Reflections – Page 5 – Winking at Life

9/11 in 1973 Chile

Augusto Pinochet (Photo credit: a-birdie)

I have to share this, it is important because fewer people outside Chile may know about this 9/11 which was no less tragic than what happened on September 11, 2001 in New York. Still, one wonders how dictators like Augusto Pinochet had the sympathy of former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher (UK) and Dr. Mahathir Mohammad (Malaysia). Now, Barak Obama, President of the United States wants to ‘teach’ Syria a lesson. Has the United States itself learned anything from its past actions in the Middle East that only resulted in continuing conflict and destruction? How many more innocent people must die for nothing?

See the other 9/11 and ask yourself, if this is justified. People are getting tired of war and lies.

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/9/40_years_after_chile_coup_family

Chile’s Allende and Pinochet up close (stripes.com)
Chile’s Own 9/11: When The U.S. Backed A Brutal Dictator (12160.info)
Remembering Chile’s 9/11: democracy’s final triumph over General Pinochet | Baltasar Garzón (theguardian.com)

Testing Faith

The Malaysian Insider (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pope Francis Portrait Painting (Photo credit: faithmouse)

One of the current burning issues in Malaysia is freedom of religion. The abuse of God’s name in which many of these rights violations are committed would certainly be seen as not just oppressive and unjust, but a down right insult to the Almighty, let alone Peoples of “The Book”, as Jews, Christians and Muslims are called. Saying that, it seems that particular extremist factions from any of this troika seem to take every opportunity to abuse, insult and oppress each other, especially in the holiest of times when all should peacefully sit back and deeply reflect on our sinful ways. However, in this country, there are perpetual tests of faith for Muslims as well as Christians and the article I share here reflects the sort of test that arises when least expected. There is no headline, but this came out in the Malaysian Insider, an online daily. Continue reading “Testing Faith”

Crescendo for Freedom

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I can’t help wanting to share this, it is so inspirational in the current environment of despair and trial. At this time, disappointment and despair are also a personal emotion, as well as a popular feeling in this land. It fuels the struggles we face as a people. It is hard to talk about it without feeling the sting of tears behind my eyes, so just see and hear this song from the famous story by Victor Hugo, “Les Miserables”

Sing along, if you feel inspired, the lyrics are there for you to join the crescendo for freedom and democracy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwM8fSDsgLI

Days darkening before nightfall

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After Adam Adli’s release on bail, 1 MP(Member of Parliament), 3 political activist and another student activist were arrested yesterday. They were all charged in court with sedition and RM5000 bail each, this morning (29th May 2013). Continue reading “Days darkening before nightfall”

Malaysia Unsettled

I expect that most Malaysians at home and overseas must know what’s been happening in and to this country in the past few weeks. They must be aware of, perhaps, the first giant steps we’ve taken towards giving ourselves a shot at installing a ‘new’ government to administer this country. Well, the cries of “INI KALILAH” (THIS TIME) and “UBAH!” (CHANGE) rose to the skies from thousands and hundreds of thousands of throats at Pakatan Rakyat (Peoples’ Coalition) rallies all around the country, in the run up to our 13th General Election. We feared reactionary responses by Barisan Nasional‘s (National Front) minions and supporters. It is not a joke, as we feared the worst. Continue reading “Malaysia Unsettled”

Baroness Privatization R.I.P.

former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in October 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Anti-Margaret Thatcher badge (Photo credit: dannybirchall)

I wasn’t overjoyed or saddened at the news of Margaret Thatcher’s demise. She was the UK’s first woman Prime Minister, yet seemed less concerned about what concerned most women – their children. I’m not British, and seeing the trend of ‘capitalist’ and ‘neo-liberal’ behavior she set in motion in Britain and in other countries of similar economic persuasion during her term as PM, I might feel glad not being a claimant of her legacy. Continue reading “Baroness Privatization R.I.P.”

Maids in Malaysia

Cover of "Maid in Manhattan" — Cover of Maid in Manhattan

Domestic Workers on Sunday (Photo credit: JMR_Photography)

Some may remember the 2002 movie “Maid in Manhattan” with Jennifer Lopez as Marisa Ventura, a mother working as a chamber maid in a classy Manhattan hotel. She meets a politician, Christopher Marshall, who falls in love with her and is staying at the hotel where she works. He mistakes her for someone else but later finds out, and she gets fired from her job for this seeming deception. However, after the story runs its course, true love triumphs in the end, and they live happily ever after.
Many young girls,especially those from impoverished rural areas perhaps hope such dreams will come true for them in a more affluent environment where they can earn a decent living, and get a better life for their families and themselves. But, the reality isn’t as simple or straight-forward as they think. Continue reading “Maids in Malaysia”

God’s Ear! Got a Pope!

Instead of knocking me down, he knocked me up (Photo credit: Liz | populational)

Deutsch: Münster, Petrus-Skulptur, Überwasserk... — Deutsch: Münster, Petrus-Skulptur, Überwasserkirche in Münster, Portal, Schlüsselsymbol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HIV/ AIDS - NAKURU — HIV/ AIDS – NAKURU (Photo credit: davida3)

Hey! Never thought you were listening to this common human being. Obviously, you’ve got a very BIG EAR! So, you heard my gripe about what kind of Pope, this opinionated one thought should wear Peter’s sandals. You gave me what I wanted and I hope it’s a good thing. Well, at least he seems to have started off right. Sincerely hope he can make the necessary changes, especially in this too-much-of-me-world. Continue reading “God’s Ear! Got a Pope!”

“And the Band Played On…”

Cover of "Gone with the Wind" — Cover of Gone with the Wind

I was watching a 2011 episode of “Project Accessories”, and this week there were two designers eliminated from the race. One of the eliminated designers, when asked what her gut reaction was, shrugged with these parting words, “Life goes on …the show must go on…” she would continue to create and express herself through her accessory designs. Continue reading ““And the Band Played On…””

Spare Them a Thought, It’s Christmas!

Warrington, Cheshire, England, two weeks before Christmas 1993. It is the usual awful buying frenzy that dogs every Christmas. Crowds of shoppers rushing around in the town square, dashing into Boots, Marks & Spencers, Littlewoods, C&A, WH Smith etc. Jon and I are caught up in this commercial frenzy and even have to fight off other shoppers grabbing stuff on the shelves in the middle-end high street shops. Imagine this is Christmas! Continue reading “Spare Them a Thought, It’s Christmas!”