested practices no longer work. There's good and bad about it.

Remember how good looks were put to damn good use? You'd put pretty people in advertisements, on can covers, on front pages, on magazine covers and on all sorts of products.

You'd put pretty receptionists on your front desk, pretty waitresses in your restaurants and bars and, of course, pretty people to show off your clothes.

Man, if you had looks, you'd have won 80 per cent of your battle.

These days, though, pretty may not be so good. According to a survey in Australia, pretty store assistants are putting off customers and are causing sales to dwindle.

Here's why:

Research from the University of South Australia has found that regardless of the product, women are less likely to buy it if they think the saleswoman is more attractive than them.

After being intimidated while shopping, PhD researcher Bianca Price decided to investigate and her findings were recently published in the Journal of International Business and Economics.

"Attractiveness does have its benefits, hence stores hire these girls, but the problems lie with the fact that we aren't all stunners," she told ABC News Online.

You may read the rest of the article HERE.

Ooh, That R Word!

2009-08-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

Something's really goin' on back home. The Chinese are calling the Malays racist and the Malays are calling everyone else that R word.

So, I do a little reading and what have I discovered. That they all have reason to believe that the other is a racist.

Bigotry. Bah!

You can blame it on race politics. What what do you blame race politics on?

You got it, baby. Politicians, who else.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) is predominantly Chinese so they get all fired up when the Malay daily, Utusan Malaysia accuses it politicians of being anti-Malay and anti-Islam.

The DAP in turn throws back the R word at the Utusan.

Everyone -- and I mean politicians and their supporters -- jumps in and have a good fucking time labelling the Chinese anti-Malay and the Malays as racist.

It is helluva ugly. It's supposed to be helluva. But, really, it's more hilarious than anything because you can see everyone's game.

They're killing each other, I tell ya.

So funny.

Get over it, man.

Defending Khairy And Bashing Dr Mahathir

2009-04-13T03:30:00.000-07:00

This is so very odd.

My cousin voted for the Opposition in last year's general election because she was so fed up with Barisan Nasional.

The face of Khairy Jamaluddin, she said, was one reason she rejected BN because Khairy represented the abuse, the corruption and all that went wrong for the BN under his father-in-law.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was literally PM-in-absentia.

The Opposition at that time was not Pakatan Rakyat but individual parties. She voted for the DAP and PKR.

She was naturally aghast that Pakatan Rakyat had conducted itslef pretty miserably and betrayed people like her.

For instance, when Pak Lah was stepping down, several Pakatan leaders said, no no, he shouldn't.

"What the F****?" she screamed in her text to me!

Yeah. I'm wondering what's goin' on back home?

What's the deal?

You'd send Malaysia to destruction just so you can take over the country?

No go, man.

Recently, of course, with the new government under Datuk Seri Najib Razak, we hear Pakatan voices defending Khairy and whacking Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

So, ok. We understand your issues with the Tun. But why whack him in defence of Khairy?

WHY?

"I voted for the opposition because I rejected the likes of Khairy and now you are supporting Khairy? What game are you playing-lah?"

Hey. I'd like to know too!

What is your struggle, Pakatan? Stay focus, man. Or you will expose your own lack of direction and a very muddled struggle.

Celebrities and Adopting Poor Third World Kids

2009-04-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

Should I laud Madonna for her steadfastness in wanting to adopt a Malawian child?

I remember watching TV and how the TV presenters crucifies the Malawian authorities for making it difficult for Madonna to adopt 4 year-old Mercy James.

This presenter said Madonna was giving Mercy a good life and these stupid authorities were questioning her morality?

Mercy will die of hunger in Malawi, stupid!

Which brings me to this issue about Hollywood celebrities penchant for adopting kids from poor countries.

No doubt they love children. I suppose, on the outset, we could say that they're doing it all for humanity, charity.

We should be happy for these kids, you know. They're better off with these glitzy celebrities to call mommy and daddy.

But, really...I dunno.

Aren't there needy kids where they come from?

Israel Is A War Criminal...

2009-01-17T20:21:00.000-08:00

But Israel will never go to trial for its genocidal acts of terrorism.

A War That Will Never End...

2009-01-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

God Almighty. surely You have a reason for all these.....

Do read THIS whenever you can.

May 2009 Bring Us Good Things!

2008-12-31T02:35:00.000-08:00

But....aaah. who are we kiddin'!

We're in recession...people get laid off, inflation, war and war.

Don't know whether Obama is any different from his predecessors with regards to handling of Israel in the Mid-east conflict!

Oh well....Have a good new year....

Next Time, I'll Be There..

2008-11-30T18:48:00.001-08:00

I have been back in Malaysia for couple of weeks now for a sojourn. One of the things (some) Malaysians or ex-Malaysians abroad have to do.

I was invited by Tok Mommy (Kak Maria) for a bloggers' bash. Actually, it was an invite through another invitation. I was thrilled, yet a little apprehensive.

Truth be told. It was not easy because I'd have to "blow my cover". No more anonymity.

Would people be expecting an "Eva"? Kak Maria told me that a joke was going around the Tuesday Mee Rebus sessions that some people are convinced that I'm a 6-footer Sikh male.

Kak Maria herself asked me about me.I told her I ain't telling. although I gave her BROAD hints.

I'll be honest -- I'm no 6-footer although I am tall. Nor am I male or a Sikh.

To cut a story short -- I missed the bloggers bash at the Curve on Saturday Nov 29 because I was at the other end of the Klang Valley, stuck in a horrendous traffic jam.

Was looking forward to meeting Kak Maria, Nuraina, Kerp, MadSalo, Rocky and the others.

I suppose Somebody else had good reason to not let me be there.

It would have to be "next time"....

So, until the next time in this lifetime....you guys rock!

State Of Emergency At Bangkok Airports As Rumours Of Coup Abound

2008-11-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

People power in Thailand ain't gonna do the country any good. But something just has to be said and done for the long-term good of the country.

That people power is deceptive because the real power in Thailand lies in the military.

These protests are just being allowed because the military is allowing it to a point when it has the government on its knees.

Already there are rumours of a coup.

Just read The New York Times that a a state of emergency has been declared at Bangkok’s two commercial airports today.

Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat against whom the protest is made, instructed police to deal with protesters occupying the facilities, Thai media reported.

Of course the people are protesting, Somchai is ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra's brother-in-law.

Read the story here.

And on the coup, here

Judge Orders Guantanamo Releases

2008-11-21T03:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I hope that this development spells better things to come as far as Guantanamo prisoners are concerned.

Many of them I am very sure are innocent.

Punish the guilty. Release the innocent!

Read this Al-Jazeera report:

A US judge has ruled that five Algerians held in the US prison facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for almost seven years had been illegally detained and must be freed.

Richard Leon, a US district judge in Washington DC, said the US government had "failed to show by burden of proof" that the five men had allegedly planned to go to Afghanistan to fight US-led forces there.

However the judge did find that a sixth Algerian man, seized alongside the other men in Bosnia-Hercegovina in 2001, had been legally detained.

The ruling follows the first hearings under a landmark US supreme court ruling in June - based on a case brought by lawyers for Lakhdar Boumediene, one of the Algerian men - that gave Guantanamo prisoners the legal right to challenge their continued detention.

The June ruling said that inmates in Guantanamo Bay had the right to know under what charges they were being held and what the evidence was against them.

Thursday's decision marks a fresh embarrassment over the camp for the Bush administration and comes after Barack Obama, the US president-elect, pledged to close the prison camp after taking office in January.

The White House said later on Thursday it disagreed with the court's ruling and that the Justice Department was reviewing the decision on the five Algerians.

"This ruling does demonstrate the need for Congress to enact procedures that allow these petitions to be adjudicated in a way that is fair to the detainee but that allows the government to present its case without imperiling national security," said Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman.

Controversial cases

The US government had accused all six of the men of planning to travel to
Afghanistan to join the al-Qaeda network and fight against US-led forces in the country.

But their lawyers say there is no evidence the men ever would have ended up ona battlefield or posed any threat to the US.

Michael Ratner from the Centre for Constitutional Rights, who acted as a legal advisor to the men, told Al Jazeera he was overjoyed by the verdict.

"This is a huge huge decision. Not only for those five men but for how it showed that the US government was off the chart in what it was doing to people."

Ratner said he hoped that the decision would lead to similar rulings in other cases involving Guantanamo detainees.

Judge Leon said the allegation against the men was based on a single source and that he did not have enough information to judge the source's reliability or credibility.

However the judge ruled the government did provide enough evidence that one of the detainees, Belkacem Bensayah, had planned to take up arms against the US in Afghanistan.

Boumediene and the other five men were initially detained by US authorities on suspicion of plotting to bomb the US embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in October 2001, and transferred them to Guantanamo in January 2002.

However the Justice Department has reportedly since dropped the embassy bombing accusations.

Last month, US district judge Ricardo Urbina also ordered the release of 17 Chinese Muslims, members of the Uighur ethnic group, after the government acknowledged they were not enemy combatants.

About 250 prisoners are still being held at the US naval camp in Cuba on suspicion of "terrorism" or links to al-Qaeda or the Taliban. Most were detained during the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 after the September 11 attacks in the US.

Most have been held for years without being charged and many have complained of abuse, and the camp remains one of the most controversial aspects of the Bush administration's so-called war on terror.

HALLELUJAH! HISTORY AND OBAMA.

2008-11-05T00:17:00.000-08:00

Let me apologize for not blogging for a mighty long time. I was in Europe. Spain to be exact. As usual -- work and play.

Not a moment passed by that I did NOT think about the US presidential elections.

My fingers were so itchy. I wanted to surf the net and blog about my days and nights.

I thought this could never happen -- I did not have time. NO TIME.

I never thought this could ever be possible. But that's the truth...so help me God!

HOWEVER -- came home. Caught up with stuff.
And YES! Barrack Hussein Obama is PRESIDENT!

That's H I S T O R Y and H I S T O R I C, people.

I rejoice. I know that he may not be as good a President as his hype want us to believe. But, I'm putting my money on him.

Never thought this day would come. Ever!

HALLELUJAH!

My Money!

2008-10-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you guys....but here, we're a nation of bewildered people. We don't know what hit us. So we're still coming around....

So what do we do? I mean, what if tomorrow (God forbids!) we lose our investments? Do we switch to cash? Any risks in doing that?

Well, the New York Times has a report in answer to my fear:

It’s a question we’ve all asked in our darker moments of late: Why not just put all of our investments in cash, 100 percent, just for a little while, until things calm down?

Some people already seem to be acting on that instinct. In the first six days of October (through Monday), investors pulled $19 billion out of mutual funds that invest in United States stocks, matching the outflows for the entire month of September, according to TrimTabs Investment Research.

“What clients are looking for is safety,” said John Bunch, president of retail distribution at TD Ameritrade. “They are seeking solutions that are backed by the federal government. Specifically, F.D.I.C-insured money funds and certificates of deposit. All of it is under the umbrella of, ‘Am I safe and insured?’ ”

By fleeing for the comfort of safe and insured, however, investors with a time horizon beyond a few years may be doing real damage to their long-term finances. If you’re tempted to make a big move to cash right now, you’re doing something called market timing. It’s an implied statement that you’ve figured out the right moment to get out of stocks — and will also know the right time to get back in.

So let’s dispense with the first part straightaway. The right time to move out of stocks was a year or so ago, before various stock indexes the world over fell by one-third or more.

If you missed that opportunity, you’re hardly alone.

But if you sell now, you’ll be locking in your losses. And once you’re in cash, there isn’t much upside. In fact, with interest rates low, you’re likely to lose money in cash, because inflation will probably eat up the after-tax returns you earn from a savings or money-market account.

A guarantee of a small loss may sound good right now. But if you’re not bailing out of stocks once and for all, how will you know when it’s time to get back in? The fact is, any peace of mind you gain by being on the sidelines now will turn into a migraine once you see how much you can harm your portfolio over time by missing just a bit of any rebound.

H. Nejat Seyhun, a professor of finance at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, put together a study in 2005 for Towneley Capital Management, where he tested the long-term damage that investors could do to their portfolios if they missed out on the small percentage of days when the stock market experienced big gains.

From 1963 to 2004, the index of American stocks he tested gained 10.84 percent annually in a geometric average, which avoided overstating the true performance. For people who missed the 90 biggest-gaining days in that period, however, the annual return fell to just 3.2 percent. Less than 1 percent of the trading days accounted for 96 percent of the market gains.

This fall, Javier Estrada, a professor of finance at IESE Business School in Barcelona, published a similar study in The Journal of Investing that looked at equity markets in 15 nations, including the United States. A portfolio belonging to an investor who missed the 10 best days over several decades across all of those markets would end up, on average, with about half the balance of someone who sat tight throughout.

So moving to cash right now is just fine as long as you know precisely when to get back into stocks (even though you didn’t know when to get out of them).

At some point, stocks will indeed fall enough that investors will remove the money from their mattresses and put it to work, causing prices to rise significantly. But, as Bonnie A. Hughes, a certified financial planner with the Enrichment Group in Miami, put it to me, there won’t be an e-mail message or news release that goes out when this is about to happen. It will be evident only afterward, on the few days when the market surges.

And it gets worse for those who think they won’t have any trouble investing in stocks again later. Medium- or long-term investors who are considering a big move into cash right now are probably making an emotional decision, at least in part. For those who follow through, the same instincts will probably hurt when trying to figure out when to reinvest in stocks.

“The emotional forces that drove them out of the market aren’t likely to let them back in ‘until things are better,’ ” Dan Danford of the Family Investment Center in St. Joseph, Mo., said in an e-mail message. “And for most people, things won’t feel better again until the market has already moved back up.” In fact, he added, plenty of people may not allow themselves to get back in until the market has already risen significantly.

That situation is worth considering if you think your mood, or returns, can’t get any worse. “People feel worse missing out on the bounce-back that will inevitably come than they do hanging in there through the down period,” said Elaine D. Scoggins, a certified financial planner with Merriman Berkman Next in Seattle.

The truly downbeat do not see the bounce as inevitable. This outlook is essentially a bet that our current predicament is so different that the equity markets won’t bounce back at all, even though they survived 1929, the Great Depression, 1987 and a major terrorist attack. I do not believe that the markets are in some kind of permanent decline, and I haven’t found an expert who does.

That said, some retirees, or those close to leaving the work force, may be well-off enough to leave stocks behind for now. If the tumult in the economy and the decline in the markets have altered your risk tolerance, then it may make sense to move to a portfolio of Treasury bills, certificates of deposit and money market funds.

Michael G. Coli, 56, of Crystal Lake, Ill., decided to take his 401(k) money out of the market in February. As an investor in his sons’ pizza restaurants, he noticed that an increasing number of customers were relying on credit cards. And as the owner of a winter home in Naples, Fla., he witnessed the housing market dive. Taken together, he decided to pull his retirement money, which he would need in five years, from the Vanguard Balanced Index Fund and move it all into certificates of deposit.

“I had the feeling the economy was not on real firm ground,” Mr. Coli said. “I decided to get out and put it all in C.D.’s, and that is where I’ve been ever since.”

If you can’t afford to live off the proceeds of cash investments (or dividends from your investment in your kids’ pizza joints), you may have no choice but to hold on to whatever stocks you have left. Then, you can hope for a rebound that will allow you to live out your later years more comfortably. Selling now and moving to cash could mean guaranteeing a lower standard of living for the rest of your life, because you’d be locking in your losses.

But if you’re a bit younger, try to think of your investment portfolio in the same way you consider the value of your home, if you own one. After all, if you’re not moving anytime soon, your home is a long-term investment, too.

“Today’s price is not your price. Your price is 10 or 20 years from now,” said Thomas A. Orecchio, of Greenbaum & Orecchio, a wealth management firm in Old Tappan, N.J. “Unfortunately, stock market investors don’t always see things that way.”

A Really New Dawn!

2008-10-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

Read the good news about Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision to step down next March!

Oh...forget Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's promise of a new dawn. We'll stick to this one because this will be happening for sure. Yeah, for sure.

Are you guys celebratin' back home?

Now, I'm just absorbing this whole thing and feelin' a kind of high. No, it's not the vodka. It's the thought that at least, one clown is out! And with him, the other clowns, who may be smaller, but, I can tell ya, they're the ones who've been effectively putting stupid ideas in his head!

Now, let's see -- is Datuk Seri Najib Razak Pak Lah's successor. By all counts under the current system of succssion, he is the bona fide successor.

Oh, yeah...I've been readin' stuff on home.

The way Umno works, I think, they'll want him to be. They' ll live him alone. And Tengku Razaleigh may join Pakatan.

And ooooh...I can see Anwar's people sharpening their knives, lembing and everythin' to make sure Najib drowns, and drowns.....

Man, politics kill...

I'd give this new dawn a chance..

A Damn Quick Way To Decline..

2008-09-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

You'd think that we've gone through the worst, or that the Government's done the worst or the most unthinkable thing...

Then, yesterday, the Government ISA-ed three people -- controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Sin Chew Jit Poh senior reporter Tan Hoon Cheng and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

This afternoon, Hoon Cheng was released.

She was arrested because the police wanted to bet a clarification from her about the report she had written, quoting Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail calling the Chinese community ‘squatters’.

Also, Syed Hamid claims that she was actually in protective custody because she had received threats to her safety.

His remarks had sparked an outcry among the predominantly Chinese political parties in the ruling Barisan Nasional, particularly MCA and Gerakan.

Ahmad who has been punished by Umno with a 3-year membership suspension, insisted that he was quoted out of context.

RPK and Teresa are still being detained, their whereabouts unknown.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar told a Press conference today that RPK was arrested ebcasue he was unrepentant, after being warned to stop publishing inflammatory articles in his news portal Malaysia Today.

Teresa because she had criticized the "azan" (call for prayer) at a mosque. Her remarks were published by Malay daily, Utusan Malaysia.

Were all the arrests justified?

Syed Hamid believes that the police acted professionally.

Hell.... ISA arrests are never justified, man!

Looks to me that this is intimidation. Big time!

And you don't know where and when it ends.

ISA is not a tool to be fooled around with, man....you;re really signing your own death sentence!

Liar, Coward, A Pariah And, Bankrupt...

2008-08-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

Four words lawyer Datuk Shafee Abdullah used to describe notorious blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin at a Press conference at his Kuala Lumpur office.

A Malaysian blog brother emailed me this bit of information.

Well I'll be!

It seems Datuk Shafee's tone against Raja Petra was hard and relentless.

Datuk Shafee said that Raja Petra is a bankrupt, and has been so for quite some time.

Here's what he said:

"We are concerned that Raja Petra thinks that being a bankrupt he does not have any obligations to law and society. This is perhaps the reason why he is so dishonest and reckless as to what he publishes. If he thinks he can hide behind his bankruptcy, he is dead wrong. So far the conduct of Raja Petra clearly shows that his sole motive is to do propaganda and truth was never his consideration at all.

For your information, I can conclusively show Raja Petra is a total liar I have independent evidence, both oral and documentary, that will show neither the office of Shafee & Co nor this conference room you are sitting in or the whiteboard you are looking at or I personally are involved in anything close to the allegation by Raja Petra that we are involved in a conspiracy relating to the case of the sodomy allegation by Saiful against Anwar Ibrahim. Raja Petra will have to show his so called evidence. He bluffs by saying he has got 6 witnesses 3 of them are datuks apparently.And I urge him that if he has that evidence, he must quickly agree for an expedited trial of this matter as the public deserves nothing less than the truth. If Raja Petra is found to be lying to the public he must be stopped fast so that the public is not misled."

I got the last detailed bit from the "thirteen million plus ringgit" blogger's posting HERE .

And Umno's Best Offer For the Slaughter Is....

2008-08-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, a Penang mamak, no less.

He is 52 and state assemblyman for Seberang Jaya.

He speaks Hokkien and Mandarin and Umno thinks THIS gives him the edge over Datuk Anwar Ibrahim.

In short, Arif Shah is gonna whack the crap out of Anwar on Aug 26.

Oh, man. Mercy me!

For your sake, Umno, he'd better be you best!

No Lamb Yet!

2008-08-11T07:40:00.001-07:00

Looks like Umno has difficulty finding a suitable one for the slaughter.

Who will it be, I wonder.

Everyone is wondering.

Umno had a little lamb..................

Who Is Gonna Be the Lamb For Umno?

2008-08-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is all set to contest in his old constituency of Permatang Pauh in Penang.

Umno knows it will lose against Anwar.

Already there are more people who DO NOT believe that DSAI sodomised his erstwhile darling "coffee-boy" Saiful Bukhari than there are those who do.

The person chosen to be pitted against DSAI is THE LAMB for the slaughter! Poor fella!

For DSAI, the by-election is a do or die. He needs this one. It's his climax. His orgasm, if you know what I mean!

What else can it be? HE HAS NOTHING TO LOSE!

Even if DSAI is a certified sodomite, there's just too much sympathy for him.

Besides, the country is in a total mess.

There are enough people out there who are convinced that DSAI can take the country out of this stink!

Najib's already a wash-out!

I'm blaming the Prime Minister for all this!

So who will he pick to be sacrificed?

It's Okay If You Don't Believe Anything....

2008-07-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Trust me!
No one can blame you if you do not and cannot believe any of these jokers --f rom Najib, Rosmah, Raja Petra, Balasubramaniam, Saiful or Anwar.

None of them are telling the whole truth. Yet, I do believe that none of them are lying hole -- whoops, I mean, wholesale!

The crux is that it is all about politics!

So, have a great year figuring out who's really what!

And, it's okay.....

Najib Vs Anwar/ Anwar Vs Najib/Najib Vs Anwar

2008-07-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

It was just as well that I had been really really busy with work.
But I managed to keep up with news in good ole Malaysia. I think I must have gone brain-dead for some time after following the news emanating from the Altantuya murder case. Developments have been mind-boggling to say the least.

That's why this posting took a while to be written.

This is politics ala Malaysia. Tru-blu Malaysian politics. Unadulterated Malaysian politics. So dirty that you cannot see through anything.

This is all about Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's burning desire to be Prime Minister of Malaysia and Datuk Seri Najib Razak is Goddam in the blinking way. For what else can it be?

Why hasn't DSAI criticized AAB? Don't you wonder why ever not?

After all, everything relating to this is so nebulous that you are kept wondering and wondering..

I will not apologize for saying this. I am not a supporter of DSAI nor am I of DSNR. Nor am I against either of them.

This whole Goddam thing stinks to high heaven.

From the start of the Altantuya murder, it became so obvious that DSAI's lackeys have been trying their utmost to implicate DSNR and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

It is also so obvious that Raja Petra Kamaruddin (Malaysia Today) is DSAI's chief lackey. His statutory declaration is incriminating but, really --"I was reliably told blah blah blah...." This maybe evidence to some people but not to me. You must be joking.

Raja Petra wants justice but why has he not cooperated with the police Oh...I forget, the police suck. So, what option is there? Go on attacking and attacking? As though that will help!

Then came the sodomy accusation by one Saiful Bukhari against DSAI. The work of DSNR? You think? Maybe. Maybe not.

I cannot possibly believe that DSAI sodomized the boy. This could be true. But this is POLITICS. Nothing is so true. But not everything is a lie. The only thing is you're just not able to tell what's fact and what's fiction. Everything seems to be blurred and connected to produce this horrible unfolding drama.

Before you could digest this turn of events, an idiot called Balasubramaniam Perumal (a former police officer-turned-private eye who was hired by one of the accused, Razak Baginda) announced HIS statutory declaration, saying that DSNR knew the murdered Mongolian model and had in fact had anal sex with her.

Ouch!

Then, just like an orchestrated sequence, the Military Intelligence chief gave a press conference to say that there was no truth to Raja Petra's claim (in his statutory declaration) that there was a file on Altantuya's murder case that was purportedly submitted to AAB. The MI chief also said DSAI's claim that his life was in danger was unfounded.

As though this is not enough to whet you appetite, Balasubramaniam called for another press conference to withdraw his first statutory declaration.

And now Mr Bala has disappeared with his family.

Ok, ok...so all this is stale news to you. Maybe I have finally come around to taking a good hard look at the development.

Poor Rocky's Bru. He decided to just stay away from blogging the dirt...and yes it's all dirt.... and he got assailed, attacked .....

Poor Marina. Some bitch called, Helen Ang decided to pulverise her when she decided to "go on strike".

It's people like Helen who cannot accept any difference in opinion. It is people like her who are prejudiced.

So what if Rocky decides to take a hiatus. So what if Marina decides enough is enough!

Look...what's the point of making allegations in your statutory declaration if you are not cooperating with the police and not supporting your claims.

If you don't trust the police, then why make the statutory declaration in the first place.

Is it to see justice prevail and justice served? Or to serve someone's political agenda?

Frankly, what was Raja Petra's intention?

And Balasubramaniam's? Where the fuck is he?

As for me, it is a lurid and sordid fight for the number one post in the country. I do see invisible hands at work and at play here. But that would be just my suspicion. So I'd not want to say anything anymore.

Altantuya is dead. And all these pawns and players sure ain't helping in her case.

And I am glad I'm faraway from the madding crowd!

Obama Is Martin Luther King's Dream Come True..

2008-06-18T00:21:00.000-07:00

The first Black or African American to have come up this far....
Dreams do come true, Dr King.

Remembering Dr King's words:

"This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, ‘My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring’.

"And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

"And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Everythin's Soarin' Skyhigh!

2008-06-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

Life is hard now what with the soaring costs of gasoline and other types of energy.

According to studies, the inflation rate shot up in May at the fastest pace in six months.

The US Labor Department has reported that consumer prices rose by 0.6 percent last month, the biggest one-month increase since last November, as gasoline costs surged by 5.7 percent.

Food prices, which have also been rising sharply, were up 0.3 percent as the cost of beef and bakery products showed big gains.

Analysts said the pressure in both the energy and food areas is likely to continue as global food shortages and rising demand push food prices up and energy costs continue to soar, reflecting a relentless surge in crude oil prices.

So, yeah, life is hard. I'd like to pack up my bags, sell off my apartment and buy a small bit of property somewhere where life is idyllic.....

Is there such a place where I can live my dreams?

The US is so big.....I'll find some place where I can grow my own food.

So, I guess this means we're all in the same rickety boat!

Live Minimally Or Bust!

2008-06-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

Looks like things ain't looking too good in Malaysia.

Escalating prices of consumer goods across the board are well on their way to make YOUR life harder and more painful than it already is.

It is true that globally, oil prices are going up. But, I don't know, man. I am so suspicious of the AAB administration.

Have his economists done the right calculations?

Going by what I have read, you guys back home are paying way too much in way too short a time since the last hike.

Has Petronas already closed shop? Has oil exploration and rigging ceased? Have the oil "fields" dried up?

HAS MALAYSIA STOPPED PRODUCING OIL?

Way too much, man. Way too much.

You poor poor souls.

And now THEY tell you to cut down on this and that.

Sell your Merc or Beemer and get a Proton Perdana.

Sell your Honda and get a Proton Wira.

Will that help?

Where are the Mak Cik Minah and Aunty Lily going to find that extra cash to pay the hiked-up school bus fares?

But, let me tell you that the PM, DPM and all of them down the line should PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH.

They should be the first to cut down on all their excesses, let me tell you!

I'll go to the streets, man! This is outrageous! Because, you know what, Malaysians are being robbed from right under their noses....

I Hear You, Baby!

2008-06-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

What a woman says: “This place is a mess! C’mon, you and I need to clean up. Your stuff is lying on the floor, and you’ll have no clothes to wear if we don’t do laundry right now!”

What a man hears: “Blah, blah, blah, blah. C’MON, YOU AND I, blah, blah, blah, blah, ON THE FLOOR, blah, blah, blah, blah, NO CLOTHES, blah, blah, blah, blah, RIGHT NOW.”

What Eva says: You horny little bastard...

Oh! Malaysia...

2008-05-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

I'm so faraway but Malaysia is just a click away, so things that happen in the country don't escape me.

So, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has left Umno. Good, I say!

Why should he stay in a party whose leadership he finds so weak and clueless.

Besides, you can't say that he's a damn traitor when he criticizes the party and its leaders, can you?

Now, will there be enough leaders and members in Umno who will go his way?

You know what? Many I'm sure want to but -- they're too damn scared shitless to do it!

Yeah, yeah....deep down inside they want to. Hell they do!

Where's The Money?

2008-05-16T02:32:00.000-07:00

I read that Parliament was told that RM7.34 billion in oil royalty was paid to Terengganu between 2004 and 2007.

This means that Terengganu received about RM2.4 billion a year. But former Menteri Besar Idris Jusoh who was helming the State during that time said he only knew that Terengganu received RM1.3 billion.

So, what happened to RM1.1 billion each year from 2004 to 2007?

Where did the money go? Who squandered the money?

Pirates! Robbers!

Nobody should get away with this CRIME!

Fixing Najib Real Good and A Very Sad Day For Malaysia...

2008-05-07T03:23:00.000-07:00

Raja Petra Kamaruddin has been charged under the Sedition Act for his article "Let's Send the Altantuya Murderers To Hell" in Malaysia Today.

Now, obviously Malaysians are inflamed by this oppressive act. Fingers are surely pointing to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the ONE who ordered RPK's arrest and that he be charged for sedition. And for good measure, they got author Syed Akbar Ali charged as well for a comment he posted under one of RPK's articles.

Did he issue the order?

That said, I am in solidarity with RPK because I believe he should be free to express his views, his fears, his trepidations. And his belief that the government is corrupt.

Is he wrong?

You know what, slamming him with sedition has proven that he is right.

And Najib? He is getting the pellets, bullets and what have you! The HEAT!

'Tis A Conspiracy To Fix Najib.!

2008-05-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

That's how I see it, people.

I'm no fan of Malaysia's DPM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak but I do think that articles by certain bloggers on the Altantuya murder case are to discredit him TO THE MAX.

I agree with someone's view that bloggers like RPK and Susan Loone have got their own agenda in crucifying Najib in their blogs.

I hope they're not being paid to do that. I hope they truly believe in justice.

I don't see a shred of evidence linking Najib to the murder save for the fact that one of the accused -- Razak Baginda -- was head of his think-tank.

And now, these people are linking Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, to the murder as well. I think that is so unfair.

Sure, Rosmah has acquired that "domineering" and "dominating" reputation as the woman wearing the pants in house but to point a finger at her and insinuate motive on her part, well...I think that's going overboard.

Trying Najib and Rosmah in the court of public opinion in this murder case? Aww, c'mon.

I think this a conspiracy of the highest order and I can figure out the players behind this grand-scale scheme.

I won't repeat the things written about Najib.

I am reminded that Altantuya was a high-class social escort and was extorting big sums of money from Razak Baginda.

Oh..that's hearsay?

That is probably the ONLY established fact in the murder case.

Of course, she didn't deserve to be killed that way, or any other way. Nobody does.

I hope her killers will be punished!

I still think that there is a big-time conspiracy to fix Najib real good!

May the truth save us all!

Reforming the ACA?

2008-04-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah right!

Just look at the ACA investigations of the RM1.4million expenditure by the Youth and Sports Ministry while Azalina Othman Said was helming it.

Last Friday, the ACA issued a statemen tthat Azalina acted only as patron of the Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation Malaysia, and was not involved in the expenditure matters of the foundation.

In a nutshell, the ACA has cleared Azalina of any wrongdoing or corrupt practices.

It said that it had checked all the related documents, and interviewed several staff of the foundation.

“On the RM1.4mil expenditure, the auditor had translated persembahan to entertainment, when persembahan in this context meant the opening and closing ceremonies of the National Women’s Games,” it said.

The Sun had reported that the foundation, in its annual report, stated that expenditure included Rr the M2.1mil for meals and accommodation, RM710,000 for printing and stationery, RM242,000 for volunteers’ allowances, RM1.4mil for entertainment and RM858,000 for travelling and transportation.

You know, nobody accused Azalina of corrupt practices. What's contentious is the National Sport Council approving of RM9.72 million foundation and another RM1.5 million by the ministry.

Get it?

And I hear that Azalina and the ACA boss are buddies.

It seems he had assured her that everything will be A-OK. And surprise, surprise, everything was!

And that, my friends, is reforming the ACA, Malaysian style....

Anwar Ibrahim For Prime Minister?

2008-04-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

Only two (living) men deserve to be called great in Malaysia -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
You can't argue anymore on this.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is a hopeless case and should by now have retired, and enjoy bliss with ex-sister-in-law Jean who is his wife now.
TDM is great and you anti-Mahathir out there know that.
So is Anwar although I know those Anwar haters are trumping up charges that he is a CIA agent.

Anwar believes that he will be Malaysia's Prime Minister within four years. By September this year, Anwar thinks he can already form the federal government.

Wishful thinking or for real?

Some people are already looking at him as Malaysia's De Facto PM.

And where does Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Ser Najib Tun Razak figure in all this?

If Anwar makes good his threat, Najib should be somewhere far far away in a Greek Isle....as far away as he can from Anwar who's gonna make him Ambassador for Mongolia.

Ooooh.....scary.

Spoilt Little Boys Of Umno..

2008-04-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

Old Man Dollah is beyond redemption. Beyond anything. He is so thick that not even a 10-inch needle can prick him. And what a dang prick he is!

Umno saboteurs indeed.

Well, that's what he said -- if Umno members themselves had not sabotaged the party, the Barisan Nasional would have won in 14 "white" (safe) constituencies. And BN would not have been denied its two-thirds majority.

Can you believe he actually said that loud and clear?

Folks, this man is unbelievable.

I am convinced Umno is an exclusive club for spoilt little boys -- who are deaf, dumb and blind.

Old Man Dollah's "revelation" is beyond the enial syndrome. It's so pathetic I wanna puke.

And you know what -- the party deserves to be whatever the boys want it to be -- a loser, of titanic proportion.

Umno does not deserve to be saved!

Shame, shame, shame on YOU!

Rockers and Republican

2008-04-03T01:50:00.000-07:00

Away from Malaysian politics. Nothing to write about until Old Man Dollah hangs up his towel.

Poor thing. Poor soul. Doesn't he know that it's time. IT IS TIME.

The grave is getting deeper and deeper, Sir.

Anyway, let's talk about stuff in the US of A.

Apparently, a survey was done and the results have established a strong link between male rockers and the Republican vote.

But you have to be male and a Led Zeppelin fan. Then, chances are that you may be leaning toward voting Republican in the U.S. presidential election.

This is, according to a survey of rock radio fans released on Wednesday (April 2, 2008)

Well, I'll be!

Doggone it!

Here's part of the story:

The Jacobs Media's Media/Technology Web Poll IV of more than 27,000 respondents cited stronger than expected interest in the November 2008 election among fans of rock, classic rock, and alternative radio stations.

It also found that John McCain, the Republican candidate for U.S. president, was the top pick for the Oval Office for men and classic rock partisans -- those people who tune in to stations playing music from the "original classic rock era" of 1964 to 1975, comprised of bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd.

Jacobs Media said the survey, conducted among 69 U.S. rock-formatted stations in markets as diverse as Los Angeles and Knoxville to Buffalo, found 84 percent of the respondents planned to vote in the November election.

"People are clearly engaged by this election, even rockers. A lot of stations tend to shy away from politics because it's so polarizing, but this data suggests they'd better find a way to talk about politics this fall to keep listeners interested," said Fred Jacobs, president of Jacobs Media. He said the company threw the political questions in as an afterthought and was surprised by the results.

The survey was conducted in late February and early March.

The full story, click here.

They got this one right.

I'm a Led Zeppelin fan. But I'm female, I AM and you'de better believe it.

And that's why I'm no Republican. Thank God!

You're Not Cutting It, Sir!

2008-03-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

I'm just going to shoot my mouth off here. I'm no politician but from where I am, I see that Old Man Dollah was really screwing up the Terengganu MB deal big time.

Let me recap: After the elections and Barisan Nasional i.e Umno won Terengganu, Old Man Dollah's choice was, naturally Idris Jusoh. But the Sultan had other ideas and appoined Ahmad Said instead.

The old man was adamant. So was the Sultan, and, hey, he is THE King.

Old Man Dollah said the Sultan's appointment was unconstutional. Meanwhile those asslickers and apple polishers did what they're good at -- protest, threaten to boycott the swearing-in and blah blah blah...

And the Sultan was adamant and sent out a letter of appointment to the man of his choice.

And in the sidelines -- drama here and there.

And suddenly, the voice of reason -- "go seek an audience with the Sultan". I think that was from Muhyiddin Yassin.

Now, couldn't old man Dollah have thought about that? Or if he was so incapabale of thinking, couldn't someone from that smart-ass pool of plundering advisers of his tell him? For crying out loud!

Yes, the King and him met. And slap, slap, slap. Old man Dollah had to concede. Eat very humble pie, pudding or budu.

What were you thinking, Dollah? You were going to thrash it all with the Sultan out from your position -- a position of WEAKNESS?

You know what all this had done to the PM?

It has confirmed many people's belief that he is not fit for the job! I shudder just thinking that the office of the Prime Minister is being run by a group of eager young punks!

Sir...don't do this to yourself. You're just not cutting it.

Crisis in Turtle Land...

2008-03-25T03:32:00.000-07:00

I know I'm behind time...

Terengganu is no longer turtle country. Heck...are there anymore turtles there?

Terengganu has gone all elitist -- The Crystal Mosque, The Monsoon Cup, The Heritage Bay --- all for the dear dear rakyat.

YOU WISH.

Is that why they're having that little crisis in Terengganu?

Which part of "the people know what's going on" that Old Man Dollah and his cronies don't understand?

Suddenly Dollah feels emboldened that he has sent a strong message to Tuanku Mizan not to mess with him, the PM.

And then, the crap is too much and he's shitting bricks, huh?

Dollah, Mr Patrick Lim and Khairy -- here's my message to you -- YOU CAN FOOL SOME PEOPLE SOME OF THE TIME BUT NOT EVERYONE ALL THE TIME.

and DON'T BE GREEDY!

Rafidah For President!

2008-03-21T04:42:00.001-07:00

Go, lady, go!
Challenge old man Dollah for the presidency!

It ain't right what old man Dollah did, dropping you the way he did.

Why? Because Rafidah Aziz is AP Queen?
I think despite the spectre of the AP hovering on her head, she is still Malaysia's BEST trade negotiator.

She was a good International Trade and Industry Minister. The best. And that's saying it mildly.

Rafidah was tough and damn good, I tell ya.
I have watched her perform and she can give any foreign trade delegation a good run for their money.

Man, she's got balls. Heck, the only one in Dr Mahathir's Cabinet and Old Man Dollah's.....

And isn't she the Wanita Umno chief? She did win the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat, didn't she?

Dollah, was that really your decision or did someone tell you that she's gonna fuck up the FTA deal?

Muhyiddin Yassin is a pushover, man. The Americans will eat him alive.

Rafidah --- go for the presidency!

Challenge Dollah!

A New Malaysia --- Almost

2008-03-17T03:16:00.000-07:00

These are interesting times -- not to say challenging -- in the US. We have an African-American- Woman Democrat tag team for the White House.
What mor can we ask for?

Yes...a long time coming.

If it's not because of my preoccupation with the Malaysian political development, I'd be faithfully blogging about the Obama-Clinton saga.

So, five states now in the hands of a new government (of the opposition).
Cool.
I hear that in Selangor, the opposition were more shocked by their unprecedented victory more than anyone else.

No brainer, really. Hiccups all the way. But that's what changes are all about.

Strapping new Malaysia.....nearly there.

HAIL MALAYSIANS!

2008-03-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

You de BEST!
Hail, y'all for daring to make that change.

Here's to a new dawn, a new hope and a NEW MALAYSIA!

GO WITH GOD!

Fast And Furious

2008-03-01T11:11:00.001-08:00

I have been going through the Malaysian news websites and can't believe the things I read.
With just about a week to polling day, I see the caretaker government has made tons of announcements about dishing out the goodies and promising more.

Damn! the gall of it all!
And fast and furious doing that too!

People, that's your money they're promising to give away!

And I see that local diva Siti Nur Haliza has been dragged into politics.

I read about her urging voters to make the best decision based on what the government has given so that "we can live comfortably and peacefully".
She asked them to think about what is best for them and the future generations (of Malaysians).

I believe she was speaking in Gemas (somewhere in Negeri Sembilan) at a campaign of one of the candidates.

Apparently, her husband, the very randy businessman Khalid Jiwa is a personal friend of Shaziman Abu Mansor, who was until the dissolution of parliament, the Deputy Energy, Water and Communications Minister.
He is defending his Tampin seat.

And isn't Shaziman a relative of Khairy Jamaluddin?

Enough said!

And oh...not being mean, personal or judgmental here. But wasn't Siti THE cause of Khalid leaving his wife and kids?

If I Could Vote...

2008-02-26T01:36:00.000-08:00

I used to vote a long long time ago, in Malaysia.
I've been away a mighty long time.
Besides I can no longer vote.
Does that mean I cannot talk about the elections in Malaysia, although I know what's going on?

Now if I could vote on March 8, I will most certainly reject the Barisan Nasional.
I know that the Barisan Nasional cannot be ousted because its support is broad and mass-based.
But I'd want my vote to make a difference and I know that my vote counts.
So, I will reject the Barisan Nasional because I want to send a strong message to the government that I cannot and will not tolerate the abuses, arising from a very weak leadership.

I reject the Barisan Nasional because I abhor Khairy Jamaluddin's rise to power that smacks of abuse, conflict of interest and corruption.
I reject the incumbent coalition because of the way it treats Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Oh...I am no fan of the good doc but I think the way Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's people go around maligning him is highly unacceptable.

Aah...if I could vote...

Power To the People!

2008-02-18T01:47:00.000-08:00

What an interesting general election this will be.
You see, everybody is saying that the incumbent coalition will be badly thrashed this time.
But will it? Really?
Why do you say that it will be?
Is it because EVERYONE is unhappy with its performance?
Is EVERYONE so unhappy with the Prime Minister and his abdication of duty?
Does EVERYONE regard his holidaying abroad as holidaying abroad or WORKING HARD TO SELL THE COUNTRY?
(Pssst.... not sell off the country as some people believe. Well, not yet, anyway.)

You've gotta be realistic.
The coalition's heartland is rural Malaysia. Where does the heart and mind of rural folk lie?
Are they still believing the propaganda machine of the Information Ministry? hook, line and sinker?
You can laugh at the un-hip-ness of RTM and their outmoded strategy to influence the population.
In fact, no strategy at all. But it works on the rural mass.
Let me tell you that in the absence of any medium other than TV and radio, man...RTM sells!
Your fishermen and padi farmer do not have computers and do not even know what a blog is.
The internet is a powerful tool for politicians and these politicians can reach out to voters that way.
Bloggers can bitch about the coalition all they want but do they reach out to the majority of the people?

If voters read Rocky's Bru and believe what he says, then it's adieu to the coalition.

So, whatever your beliefs are, this is the time to put them in the ballot box.
Yeah.

Power to the people!

Pervert of a (Malaysia Airlines) Pilot

2008-02-12T00:23:00.000-08:00

I'm not flying MAS no more! My fears are not unfounded.

You know, Malaysia Airlines pilots could either be perverts, sex maniacs or druggies.

Part of this accusation is proven true -- one of their pilots was convicted in an Australian Court for having three video clips of child pornography in his laptop.
Can you beat that, folks?
No excuse, I tell you. No excuse. And no mercy for this pervert.

Been reading the websites and blogs, and I do agree that the Malaysian authorities should follow-up this pilot's case. If the police are still investigating little Sharlinie's disappearance, then, it is a no-brainer that they should check out his story.

By the way, the pervert's name is Ahmad Said. He's 25, married and has two children.
There should be a restraining order to keep him away from his kids.

Also stories of pilots piloting aircrafts while high on drugs, abound. That's enough to make me quit flying MAS.

But why aren't the management and the head honcho doing anything?
They do not care or they do not care?
Like --let MAS take a swift decline, huh?
What? Is this some sinister conspiracy to kill MAS?

These are not the work of unseen hands. Whose hands they belong to are obvious.

So, why isn't anyone saving MAS?

Not Universiti Malaya!

2008-02-09T18:40:00.000-08:00

I am so sad for Malaysia because greedy people walk the corridors of power.
I know how attractive in real estate terms the land on which the University of Malaya campus stands.
What a goldmine!
Developers would grab it given the chance, the opportunity.
And now, they've got the chance.
Under the present regime, nothing is sacred.
Indeed, not any inch on which UM stands.

People are making a killing.
The re-development of any part of that land ain't benefiting the rakyat, that's for sure!

It seems a greedy asshole by the name of Annuar Zaini who happens to be the Prime Minister's crony who writes most of his speeches and who also happens to be on the university's council has given 27 acres of UM's land to a private developer.
It is a kind of trade-off. In return the university gets 5 acres of the land and a RM3 million club house.

(I got this information from Rocky's Bru who got it from a pro-Umno blogger Big Dog.)

Yeah....everyone has a price....

If Things Were Different...

2008-02-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

Let's get real. Under a different election system, the likes of Abdullah Badawi and his son-in-law Khairy will not make it anywhere near the national level.
They'd be rejected BIG time way before the buzz starts.
For as long as Malaysia practices the present system of electing its state and parliamentary representatives, people like Abdullah and other unbelievably horrid representatives of the people will continue to "serve".
Corrupt leaders will continue to get the votes of their needy and grateful constituents.
I'm sorry, Malaysia.
It's up to you to change things...

Obama or Clinton?

2008-02-05T00:30:00.000-08:00

I don't ask myself -- do I want a black or a woman as President?
What I ask is -- do I want someone who can really bring change to the country.
Barrack Obama is eloquent in his speech. But is he as good a doer as he is a talker?
I don't know.
Hilary Clinton is no mega-oratorical star.
But I hear you get to listen to her in her element in small groups. That's when she offers you brilliant ideas and assessments.

We'll see.
That day will come when we all have to decide who we want based on our perception of the candidates.
Hell. I don't know them from Adam. Or Eve.

Send a (Strong) Message

2008-01-24T19:54:00.000-08:00

Now, that's what I'd do when I throw in that little piece of very valuable paper into that very valuable little box!

And the message is that I want a better Malaysia!

People, I don't know how to make this any simpler -- the Prime Minister needs to be humbled. His son-in-law needs to be humbled. The current administration needs to be humbled.
You think I'm talking rubbish. I am not. I talk to many people. Real people. Malaysians. Unhappy Malaysians.
The stories they tell are not fables. They are real.
The PM doesn't run the county, does he?
And the son-in-law has made nepotism such a vile word that you wish it does not exist.
Besides, I'd be embarrassed to have a Prime Minister like that. I don't have to go into details, do I?
You all know.
People, make up your mind! Do you want progress or are you fine with third-world running of the country!
Ok...the ruling Barisan Nasional cannot lose, that's for sure. Kepala Batas will remain the PM's fort(ress).
But, send a message, will you -- that you will not be bullied into accepting this kind of shit from them. Don't help the son-in-law build a dynasty. You'll regret it, people.
Listen. Your vote counts!

Happy Voting!

You Know You're Getting Dumped when....

2008-01-13T22:23:00.000-08:00

1. Your partner seems to always pick a fight, an argument over realy petty, sometimes silly issues. He/she thinks there's nothing to it but you feel there's something more....sinister, maybe?

2. Your partner forgets to call. It's just not like him/her. He/she's the one who calls you endlessly with all that mushy "I love you". Something's really amiss when you were on his/her speed dial but now....his/her line is always busy.

3. He/she starts making adjustments to his appearance, like chopping his/her hair, or colouring it. Major cosmetic change has been known to be one sure sign that your partner's trying to impress someone. And, sorry, honey, it ain't you.

4. Your partner starts finding fault in almost everything you do. You know, criticising you over little things -- the way you brush your teeth, you do your hair, your jokes..whatever. He/she just does not find you attractive no more. Constant criticisms are a tell-tale sign that your lovey-dovey days as a couple are numbered.

5. Your partner just does not feel like makin' sweet love to ya. If you're the gal getting that "I've got a headache" treatment, let me tell you that your bed partner's lying through and through. Honey, men are naturally horny. They need sex and more sex. Hell, if they can have it right here right now, they would. So, if he seems to just be having a headache for weeks on end and not lovin' you and your body for that length of time, something's amiss. Honey, get the hell out of that relationship. He's screwing someone else for sure. Or his damn dick's sick.

Let it be known that I didn't say all this. A love expert by the name of Elina Furman did.
And you know what? I believe her. These are the top 5 signs that you are getting the boot.
No matter who's the one getting the "adios" or "it was good while it lasted" message -- the guy or the gal.
It's still painful. It will ache.
If you're the poor bruised gal, just know when your partner's been humping someone else's sweet honey so you can dump him first before he starts that "we need to talk" bit.
And if you're the poor soul of a guy, you have a choice of just packing your things or, clobber that other man!

Whatever.
Parting is such sweet sorrow, I tell ya!

It Could Have Been Incest....

2008-01-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

Or it was?
Before it was prolonged, it was ended. It had to. A judge made sure of that. What a sad story. It's a story of two people who should not have fallen in love because they were brother and sister. They were twins!

Twins separated at birth and adopted by separate parents later married each other without realising they were brother and sister.
The pair were granted an annulment after a High Court judge ruled the marriage had never validly existed.
The identities of the British pair and details of the relationship and marriage have been kept secret.
But it is known that they were separated soon after birth.
They were never told they were twins.
They did not discover they were blood relatives until after the wedding.
The case was uncovered by Lord Alton in a conversation with a High Court judge.
He used it to highlight perceived deficiencies in the Human Embryology and Tissues Bill, currently going through Parliament.

I can't begin to imagine how that happened. There's a moral in that story, I know.
But isn't it just so tragic?

I Want a Happy-er New Year!

2008-01-02T01:25:00.000-08:00

Okay. 2007 was great, for me, personally. I'm gonna make sure 2008 will be better!
For the world, 2007 was dotted with natural and man-made disasters and catastrophes.
And wham! Benazir Bhutto made the finale. Tragic. I'm no fan of hers. But, I shed tears. I can tell you that she is one brave woman. Or careless.

I am a mere mortal. And I am not religious. But, I'd pray anyway. For peace on earth!

Have a happy new year! A lot of "ong", eh, in the number 2008?

How To Be A Celebrity....

2007-11-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

And if you're a prostitute (or sex worker), then all you have to do is just auction sex for charity.
That's what Chilean prostitute Maria Carolina (picture above) did. And she got a lot of pledges. All proceeds go to charity, including helping underprivileged children.

Adult prostitution, by the way, is legal in Chile. So, Maria is really putting to charitable use her skills.

Good for her, I say. And the underprivileged of Chile.

Here's the story.

Oh....The Autumn Years of Pure Lust..

2007-11-27T02:03:00.000-08:00

"It's not love, obviously. I didn't come here looking for a husband. It's a social arrangement. I buy him a nice shirt and we go out for dinner. For as long as he stays with me he doesn't pay for anything, and I get what I want -- a good time. How is that different from a man buying a young girl dinner?" -- Englishwoman Bethan, 56, in Kenya for a lot of lust and holiday romance.

Read the story here.

Of course, this is not a new story. I have read it in the tabloids. Wait! I know of some golden gals doing it. Kenya aint the only place. There is also the Mediterranean. Check out Greece and Turkey.

Hunks and beach boys. Yummy. No...I aint no golden gal yet.

Anyway, what do you think?

Bravo, TELL!

2007-11-23T00:47:00.000-08:00

Tembam alerted me about this magazine, TELL. I can actually hear her telling me excitedly about the magazine. I can even hear her gasping and grunting and all out of breath.
I went to Rocky's Bru and here.
But....Waddya know, TELL is in so many blogs.
Nuraina has it too.
More importantly, NURIN Alert is in TELL.

I have never read TELL. At least not the Malaysian magazine. Now, did that stop anyone from going to space?

So... all I can say is -- Way to go, guys! Bravo, bravo, bravo.
I can feel that NURIN Alert is going somewhere.

(Picture of Tell cover courtesy Rocky's Bru).

Ooh! Derriere!

2007-11-09T00:43:00.000-08:00

Here you go! Feast your eyes, guys, and gals..

By the way, this pair of great firm cheeks belong to Kristina Dimitrova of Bulgaria who was winner of the 2007 World Backside Championships in Munich.
The winner in the men's section is a Romanian.
Looks like they have the world's best-looking bottoms. The backside beauty contest was sponsored by a lingerie firm.

Aaah...to be young with firm butt..

Hey, you! Stop drooling....

On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Dog...

2007-10-31T22:51:00.000-07:00

Or that you're a 17 year-old, not a 40 year-old doing great things on your website. And making loads of cash.
Of course I'm talking about Ashley Qualls, the teen who transformed her hobby of designing MySpace layouts into a boomingly lucrative online business.
I mean, what did it take her? US$8, to be precise.
Yeah, $8 to buy a dot.com and she is a millionnaire to boot.

You see. These days you don't need to have dreams. When Ashley set up her Whateverlife website, she was not thinking about being rich. Nor did she go out of her way to be a millionnaire.
It just happened.
Her cool, hip and hugely popular website attracted an online marketing guy.
And the rest ---- was, of course, history.

But it helped that Ashley is an Internet professional. Within two years of creating Whateverlife, she dropped out of high school.
She bought a house. And yes, she was the one who helped launch the pop career of British singer Lily Allen to fame and fortune.

Yep, Ashley bears testimony to meritocracy on the Internet where greeenhorns can run money-spinning companies irrespective of funding, location, size, or experience.
And oh, doesn't she remind you that "ingenuity is ageless".

She's recruited her mum to be her manager and a few close friends to work for her after-school hours.

According to an article on Ashley:
"Her MySpace page layouts are available for the bargain price of...nothing. They're free for the taking. Her only significant source of revenue so far is advertising.According to Google Analytics, Whateverlife attracts more than 7 million individuals and 60 million page views a month. That's a larger audience than the circulations of Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and CosmoGirl! magazines combined. Although Web-site rankings vary with the methodology, Quantcast, a popular source among advertisers, ranked Whateverlife.com a staggering No. 349 in mid-July out of more than 20 million sites. Among the sites in its rearview mirror: Britannica.com, AmericanIdol.com, FDA .gov, and CBS.com.

And one more, which Ashley can't quite believe herself: "I'm ahead of Oprah!" (Oprah.com: No. 469.) Sure, Ashley is a long way from having Oprah's clout, but she is establishing a platform of her own. "I have this audience of so many people, I can say anything I want to," she says. "I can say, "Check out this movie or this artist.' It's, like, a rush. I never thought I'd be an influencer."

Well. All I can say is...YOU GO GIRL!

And now... how do I make an online fortune out of my passion for Harleys...

Go Nurin Alert!

2007-10-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

I am thoroughly impressed with what a band of bloggers are doing in spearheading Nurin Alert, inspired undoubtedly by AMBER Alert in the United States.
Their move had arisen from the abduction and brutal murder last month of 8 year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin.
I am with them.
Eleven years ago, 8 year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted while she was cycling near her grandparents' home in Arlington, Texas.
She was found brutally murdered 4 days later.
AMBER Alert came out of the entire community's anger at what had happened. They pressured the local broadcasting station to help them. They got the police.
They got everyone to help under this plan.
With AMBER Alert, the police, the community, the local broadcasting station and the private sector work hand-in-hand to save a missing child.
Time is crucial so the entire community helps in the search for the child.

Time was what was wasted in Nurin Jazlin's case.
Poor child.
I wept knowing that it was her little lifeless body that was stuffed in the sports bag.

Congratulations to Rocky, Nuraina Samad, Jasni Jalil (Nurin's uncle), Tembam and Nik Farez for wanting to make a difference.

Nurin Alert -- now, this is something nobody should say "no" to.

My Good Ole Malaysian Pals

2007-10-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

Had some friends from Malaysia over this past week and I can tell you one thing about Malaysians -- they love talking politics.
Ok. Let me be brutally frank -- they love to gossip about just anyone or anything.
I mean, do they know the Prime Minister, his wife and his SIL?
Yeah, they told me that that is how everyone refers to h i m. I know that. They call h i m SIL as though SIL are the three most obnoxious alphabets.

My pals asked me how come I know so much. And these are my pals, y'hear.

"I read the blogs and on-line news, dumbo!", I snapped.

"Malaysian blogs?", Susie asked me.

"Yeah, you dimwit," I snapped back, again.

What is wrong with these people? Don't they read blogs, I asked.
Of course, they do. But they're Malaysians and they HAVE to read blogs to know what's really going on in the country.

What's wrong with your newspapers, I asked, feigning ignorance.

"Eva, honey, You read the notorious Malaysian blogs and you don't know why we don't read the newspapers?"

They're no fools, my pals.

Back to gossipy Malaysians.
They gave details of the Prime Minister as though they are living under the same roof with the man.

"And did you know that SIL named his newborn after the angel, Gabriel....Jibreil or something, which is the Muslim version?", Sam asked.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked.

"Dunno. Don't seem right. That's what my Muslim friends tell me," she replied.

But, if that's forbidden, wouldn't SIL and wife know that? Hmmmmm.

So, tell me, when's the elections, I asked.

"Whenever the PM's people feel that it's a good time. That means when the people have forgotten what a lousy PM he is," reasoned Susie.

That's a good one. I wonder when that will be.

Told you, Malaysians think they know everyone intimately!

2007-09-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

D'Ya Want Me.... and Ma Kids?

2007-09-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

Just met Pete, a hunk of a guy who is madly in love with my good friend, Lisa.
He is single, rugged and real cool.
Lisa is single but has a son, Adam.
I like Pete because he has no qualms about getting into a relationship with Lisa.

I wonder how many Malaysian men out there would be okay with this. With having a serious relationship with a single mom.
I asked Bob, a Malaysian, whether he'd fall for his wife, the way he did, if she had a child.
"Nope. No way," he remarked.

Why ever not? We're talking about Bonnie, the love of your life, for God's sake!

"Yeah.... but if she had a kid, no way."

What about just going out with her?

"Maybe..."

What! Go out and sleep with her and that's it?

You mean guys would go out with single mothers, bed them and then ciao, baby?

I asked Pete.

He loves Lisa. With or without a kid or many kids.

"Why are you asking, Eva?"

"Dunno, Pete. Stupid question, ain't it?"

Yeah. Stupid question.

Tagged

2007-09-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

I had a good mind to ignore the tag set on me by Ms Nuraina Samad.
Is this tagging a Malaysian blog preoccupation or what? I've seen it in predominantly Malaysian blogs.
And it sure seems like a chain letter. Ooh. I hate chain letters. Always curse the person who sends me one.
I know I can throw it away. But what if.....??

But I reckon Ms NS must like me for tagging me!

I'm supposed to tell you what I keep in my handbag, purse and favourite room and what I'd like to do most and what I am currently doing.
Really! Why does anyone want to know? I thought it's something a cranky shrink wants to know just to find out what kind of weird person you are.

5 things in my handbag/bag :

my purse
my cellphone
my lipstick
car and apartment keys
condoms

5 things in my purse :

cash
driver's licence
bank ATM/supermarket/credit cards
photos
a piece of paper listing important numbers (just in case)

5 favourite things in my favourite room (my bedroom):

my gorgeous big bed
books
dressing table
study table
PC
old/ancient persian rug

5 things I would like/love to do :

learn dress-making/tailoring
design clothes
drive a Formula One
ride a Harley across America
get that perfect man

5 things I'm currently doing :

re-reading Hemingway
learning to cook
planning to re-arrange furniture in my living room
planning to watch a good movie
planning to go fishing

That's it?
Yeah.....

What Price Red Hot Passion

2007-09-07T01:01:00.001-07:00

I thought the South Americans were more understanding of lust and passion, even among married people. Adulterers.
Of course, they are also understanding of the equally passsionate revenge exacted by the bruised party on his or her philandering spouse.
But that's very Latin.

Times they are a-changing. Adulterers' days are numbered. Hahaha, My blog-sister, the Witch, loves this kind of stories, I am sure.
Sorry, Witch, but your Antonio is one philandering lover. You just can't see it. Sorry, I am digressing here.

According to Reuters, in Bogota, married Colombians who are screwing around will be punished.
They will either be fined or be made to do community work. Woohoo!!

But moi? I think they ought to be whipped!
I am all for lurrve and passion and great sex. If you happen to be married, well, I aint gonna lay the moral line on ya.
You know what you're doing. It is wrong but it's your life.

As a matter of principle (heck I do have one, eh?) I don't do married men. Just don't. But I won't judge you if you are an adulterer and happen to be my friend.

Just that if you get caught, you oughta be whipped!
That will teach you for shagging someone's spouse! And for getting caught!

The good Colombian senator Edgar Espindola said he made the proposal "in an effort to protect family values and shield children from broken homes".

"I believe a lot of my companions are going to support this initiative," Espindola said on Tuesday. "This project should motivate Colombians to reflect on the importance of
of the marriage, the home and the importance of family."

Well, I'll drink to that!
Such noble intentions. Such a noble effort.

Now, if I were a local authority in Colombia, I'd start listing the work needed to be done. I bet there'd be more than enough convicted adulterers to do the job.

Read here for the story.

Blogs To Their Rescue...

2007-08-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Here's what I found in AFP.
Sheesh...wonders never cease!

In Seoul, Korea, schoolchildren are getting smart. They can't do their homework, they find someone -- well, where else but the Internet -- to do it. For a fee, of course.

Here's the story:

A portal lists more than 500 websites devoted to homework with fees to pupils ranging from 8,000-10,000 won (eight dollars 50 cents to 11 dollars), The Korea Times said. "I need to write three English diaries by the end of the week," a 12-year said in a message posted on one site.
"I don't really want to write them. Who can write for me and how much do I have to pay?" There are also websites offering already-completed homework, with individual material downloadable for 500 won, the paper said. Others offer children a chance to share projects. Experts worry that such sites could send students the wrong message, that they can buy whatever they want, the paper said.

Oh. This is not good!
Wonder if their parents and teachers are aware of this?

Or have the kids outsmarted them?

Menopausal Mates

2007-08-18T03:49:00.000-07:00

I know this is a touchy issue. But it is a real issue affecting some of my best friends.
Okay, here's what I want to tell them -- menopause is not the death knell on your sex life, girls.
Ask the Red Hot Mamas. They rock and I'll bet are still having sex like there's no tomorrow. At least that's what I am thinking. Maybe even wild sex too.
Many women avoid having sex because menopause causes some physical changes to their , you know, the wonderful V-thing.
It's such a put-off that some women just prefer -- shopping. Shopping? Shopping? Hell, why?
Girls, girls... now now.. don't be doing that. Shopping can't be better than sex.
You see, guys. Now you see the problem your gals are having? It is a real problem. It's not that they don't want you in bed with them. They do. Lord in Heaven, they do! But, sex has got to be so, er....uncomfortable, a little less enjoyable that Barney's, Lyell...heck! even Macy's and Bloomingdales are tempting.
So, guys. Please understand your women. Yeah..you. The grey-haired one. And you too. Stop pretending that your woman's a hot 20-something babe.

Read this article. Maybe your menopausal mate won't be facing her bed-time blues alone.
Now, don't go finding no excuse to get laid elsewhere, y'hear, guys...

Power Point

2007-08-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

Yeah! The people are poor. The country is poor. I'll bet these sort of leaders have got luxury airplanes, Rolls and live in palaces.
And their kids are in exclusive boarding schools abroad.

A Pencil In Her Head!

2007-08-09T01:20:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't believe this. Read it. The next time you have another bad recurring headache, think! Did something -- anything -- pierce through your head when you were a child?

Read the Reuters story:

BERLIN : A 59-year-old German woman has had most of a pencil removed from inside her head after suffering nearly her whole life with the headaches and nosebleeds it caused, Bild newspaper reported Monday.
Margret Wegner fell over carrying the pencil in her hand when she was four.
"The pencil went right through my skin -- and disappeared into my head," Wegner told the newspaper.
It narrowly missed vital parts of her brain. At the time no one dared operate, but now technology has improved sufficiently for doctors to be able to remove it.
Most of the pencil, some three inches long, was taken out in an operation at a private Berlin clinic, but the tip had grown in so firmly that it was impossible to remove.

My Malaysia!

2007-08-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

For a 50 year-old, she is still struggling to know herself.
Poor lady.
I wish her well as she approaches her half-century.
Malaysia is not owned exclusively by anyone. But those who have the power to own a vital part of her are sure messing her up.
I hate that.
I am glad that my memories of Malaysia are wonderful.
But hell, I remember politicians messing up the many great things that Malaysia held for me.
I thought history has taught us never to repeat our mistakes.
Looks like little has changed.
Politicians are still at it.
I see they are now blaming bloggers -- the latest bogeyman.
Tragic.
Failed leaders looking for people to blame for their own screw-ups.
And blaming big-time.
So. nothing has changed.
Politicians will never blame themselves for the mess they have made.

This time, we're gonna blame them. Squarely.

So, Happy 50th birthday, darling!

It's All About Lust, Baby!

2007-08-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hah! I could've told them the answer!
I can't believe researchers in Washington had to interview 237 respondents just to find out WHY people have sex.
I could have told them the answer. Jesus Lord in Heaven!
Yeah, baby, yeah. It is LUST. Ja, Oui, Da, Si, Yes! Yeah! Yep! Uh-uh!
Listen to this. And I quote:
After exhaustively compiling a list of the 237 reasons why people have sex, researchers found that young men and women get intimate for mostly the same motivations.
It's more about lust in the body than a love connection in the heart.
College-aged men and women agree on their top reasons for having sex — they were attracted to the person, they wanted to experience physical pleasure and "it feels good," according to a peer-reviewed study in the August edition of Archives of Sexual Behavior. Twenty of the top 25 reasons given for having sex were the same for men and women.

So, people. Forget the gender stereotypes ... that men only want sex for the physical pleasure and women want love.
Remember the idea that men are from Mars and women from Venus? Perish that!
Haha -- "the more we look, the more we find similarity" -- couldn't be closer to the truth.
You and I are the same, buddy.
We both lust for each other's body. And yeah, yeah, we can love when we want to.

Deal with it, babe!

Born Loser

2007-07-27T02:54:00.000-07:00

I love this idiot. But I sure as hell won't want to live with him or anyone like him!
Enjoy your weekend! I'm going fishing......

Martin Hof The Goose Whisperer

2007-07-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

That's what I like about this beautful world of ours, someone special is born every century.
Martin Hof of the Netherlands talks to geese. Call him a goose whisperer if you like.
I learnt something about geese from him -- that they are monogamous. And there is a good reason we have to understand and appreciate this fact -- when a goose loses his or her partner, he/she will be pining for the loss and will make a lot of noise.
Of course, people do not understand this. So a noisy goose and a cackle of noisy geese aint music to the ears, you know what I'm saying?
Here's where Martin's talent, gift and skill are useful.
He calms the fowls so that they are not a nuisance to humans.
See, Netherlands is an animal friendly nation. The only country with an Animal Rights party in Parliament.
They CANNOT kill animals any which way they like. Because they have made a promise to their people and the animals of Netherlands, they cannot slaughter animals that are a pest, even though I am sure, some Dutch people are regretting their decision to be so animal friendly.
Anyway, please read about Martin and the geese in Netherlands.
So interesting I tell ya.
Click here, s'il vous plait.

I Want a Manny, I do!

2007-07-18T01:22:00.000-07:00

Oooh. What a delicious idea!
I am thinking of having a baby - with or without a husband -- just so I can hire a manny! Yep -- manny. You've got that right -- male nanny.
I mean, why should a nanny be female?
Why not a gender of our choice?
Britney Spears had one last year. A real hunk to boot.
Of course, he started out as a bodyguard but his duties expanded to include taking care of her kids. And of her, naturally.
Not a dumb blonde, she aint.
Well, today mannies are the hottest "things" to have.
And, I hear, you shouldn't leave home without yours.
I am wondering - must I have a baby to hire a manny?

Ooh.. I want a manny, I do!

Lightning and iPods and Laptops...

2007-07-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

"When thunder roars, go indoors."

If you're the sort to be listening to your iPod anywhere and anytime, you should be a little more careful during a storm.
You'd certainly get more than electrifying tunes. And it is not just iPods. Laptops too and any electrical device.
Stormy days aint the time to be having fun with your gadgets and gizmos, folks.
Here's what I got this from the Associated Press:

A Canadian jogger suffered wishbone-shaped chest and neck burns, ruptured eardrums and a broken jaw when lightning traveled through his music player's wires.
A Colorado teen ended up with similar injuries when lightning struck nearby as he was listening to his iPod while mowing the lawn.
Emergency physicians report treating other patients with burns from freak accidents while using personal electronic devices such as beepers, Walkman players and laptop computers outdoors during storms.
Michael Utley, a former stockbroker from West Yarmouth, Mass., who survived being struck by lightning while golfing, has tracked 13 cases since 2004 of people hit while talking on cell phones. They are described on his Web site, http://www.struckbylightning.org.
Contrary to some urban legends and media reports, electronic devices don't attract lightning the way a tall tree or a lightning rod does.
"It's going to hit where it's going to hit, but once it contacts metal, the metal conducts the electricity," said Dr. Mary Ann Cooper of the American College of Emergency Physicians and an ER doctor at University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago.
When lightning jumps from a nearby object to a person, it often flashes over the skin. But metal in electronic devices — or metal jewelry or coins in a pocket — can cause contact burns and exacerbate the damage.
A spokeswoman for Apple Inc., the maker of iPods, declined to comment. Packaging for iPods and some other music players do include warnings against using them in the rain.
Lightning strikes can occur even if a storm is many miles away, so lightning safety experts have been pushing the slogan "When thunder roars, go indoors," said Cooper.
Jason Bunch, 18, says it wasn't even raining last July, but there was a storm off in the distance. Lightning struck a nearby tree, shot off and hit him. Bunch, who was listening to Metallica while mowing the grass at his home in Castle Rock, Colo., still has mild hearing damage in both ears, despite two reconstructive surgeries to repair ruptured eardrums.
He had burns from the earphone wires on the sides of his face, a nasty burn on his hip where the iPod had been in a pocket and "a bad line up the side of my body," even though the iPod cord was outside his shirt.
"It was a real miracle" he survived, said his mother, Kelly Risheill. The Canadian jogger suffered worse injuries, according to a report in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.
The man, a 39-year-old dentist from the Vancouver area, was listening to an iPod while jogging in a thunderstorm when, according to witnesses, lightning hit a tree a couple of feet away and jumped to his body.
The strike threw the man about eight feet and caused second-degree burns on his chest and left leg. The electric current left red burn lines running from where the iPod had been strapped to his chest up the sides of his neck.
It ruptured both ear drums, dislocated tiny ear bones that transmit sound waves, and broke the man's jaw in four places, said Dr. Eric Heffernan, an imaging specialist at Vancouver General Hospital.
The injury happened two summers ago and despite treatment, the man still has less than 50 percent of normal hearing on each side, must wear hearing aids and can't hear high-pitched sounds.
"He's a part-time musician, so that's kind of messed up his hobby as well," Heffernan said.
Like the Colorado teen, the Canadian patient, who declined to be interviewed or identified, has no memory of the lightning strike.
In another case a few years ago, electric current from a lightning strike ran through a man's pager, burning both him and his girlfriend who was leaning against him, said Dr. Vince Mosesso, an emergency doctor at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Eardrum ruptures are considered the most common ear injury in lightning-strike victims, occurring in 5 percent to 50 percent of patients, according to various estimates — whether or not an electronic device is involved.
A broken jaw is rare, doctors say.

What is it with people doing things outdoors during a thunderstorm?
I learnt from young that when it storms outside -- with thunder and lightning -- be safe and do whatever it is you enjoy doing - indoors.
Ain't so hard to do, I reckon.

The Good About Flirting and a Little Jealousy

2007-07-07T23:42:00.000-07:00

Here's why I've always thought flirting adds sparks to a relationship.
But, I'm just finding out that a little jealousy is also good in a relationship.
Just goes to show that you may have been there and done that but there are some things that you just don't know.
Now listen to this -- when a man flirts (innocently, of course), it means he is sure of himself and he feels a lot of positive vibes. Now, aint that good for a relationship?
Because, (and this is true) he brings back that vibes and energy "home" with him.
YOU benefit, girl.
That don't mean he wants to sleep with the woman or women with whom he has been flirting.
Oh... surely not.
Of course, the line must first be drawn and that aint hard to do.
He won't cross the line because he's your man and you trust him.
And trust him, you must.
So, don't go being jealous, ok?

Read this and feel inspired to try it.

And, to check that little green-eyed monster in you, so that partner and you can really go a long way together, you know, happily ever after, sigh...read this again.

(Painting above, The Starry Night was completed near the mental asylum of Saint-Remy, 13 months before Vincent Van Gogh's death at the age of 37. Vincent's mental instability is legend. He attempted to take Paul Gauguin's life and later committed himself to several asylums in hopes of an unrealized cure. Van Gogh painted furiously and The Starry Night vibrates with rockets of burning yellow while planets gyrate like cartwheels. The hills quake and heave, yet the cosmic gold fireworks that swirl against the blue sky are somehow restful. This painting is probably the most popular of Vincent's works.)

The World's Best Job!

2007-07-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

And wouldn't you like to have it, man!
Durex Australia is looking for real life testers for its condom products.
Now, even if you have what it takes to be an official condom tester, you've gotta be Australian to be considered.
Awww...
Hell, man. Imagine the skills you can brag about and include in your CV.
And take it from me, women will be suitably impressed.
Besides, you'd be the envy of the guys.
The "bed-testing" position is, however, unpaid but the 200 selected testers will be up for free pack of Durex products, plus a bonus prize of A$1,000 ($854) for one lucky winner.
In return, testers would have to report back on the feel and performance of the company's products.
So, if you're eligible, you will be asked to explain why you should be considered.
Humor would help in the application, Durex said.
"To apply, simply explain why you think you're right for the position (missionary is acceptable) and you could be eligible for the employee bonus of $1,000," said the ad on Web site www.durex.com.au.

Any takers?

Happy Birthday, America!

2007-07-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

"On July 4 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American dream."

Today - 4th of July --is a national holiday in the US as Americans celebrate Independence Day.

Well, what can I say but that America has come a mighty long way -- and back. A horrible U-Turn.
But, let's not get depressed. Be happy and rejoice on this wonderful day where we are reminded that the American Dream is a good thing.

In celebration of America's birthday, "60 Minutes" presents eight men and women that have been profiled over the years, who can truly be called American Icons.
Neil Armstrong

Oprah Winfrey

Ted Turner

Lance Armstrong

Kermit the Frog

Muhammad Ali

Yogi Berra

Katharine Hepburn

The Beatles

2007-06-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

"The Beatles were the symbol of their era, but their music and their success transcends their time to arrive at ours." -
Are you a Beatles fan? Don't matter because I think you must be. Who isn't?
I watched CNN's Larry King Live on Tuesday with his guests, surviving Beatles -- Paul McCartney, Ringo Star and he widows of John Lennon and George Harrison -- Yoko Ono and Olivia.
Paul and Ringo were clowning around and rib-tickling each other and I thought -- "Jesus...if only John and George were there.."
Oh. How I remember so vividly the night John was shot. I was with some friends somewhere in New York and we couldn't believe it.
"Oh God..don't let him die", I prayed.
Even when the news of his death was announced, we still couldn't believe it.
We did not want to believe it.
John Lennon dead? No! He's supposed to live a thousand years.
He died but his music lives on. He died but his message of love and peace lives on.
And years later, George died. George, the handsome one. George, the quiet one.
During Larry King Live, Paul said that they were just kids from Liverpool.
"And, yes, it is quite amazing, because as time goes on, it kind of becomes more and more of a phenomenon," he said.
He said the early Beatles knew they were a good band and were pretty sure of themselves.
Ringo said they "thought we'd be really big in Liverpool."
"I think the most exciting thing is that, you know, we expect people our age to know the music. But actually, a lot of kids know the music," he said.
"And if anything is left, we have left really good music, and that's the important part, not the moptops or whatever."

Yeah, Ringo baby, you guys made some real good music. We're so lucky to still have them.
Love you guys!

Love And Jealousy

2007-06-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

Oh. I don't know. Jealousy is such an overrated bad word.
But, I caught this one that could help couples understand themselves.
Moi? I ain't the jealous type, as typecasting or stereotyping goes. So, I really don't know what it feels like to be jealous.
According to this article, you get strong feelings of jealousy perhaps because you don't have enough trust in your partner that he or she is being faithful to you. That lack of trust may be prompted by one of four factors.

You may feel insecure about your self-worth. In these cases, either you've been raised to believe, or some part of your inner self feels, that you just don't measure up. Because you don't love yourself, you can't believe that others would love you, so you live in fear that your partner's "true" feelings will be revealed and she will leave.
You're prone to cheating on your partner -- maybe even have done so. Knowing what you're capable of, you project that behavior onto your partner.
You and your partner haven't yet figured out how to establish safe boundaries within the relationship. Having a tight bond is about building walls around your love with windows that allow others to be part of it -- not doors where competing lovers can walk right in and disrupt your home. Because you don't know what's permissible within the relationship and what's not, you're constantly on your toes.
Your mate is cheating on you. Cheating doesn't have to include sex; it often has to do with making emotional connections to others outside the relationship. If your partner is sharing things about your private life with attractive members of the opposite sex, it robs a sense of intimacy from your relationship and leaves you feeling vulnerable.

For the complete article, click here.

I'm sure many of you out there can relate to either or all of these factors.

Of Firstborn Men & Their IQ

2007-06-24T03:19:00.001-07:00

They really carry out research and studies on things like this -- whether firstborn sons have higher IQs than their younger brothers.
This is interesting.
The study also found that in many circumstances, men who have been raised as the eldest (even if they are not) have IQs to match their firstborn peers.
Interesting.
The study was conducted by Petter Kristensen and his colleagues at the University of Oslo. The findings were reported in the journals, Science and Intelligence.
I have never thought about it. I have met many firstborn men or men who are regarded as the eldest in their families.
But what is a "higher IQ"? If it is higher than a low IQ, it ain't a big deal, man. My IQ could be higher than firstborn men.
It must be pointed out here that the study was carried out in Norway and based on Norwegian firstborn men.
Oh, I know their men are - - - different.
Interested to know more. Here it is.

Sir Salman Rushdie: Of Blasphemy and Knighthood

2007-06-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

As far as I am concerned, Salman Rushdie deserves all the death threats and the death fatwa that have been coming his way.
While I think his book "Satanic Verses" displayed his stature as an novelist, it contained blasphemous verses that, naturally got Muslims inflamed.
Now, I would not be too excessive or go overboard in my praises.
Ooh. I do feel so sorry for him, knowing how terrifying it must be to be living every day of your life in fear - of being killed anytime and anywhere.
But surely, a man of his intelligence must have known the score.
Besides, I do not think he is all that the Brits and the Americans have made him out to be -that he is so damn brilliant.
I think they like what he has been writing because he has written bad things about Islam and Muslims. And he happened to be a Muslim when he wrote that contentious book. At least, that was what he was purported to be. I don't think he is a Muslim anymore. Now, I am not so sure if he ever was.
Not that I care. Anyway, that don't matter no more.
What I know and what I care is that he has insulted Islam and Muslims. No, I would not go to the extreme of wanting to have his head because I believe that it is not for mere mortals to punish him.
And I am a peace-loving woman of the universe.
But I think he deserves what he gets. He should know what he was in for when he wrote all those blasphemous things.
Salman baby. You can run but you cannot hide. They're gonna get you.
Now they're giving you a knighthood, Sir.
Don't be misled. They are giving you a knighthood not because of your immense contribution to literature but MORE because you have served their anti-Islam scheme very well and because, as a Pakistani newspaper editorial said, you were "one of the few intellectuals with clout in the west who had supported the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11".
So, you're their man, man.
Don't you just love the attention!
I agree that it is an affront to Muslim sentiments but I would not go so far as ordering you killed or justifying suicide attacks.
But, Salman honey, you know that there are extremists out there.
Already in Pakistan, hard-line Muslims are chanting "Kill him! Kill him!". That's you, sweetie.
Wish I can help you there.
I can understand why the honour (given to you on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's 81st birthday) had hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.
Oh. Don't feign ignorance. You're from the sub-continent. You know what's going on there. And nearby Iran.
Robert Brinkley, Britain's high commissioner to Pakistan, defended his government's decision to honor you for your contributions to literature.
Yeah. That's your friend. And man, don't you just need friends now. I mean powerful friends.
As far as the Brits are concerned, you are one of the most prominent novelists of the late 20th century whose 13 books have won numerous awards, including the Booker Prize for "Midnight's Children" in 1981.
"It is simply untrue to suggest that this in anyway is an insult to Islam or the Prophet Muhammed, and we have enormous respect for Islam as a religion and for its intellectual and cultural achievements," Brinkley said.
Sigh. Why don't I believe you, Bobby baby?
In 1989, Iran's spiritual leader, spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa or religious edict/decree to kill /assassinate Salman because "The Satanic Verses" insulted Islam.
The threat forced the "convicted blasphemer" to live in hiding for a decade.
Aaah.... but he couldn't bear the hibernation, the isolation.
He got out and partied, man. Left his loyal wife for the younger, sexier model by the name of Padma.
Iran and Pakistan have protested the decision by the Brits to award the blasphemer with a knighthood.
Sir Salman. Well, in this life, man. In this life.

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys. -- anonymous.

Wishing all good fathers out there a Happy celebration, and you bad ones -- well, hope your kids think about you today.

World Naked Bike Ride Day

2007-06-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

Here's from Reuters, your friendly international wire service:
Photo above is of naked cyclists riding their bikes through downtown Vancouver, British Columbia during the World Naked Bike Ride Day June 9, 2007. About 50 cyclists rode through the streets trying to bring attention to pollution caused by cars.
Man, could we do this in Malaysia? Just to make a statement?
Not in this century?

Weekend Wedding

2007-06-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I read the good news over the weekend. Thank God for online news portals and (Malaysian) newspapers having gone online, and yes, the internet, that I am able to get news from home.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi got married to Ms (now Datin Seri) Jeanne (nee Danker) Abdullah.
Finally! I mean, we heard about their relationship for so long already. Some people even said that they were already man and wife as early as December last year.
I know the PM getting married is a good thing. In Islam, marriage is akin to building a mosque. It is a sacred act. So, it is very much welcomed.
The Prime Minister marrying Jeanne is good because it means that it puts an end to all those speculations and also that he is no longer lonely and alone.
I hear Jeanne is a good person too.
The PM marrying Jeanne is good because she is not a sweet young thang, if you know what I mean. A trophy wife she ain't. For that, we should all be thankful.
Can you imagine if Jeanne was a 20 or 30 something sexy young thang?
I think the PM should then resign because it means that he is no different from the rest of those mortal men.
You know what I'm saying?
I do hope, however, that Jeanne remains the nice lady that she has always been. I hope she will not be "power-crazy" as some women are wont to be in her position.
If she does not already know, the position of PM's wife is a power unto itself.
I mean, look at the position of the DPM's wife. If that ain't powerful, I'm a barmaid in Kabul.
I hope Jeanne is not the de facto PM, although, that is not such a bad idea under the circumstances in the country.
And if she decides to be the de facto PM and her hubby, the PM, is okay with it, then I suggest she makes it a hush-hush affair. Nobody must know. Better that way than the whole country knowing that the PM is cuckolded and queen-controlled.
He's already been bad-pressed really bad.
So, enough already.

However, here's the thing.
I am no sentimental Juliette but I cannot help thinking that it was not too long ago that Kak Endon died. I can just remember so vividly the featured stories about her in the Press, the funeral and all the accolades as well as the sadness and grief that shrouded her death.
The sad face of the PM. His grief.
Kak Endon did not leave us that very long ago.
Why, it feels just like yesterday.

Sigh....and what does it tell us about --- men?
Are all men, regardless of who they are or what position they hold, emotionally and physically, weak?
Love, companionship, they say.
Podah, I say.
It's sex, baby. Sex.
Pure and unadulterated sex. Physical needs.
Men have their needs! And life must go on.

So.... I need to end here before I get out of control.

All that said -- I am happy that the PM has got married to his late wife's ex-sister-in-law, and that he has found a companion to replace his late wife and that it is all in the family.
In some culture, I hear it is incestuous.

So, may the newlyweds find eternal bliss. Amen.

Love & Raunchy Love

2007-06-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

If I were an entertainment journalist which I'm not about to be -- not in a million years -- I'd ask this question to a singer or an actor -- "do you believe in true love?"
The reason I'd like to do that is that most artistes sing love songs or act in love and romance movies, touching our hearts, teaching us about love, inspiring us and tugging at our heartstrings. But do they believe in what they do for a living?
Do they believe in staying faithful and true?
They're the ones who talk about endless love, about love never having to say you're sorry and all that load of bullshit.
We're the ones who are lapping every verse they sing and every scene they play.
And guess what? They're the ones changing spouses or lovers. Splitting up like it's the most natural thing to do next to breathing.
Are they not at all influenced by the songs they sing and the roles they play?
Sure, sure. Not every thing is about life imitating art. Nor is it about art imitating life.
Actually, I got thinking about love and artistes after reading about the fact that love and relationships being very much the theme in songs and music today.
Love song still dominate the music industry.
Just that the language of love is raunchy and getting raunchier.
Language as we all know, has evolved over the years and words which were plain and simple in meaning, are now obscene and vulgar terms.
What is probably G-rated in the 60s and 70s is probably so tame today.
An interesting read.

Just click here.

The Holocaust

2007-06-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

Do you know that I never watch any movie on the Holocaust?
Not even "Schindler's List".
Don't misunderstand. I know very well what the holocaust is all about.
I have read and seen black&white photographs of Jews being taken to be tortured and put to death.
I can never forget those pictures.
My father had and still has a vast collection of books. Among them were books on the holocaust.
I had always been an avid reader, and I must have been about eight years old that I found the books on the shelf of my father's library.
I still remember naked girls and women with their head shaven running away from soldiers armed with machine guns, shooting them down.
Their faces were no longer terrified. They were blank. They were like skeletons.
I wept and wept.
There were other pictures as well, of children, of babies.
There were people being burnt in ovens.
I have read Anne Frank diary when I was nine, I think.
That is why I never watch movies about the holocaust. They bring back painful memories. It is as though I have lived those memories.

And now, there is another diary of 14-year-old Jewish girl dubbed the "Polish Anne Frank".
It was unveiled yesterday (Monday, June 4 2007).
Rutka Laskier chronicled the horrors she witnessed in a Jewish ghetto — at one point watching a Nazi soldier tear a Jewish baby away from his mother and kill him with his bare hands.

I shan't read her diary. But her story is here.

No Joy For Lina And Muslims

2007-06-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

I think this girl Lina Joy is being used by some non-Muslim quarters and Muslim liberals to give Islam and Muslims a real bad name.
It's all over the world. It's all part of a grand sinister scheme to discredit Islam.
Everybody's hitting at the two Malaysian judges for deciding against her appeal.
Everybody, including Americans, Indians and God-knows-who! The gall of them!
Appeal to what? Oh, to remove the word "Islam" from her ID becuz she aint a Muslim no more.
May she find peace in her new religion which is not so new, really. She's been a Christian for a good number of years.
I have some advice for Lina -- migrate. Go to Australia or Singapore. Come, baby, come to the US or Canada, just next door.
I don't blame Muslims for looking at you the way they do. Okay. You have chosen to renounce Islam.
But what you've done is to have got all these people to gang up against Islam and Muslims and blacken the name of Islam and what it stands for.
Maybe that's not your intention but, sorry, girl, that's how I'm seeing it.
Muslims have been known to fight to the death for their religion.
But, not to worry -- the world is changing. Lina Joy supporters can find comfort in the fact that they know that all this is not worth anyone's blood, sweat and tears.

Are You a Malaysian?

2007-05-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I know the Rukun Negara by heart. Easily. Ask me anytime and I can recite it eloquently, with flair and style, I might add.
Now, do you know your Rukun Negara?
Bet you don't. Ok. Maybe a couple of lines and then zzzzt. Blank.
Shame on you! Call yourself a Malaysian. And what kind of Malaysian are you? Not a good one, obviously.
Now before you lay any of that pseudo liberal crap on me, let me explain.
It is incumbent upon you as a citizen of this country to know its "rukun negara". Other countries are no different.
Don't like this? You wanna run away to the good ole US of A because you think its draconian to make you remember the Rukun Negara?
Go, baby, go. You have to take a test and take an oath and pledge of loyalty too.
What is so difficult about knowing your Rukun Negara? It does not make you a right wing fascist if you believe in it.
You may have problems with the Government and some of its leaders, but you cannot hate the country and the Rukun Negara.
If you have school-going kids, just borrow one of their exercise books or "buku latihan". The Rukun Negara is printed on the back cover.
Now, let me guide you:

BAHAWASANYA NEGARA KITA MALAYSIA mendukung cita-cita hendak :

mencapai perpaduan yang lebih erat di kalangan seluruh masyarakatnya ;
memelihara satu cara hidup demokratik ;
mencipta satu masyarakat adil di mana kemakmuran Negara akan dapat dinikmati bersama secara adil dan saksama ;
menjamin satu cara liberal terhadap tradisi-tradisi kebudayaannya yang kaya dan berbagai corak ; dan
membina satu masyarakat progresif yang akan menggunakan sains dan teknologi moden.

MAKA KAMI, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan atas prinsip-prinsip berikut :

KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN
KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA
KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN
KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG
KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN

Translated, it is :

Our nation, Malaysia, being dedicated :

to achieving a greater unity of all her peoples;
to maintaining a democratic way of life;
to creating a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared;
to ensuring a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions;
to building a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology;

We, her peoples, pledge our united efforts to attain these ends guided by these principles:

BELIEF IN GOD
LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY
UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION
RULE OF LAW
GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND MORALITY

Okay, for you agnostics and free-thinkers out there, the first line is tough. And for you pseudo-liberals, the last line isn't up your short skirts and g-strings.
But, that aint so difficult, huh?

Just Screw Them!

2007-05-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

That's what you do to people who shoot their mouth! Men or women, it don't matter.
They need a good screw.
People who are starved of real good sex talk cock.
They get kinda disoriented.
So, what they all need is a good screw!

Love 'Em, Hate 'Em

2007-05-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Men! You love them. You hate them. You can live with them. You can't live without them.
This was something said about women by men a very long time ago. Well, not by real men. But MCPs. You know, oink oink. There's one right behind you.
Men are so predictable that you know what they are up to and they don't even know that we know what they are up to.
That's why it aint difficult to catch 'em with their pants down.
Gawd! You must have heard of at least one story about a man whose wife/woman caught him with his pants down, and he kept saying, "I didn't do it, I didn't do it". What a creep!
Here's the thing. Men cannot live without women. That's the truth, buster.
They need women. They need a fuck. They always need a damn fuck!
Tell me. Do you know of any man who can live without women? Without screwing?
Without women, they'd be screwing any damn hole they see, I tell ya.
That's also why it's so easy to get them into your pants. Piece of cake.
They're so pathetically weak that it makes you just want to walk over them. That's after you get them to do what you want them to do.
Men! Love 'em or hate 'em.
Or just fuck 'em.