Sensitive times

Recently, there has been a march in March over here in London to Free Tibet. Much has been made of it in the Western media about the sorry state of affairs happening over there.

Now, a lot of people have joined in the bandwagon and openly criticised China over this incident. There seems, however, to be a low understanding of the whole issue in hand.

Again, being neither from China (except for my ancestors) or Tibet, I prefer to take a more independent route to analysing the situation. People say that the Tibetan language has been in the process of being wiped out by these oppressive Chinese forces, yet many of the Tibetans know or only know how to speak Tibetan.

Take a few steps back and look at Wales. Although the Welsh speak a TOTALLY different language than the English, for generations, they have been in danger of losing their identity. Compare them to the Cornish people in South West England. I think less than 10% of these people still understand Cornish, except from pasties and cream over tea.

Take another example of those Basque or Catalans in Spain. Don't they also claim that they are not exactly Spanish? The Basque even speak a totally different language from Spanish. But they are viewed as terrorist in their 'own' country.

Then take another close look at Malaysia. If you have an eye and look what is happening over in the 'East' side. Culturally and by language, the original people of the lands speak differently and operate in a different manner from those in the 'West'. Has Malaysia been oppressing these people too?

So, before we open our mouths and criticise other countries policies or social economic welfares, take a look at our own backyard.

I remember hearing of a wise saying by a wise man - Stephen Bong, "If you don't know what you're talking about but you keep quiet, people may assume you're stupid. But If you open your mouth without knowing what you're talking about, it confirms you're Stupid"

The Guv'nor

Ince, Paul

Former midfield battler famous for short fuse, posing in Man United shirt while still a West Ham player, being disliked by all his former clubs, wanting to be known as the Guv'nor and being drummed out of ManYoo for being 'a big time Charlie'. Second only to Terry Butcher in bloody-but-unbowed national pride stakes, specifically after 0-0 draw in Rome with Italy. Now surprisingly competent lower-league manager.

I'm dreaming of a white Easter...

It feels weird.

Its an early Easter this year - This recent weekend, compared to being in April most other years. And the snow seems to have coincided with it at the exact moment. We've been having showers of hail and sleet throughout Saturday till Monday and this morning I wake up to snow flakes. Its really quite beautiful as I stood there admiring it for half an hour...

Well, global warming or natural change in weather patterns?

Scottish?

Hendry, Colin (pop: 'Braveheart')

The most Scottish-looking man ever.

If you don't sit down properly, the Boogeyman will come and get you!

One common term I've been hearing quite a bit is the nanny in my house saying to the 3 year old kid that if he doesn't comply to whatever she has just asked him to do, I would be coming in to rattle him. Me? Good old and fatty B? And what army?


Now, it got me thinking, what would the psychological impact be on the kid? No doubt I'm on pretty good terms with him (as I think I am with most), but then would this sayings get ingrained into that small mind that whenever he hears my name, fear strikes him first...


Well, I guess all parents or people bringing kids up don't want to be the bad person, so they always take a third party as an example to scare their kids. I remember as a kid my aunts used to either use the threat of policemen patrolling the area, or the drunken man down the road as example of people who would rattle me if I didn't listen to them.


Whatever it is, I hope Luke Yi won't remember me as the bad drunken man or strict policeman living downstairs... Ah, the bliss in seeing small ones grow up

2 good 2 bad

I was just wondering if people thought the same as I did...



VS



Do you think Berbatov (currently the striker for Tottenham Hotspurs) looks like Andy Garcia?



On the other hand, do you think Avram Grant (the current Chelsea manager) looks like a toad?

And it was said that it could not be done...

While all the furore dies down. While all the planning and positioning is taking place in Silver State of Malaysia, I was just thinking what some of the people were telling me earlier on.

Things like:
"Aiyah, nothing will change lah, why waste time and vote?"

"No difference one lah"

"How can the Chinese shake the elections?"

Well, here's to all you doubters. We have a few in our group, some prominently vocal when we urged the rest to exercise their roles to vote. See what us 'minority' can do?

Defeat will stare you in the face if you think you are defeated even before you are. The defeatist attitudes that you hold is easily rubbed on to others as losing is always easier than winning. But it is the desire to win that brings so much pleasure in seeing these doubters shut up.

On other aspects, many corners of the country lament on the deficiencies of a certain government, complaining about the inadequacies they face in their daily lives (like us). Now, power has shifted, but is it for the better?

To manage a state, one needs to understand the dynamics of the everyday lives based on demography and geography. Of course the state would have to also depend on the more macro factors, say the amount the federal government would be willing to 'share', especially when we are looking at 'management teams' with different goals.

One of the main gripes I have heard so far with this handing over of power to the opposition is that the development sector has come to a stand still. Why is this you may ask?

Well, as it is well known with the previous regime, hand outs are common practice to get approvals for certain projects. The problem they have now is that hand outs were offered, but the project has yet to be completed, and the receiving party has left. Will there be any implications? Will the current state government do a radical analysis on some of these projects?

With so many questions, many projects have been stalled. The effects may be great, as each development project has its sub contractors. And each subcontractor may have their own hired labour. Everyday is money.

I guess when we look for change, certain sections of people would have to suffer the drawbacks. I hope the current state government would come into effect pretty soon, so as life can go on (NOT as usual).

Just as I hope that Malaysia will see brighter days, I hope the Silver State will once again rise to prominence as 'the place to be'.