Commissioned Work

J's calling card. Inspiration for pic came from the sleeve cover (Renoir) of Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 & 2, Naxos Classic 8.5550123. This is a Penguin-rated CD, and it has served me many fine nocturnal moments.
Pianist: Istvan Szekely and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra (Gyula Nemeth).
Recording: 1988
Playing time: 69' 07"

KitSiang's Guest Columnist Bakri Musa on Malaysian-Obama

This is a satisfying read. However, why a Malaysian Obama? Let us not be misled by a charming politician that we begin to think of the cream but missed the substance. The idea is to get the structure of our constitution right that may just propel the Malaysian Obamas forward. However this is a bloated dream not just in Malaysia but elsewhere.

Practical politics? Perhaps, but let us not seek to dazzle and bedazzled in turn. Let us get our structure in place and have the courage to hold it up. Make the minds of all in the nation that each and everyone of us can BELIEVE AGAIN.

Encik Najib, think again sir, come March'09. Hail not "Kita Pun Boleh!" or "We Also Can!" but give us the BELIEVE. Perhaps you are from the old school entrenched in the old ways of doing things, and perhaps you are not quite in position to do things your way but we want you to sacrifice yourself to this deed to propel the nation to become civic again. Can you do it, sir?

PBIM'08

I had a little fun spoofing the original design of the Penang Bridge International Marathon organizers. I have been running in this event for about eight times as it's one of my favorite local events. However the past years giveaways, notably the running vests were woeful, to say the least. Anyhow we will still support our local events. Come on organizers, this year since you will be under the banner of PKR, can we see a better treatment for your supporters? We want PKR to do a good job, and we know you want to do a good job - with or without Federal support. Woe to the partisan Federal.

Living Cost

I have heard rumours of gangster contractors in Penang forcing new high-rise dwellers into submission by doing business with them. What is worse, is the exorbitant sums they charged for renovation works. Sloone has more.

It's hell either way you go. What can we do about it? Organized crime comes in legal and illegal ways, and the way things are, they have become legitimate entities. Peace-loving people are made to feel they themselves are the criminals eventually. The way that we are squeezed, the call to self-arm is of utmost importance, as there is no protection in a way that is affordable for us.

Reformed Judiciary

Reformed Judicial system? RPK's release is celebrated with joy by all of us, but...

Now my question is: is our judicial system on its way to reform? With the same old people deeply ingrained in a hierarchy, entrenched in its ways and means (that unearthing one or two just won't do the job) running the system, I do not have the confidence to think so. I hope with the release of RPK, this is just not a theatrical act to win back the people's support by the monopoly organization running this country.

Once they have figured it out hows and whats, and deeply entrenched, we are all sold for good. I still don't have the confidence in the system. No one should.

RPK, lets get back to work!

Yes We Can! New Camelot in White House

The White House has a new Camelot with the chant of "Yes We Can!"

Someone here in Mar/09 will chant perhaps... "Kita pun BOLEH!!!"

There is always somewhat something similar with these two places.
However one is a real leader (through fiercely guarded constitution) in all aspects of our lives regardless of where you live, and the other, err... with somewhat misplaced aspirations that ruin our lives with a constitution that mostly fails to hold up.

In the words of Studs Terkel "Hope dies last" - I hope it never does for the sake of this beautiful land where I bleed.

Studs Terkel, 1912 - Oct 31, 2008

Studs Terkel, a man of conscience.

It was only a few months ago that I first saw him on BBC's HardTalk programme with Stephen Sackur, speaking from his home in Chicago, frail but very alert and engaging. He passed from this existence last night.

One ought to hear him, to get a glimpse of what life is.

"We can't make any choices unless we connect the past with the present. The thing that horrifies me is the forgetfulness." --Studs Terkel