To use golf parlance, Tiger Woods is "in the hazard".
After the SUV accident, story upon story about illicit romancing have come out like worms out of the, well, wood. I would like to think these are only stories still, until proven true.
Except for a few black faces, most of the media people have been white, if not blonde. For 13 long years, Tiger had been screwing the Whites at their own until recently racist game. What they can't do to him on the golf course, they're only too happy to do off it - it's a chance not to be wasted.
First, assuming it's all true again, it's consensual sex.
Secondly, if I'm virile and worth one billion dollars, all the sweet-young-things that come my way would also throw themselves at me. If you can imagine the situation - an upscale night club, beautiful music and beautiful crowd - any number of pretty things wouldn't think twice at flirting with Tiger. Honestly, I'd be greatly disappointed if Tiger plays the honest priest and abstains completely, and even many priests are less than honest.
A sin is a sin, by any religious standard, so there's no excuse for it, "true values" be damned. But sowing wild oats is as old as the bible, and cicumstances must be allowed, if not condoned. If it was other the the most recognizable athlete in the world, I don't think the stories would even make it to the print.
I'm sure there's a prenuptial somewhere, and although Jay this morning remarked flippantly that Elin must be "naive", she must see some redemption somewhere, again if all these allegations are true. They both should get over it and move on, and charge it all to experience. And similiarly we should all also move on. We should look forword to Tiger's next exploit - on the golf course.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
Obama with Nobel.
Surely it's the belligerent image of US , or US-backed forces marauding into Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Palestine, now and not so long ago Panama, Vietnam, Laos and elswhere ,that stands out in the public mind at the moment ? And now the PEACE prize for the US Commander in Chief ?
Of course it's up to the Nobel Foundation who it wants to honour, but isn't there real honour amongst men any more ?
This looks like the misnomers of old - calling the Speaker who doesn't speak, the Firemen who kill fires, collateral damages for central ones, d.u.i. for drunk driving, friendly fires for shooting your own people and what's friendly there, and the rest of them. So Obama sends 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan and asks his European friends to follow suit and that's worth the Peace prize ?
These comments are all questions here because it's all questionable.
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Of course it's up to the Nobel Foundation who it wants to honour, but isn't there real honour amongst men any more ?
This looks like the misnomers of old - calling the Speaker who doesn't speak, the Firemen who kill fires, collateral damages for central ones, d.u.i. for drunk driving, friendly fires for shooting your own people and what's friendly there, and the rest of them. So Obama sends 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan and asks his European friends to follow suit and that's worth the Peace prize ?
These comments are all questions here because it's all questionable.
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009
3rd. rate mentality ?
A prominent Malaysian politician said some years ago that this country has first rate infrastructure but third rate mentality, or something to that effect. My experience this afternoon reminded me of that observation.
Pak Itam and I took the 12 noon commuter from Seremban to Subang Jaya with the intention of going to a golf sale in Kelana Jaya.
As usual the commuter train's coaches were half-filled even at Seremban, but at each of the 13 stops to KL Central more commuters came in, and we were standing room only by the time we left the last stop before KL Central. On the return journey at 6 pm the situation was twice as bad. In fact in all my years of using this KTM commuter service, this was the first time that I saw many passangers standing all the way to Seremban. Many Ministers and the last Prime Minister have seen the situation for themselves, and the usual public promises were duly reported in the mainstream media. The more real public complains have always been there, but who listen to these anyway.
The solution seems so simple - add more coaches and increase the frequency of the trips.
At the Subang Jaya station Pak Itam and I tried ALL the 6 or 7 available taxis to get us to Kelana Jaya but ALL refused, and not in a friendly way at that. Just as we were to leave and try out on the road, an Indian taxi driver finally relented and asked for 15 ringgit, which he said was normal and who were we to be choosy anyway.
Why give this sort of people taxi licences at all ?
It's a wonder that the condemnation on Malaysian public transport is not any louder and more harsh. It must be the fatalistic Eastern resignation to fate that allows people in this country to endure the shortcomings we see everywhere. But I think it's a scandal that Malaysian authorities often boast of their world-class facilities, and yet negate everything with backward operations. It's clear that beautiful plans have been turned to grand constructions of all sorts, but the satisfactory functioning of infrastructural design is still not within grasp. I should be mad, but I am just sad.
Until the trains run on time, forget about 2020.
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Pak Itam and I took the 12 noon commuter from Seremban to Subang Jaya with the intention of going to a golf sale in Kelana Jaya.
As usual the commuter train's coaches were half-filled even at Seremban, but at each of the 13 stops to KL Central more commuters came in, and we were standing room only by the time we left the last stop before KL Central. On the return journey at 6 pm the situation was twice as bad. In fact in all my years of using this KTM commuter service, this was the first time that I saw many passangers standing all the way to Seremban. Many Ministers and the last Prime Minister have seen the situation for themselves, and the usual public promises were duly reported in the mainstream media. The more real public complains have always been there, but who listen to these anyway.
The solution seems so simple - add more coaches and increase the frequency of the trips.
At the Subang Jaya station Pak Itam and I tried ALL the 6 or 7 available taxis to get us to Kelana Jaya but ALL refused, and not in a friendly way at that. Just as we were to leave and try out on the road, an Indian taxi driver finally relented and asked for 15 ringgit, which he said was normal and who were we to be choosy anyway.
Why give this sort of people taxi licences at all ?
It's a wonder that the condemnation on Malaysian public transport is not any louder and more harsh. It must be the fatalistic Eastern resignation to fate that allows people in this country to endure the shortcomings we see everywhere. But I think it's a scandal that Malaysian authorities often boast of their world-class facilities, and yet negate everything with backward operations. It's clear that beautiful plans have been turned to grand constructions of all sorts, but the satisfactory functioning of infrastructural design is still not within grasp. I should be mad, but I am just sad.
Until the trains run on time, forget about 2020.
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Monday, November 30, 2009
Swiss Islam.
So 51% of the 6 million Swiss voters decided to ban Islamic minerets on mosques in their country. Big deal !
On a world map you can hardly spot Switzerland. Go build more mosques with more minerets elswhere.
Stopping minerets in Switzerland is not going to stop Islam, even in that tiny country. In fact this pathetic vote only underlines the fact that Islam is already getting into their tiny minds.
Maybe all Muslims worldwide, with their worldwide businesses, should get even. Stop buying everything Swiss. Stop putting their money in any Swiss bank. Stop selling anything to Swiss buyers. Let's see if they can still yodel after that. We can wear Timex or Seiko watches. Can they live without Islamic economy ? Sure, the answer is also yes. But at what cost ?
Minerets !
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On a world map you can hardly spot Switzerland. Go build more mosques with more minerets elswhere.
Stopping minerets in Switzerland is not going to stop Islam, even in that tiny country. In fact this pathetic vote only underlines the fact that Islam is already getting into their tiny minds.
Maybe all Muslims worldwide, with their worldwide businesses, should get even. Stop buying everything Swiss. Stop putting their money in any Swiss bank. Stop selling anything to Swiss buyers. Let's see if they can still yodel after that. We can wear Timex or Seiko watches. Can they live without Islamic economy ? Sure, the answer is also yes. But at what cost ?
Minerets !
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Thursday, November 26, 2009
Eve of Aidil Adha.
It's 4 pm, Thursday on the eve of Aidil Adha. Idah has already made whatever little preparations by way of food that needed to be made. It's not on the scale of Aidil Fitri, but we have to prepare something for the three grandchildren. Only thing is, they're nowhere in sight yet. There has been no word from anyone if they're coming back.
We have just been asking each other if Atik, the girl, and Acad and Ameng, the two boys are coming back to see Nanny and Atok.
The fridges have been pretty barren this last week, so some replenishments were in order, and have been carried out. Biscuits and chocolete wafers and fruits and juices have been stocked. We know they all love them. Atik's birthday isn't until December 4th., but we thought we'll have an early one and combine it with this Raya Haji, because it's only a week away, and anyway it'll fall on a Friday and everyone would be working. So Idah has prepared something already, and I'll have the two jam bottles of pennies ready for her. The same amount saved for Acad and Ameng each amounted to about 75 ringgit, so it's a good amount for her own piggy-bank. And we bought that bright yellow baju kurung last month from Jalan Melayu, KL. I hope it fits. The colour should fit her fair complexion. In fact a bright green might even be more stunning.
So where are they ? I don't want to call yet. To-morrow morning they'll still be asleep when I go for Sembahyang Raya. But Saturday morning I'll probably take them to see the " korban" at the surau. That would be their first one. So where are they now ?
Wait until my sons have grandchildrenof their own. Then they might hurry home a bit.
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We have just been asking each other if Atik, the girl, and Acad and Ameng, the two boys are coming back to see Nanny and Atok.
The fridges have been pretty barren this last week, so some replenishments were in order, and have been carried out. Biscuits and chocolete wafers and fruits and juices have been stocked. We know they all love them. Atik's birthday isn't until December 4th., but we thought we'll have an early one and combine it with this Raya Haji, because it's only a week away, and anyway it'll fall on a Friday and everyone would be working. So Idah has prepared something already, and I'll have the two jam bottles of pennies ready for her. The same amount saved for Acad and Ameng each amounted to about 75 ringgit, so it's a good amount for her own piggy-bank. And we bought that bright yellow baju kurung last month from Jalan Melayu, KL. I hope it fits. The colour should fit her fair complexion. In fact a bright green might even be more stunning.
So where are they ? I don't want to call yet. To-morrow morning they'll still be asleep when I go for Sembahyang Raya. But Saturday morning I'll probably take them to see the " korban" at the surau. That would be their first one. So where are they now ?
Wait until my sons have grandchildrenof their own. Then they might hurry home a bit.
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Monday, November 23, 2009
Just catching up on the news.
1. MCA current turmoil.
Wang Hang Tam, whose brother is Wang Fak Yu, is always joking to me "Mati Cina Association ! I want to join UMNO." I said UMNO is no better. Worse, in fact, because in 1987 the Courts declared it illegal, something MCA hasn't reached. But maybe MCA can learn from it. But the sight of Muhyiddin so earnestly trying to act statesman-like makes me want to laugh. It's like seeking advice from the enemy. Certain things in the party must be handled like a marriage, and I'm not trying to copy Muhyiddin here. Only the husband and wife can settle things amicably. The more people who interfere, the worse things become.
2. Vested interest in PAS Kelantan administration.
It's never right, whoever does it. It's worse if done by someone who claims the moral highground "holier than thou" attitude. I say that a true "ulama" doesn't enter politics. The moment he does, he loses the "ulama" honorific title because of the way politics is run. There is an obscure hadis that relates to a ulama who was sheltering from the rain under the eaves of a house, but upon realizing whose it was, walked away and out into the rain. When his companion asked why, he said the house owner borrowed money from him and has not yet repaid it. Now, that's "alim." To have your son-in-law work for you constitutes vested interest, surely.
3. Court decisions.
Once you submit anything for the courts to decide, you are liable to its finding. SPR is subject to the courts. There are case laws and the statute books. We have legal submissions. The final decision remains with the courts, all the way to the apex court. If a bye-election is deemed necessary, then bye-election it is. If the reason for dispute is procedural, it's additionaly asisine. But, the corollary, the courts can also look idiotic by saying human behaviour follows strict time limitations. Crime never follow the clock.
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Wang Hang Tam, whose brother is Wang Fak Yu, is always joking to me "Mati Cina Association ! I want to join UMNO." I said UMNO is no better. Worse, in fact, because in 1987 the Courts declared it illegal, something MCA hasn't reached. But maybe MCA can learn from it. But the sight of Muhyiddin so earnestly trying to act statesman-like makes me want to laugh. It's like seeking advice from the enemy. Certain things in the party must be handled like a marriage, and I'm not trying to copy Muhyiddin here. Only the husband and wife can settle things amicably. The more people who interfere, the worse things become.
2. Vested interest in PAS Kelantan administration.
It's never right, whoever does it. It's worse if done by someone who claims the moral highground "holier than thou" attitude. I say that a true "ulama" doesn't enter politics. The moment he does, he loses the "ulama" honorific title because of the way politics is run. There is an obscure hadis that relates to a ulama who was sheltering from the rain under the eaves of a house, but upon realizing whose it was, walked away and out into the rain. When his companion asked why, he said the house owner borrowed money from him and has not yet repaid it. Now, that's "alim." To have your son-in-law work for you constitutes vested interest, surely.
3. Court decisions.
Once you submit anything for the courts to decide, you are liable to its finding. SPR is subject to the courts. There are case laws and the statute books. We have legal submissions. The final decision remains with the courts, all the way to the apex court. If a bye-election is deemed necessary, then bye-election it is. If the reason for dispute is procedural, it's additionaly asisine. But, the corollary, the courts can also look idiotic by saying human behaviour follows strict time limitations. Crime never follow the clock.
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Friday, November 13, 2009
This one is still the old UMNO.
Last week Kudus called and asked if I'd like to attend an UMNO Divisional gathering, to start at 8.30 p.m. I said I'll try to make it. I told the wife about it, saying I'm not keen to go, but she said Kudus had taken the trouble, I should go, so I went. I wish I didn't. This one was still the old UMNO.
UMNO should go for substance and deal frankly with the current issues that bother the people. Not still talk about internal bickering. Not still go on about "courses" which are nothing but indoctrination, and not even subtly done. A one-day plenary session with a Supreme Council memeber would be helpful to both the participants and the HQ people. At my age I'm not going to some Bina Semangat camp with people half my age and rough it up, taking with my own toiletries and prayer mat. Who says these camps are a must to-day ? Are those instructed to conduct them the best people to instill whatever is deemed missing from ordinary UMNO members ?
When UMNO leaders speak on the podium, they can't just let go as if they are with a group of close friends. They got away with it before 2008. There is a certain decorum in public speaking that UMNO must practice to turn away from the damaging diatribe-slinging speeches of the past. This is one behaviour that is disliked by the public now.
A divisional head, when he speaks in public, can no longer do so as if his audience is compelled to listen to his words when they contain the unacceptible, and self-serving words and emotional rantings are not acceptible. He has to show some degree of professionalism and some standard of leadership. The dislike for UMNO now is because of its leaders who behave like this. This has to change.
An Exco member who passed by my table at the golf club many months ago and stopped to speak to me, because we know each other, passed a cruel remark about a Minister, his former boss, without caring to know if at the table everyone would stomach his utterance. It so happened that one of us was a serving Petronas officer. When the Exco member left, perhaps feeling proud that he had so bravely "hentam" the Minister, behind his back, the Petronas fellow said " this is what I hate about UMNO."
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UMNO should go for substance and deal frankly with the current issues that bother the people. Not still talk about internal bickering. Not still go on about "courses" which are nothing but indoctrination, and not even subtly done. A one-day plenary session with a Supreme Council memeber would be helpful to both the participants and the HQ people. At my age I'm not going to some Bina Semangat camp with people half my age and rough it up, taking with my own toiletries and prayer mat. Who says these camps are a must to-day ? Are those instructed to conduct them the best people to instill whatever is deemed missing from ordinary UMNO members ?
When UMNO leaders speak on the podium, they can't just let go as if they are with a group of close friends. They got away with it before 2008. There is a certain decorum in public speaking that UMNO must practice to turn away from the damaging diatribe-slinging speeches of the past. This is one behaviour that is disliked by the public now.
A divisional head, when he speaks in public, can no longer do so as if his audience is compelled to listen to his words when they contain the unacceptible, and self-serving words and emotional rantings are not acceptible. He has to show some degree of professionalism and some standard of leadership. The dislike for UMNO now is because of its leaders who behave like this. This has to change.
An Exco member who passed by my table at the golf club many months ago and stopped to speak to me, because we know each other, passed a cruel remark about a Minister, his former boss, without caring to know if at the table everyone would stomach his utterance. It so happened that one of us was a serving Petronas officer. When the Exco member left, perhaps feeling proud that he had so bravely "hentam" the Minister, behind his back, the Petronas fellow said " this is what I hate about UMNO."
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