Patriotism

Reading the local newspaper got my blood boiling like hot soup. A certain undergraduate from the University of Sheffield wrote about patriotism (in Malaysia), and what it means to him, as well as how others should interpret it.

Disgusting.

It's totally cool if you want to express how you feel about your country and if you wanna hang the country's flag at your house throughout the year it's totally up to you. HOWEVER, if you even come within a ten foot pole boundary into the realm of imposing your ideas and self righteousness to me, then, prepare to eat your words served with humble quiche (a more fabulous cousin of humble pie).

'Patriotism', if anything, looks like a subordinate branch under the larger heading of 'loyalty'. It would also equate to flowing emotions of love and respect for a country. Introductions aside, I forward a simple question - Should I love my country even after making me a 'second class citizen'? Yes, I understand the government orchestrates most of the drama happening in the country, and does not seem to rightfully represent a country (the rakyat should be the ones to, this is also another load of political correct horse crap), one must also appreciate the fact that the government is capable of using patriotism as a tool to fetch votes and spreading the 'love for your country' as 'good', otherwise you are someone who doesn't 'appreciate' your country. Wow, what a shallow argument. Here is mine: 

You have to realize the relationship between a country (and the forsaken government residing) with her is not a familial relationship, nor is it a contractual one. If anything, we, the rakyat act somewhat as check and balances (who dont get paid for doing so) who provide feedback to (mostly nonsensical) government policies. Therefore, while a government regulates the country, the absence or the unwillingness of the rakyat to cooperate can lead to a collapse in the government as they would have nothing to rule upon. In this set of facts, a government needs its people and vice versa, which means it is theoretically possible for citizens who express their discontent and topple a government via extortion or other means; the government and rakyat have a somewhat mutual symbiotic relationship akin to a lichen and fungi, one can't possibly live without the other.

Some common reasons to 'love' your country which I will refute:
1) Because I was born here - Understand there is a coined term called 'birth lottery' (google.com is just a click away if you don't undeerstand this term) where you're birth date, race and nationality inter alia are by chance, determined at birth and cannot be changed for all intent and purpose, later in life. Your country gives you your nationality as a legal obligation, not one where they are willing to do.

2) Because we have ethnic diversity here (Malays, Chinese and Indians living in harmony :D) - I'll smack ya face with a red tilapia before I move on if you 're an adult, because I make a very DARING assumption you know what is going around the world. Ethnic diversity is the hallmark of MANY nations, viz. USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Mauritius, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Netherlands, to name a few. Malaysia is not the ONLY country on this planet which practices ethnic diversity  Furthermore, there have been many arguments OPPOSING such diversity as many homogeneous societies exude higher levels of social altruism and many such societies have had high gross domestic products and higher average wealth of citizens.

3) Because we don't have natural disasters - We have had a spike in the number of flash floods resulting of a combination of poor drainage and currents from the South Indian Ocean as well as South China Sea. The country is as prone to floods as other countries are.

4) Because we get benefits! - Say... what..? Oh you mean from corruption, swindling monies from poorly contracted jobs, which funds for these useless coupons for short term gain? If you really care for your country, coupons are an idiotic approach to manage one's finances, if you really care for your rakyat, invest in education and medicine where the less fortunate cannot afford it.

Quoted from 'Adaptive Automaton' from Magic: The Gathering - 'Such loyalty can only be made'. To force someone to be loyal is to be artificial, as loyalty can only spawn from a willing heart, especially towards an exemplary figure/concept where one wishes to be loyal to.

Also, as a Malaysian Chinese, I feel second-classes, when those born out of 'birth lottery', by virtue of the NPE are able to enjoy many privileges I am unable because of my skin colour. Seriously, I can think of no other country which practices favouritism if you are born a particular skin colour which is a rather draconian and archaic policy to maintain. By allowing such preference, you are telling other races to take a hike, that even if other races worked harder, contributed more to the gross income of the nation, they cannot be entitled to such a benefit, as compared to the preferred races who theoretically can laze around, do nothing, and yet get a slice of the cake. All these unnecessary monies poured into this subsidy hampers the economy form better and fairer investment opportunities.

The recent National Day celebration have urged many to be 'patriotic', while some may be able to fabricate that feeling, I'm afraid I cannot do the same. While I was a kid I used to think that loving your country and spirit of patriotism is something each citizen SHOULD have. As an adult of 21 years, I find that you ought to love your country only if you feel you want to; you can't force love. If anything, you can still contribute to the economy directly or indirectly without such feeling called 'patriotism' to bind you.

To the author of the said article, I don't know if you honestly feel 'patriotism' for such a messed up nation or you were brainwashed by our excessive government programs. Given the facts for you to ponder, when a citizen can be second-classed even though he/she was born in the country (akin to the status of a foreigener), do you really love this country as you think you would?

Natalia Kills - Wonderland

(My take on the song)

Keywords: Conformity, Heresy, Fake, Artificiality, Mask, Fairy tale, Reality, Poison.

The protagonist feels that the realm of conformity, is a realm of lies. Though for the inhabitants of the realm, that lie is their truth. Absorbed in poison and artificiality, it has become their way of living. That side of the realm seems to be a fairy tale for her for the inhabitants believe in the notion of a happy ending, a false reality.

Wearing a robe as red as crimson, the protagonist is dragged against her will to a mansion, supposedly a fairy tale gala where many will meet; social meetings among the socialites also trend well in this realm.

Here, many wear masks to hide their true facade; for norm dictates that one should wear a mask should ever one intend to fit in. The protagonist refuses and watch them indulge in their Earthly desires. Stares bolt at her hymning only, 'Conform, or die'.

The cupcakes with pills embedded only reminds us even more on how those who try so hard to blend in (wearing masks to hide their true face but the mask is what they want to show the world) would rather 'drug' themselves, not in private or in hiding, but rather at a dining table nevertheless in front of many other masked figures. Not afraid to indulge in that poison or artificiality, they constantly feed themselves more and more, understanding the poisoning effects of the pills but continuing to do so to conform with the rest at the table.

Seeing also a few of them who look a lot like her, she imagines that it is very easy for her to cross the borderline into the realm of norm and almost impossible to return ever to non-conformity. It almost manifested as such and that the very thought of conformity disgusts her.

To rebel would only lead one to his or her grave. Rebelling was easy, she need only step on the table and kicked the cupcakes around and collateral damage convinced the enforcers of conformity that the masked ones were involved in the conspiracy. How ironic it may seem at face value, reflects how this doctrine truly operates in that realm, where the enforcers of justice are easily incited to do injustice.

After sniping a few sinews, the protagonist is sent outside to her death sentence, her crucifix.

Inhabitants of the realm step outside and remove their masks, albeit temporarily as a short temporal reflection of one who may have been their kind be subject to the executioner's axe.

Where one has committed an innocent sin, eternal punishment ensues, akin to Eve who plucked the apple from Eden , and the whole of womankind pays for what certain people call the 'Original Sin'. Even when there is a choice between conformity and non-conformity one would actually be shunned and damned for not conforming to the norm, hence, as though as leaving no choice at all in the first place. Then should there be only a path of conformity in fake acceptance? Or die attempting to stay unscathed  by the influence of the other realm?

In white, the executioner raises his axe and beheads the protagonist. Her head falls, blood oozing, but, till the end, that is till her death, chose non-conformity.

Just Because

Just because a guy wears V-Neck T-shirt, doesn't mean he's gay.
Just because a guy is gay, doesn't mean he likes pink.
Just because you like pink, doesn't mean you are a girl.
Just because you are a  girl, doesn't mean you like Barbie dolls.
Just because a guy likes Barbie dolls, doesn't make him any less of a man.

Just because he is a guy, doesn't mean he likes football.
Just because he likes football, doesn't mean he is a guy.
Just because something is unpopular, doesn't mean it is not good.
Just because something is mainstream, doesn't mean it is good.

Oh, Politics. Politics Everywhere!

Oh, Politics. Politics Everywhere!

The dictionary definition is wide for 'politics', but in general, it would refer to the state of affairs of a particular situation and/or involving lobbying and bribery for personal gain (And this context refers to affairs in a country)

We have had ministers affirming birth lottery (in this context, to get benefits just because of how you were born, as opposed to meritocracy), sleeping in parliament, supposedly murder and got away with it (for now), give away book vouchers, impose insane taxes on tobacco products, alcohol and cars, covert the teaching of Science and Mathematics to Malay while claiming the current command of English in the subject is 'poor', own 'lucrative' cattle farms, enacting Acts to ensure the judiciary is subservient to both the executive and parliament, involved in polymer bank note scandals and endorsing gay witch hunts with their ever so useful guidelines for identifying homosexual men.

All of this and expect me not to be worried of my country, U MAD BRO? All of the scenarios above happened due to two main things in my opinion, from motivation of power and money, and the other is being stupid enough to execute these actions.

Some will be of the opinion that I talk too much, that I should be 'grateful' for what there already is and that further questioning would tantamount to betrayal of the country when I talk openly about politics. Put some thought into that statement; then is it better to just lay around and do nothing when the spoils of political action  is so obviously seen right before our very eyes? And then there are miscellaneous acts which punishes people who speak their mind, condemning governments, even though i rings with truth.

I would like to think that I have concrete opinions. Unlike some homo sapiens, I'm not easily swayed by the wind. Unlike some primates, I would rather reach a goal without sucking up to a particular superior.

Nevertheless, no matter how righteous I 'think' my thoughts may be, it would be unfair to impose these ideals, notion and concept of mine to others. As much as I would hate to admit it, I dislike others to impose their values on me, not because I think frivolous upon certain ideas, but rather, simply because I must concede to the fact that many people would only mingle with those who are of the same wavelength; neither can I imprint my way of thinking on another person unless he or she opens up to me (Face it, there are just some people you naturally just click with and some whom you want to fling your faeces)

Oh, Politics. Politics Everywhere!

Right and Wong - Loyalty?

With regards to Beaufort's current MP, Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin being best served with a show-cause letter,

'Party's constitution clause 20.8 states that all members must be loyal to the political party and abide by its code of ethics and constitution', he said.

I mentioned in a debate before about how the law (the context then was being 'loyal' under a contract for athletes to stay in a particular club for the agreed duration before moving to another. In this context, the terms of the contract are akin to the constitution under the law) affects one's loyalty.

Quoting a line from a fictional work, that is the flavour text of 'Adaptive Automaton' from 'Magic: The Gathering', 'True loyalty can only be made', that is, to be truly loyal, is an artificial and plastic ideology. Having a constitution to force 'loyalty' down a member's throat is no different than a dictatorship. In my opinion, one can only be truly 'loyal' on his or her own accord, as loyalty is a notion best served based on personal drive, not forced upon.

It is surely sad for a constitution to force 'loyalty' in legislation, when such an important element is not constitutionally defined.

Others may argue that it keeps 'party-hopping' in check; I just think you're limiting freedom and encouraging cronyism.

Lightning

Lightning

A flash of light piercing through the sky.
Always faster than thunder.
In all it's splendour.
Swift, fast and agile.
It dissipates as fast as it flashes.
No more to be seen.

At an atomic level, it is a friction of ions.
Clashing of static.
 Though opposites charge attracts, they clash.
Clash into luminous streaks. 

At a poetic level, it defines speed.
Impermenance.
Grandeur.
Light.
Hope.
Destruction.
Electricity.
To some even - Benjamin Franklin.
 

'Right and Wong' - Public Transport and other nonsense

There are so many times I would LOVE to shove a cylindrical object up a place where the sun don't shine and that place belongs to the staff of the aforementioned company.

1. KTMB - Especially loves hoarding us like pigs on the platforms especially during peak hours and expects all to be able to fit the incoming coach. Even WITH the 6-coach mykomuter, that is an effort in vain if they don't come on TIME. I mean seriously. The screen you see with the ETA of the incoming train is UNRELIABLE, what more during peak hours.

2. RapidKL - You guys don't have enough staff to man a counter to reload TnG is it? Not even one staff to change money in the event that a paying customer does not have small change? Luckily I had enough to buy a God forsaken token (why I labelled it as such is something you will see in a bit). The token upon the exit station was rejected. Like seriously!? And this was in the midst of the exodus during a peak hour. 'FML', I thought. Hoping to get help I passed the token to him and he would not let me go out until he verified it (which should take less than a minute) but he goes and do other stuff, LIKE RELOADING TnG cards of others! Part of me just wanted to bolt off there and then. I mean REALLY?! Do I LOOK like a trespasser!? The journey was only worth RM 1.00 and you be so worried if the token was illegal AND /OR somehow cared if the company made a loss (Highly unlikely). BIG WHOOP. And I missed my subsequent KTM train BECAUSE of the 10-minute hold up. (WHICH ARRIVED AN HOUR LATER)

In a nutshell, I had to purchase a faulty token (and by the way, if you're gonna introduce a token system, make sure IT WORKS with minimal marginal errors, mush-for-brains), BECAUSE only an invisible silhouette is manning the reload counter, I was held up due to a faulty token (it wasn't just me, many experienced similar problems) and missed my train which I had to wait for another hour to catch.

A slippery slope of unfortunate events, causing me to be late for work. (It would suck if the manager/ boss is a bit of a male chicken when he/she fails to understand that delays in public transport like KTMB is INEVITABLE, you people who have to ONLY take LRT/monorails can SAVE IT cause you will almost always NEVER need to expect delays up to an hour) which leads to...

3. Dispelling the myth that a many government servants are lazy. Ain't no myth, this is real man. Fixed pay does this to people. Complacency develops rather like a plague, like a pathogen spreading from servant to the next, merely because they would expect salary EVEN IF they did not do more than necessary, get all sorts of privileges and rebates, as well as a very handsome pension.

Take it one step further, if such a profession in the Government sector seem to be lucrative, why is everyone not applying for it? Some people actually WORK for their money ya know. Theoretically,  if more people enter the government sector, taxes would need to be raised and subsidies slashed to pay for government servants. Why in the name of Buddha should I pay MORE taxes to feed many lazy people?

(Diverting somewhat but still related)

4. Recent Evidence Act enactment is a real insult to the (non-existent) civil liberties which Malaysians hold so dearly. It's an obvious gross violation of privacy (but the Human Rights Act 1998 is no more than just a white elephant.)

I mean, MACHA!? REALLY!? If I post something nasty using my friends wifi or social network account (FB, twitter), he/she will be responsible? People's natural response would be to secure the networks and fortify their passwords. Pfft. That's hardly of any use. An amateur hacker can easily hack into the networks and social network sites at a whim. So now everyone's gonna segregate that programmer/computer buff that they used to know.

This begs the question further, what about using wifi in Government facilities to post nasty things? Doesn't this BITE BACK? You like it don't you? O yeah, the courts have barely no power to go against the Parliaments' Acts, as a matter of fact, courts in Malaysia are subservient to the Parliament AND Government, when an Act was passed as such.

It seems to be but a glimmer of hope shining for worthy people to sit in the Government. Perhaps we might have a Black Prime Minister in the future to advocate change?