The Turing Test lives on. Have your fun here.
QOD: "What we need is either less corruption, or more chance to participate in it" --random quote from slash
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Blind Spots
Where is my blind spot?If I know it, is it still my blind spot?
If I do have one, surely this question do not arise because that would make my question invalid - because I do not know what, when, and where of it.
The irony of unraveling as comically told by Ian McEwan's Solid Geometry - man, what have you done to your unfortunate wife!
Once a bloke told me he had lost some of his memories. I just had to laugh out loud.
Wind of Tao "Those who know do not speak, those who speak, do not know"
Monday, October 6, 2008
Poignant
I bade my son farewell today
A Father's Yoke
Jul 16, 07 5:00pm
malaysiakini.com (extracts)
My son, Ryan, who is 18, left to further his studies in Australia today. He goes to embark on his tertiary studies at a reputed university - ordinarily, something to be proud of. However, it was more sadness than pride that ruled the day
I have pondered many a time as to why we come to a point where it is like tossing your child out of a flaming or sinking ship. We have many universities here, yet we have to sacrifice so much to send them abroad. Why? Thanks to the politicised education system, it is not in his interest to study here - even when we are now a global village.
Many nations who lagged behind us have closed the gap or gone ahead. Had he gone through the local universities, his mobility in terms of employability worldwide would be seriously curtailed. The major corporations in Malaysia generally prefer the foreign graduates - especially those from ranked universities.
The polarisation that is systemic ensures that his circle of friends more likely would be non-Malay or non-Muslim. This would be a major disadvantage in a multi-cultural society - increasingly the trend in many progressive countries. When I was a student in the 70s, our friendships were not determined by our race or religion. In fact, in many cases, we got to know our friends' ethnic origins many years later when they got married and we attended their wedding ceremonies.
In today's increasingly common parlance, I am reminded repeatedly that I am a third generation 'pendatang'. My son therefore will be the fourth - one who like me, speaks only English and Malay. ‘Pendatang’ nonetheless. Scholarships by and large are a mirage for folk like us. Just like crumbs and morsels that fall off a dining table.
So what are we griping about in the land of blue skies and 'ais kachang'? Our land of blue skies could and should have been a land of milk, honey and plenty. Instead, we have increasingly unfettered corruption, polarisation, degeneration of our education system right from Standard 1 to full blown chaos at the tertiary level.
The perception of fair play as played out in the judiciary gives one little to look forward to in seeking justice. Our sports achievements - barring a few rare exceptions - have seen a massive slide. Even this has been politicised. From a feared soccer nation, we are now below Singapore and Thailand. Sportsmen sell out on their honour and country. Wonder who they learnt this from. From multi-racial teams for soccer, hockey and rugby, we put out almost homogenous teams today. The results speak for themselves
When my son is ready to join the job market, the civil service would not even be a considered option. Turn back the clock about 50 years and one sees the stark difference - when the best brains competed to join the service.
So, as a 'pendatang', my advice to others like me is that you cherish and value the limited time you have with your children because unlike others, you are not guaranteed the opportunity to be at their side - or even a short distance behind - to see that they don’t tumble along life's walkway.
When they are packed off at 18, the chances of them returning is so much less. The plus side is that as parents, we know that we have given them the opportunity to make their best shot for the years to come.
Farewell son, the grass may not be greener on the other side, but the skies are more blue. And even if the grass is not greener, it is grass you can stand on with your head held high. God Bless.
A Father's Yoke
Jul 16, 07 5:00pm
malaysiakini.com (extracts)
My son, Ryan, who is 18, left to further his studies in Australia today. He goes to embark on his tertiary studies at a reputed university - ordinarily, something to be proud of. However, it was more sadness than pride that ruled the day
I have pondered many a time as to why we come to a point where it is like tossing your child out of a flaming or sinking ship. We have many universities here, yet we have to sacrifice so much to send them abroad. Why? Thanks to the politicised education system, it is not in his interest to study here - even when we are now a global village.
Many nations who lagged behind us have closed the gap or gone ahead. Had he gone through the local universities, his mobility in terms of employability worldwide would be seriously curtailed. The major corporations in Malaysia generally prefer the foreign graduates - especially those from ranked universities.
The polarisation that is systemic ensures that his circle of friends more likely would be non-Malay or non-Muslim. This would be a major disadvantage in a multi-cultural society - increasingly the trend in many progressive countries. When I was a student in the 70s, our friendships were not determined by our race or religion. In fact, in many cases, we got to know our friends' ethnic origins many years later when they got married and we attended their wedding ceremonies.
In today's increasingly common parlance, I am reminded repeatedly that I am a third generation 'pendatang'. My son therefore will be the fourth - one who like me, speaks only English and Malay. ‘Pendatang’ nonetheless. Scholarships by and large are a mirage for folk like us. Just like crumbs and morsels that fall off a dining table.
So what are we griping about in the land of blue skies and 'ais kachang'? Our land of blue skies could and should have been a land of milk, honey and plenty. Instead, we have increasingly unfettered corruption, polarisation, degeneration of our education system right from Standard 1 to full blown chaos at the tertiary level.
The perception of fair play as played out in the judiciary gives one little to look forward to in seeking justice. Our sports achievements - barring a few rare exceptions - have seen a massive slide. Even this has been politicised. From a feared soccer nation, we are now below Singapore and Thailand. Sportsmen sell out on their honour and country. Wonder who they learnt this from. From multi-racial teams for soccer, hockey and rugby, we put out almost homogenous teams today. The results speak for themselves
When my son is ready to join the job market, the civil service would not even be a considered option. Turn back the clock about 50 years and one sees the stark difference - when the best brains competed to join the service.
So, as a 'pendatang', my advice to others like me is that you cherish and value the limited time you have with your children because unlike others, you are not guaranteed the opportunity to be at their side - or even a short distance behind - to see that they don’t tumble along life's walkway.
When they are packed off at 18, the chances of them returning is so much less. The plus side is that as parents, we know that we have given them the opportunity to make their best shot for the years to come.
Farewell son, the grass may not be greener on the other side, but the skies are more blue. And even if the grass is not greener, it is grass you can stand on with your head held high. God Bless.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I am the legislator, the administrator, the adjudicator...
Of the law that is, and what can you do about it?We have laws alright, but the administration of justice is subject to our interpretation.
And you, small people are the fringes of our fancies. If you happen to have justice served, it's not because we deliver justice to you but you happen to fall under our radar of justice. Today you're lucky, tomorrow we shall see.
What can you do about it?
Nothing. You can fawn at us or You can bark at the hills, either way admire us strut our stuffs, breathe in our belch or get trampled and see what dirt we have beneath our feet.
That is the message of the Political Ultra Kings (not DYMM) in Malaysia since Malaysian-time beginning.
And TDM, whenever I read histories of you and your deeds, it reminds me of a certain God with multiple heads, trunks, limbs, etc. You taught us something, and to react is not right until it has balanced up to serve the desired purpose. You are an amazing man indeed. I do hope you did and do set us towards a destination full of hope and courage, and not the dirt that snowballs into huge avalanche today. Keep talking, Sir, because we do listen.
Speak up for RPK, everyday, everyone. Direct your prayers to RPK and his family. The first thing you wake up, think of RPK and his deeds for the small voices among us and offer a prayer of gratitude. Or show your support here.
Truth, Liberty, Justice.
A peasant's staple diet but it has been priced out of reach everywhere.
Monday, September 29, 2008
MCA wants to serve sincerely, says Kong Choy
Above mentioned Quote: N8, The Star, Mon 29th Sept, 2008
Next to it: Tee Keat screams, "stop the smear campaign"
Yes? Since when? And last time you were not?
OK, if you guys have that quality of intention to serve, why is that after vying for top party posts, and the debris of elections has settled, do MCA evolved into whats-not-alphabet factions?
There are no greed that drives these factions?
Not yesterday, not today?
Speak to me again, men of decorations.
Next to it: Tee Keat screams, "stop the smear campaign"
Yes? Since when? And last time you were not?
OK, if you guys have that quality of intention to serve, why is that after vying for top party posts, and the debris of elections has settled, do MCA evolved into whats-not-alphabet factions?
There are no greed that drives these factions?
Not yesterday, not today?
Speak to me again, men of decorations.
Sins of EPL, BPL, whatsnot-that-league-name
Sir Alec Fug and Ruffled Ben committed the most hideous sins in the world of English football today, i.e tearing apart the golden gild of Spurs. Look where Spurs has ended up today.
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane will never be the same again as when they were with Spurs. Both can only go on to score paltry goals for their respective managers and ended up wondering what have befallen them. Someone ought to remind these two lads how to recognize their destinies and come to recognize that both of them are meant to be together.
And Mr Fug and Mr Ruffled? Shame on you both. Of course your tasks are to deliver results but you also ought to recognize what a good job Spurs had done for themselves - building up a formidable team.
To tear the team apart just because you can? You destroy not only Spurs but the EPL. And the whole of England? You ought to be ashamed to let this happen in what is your most lucrative institution ever built.
p/s
• I couldn't help noticing this, as our TV screens and media are deluged with this thing called English football
• Displeasure is directed at two crimson entities alternatively known as ManU and Kops - one of the many accosted them
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane will never be the same again as when they were with Spurs. Both can only go on to score paltry goals for their respective managers and ended up wondering what have befallen them. Someone ought to remind these two lads how to recognize their destinies and come to recognize that both of them are meant to be together.
And Mr Fug and Mr Ruffled? Shame on you both. Of course your tasks are to deliver results but you also ought to recognize what a good job Spurs had done for themselves - building up a formidable team.
To tear the team apart just because you can? You destroy not only Spurs but the EPL. And the whole of England? You ought to be ashamed to let this happen in what is your most lucrative institution ever built.
p/s
• I couldn't help noticing this, as our TV screens and media are deluged with this thing called English football
• Displeasure is directed at two crimson entities alternatively known as ManU and Kops - one of the many accosted them
Thursday, September 18, 2008
MCA, Gerakan Speaking Up for Chinese Rights
Yes, finally they have done the right thing - that is defending the Chinese rights, speaking up against ISA.
Should we celebrate?
Should we rejoice?
Should we throw our weight behind them?
Yeah, right, we might, just might - first both you MCA and Gerakan burn in hell and see if you can come back cleansed and purified.
Too late, way too late, you filth of the earth - burn and rot in hell.
You have sold us out and now being in the doldrums of your political abode, you wanted to eke out another thread to save your filth?
I file my complaints through your website and where were you?
I seek for your assistance, where were you?
And Dr Chua SL, please, if you are a true gentleman, save your last honor if you can - don't show up your face in public again.
MCA, Gerakan, Go Burn in Hell!
Should we celebrate?
Should we rejoice?
Should we throw our weight behind them?
Yeah, right, we might, just might - first both you MCA and Gerakan burn in hell and see if you can come back cleansed and purified.
Too late, way too late, you filth of the earth - burn and rot in hell.
You have sold us out and now being in the doldrums of your political abode, you wanted to eke out another thread to save your filth?
I file my complaints through your website and where were you?
I seek for your assistance, where were you?
And Dr Chua SL, please, if you are a true gentleman, save your last honor if you can - don't show up your face in public again.
MCA, Gerakan, Go Burn in Hell!
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