With CTs in just 2 weeks away, all I can do now is hope that I fail gracefully, and not achieve another epic failure. Oh crap, so much for wanting a morale booster. All I need is to see myself getting at least a D for something, anything. It's not funny seeing yourself flop exam after exam you know. Argh, what a pain in the ass.
~~~~~~
You know how it's like to see someone exactly like yourself a few years back ago? Well, I mean to say that in those few years, you have experienced some changes, and suddenly, lo and behold, you meet someone who reminds you of your previous self. What a weird out of the body experience huh? Now you really see how people saw you, what kind of zany antics I was capable of doing. Hmm, now that I think about it, others must have thought I had a major screw lose back then. I was crazy, I didn't care. Now, I still am mad, but more of a matured madness. Ok I have no idea what that means.
~~~~~~
I hate people who bitch. Seriously, they are my ultimate anathema. It's such a drain on you to have people start complaining about their teachers, classmates, work, life, lack of attention from the ladies due to the lack of "goods" or whatever self-perceived nonsense life is hurling at them. These people suck big time. It's no wonder they have no friends. Only a masochistic being will allow himself be filled with all this pessimistic vibe. Honestly dude, change or f**k off. The reason why all this crap is happening to you is 'cause you see life that way. If you had the mindset of "my teachers just f**ked me upside down, inside out. ooohh I'm lovin' it" life would seem so much more fun.
~~~~~~
I love cross country. You wake up at 6, go to school, run till your balls drop, and go home. =)Muacks victoria. Haha but I did enjoy the run.
~~~~~~
Girls shouldn't be too sick. Not that I mind, quite sexy if done properly, but it does feel a wee bit weird in excess. Especially when you can't think of a reply which doesn't sound sicker. You have to make a 180 turn and go " Nice weather today *smile dammit maybe she won't notice. Oh crap smile's too horny..* "
~~~~~~
Have you ever wondered when people go "WAHAHAHA! HAHAHA! OMFG Josh you're so funny XD" on MSN, are they seriously laughing like that? I mean, damn, if they are, that's just freaky man. I should just log off for good. If I laughed like that for real, and if people saw me, that's it. Woo hoo I can go and dig a hole somewhere, stuff my face in and laugh all I want. I won't get another MSN convo ever again.
Right on people!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Organ transplant
A question that's been bugging me for a few days now. This issue of organ transplant was highlighted by the cause celebre case of Mr tang wanting to buy a kidney illegally.
So pardon me as I list down some pointers to assist in my analysis of this problem.
YES to legalising kidney sale.
- We own our bodies, thus, we have been endowed by the god-given right to do with our body as we see fit.
- Kidney sales increases the donor pool, thus resulting in more saved lives. The average time a person must wait for a kidney is 9 years. This can be cut down with legal sales.
- If there is a demand, there is a market. Better have it out in the open than to allow such risky procedures to take place in shady regions.
- Exploitation of the poor can be kept in check by laws. (But how? Easier said than done)
- It is a win-win situation. Since no one loses out (yeah, losing a kidney isn't much huh) why not?
and lastly, can anyone out there give me an answer to this very irritating rebuttal. "If prostitution is legalised, and it is the epitome of the act of commodification of the body, why can't something helpful and not as harmful like organ sales be done?"
Try as I might, I just can't seem to differentiate the two. At an empirical level, both are the same. Both treat the body as a good to be exploited for money. So indeed, if prostitution is allowed, why not organ sales? What is that factor which makes the two different? Anyone, if you have an answer, please tell me.
NO
- There can never be a right, standard price for a human organ. A poor Indonesian farmer might think $20 000 is a lot, but a Singaporean might think otherwise.
- Let us not set potentially self-destructive antecedents for the future. If organ sales are allowed, it makes the argument for the non-commodification of the body less impactful. Next, we'll have liver sales, teeth sales, sperm sales etc.
- For all that you might say about regulation, the fact is, only the poor will sell. This is outright discrimination and exploitation. Instead of being helpful to these poor farmers, you rip out their kidneys and say this is a good thing.
- Moral issue of seeing the body as a good.
- Our right over our bodies is not infinite.
- With legal sales, exploitation will increase, not decrease. There will be firms set up specially to harvest poor people for their kidneys. Eg. Look at your maid firms now. (The way we work them, we'd might as well take out their kidneys and let them go).
- As with all government policies, there must be a weightage between the individual and the nation. Look at YES, all its arguments lead to the same point - individualistic benefits. But with NO, we stem exploitation. We stop consumerism of the body. We encourage altruism. We make it more imperative to research for medical technologies.
Hmm, I just have to settle this issue or I'll be bugged down for days. Of course, there are many other pointers which I have yet to write here. I would say NO, but why?
HOTA
"The Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) allows for the organs (kidney, liver, heart and cornea) of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents to be donated in the event of death, for the purpose of transplantation only... HOTA was again amended in August 2008 to include Muslim Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who were excluded from HOTA when it was first enacted in 1987. The amendment meant that Muslims who have not opted out of HOTA would receive the same priority as those who are included under HOTA or MTERA should the need for a donor organ arise." taken from www.liveon.sg
So pardon me as I list down some pointers to assist in my analysis of this problem.
YES to legalising kidney sale.
- We own our bodies, thus, we have been endowed by the god-given right to do with our body as we see fit.
- Kidney sales increases the donor pool, thus resulting in more saved lives. The average time a person must wait for a kidney is 9 years. This can be cut down with legal sales.
- If there is a demand, there is a market. Better have it out in the open than to allow such risky procedures to take place in shady regions.
- Exploitation of the poor can be kept in check by laws. (But how? Easier said than done)
- It is a win-win situation. Since no one loses out (yeah, losing a kidney isn't much huh) why not?
and lastly, can anyone out there give me an answer to this very irritating rebuttal. "If prostitution is legalised, and it is the epitome of the act of commodification of the body, why can't something helpful and not as harmful like organ sales be done?"
Try as I might, I just can't seem to differentiate the two. At an empirical level, both are the same. Both treat the body as a good to be exploited for money. So indeed, if prostitution is allowed, why not organ sales? What is that factor which makes the two different? Anyone, if you have an answer, please tell me.
NO
- There can never be a right, standard price for a human organ. A poor Indonesian farmer might think $20 000 is a lot, but a Singaporean might think otherwise.
- Let us not set potentially self-destructive antecedents for the future. If organ sales are allowed, it makes the argument for the non-commodification of the body less impactful. Next, we'll have liver sales, teeth sales, sperm sales etc.
- For all that you might say about regulation, the fact is, only the poor will sell. This is outright discrimination and exploitation. Instead of being helpful to these poor farmers, you rip out their kidneys and say this is a good thing.
- Moral issue of seeing the body as a good.
- Our right over our bodies is not infinite.
- With legal sales, exploitation will increase, not decrease. There will be firms set up specially to harvest poor people for their kidneys. Eg. Look at your maid firms now. (The way we work them, we'd might as well take out their kidneys and let them go).
- As with all government policies, there must be a weightage between the individual and the nation. Look at YES, all its arguments lead to the same point - individualistic benefits. But with NO, we stem exploitation. We stop consumerism of the body. We encourage altruism. We make it more imperative to research for medical technologies.
Hmm, I just have to settle this issue or I'll be bugged down for days. Of course, there are many other pointers which I have yet to write here. I would say NO, but why?
HOTA
"The Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) allows for the organs (kidney, liver, heart and cornea) of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents to be donated in the event of death, for the purpose of transplantation only... HOTA was again amended in August 2008 to include Muslim Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who were excluded from HOTA when it was first enacted in 1987. The amendment meant that Muslims who have not opted out of HOTA would receive the same priority as those who are included under HOTA or MTERA should the need for a donor organ arise." taken from www.liveon.sg
Saturday, February 7, 2009
With friday night's mass dance came with it a sense of surrealism and deja vu. Here I was, standing at that very exact spot as I did a year ago but so much has changed. All I saw were a bunch of revved up J1s screaming and shouting for what they were worth. I was looking through very different lenses.
A year ago, at this very moment, at this very spot, I was free. Free because I was released from the load of the O levels and not yet burdened by the As. Free because I did not know many, and thus had little commitment to any. Free because I had come of age. I was filled with intense anticipation and excitement at what I was about to embark on. An adventure of sorts.
Fast forward 365 days. How many of those prancing J1s would look at their juniors and feel the same electrifying intensity of the moment? How many would look forward with the same fortitude at their adventure? I always wondered why adults could never enjoy a good dance or song. You hardly see any adult smiling or laughing boisterously on the MRT or bus.
Why?
Have their adventures turned out to be disappointments, with the youth around them serving as a constant mockery of what they could have been? Is school merely an orientation to reality, a sheltered haven from which we would appear to know, and anticipate what is to come, but when it hits, damn it hits. Reality is a sledgehammer.
In 2 years, I've been propelled further than I had planned for. In some ways it's good for me, there's no waste of time and the best teachers are your mistakes. I'm past caring for all that I did once upon a time. This is the long shot. Ah, the freedom of letting go of all that's insignificant in your journey is sweet. It's like dropping all your luggage and just lunging forward with the wind in your hair. Perhaps I've finally decided to aim far and high. No more pubescent craving for social recognition or plain idiotic idealism for me that's more sure.
I'm heading down the road, to the faceless mass of unsmiling adults. But guess what, it feels so free not to care. It's not a bad thing, not like I'm going anti. It's just so free, to have only one ultimate aim.
A year ago, at this very moment, at this very spot, I was free. Free because I was released from the load of the O levels and not yet burdened by the As. Free because I did not know many, and thus had little commitment to any. Free because I had come of age. I was filled with intense anticipation and excitement at what I was about to embark on. An adventure of sorts.
Fast forward 365 days. How many of those prancing J1s would look at their juniors and feel the same electrifying intensity of the moment? How many would look forward with the same fortitude at their adventure? I always wondered why adults could never enjoy a good dance or song. You hardly see any adult smiling or laughing boisterously on the MRT or bus.
Why?
Have their adventures turned out to be disappointments, with the youth around them serving as a constant mockery of what they could have been? Is school merely an orientation to reality, a sheltered haven from which we would appear to know, and anticipate what is to come, but when it hits, damn it hits. Reality is a sledgehammer.
In 2 years, I've been propelled further than I had planned for. In some ways it's good for me, there's no waste of time and the best teachers are your mistakes. I'm past caring for all that I did once upon a time. This is the long shot. Ah, the freedom of letting go of all that's insignificant in your journey is sweet. It's like dropping all your luggage and just lunging forward with the wind in your hair. Perhaps I've finally decided to aim far and high. No more pubescent craving for social recognition or plain idiotic idealism for me that's more sure.
I'm heading down the road, to the faceless mass of unsmiling adults. But guess what, it feels so free not to care. It's not a bad thing, not like I'm going anti. It's just so free, to have only one ultimate aim.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Hope
A little passage I happened to chance upon by provenance.
"Joshua son of Nun... Remember how he held back the sun and made one day as long as two? When his enemies were threatening him from every side, he prayed to the mighty Lord Most High, and his prayer was answered with a hailstorm of devastating force..."
- Sirach 46
Yes, when you need strength, it will come. One way or another.
"Joshua son of Nun... Remember how he held back the sun and made one day as long as two? When his enemies were threatening him from every side, he prayed to the mighty Lord Most High, and his prayer was answered with a hailstorm of devastating force..."
- Sirach 46
Yes, when you need strength, it will come. One way or another.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obama forever
OMG.
There, I can't think of a better way to describe Obama's 2009 inauguration speech. I am completely baffled, stunned, astonished, amazed and surprised that any man had the ability to rouse a nation the way he does. He's eloquence is one unmatched by any other politician living in this galaxy and his charisma is like a hook to the very inside of your heart. It pulls you to him, you thirst to follow him, your heart follows the rhythm of his words. As much as you try to stay objective and question his abilities, you can't.
What kind of man is this? His speech is so imaginative and colourful, abound with hope and certainty in this day of uncertainty. For that 20mins, I was uplifted, filled with intense excitement and anticipation at what this man could do, will do. To hell with all the naysayers. The fact that this "untested" man could, despite his origin, stand up against the clinton/mccain machines and push through successfully, bringing the most powerful nation to its knees in wonderment is testament to his gift.
This man is not a politician. He is a leader. An American god.
I say, never in my life have I been so spell-bound, so enchanted by any man than the salient Barack Hussein Obama. The way the crowd reacted to his every cue, excited by his every gesture, it was just so child-like, as if a father was reading a fairy tale to a mesmerised child... There was Bush sitting in a corner like the insignificant fool that he is, and here was Obama, teasing and stirring the crowd so easily and naturally. Unlike Mr B. who had to try so hard, yet still failing, to defend what little ounce of self-respect he has now.
The atmosphere was drunken, heady with Obamania. Seeing America so open and vulnerable to this man, I really wish and hope with all my soul that he does not disappoint. To do so would be downright cruel. When the world has placed her heart with him, let Obama take his responsibility with good stead.
God Bless America at last.
There, I can't think of a better way to describe Obama's 2009 inauguration speech. I am completely baffled, stunned, astonished, amazed and surprised that any man had the ability to rouse a nation the way he does. He's eloquence is one unmatched by any other politician living in this galaxy and his charisma is like a hook to the very inside of your heart. It pulls you to him, you thirst to follow him, your heart follows the rhythm of his words. As much as you try to stay objective and question his abilities, you can't.
What kind of man is this? His speech is so imaginative and colourful, abound with hope and certainty in this day of uncertainty. For that 20mins, I was uplifted, filled with intense excitement and anticipation at what this man could do, will do. To hell with all the naysayers. The fact that this "untested" man could, despite his origin, stand up against the clinton/mccain machines and push through successfully, bringing the most powerful nation to its knees in wonderment is testament to his gift.
This man is not a politician. He is a leader. An American god.
I say, never in my life have I been so spell-bound, so enchanted by any man than the salient Barack Hussein Obama. The way the crowd reacted to his every cue, excited by his every gesture, it was just so child-like, as if a father was reading a fairy tale to a mesmerised child... There was Bush sitting in a corner like the insignificant fool that he is, and here was Obama, teasing and stirring the crowd so easily and naturally. Unlike Mr B. who had to try so hard, yet still failing, to defend what little ounce of self-respect he has now.
The atmosphere was drunken, heady with Obamania. Seeing America so open and vulnerable to this man, I really wish and hope with all my soul that he does not disappoint. To do so would be downright cruel. When the world has placed her heart with him, let Obama take his responsibility with good stead.
God Bless America at last.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Te te te
You know, after Wednesday's relationship talk, club music seems so fun all of a sudden. Our trainer, Bong, was quite hilarious. He and his adventures around Labrador Park haha.
"I could love you like this, I could love you like that" Haha wtf, he's singing is really one of a kind.
Oh yea, I was reading up on his Law of Requisite Variety and it's truly fascinating. To control the system of relationships, one must be flexible since only variety can destroy variety. It was derived from a mathematical law of the same name, something to do about sets. It's really takes a bit of thinking to grasp the concept behind it so I'll leave you to find out more about it, if you want. The course was really informative, and of course, anything beats having double GP and double chem.
Adam Khoo learning technologies group. Hmm it seems that the fastest way to become a millionaire is to start a learning center teaching people how to become millionaires. Teaching people how to use their common sense is the best idea ever. It's a niche market and the demand is not exhaustive since common sense is not common at all. Heard he was a Victorian too, haha. Who knows, maybe I can be as successful as him at that young age. Go Biz club.
Anyway let's dance.
"I'm out of time and all I got is 4 minutes, 4 minutes..." ta dadada hahaha
"I could love you like this, I could love you like that" Haha wtf, he's singing is really one of a kind.
Oh yea, I was reading up on his Law of Requisite Variety and it's truly fascinating. To control the system of relationships, one must be flexible since only variety can destroy variety. It was derived from a mathematical law of the same name, something to do about sets. It's really takes a bit of thinking to grasp the concept behind it so I'll leave you to find out more about it, if you want. The course was really informative, and of course, anything beats having double GP and double chem.
Adam Khoo learning technologies group. Hmm it seems that the fastest way to become a millionaire is to start a learning center teaching people how to become millionaires. Teaching people how to use their common sense is the best idea ever. It's a niche market and the demand is not exhaustive since common sense is not common at all. Heard he was a Victorian too, haha. Who knows, maybe I can be as successful as him at that young age. Go Biz club.
Anyway let's dance.
"I'm out of time and all I got is 4 minutes, 4 minutes..." ta dadada hahaha
Monday, January 12, 2009
First Lego League at NLB
I think I'm mad,
because I love doing CIP.
FLL was a great success, the kids had fun, we had fun, the teachers had fun, everyone had fun. Just so you didn't know, FLL seeks to cultivate the love of engineering amongst youths from 8 to 16 through, you guessed it, lego robotics.
The theme was Climate Connection, although I couldn't see the link between picking balls up with toy robots and climate change, it was still really cool. You have these super small 8 yr olds, eyebrows furrowed in concentration, assembling their massive robots in under 4.83s without breaking a sweat. Imagine F1 pit crews, just way way tinier.
It was all fun and laughter, despite me waking up at 5.30 and sleeping at 2 'cause of a retarded re-assessment the next day, which I might as well not take. Absent looks better that Ungraded. Ok so here we have some super blur pics, courtesy of my co-team usher, Vincent.
Alright, Vincent's the dude on my right. He's got the coolest CCA, youth flying club. I didn't know they actually flew real planes. Dang, I'd have joined if I knew.. Beside me is Stanley, and the uber short girl, oops, in front is Jolene, our IC.
One of the teams under us won the stylo-mylo award for best costume. Whew, who'd knew handling a bunch of young girls was so tiring? Not this team though, another, this was a good team.
And that's the sneak preview for you.
The volunteers were mostly from JCs and polys. Filbert, Jonathan and I were there together. I'm going to try pump as many more CIP events as I can from now onwards, the leadership opportunities and camaraderie, it really makes you an even more all-rounded person.
because I love doing CIP.
FLL was a great success, the kids had fun, we had fun, the teachers had fun, everyone had fun. Just so you didn't know, FLL seeks to cultivate the love of engineering amongst youths from 8 to 16 through, you guessed it, lego robotics.
The theme was Climate Connection, although I couldn't see the link between picking balls up with toy robots and climate change, it was still really cool. You have these super small 8 yr olds, eyebrows furrowed in concentration, assembling their massive robots in under 4.83s without breaking a sweat. Imagine F1 pit crews, just way way tinier.
It was all fun and laughter, despite me waking up at 5.30 and sleeping at 2 'cause of a retarded re-assessment the next day, which I might as well not take. Absent looks better that Ungraded. Ok so here we have some super blur pics, courtesy of my co-team usher, Vincent.
Alright, Vincent's the dude on my right. He's got the coolest CCA, youth flying club. I didn't know they actually flew real planes. Dang, I'd have joined if I knew.. Beside me is Stanley, and the uber short girl, oops, in front is Jolene, our IC.
One of the teams under us won the stylo-mylo award for best costume. Whew, who'd knew handling a bunch of young girls was so tiring? Not this team though, another, this was a good team.
And that's the sneak preview for you.
The volunteers were mostly from JCs and polys. Filbert, Jonathan and I were there together. I'm going to try pump as many more CIP events as I can from now onwards, the leadership opportunities and camaraderie, it really makes you an even more all-rounded person.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Right brain, left brain
may not spin here so go here --> http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22535838-5012895,00.htmlI came across this last year and found it truly delightful to know =)
"The Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?
If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.
Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it"
It seems that the dancer turns clockwise direction for me. Although I can change her turning fairly easily.
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking
Monday, January 5, 2009
How now?
"Israel's tough choices in zero-sum game"
by Fania Oz-Salberger, Prof and chair of Modern Israel studies at Monash University.
I quote, "Imagine your next-door neighbour - with whom you have had a long and bloody feud - pulling out a gun and shooting into your windows, from his own living room, which is densely packed with women and children. In fact, he's holding his daughter on his lap as he tries to target your kids. He claims he will not stop until your family is dead. Police are unavailable. What should you do?"
An article in the Straits times which matches my sentiments exactly. With the Israeli-Gaza conflict robbing the headlines since 27 dec, two global camps have been aroused. Pro and anti Israeli. Yet from what I see, Israel is getting heavy flak for its actions.
On one side, it is argued that this is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis which could shift the status quo in the middle east towards more bloodshed than is needed. On the other side, the view is that Israel is fighting a just war against an unreasonable enemy which only goal is to see the destruction of her. Thus Israel's actions are justified and acceptable.
With all the poignant and heart-wrenching photos and videos captured and put to good propaganda use by media machines worldwide, there seems to be a global consensus that Israel is the aggressor and it should stop. The death toll now hovers around 530 with over 80 children dead as compared to a handful of Israelis. People all over the world have come up in arms baying for Israel's punishment for causing so many deaths and suffering. But who sympathises with the Israeli cause? George Bush definitely, but that doesn't really count as helping things does it?
I'm worried about this war too, outbreaks in the middle east never amount to anything good, yet I'm starting to feel indignant that few, if any, are helping Israel find a solution to its problem. All call for her to stop. None give her a reason to stop.
The humanitarian crisis is caused by a bunch of uncaring gunmen who fire rockets all day to spite their enemy from the midst of its civilians. "Try as Israel might to target militants alone, civilian bodies are being pulled from the rubble, because militants and civilians inhabit the same urban space in Gaza... no regime has ever used its citizens so deliberately as tools to arouse world sympathy, as hostages to modern sensitivities." How can an army defeat an enemy rooted between its people without killing anyone else? What kind of government brings war to its peoples' doorstep so that their deaths can be used as a media weapon against its enemy?
Israel just wants to protect her people from daily rocket fire by crushing Hamas. Yet I fear they may again pull themselves into the losing end of the war. If they pull out before completing their goal, their enemy will gain recognition and standing in defeating her. Of course, Israel can just level out Gaza with its bombs. Like Stalin once famously said during the purges, "Death is the solution to all problems. No man, no problem." But Israel doesn't want that, hence the ground offensive. For those who say that Israel is reacting disproportionately, should they then fight fire with fire by "firing 10 to 80 rockets, indiscriminately aimed against Gazan homes and schools, every day for the next few years?"
Instead of being an unreasonable, short-sighted bunch by calling for yet another temporary ceasefire, the world should start looking for long term peace plans, otherwise Israel has to start taking things into her own hands. Stop getting swayed by pitiful pictures, that is not the issue here. The issue is how do we stop this from reoccurring? Either send in an UN peacekeeping force with a strong mandate of stopping Hamas militants from firing rockets, or somehow broker peace for the long run.
Let not history repeat itself. Truces made, truces broken, fighting restarts. George Santayana puts it succinctly, "Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them." Stop fighting and do something now. Stop protesting like a bunch of infantile monkeys and get down to the crux of the problem.
Work towards peace, not inflame it further. If the world truly was matured enough, they'd find ways to stop things instead of jumping up and down on Israeli's flag.. If people around the world truly cared about others, why not start protesting against crimes in Darfur or deteriorating health conditions in Senegal? That would be much more purposeful..
I'm unsure how this will turn out. Chances are, it will end up like the Lebanon crisis last year, problem still unsolved. So, how now?
by Fania Oz-Salberger, Prof and chair of Modern Israel studies at Monash University.
I quote, "Imagine your next-door neighbour - with whom you have had a long and bloody feud - pulling out a gun and shooting into your windows, from his own living room, which is densely packed with women and children. In fact, he's holding his daughter on his lap as he tries to target your kids. He claims he will not stop until your family is dead. Police are unavailable. What should you do?"
An article in the Straits times which matches my sentiments exactly. With the Israeli-Gaza conflict robbing the headlines since 27 dec, two global camps have been aroused. Pro and anti Israeli. Yet from what I see, Israel is getting heavy flak for its actions.
On one side, it is argued that this is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis which could shift the status quo in the middle east towards more bloodshed than is needed. On the other side, the view is that Israel is fighting a just war against an unreasonable enemy which only goal is to see the destruction of her. Thus Israel's actions are justified and acceptable.
With all the poignant and heart-wrenching photos and videos captured and put to good propaganda use by media machines worldwide, there seems to be a global consensus that Israel is the aggressor and it should stop. The death toll now hovers around 530 with over 80 children dead as compared to a handful of Israelis. People all over the world have come up in arms baying for Israel's punishment for causing so many deaths and suffering. But who sympathises with the Israeli cause? George Bush definitely, but that doesn't really count as helping things does it?
I'm worried about this war too, outbreaks in the middle east never amount to anything good, yet I'm starting to feel indignant that few, if any, are helping Israel find a solution to its problem. All call for her to stop. None give her a reason to stop.
The humanitarian crisis is caused by a bunch of uncaring gunmen who fire rockets all day to spite their enemy from the midst of its civilians. "Try as Israel might to target militants alone, civilian bodies are being pulled from the rubble, because militants and civilians inhabit the same urban space in Gaza... no regime has ever used its citizens so deliberately as tools to arouse world sympathy, as hostages to modern sensitivities." How can an army defeat an enemy rooted between its people without killing anyone else? What kind of government brings war to its peoples' doorstep so that their deaths can be used as a media weapon against its enemy?
Israel just wants to protect her people from daily rocket fire by crushing Hamas. Yet I fear they may again pull themselves into the losing end of the war. If they pull out before completing their goal, their enemy will gain recognition and standing in defeating her. Of course, Israel can just level out Gaza with its bombs. Like Stalin once famously said during the purges, "Death is the solution to all problems. No man, no problem." But Israel doesn't want that, hence the ground offensive. For those who say that Israel is reacting disproportionately, should they then fight fire with fire by "firing 10 to 80 rockets, indiscriminately aimed against Gazan homes and schools, every day for the next few years?"
Instead of being an unreasonable, short-sighted bunch by calling for yet another temporary ceasefire, the world should start looking for long term peace plans, otherwise Israel has to start taking things into her own hands. Stop getting swayed by pitiful pictures, that is not the issue here. The issue is how do we stop this from reoccurring? Either send in an UN peacekeeping force with a strong mandate of stopping Hamas militants from firing rockets, or somehow broker peace for the long run.
Let not history repeat itself. Truces made, truces broken, fighting restarts. George Santayana puts it succinctly, "Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them." Stop fighting and do something now. Stop protesting like a bunch of infantile monkeys and get down to the crux of the problem.
Work towards peace, not inflame it further. If the world truly was matured enough, they'd find ways to stop things instead of jumping up and down on Israeli's flag.. If people around the world truly cared about others, why not start protesting against crimes in Darfur or deteriorating health conditions in Senegal? That would be much more purposeful..
I'm unsure how this will turn out. Chances are, it will end up like the Lebanon crisis last year, problem still unsolved. So, how now?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Here comes 2009
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
Last night was strangely really.. Normal. It seems after 17 years, you somewhat lose the boyish anticipation for the new year. Not like in P6 and in sec 4..
Had a dinner party at Amanda's house last night and it really felt as it should be - your average dinner party. There no longer was this kick and excitement you get when you count down to the very last second and burst into "auld luang sy".
Hopefully this is not part of growing up. To lose certain emotions and perceptions as we mature. I know it happens. Look at your parents and you'd have a clear picture of it.. Well anyway, I don't want to ponder over anything that's to do with 2008 now. It's 2009.
So I guess I'll have to predictably state my new year resolutions.
2009
- Shit happens. (Brilliant advice from a good buddy) maintain this mindset and you'll never go into clinical depression.
- Get organised. My files are bursting, my papers strewn across my keyboard, my mum is yelling that I should clear my drawers. I'm feeling that this are signs. And oh it makes mugging this year loads simpler.
- Grow up. Seriously I have to start maturing and taking my future into my hands. That means less fooling around. This is A level year bro. But hey, boys will be boys so we'll see haha.
- Maintain a good work-play relationship. I like staying actively involved in things. Be it organising projects (ironic), doing CIP and reading up and musing over current events, sort of like a mini-debate in my mind on germane issues. I know it's weird but hey, Obama did that too in uni and see where that thinking has brought him.
- Stay healthy. I like this best 'cause it means more tennis for me yes!
- Continue with my music. Pretty wasted if I just lay off on the piano after grade 8. Especially since I have a huge one sitting in my living room.
- Have a clear mind. This is the key to leadership. The quality of judgment. I find some decisions I made were impulsive. Like Randy Putsch said. Do not make a decision till the last minute. Well said.
- Get my 4As. Self-explanatory.
And last but not least get a girlfriend. Haha ok that was just me bull-shiting again. I'm seeing this resolution so many times in so many places. Loads of lonely desperate men and women out there this new year, I feel sad for them. But dammit I ain't jeopardising my A levels now, so stay focused Joshua.
So there you have it. Pretty boring stuff but there seems to be a corelation between mediocre resolutions and success in maintaining them.
Cheers this 2009! I do hope you achieve whatever goals and aspirations you set for yourself this new year! Above all, enjoy life the way you want it!
Had a dinner party at Amanda's house last night and it really felt as it should be - your average dinner party. There no longer was this kick and excitement you get when you count down to the very last second and burst into "auld luang sy".
Hopefully this is not part of growing up. To lose certain emotions and perceptions as we mature. I know it happens. Look at your parents and you'd have a clear picture of it.. Well anyway, I don't want to ponder over anything that's to do with 2008 now. It's 2009.
So I guess I'll have to predictably state my new year resolutions.
2009
- Shit happens. (Brilliant advice from a good buddy) maintain this mindset and you'll never go into clinical depression.
- Get organised. My files are bursting, my papers strewn across my keyboard, my mum is yelling that I should clear my drawers. I'm feeling that this are signs. And oh it makes mugging this year loads simpler.
- Grow up. Seriously I have to start maturing and taking my future into my hands. That means less fooling around. This is A level year bro. But hey, boys will be boys so we'll see haha.
- Maintain a good work-play relationship. I like staying actively involved in things. Be it organising projects (ironic), doing CIP and reading up and musing over current events, sort of like a mini-debate in my mind on germane issues. I know it's weird but hey, Obama did that too in uni and see where that thinking has brought him.
- Stay healthy. I like this best 'cause it means more tennis for me yes!
- Continue with my music. Pretty wasted if I just lay off on the piano after grade 8. Especially since I have a huge one sitting in my living room.
- Have a clear mind. This is the key to leadership. The quality of judgment. I find some decisions I made were impulsive. Like Randy Putsch said. Do not make a decision till the last minute. Well said.
- Get my 4As. Self-explanatory.
And last but not least get a girlfriend. Haha ok that was just me bull-shiting again. I'm seeing this resolution so many times in so many places. Loads of lonely desperate men and women out there this new year, I feel sad for them. But dammit I ain't jeopardising my A levels now, so stay focused Joshua.
So there you have it. Pretty boring stuff but there seems to be a corelation between mediocre resolutions and success in maintaining them.
Cheers this 2009! I do hope you achieve whatever goals and aspirations you set for yourself this new year! Above all, enjoy life the way you want it!
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