There are con man, and there are CON master. I've always thought that if I were to be a con man, I should do it big time. Like really BIG time.
Why do it small time? Firstly, it's harder to con. Secondly, if your'e caught your losses still far outweights your rewards. Take our hero for the week for example. The con is worth USD 50bn!!!!! Who knows how much more he kept? The penalty apparently is 20 years jail or 5m fine.
I can almost hear it in court, "The defendant pleads guilty. Here's 10m, keep the change."
But the question I have in mind is how did he get past all the 'checks'. Did the governing authority practiced double standards in doing their job:- if you're a who's who they let you off easy, if you're a new player, they scrutinise you?
A friend have another good theory. The scheme he says, is 100% legit. Just highly leverage and exploiting some insider loopholes. When the financial crisis hit, the scheme starts to fall apart. So, Madoff, being the smaller fry is taking the fall. It's impossible for him to pull out such a scheme alone.
Now if the whole scheme falls apart, not only the insider loopholes will be compromised, the big fishes that Madoff works for will also be affected. Now, Madoff is already big, so you can imagine who the other bigger fishes are. Big money are also at stake .
Saying that it's a Ponzi scheme is easy and less 'technical'. Pleads guilty quickly. Investigation stops. Names are protected, loopholes are still intact. More money exchange hands. In about 2 years, the whole thing can start again when the financial crises is over. Afterall, humans do have a very short term memory.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Old photos.
We were at Cynthia's place the other night to see them off to dubai and we went through some old photos. Thought I post it up here. SJ is so pretty and cute, which made this photo look kinda classic. HahahahBelow, exhibit A. Who's ass is it?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Najib says...
"Don't expect pump prices to be constantly reduced"
I actually agree with him. Oil has hit a critical level of $50 a barrel, if it holds I think it will go down further but if it doesn't hold, it may just go back up and hover between $50 to $70. Further, our DPM said:-
“If we keep cutting the pump prices whenever crude oil prices fall then we will have to also increase the pump prices every time there is an increase at the international market."
Isn't that obvious? I don't know how else to put it simpler. It's the market, it's how currency, commdities, stock prices... are priced. They change every day.
“We cannot afford this kind of volatility. The people may not be able to cope with these sudden changes."
The last time price went from rm2 to rm2.6 in one day. I would call such big jump 'sudden changes' wouldn't you? These are extraodinary times.
“Oil prices cannot stay so low for long. Sooner or later it will increase. If we cut the prices too much, we will have to increase it even more and this will affect the people,” said Najib to Malaysian newsmen after attending Friday prayers at the Islamic centre here.
Why would u need to increase it EVEN MORE? Unless it peaks above $120 but that's quite unlikely.
When price went $100 to $140/barrel, our price went from rm2 to rm2.60.
When price went from $140/barrel to less than $50/barrel we went from rm2.60 to rm1.90?
Bring it down now and match it later. Is that so difficult? Right there's 'taxes'.
"Asked if the Government would allow the pump prices to float and be determined by the open market, Najib, who is the Finance Minister, said most petrol pump dealers would find it difficult to cope with such daily or weekly fluctuation of prices."
Well, then they shouldn't be in business. Most pump dealers have to cope with fluctuations like these in the world, how do they do it? Generally that's why you need to plan ahead, balance the cash flow and keep cost low. Something our government could learn really.
“If oil is too cheap we will not work very hard to seek alternative sources of fuel,” he added.
Ok, since when have we been working hard at seeking alternative sources of fuel? We have SURIA 1000 but that's hardly 'working hard'. Do we have wind farm? wave farm? Lowered taxes on fuel efficient cars like hybrid, electric, air, diesel, NPG cars? Solar cities? (and while nations are moving away from nuclear power... we seemed to be looking at it without having bakun dam finished. Why do I smell another billion dollars project?)
When oil was high, it was expensive to do so. Now oil is cheap we say we will not work very hard. So when's a good time?
I actually agree with him. Oil has hit a critical level of $50 a barrel, if it holds I think it will go down further but if it doesn't hold, it may just go back up and hover between $50 to $70. Further, our DPM said:-
“If we keep cutting the pump prices whenever crude oil prices fall then we will have to also increase the pump prices every time there is an increase at the international market."
Isn't that obvious? I don't know how else to put it simpler. It's the market, it's how currency, commdities, stock prices... are priced. They change every day.
“We cannot afford this kind of volatility. The people may not be able to cope with these sudden changes."
The last time price went from rm2 to rm2.6 in one day. I would call such big jump 'sudden changes' wouldn't you? These are extraodinary times.
“Oil prices cannot stay so low for long. Sooner or later it will increase. If we cut the prices too much, we will have to increase it even more and this will affect the people,” said Najib to Malaysian newsmen after attending Friday prayers at the Islamic centre here.
Why would u need to increase it EVEN MORE? Unless it peaks above $120 but that's quite unlikely.
When price went $100 to $140/barrel, our price went from rm2 to rm2.60.
When price went from $140/barrel to less than $50/barrel we went from rm2.60 to rm1.90?
Bring it down now and match it later. Is that so difficult? Right there's 'taxes'.
"Asked if the Government would allow the pump prices to float and be determined by the open market, Najib, who is the Finance Minister, said most petrol pump dealers would find it difficult to cope with such daily or weekly fluctuation of prices."
Well, then they shouldn't be in business. Most pump dealers have to cope with fluctuations like these in the world, how do they do it? Generally that's why you need to plan ahead, balance the cash flow and keep cost low. Something our government could learn really.
“If oil is too cheap we will not work very hard to seek alternative sources of fuel,” he added.
Ok, since when have we been working hard at seeking alternative sources of fuel? We have SURIA 1000 but that's hardly 'working hard'. Do we have wind farm? wave farm? Lowered taxes on fuel efficient cars like hybrid, electric, air, diesel, NPG cars? Solar cities? (and while nations are moving away from nuclear power... we seemed to be looking at it without having bakun dam finished. Why do I smell another billion dollars project?)
When oil was high, it was expensive to do so. Now oil is cheap we say we will not work very hard. So when's a good time?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Heads you win, Tail you lose pt 3
Tell me, what was the first word you said (in your head also count!) right after you read this.
.
.
.
Context... ever since petrol peaked a few months ago, the government has been crying foul about how they can't afford subsidy anymore. They were losing billions!! (So they say... except for that P-company which were making billions suddenly with the increase of oil price)
They had NO choice. See they say it here:
Some people then say taking away subsidy is also good because we should go to a free market system. The government can also use what's saved to other areas.
.
.
.
Context... ever since petrol peaked a few months ago, the government has been crying foul about how they can't afford subsidy anymore. They were losing billions!! (So they say... except for that P-company which were making billions suddenly with the increase of oil price)
They had NO choice. See they say it here:
"PUTRAJAYA: The Government announced yesterday an increase in petrol and diesel prices, stating that it can no longer continue to subsidise fuel. "
Some people then say taking away subsidy is also good because we should go to a free market system. The government can also use what's saved to other areas.
"He said the Government would save RM13.7bil through the restructuring.
From the savings, he said RM4bil would go to the National Food Supply Guarantee Policy, RM1.5bil for subsidising cooking oil and RM400mil to subsidise rice imports to make the price uniform in peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
The Government would also spend RM200mil on flour subsidy, RM100mil on bread subsidy and RM7.5bil was meant for contributions to the subsidies for petrol, diesel and gas."
Subsidy or not, inflation quickly sky-rocketed.
And just as it quickly went up it came down. And down. It came down so much that we are now paying TAXES on fuel? TAXES?!!!
CCB! From GETTING subsidy at current prices we end up PAYING taxes!!!!!! and the more petrol price is dropping the more the government can take!
Now, with ALL the BIG savings we get from the cancellation of subsidy we were promised infrastructures.. bla bla blah... now leh? Now do we get more?
Savings + Taxes = more infrastructure? better internet lines? cheaper goods? or just more eurocopter?
When oil prices went up, the people had to take the big blow. We bore the inflation and now that the oil prices has come down we have to pay tax? Is this how a caring government show love?
So what did u say right after you read the news?
FUCK!
Monday, November 03, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Heads you win, Tail you lose pt 2
Well, well, well....
I got news for you. Rm1.92 is the lowest the price of petrol can go. Why you ask?
Because:- (quote)
I got news for you. Rm1.92 is the lowest the price of petrol can go. Why you ask?
Because:- (quote)
He said this would bring some stability to the retail price of petrol and minimise losses by petrol station owners.
Setting a minimum price would also enable the Government to reduce its subsidy on petrol if the global price fell further.
(end quote)
Now, how will putting a minimum price create a stable retail price? You mean stable, high prices to further increase inflation. Genius.
And what did you say? It's also to minimmise losses of petrol station owners? WTF?! Did I clean my ears today.... It explains how they may lose money. (quote)
Ahmad Sarpur, a dealer in Johor, said dealers could lose between RM13,000 and RM25,000 each time petrol is reduced by 15 sen per litre.
“This is because there is a minimum order quantity of 21,000 litres that we must pay for immediately. There is no credit,” he said.
“If the petrol is delivered in the morning and the price is reduced at night, we have to sell petrol 15 sen cheaper than what we had paid for it.”
However, Shahrir said the Government had been fair to the dealers saying: “We have not reduced their margin of 12 sen per litre after it was increased in June and we will try as much as we can to keep upcoming price reductions to 15 sen at a time.”
(end quote)
Look, buddy, the government can just get their act together and announce on price reduction 'earlier'! And why the f#$k would you place an order the morning of an impeding price increase or reduction, unless you know the risk? It's just a normal business risk! Every business owners are aware of the risk involved, let the market play it out!
The prices of crude oil now is at about the level when we were paying rm1.60? maybe rm1.40?
But it gets even better, this setting of a minimum price would also enable the Government to reduce its subsidy!
Wow! Aren't we happy to hear that? What good news!!!! From a few years ago, the government has been able to saved billions in fuel subsidy since our fuel prices went up from rm1.10 all the way to rm2.60. Each increase the government assured us that the billions saved would go into more, better infrastructure for us.
Eh.. I'm still waiting leh? Now with the minimum price, they get to SAVE.. even MORE! wow!
Which means I get a bullet train ride to penang for free? Or another 2 more KLCC? How about some good bus services? So where are all of them? Not yet? Haven't yet? Are we there yet?
You know what... I kinda miss the bi-election days now. Every time there's a bi-election, we get better deals. No, it's not politically motivated of course. Of course not! Sheesh...
Action speaks louder than words. And a chain of events certainly tells a story. The way our government handle the oil prices really tell us how much they care for us.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Shopping with a sith
Previously on talking cock with cheryl....
Last week I commented on one of cheryl's picture that she looked like a sith in it...
Cher-Ryl: sith lady huh?
Me: i love sith ladies, coz im the jedi, we're opposites
Cher-Ryl: ahahahha
Me: you ain't have sith without jedi or vice versa
Cher-Ryl: i shoot lightning from my finger tips.
that is true
good and evil
are merely different standpoints on the same plane.
me: yeah... but that's coz the sith are insecure...
yeah
we jedi just gotta smile
and talk our way out
or maybe throw objects
or cry.... 'my hand my hand!
Cher-Ryl: hahahhahaha
ah well
lightning's cool
insecure or not
:P
me: dang
can i interest you with some cool lightsaber colour instead then ms sith?
we haev purple
blue
green
cyan
not just your regular red..
altho that fits nicely with your curvavious rubber costime
costume*
but you know.. red is not the colour for all occasions..
green does go quite well with lightning
blue goes with red blood
Cher-Ryl: you sell light sabers do you?
wow...
i'll take one of each please
can i join like the blue and the red... and i get purple?
me: haahahah sure
the purple is a rarity.. so 3 sabers but no discounts... sith or jedis don't need discounts!
Cher-Ryl: ahahahha
no..
the performance of the light saber depends only on the power of the wielder
me: exactly.... lightning or no
yes yes.. performance is dependance on wielder.. but
no performance like showmanship you know?
no biz like show biz
so blue and red and purple?
joining blue and red?
you think that goes?
Cher-Ryl: purple light saber will be the for the ultimate sith lady with an eye for fashion
hahahahaha
royal purple
sexy no?
hahahahha
XD
well, you could join blue and green... and get a light saber for the ocean
perfect for grilling fresh fish straight off the line.
mmmmmm... i can smell it now... fresh saber grilled grouper
aaaaah
me: ahhh..
you're a sith lady with fashion.. my my, you don't say :P
Cher-Ryl: hahahahhahahaha
uhuh you said it... i didn't
hahahhahah
me: in that case.. let me show yuo something really special
like SPECIAL
Cher-Ryl: ok
bring it on
me: i don't do this with all customers.. esp not a sith. they usually come blazing and not paying
Cher-Ryl: ahahhahah
ah well....
me: takes out a special saber.. with LV engraved on
Cher-Ryl: new breed of sith ladies will be... OOOOOOOOHHHH
me: here.. it's 'gold' ni colour!
Cher-Ryl: *blink blink*
wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh
me: only one in this galaxy
Cher-Ryl: waaah waaaaahh waaaaaaah
only 1 in the galaxy you say?
ok gimme 2 please
me: yoda will 'kill' for this...
but don't tell anyone.. i think he's 'werid' that way you know....
too much suprresing
there's only !
Cher-Ryl: ahhahaha
me: 1
Cher-Ryl: hahahhaha
me: ONE
Cher-Ryl: i was kidding
:P
it's a joke
HAHAHHAHAH
*katoing*
well
yoda can kiss my tight rubber ass
hmm.
gold would go pretty good with the purple too..
me: hahaha
yeah
Cher-Ryl: ok.
time to pay...?
me: anyway.. here take this sabers and get lost. jedi's and sith shouldn't be friends you nkow
Cher-Ryl: you accept credit cut?
slice slice
me: cut?
Cher-Ryl: hahahahaah
me: lol
Cher-Ryl: slice and ride
me: that's like 10mil banks
Cher-Ryl: hahahahhaha
yea
i know hahahahha
me: you can pay it back in installments when you wreck havoc in galaxies with your loot
Cher-Ryl: yayyyy
a sith knows a good deal when she sees one
hahhahaha
me: hehehe
Cher-Ryl: so rubbish
me: i gotta get back to work now mate
Cher-Ryl: !!!!
me too
hahaha
ttyl dude
me: haha
yeah
See how interesting work can get when you get to play jedi? :)
Last week I commented on one of cheryl's picture that she looked like a sith in it...
Cher-Ryl: sith lady huh?
Me: i love sith ladies, coz im the jedi, we're opposites
Cher-Ryl: ahahahha
Me: you ain't have sith without jedi or vice versa
Cher-Ryl: i shoot lightning from my finger tips.
that is true
good and evil
are merely different standpoints on the same plane.
me: yeah... but that's coz the sith are insecure...
yeah
we jedi just gotta smile
and talk our way out
or maybe throw objects
or cry.... 'my hand my hand!
Cher-Ryl: hahahhahaha
ah well
lightning's cool
insecure or not
:P
me: dang
can i interest you with some cool lightsaber colour instead then ms sith?
we haev purple
blue
green
cyan
not just your regular red..
altho that fits nicely with your curvavious rubber costime
costume*
but you know.. red is not the colour for all occasions..
green does go quite well with lightning
blue goes with red blood
Cher-Ryl: you sell light sabers do you?
wow...
i'll take one of each please
can i join like the blue and the red... and i get purple?
me: haahahah sure
the purple is a rarity.. so 3 sabers but no discounts... sith or jedis don't need discounts!
Cher-Ryl: ahahahha
no..
the performance of the light saber depends only on the power of the wielder
me: exactly.... lightning or no
yes yes.. performance is dependance on wielder.. but
no performance like showmanship you know?
no biz like show biz
so blue and red and purple?
joining blue and red?
you think that goes?
Cher-Ryl: purple light saber will be the for the ultimate sith lady with an eye for fashion
hahahahaha
royal purple
sexy no?
hahahahha
XD
well, you could join blue and green... and get a light saber for the ocean
perfect for grilling fresh fish straight off the line.
mmmmmm... i can smell it now... fresh saber grilled grouper
aaaaah
me: ahhh..
you're a sith lady with fashion.. my my, you don't say :P
Cher-Ryl: hahahahhahahaha
uhuh you said it... i didn't
hahahhahah
me: in that case.. let me show yuo something really special
like SPECIAL
Cher-Ryl: ok
bring it on
me: i don't do this with all customers.. esp not a sith. they usually come blazing and not paying
Cher-Ryl: ahahhahah
ah well....
me: takes out a special saber.. with LV engraved on
Cher-Ryl: new breed of sith ladies will be... OOOOOOOOHHHH
me: here.. it's 'gold' ni colour!
Cher-Ryl: *blink blink*
wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh
me: only one in this galaxy
Cher-Ryl: waaah waaaaahh waaaaaaah
only 1 in the galaxy you say?
ok gimme 2 please
me: yoda will 'kill' for this...
but don't tell anyone.. i think he's 'werid' that way you know....
too much suprresing
there's only !
Cher-Ryl: ahhahaha
me: 1
Cher-Ryl: hahahhaha
me: ONE
Cher-Ryl: i was kidding
:P
it's a joke
HAHAHHAHAH
*katoing*
well
yoda can kiss my tight rubber ass
hmm.
gold would go pretty good with the purple too..
me: hahaha
yeah
Cher-Ryl: ok.
time to pay...?
me: anyway.. here take this sabers and get lost. jedi's and sith shouldn't be friends you nkow
Cher-Ryl: you accept credit cut?
slice slice
me: cut?
Cher-Ryl: hahahahaah
me: lol
Cher-Ryl: slice and ride
me: that's like 10mil banks
Cher-Ryl: hahahahhaha
yea
i know hahahahha
me: you can pay it back in installments when you wreck havoc in galaxies with your loot
Cher-Ryl: yayyyy
a sith knows a good deal when she sees one
hahhahaha
me: hehehe
Cher-Ryl: so rubbish
me: i gotta get back to work now mate
Cher-Ryl: !!!!
me too
hahaha
ttyl dude
me: haha
yeah
See how interesting work can get when you get to play jedi? :)
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The Law and Punishment
Recently I got a friend who is going to get married to a non-christian and apparently someone told her that God will punish her for that. Another friend failed a professional exam 3 times and was wondering if God is punishing her with that to teach her something. Many times when I am at a low I think about that too. I wonder if God was punishing me putting me in such dire situations to teach me something.
Let me tell you, God do not punish you in the New Covenant. Not at all. Even if you sleep around and waste your life away, you're blessed. He doesn't 'CAUSE ' you to be punished. He does however 'LET' things happen to you. For example I never really did study much from primary school to university. I did above average. I was never punished for being 'lazy'. However what DID happen was I wasted all those opportunity to learn how to develop my character, be more focus, be more determine..etc
Did God punish me? No. He let it happened.
It's like jumping out of the plane at 10,000ft. He didn't cause us to die as a result but He has to let gravity does its thing.
If punishment did work in making us righteous, believe you me, he'll just rain down sulphur and punish us and we'll all be righteous. In fact, the OLD covenant is based on punsihment and the bible calls the old regulation, weak, useless and faulty. Go figure!
But some people feel that it's unfair! Is it unfair really that one can go on sinning and sinning and sinning and yet get off scot free? Unfair maybe, truth absolutely. Because while we get off scot free, someone didn't. He paid a hefty price for it - with blood. He died for it. He paid the price of our sins.
Jesus paid for it so that everyone can get off scot free. No skin off their backs. Free. So while some people think grace like this is 'cheap' (I don't think so) but let me tell you, it sure ain't 'easy'.
If dead could be measure in level 1 to 10, Jesus died to level 100. He died so well that all our sins are paid for. And when all the sins are paid for, what's left? Righteousness. That's what you get when you see Him resurrected and alive again. It's the prove that our sins are done for.
So some people ask: if that is the case, we can keep go on sinning and sinning and sinning and still be 'enjoying the benefits'? What a good deal! But wait, that's not logical! How can u say such thing in church....
What's more illogical is why do you need a savior to keep sinning? If you want to sin why do you need a saviour? You can do so without one. Try it if you don't believe me. Why do people want to go to a savior to keep on sinning? So that they can sin more?
Perhaps we should ask: can we keep on sinning in the face of so much love? How difficult is it to fall in love with someone who took a bullet for you? And if you didn't know that there was a bullet for you, go and read the Law.
Let me tell you, God do not punish you in the New Covenant. Not at all. Even if you sleep around and waste your life away, you're blessed. He doesn't 'CAUSE ' you to be punished. He does however 'LET' things happen to you. For example I never really did study much from primary school to university. I did above average. I was never punished for being 'lazy'. However what DID happen was I wasted all those opportunity to learn how to develop my character, be more focus, be more determine..etc
Did God punish me? No. He let it happened.
It's like jumping out of the plane at 10,000ft. He didn't cause us to die as a result but He has to let gravity does its thing.
If punishment did work in making us righteous, believe you me, he'll just rain down sulphur and punish us and we'll all be righteous. In fact, the OLD covenant is based on punsihment and the bible calls the old regulation, weak, useless and faulty. Go figure!
But some people feel that it's unfair! Is it unfair really that one can go on sinning and sinning and sinning and yet get off scot free? Unfair maybe, truth absolutely. Because while we get off scot free, someone didn't. He paid a hefty price for it - with blood. He died for it. He paid the price of our sins.
Jesus paid for it so that everyone can get off scot free. No skin off their backs. Free. So while some people think grace like this is 'cheap' (I don't think so) but let me tell you, it sure ain't 'easy'.
If dead could be measure in level 1 to 10, Jesus died to level 100. He died so well that all our sins are paid for. And when all the sins are paid for, what's left? Righteousness. That's what you get when you see Him resurrected and alive again. It's the prove that our sins are done for.
So some people ask: if that is the case, we can keep go on sinning and sinning and sinning and still be 'enjoying the benefits'? What a good deal! But wait, that's not logical! How can u say such thing in church....
What's more illogical is why do you need a savior to keep sinning? If you want to sin why do you need a saviour? You can do so without one. Try it if you don't believe me. Why do people want to go to a savior to keep on sinning? So that they can sin more?
Perhaps we should ask: can we keep on sinning in the face of so much love? How difficult is it to fall in love with someone who took a bullet for you? And if you didn't know that there was a bullet for you, go and read the Law.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Heads you win, Tail I lose
... wall street for you.
... and if they manage to brokee the deal to outright spend USD$700bn to buy back all the bad debts, and indirectly passing back all the risk to the taxpayers
....while the bankers, regulators (ie the Feds) get off scott free....
Hahahahaha! Muahahahaha!
All Americans taxpayers just got butt fucked / screwed / whateveryouwannacall it.
... and if they manage to brokee the deal to outright spend USD$700bn to buy back all the bad debts, and indirectly passing back all the risk to the taxpayers
....while the bankers, regulators (ie the Feds) get off scott free....
Hahahahaha! Muahahahaha!
All Americans taxpayers just got butt fucked / screwed / whateveryouwannacall it.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
RPK to be detained for 2 years and the reason is...
as according thestar here: "his articles ridiculed Islam, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar."
He also added that :" “His articles could arouse anger among Muslims,” Syed Hamid said, adding that he signed the detention order on Monday after he was satisfied with the reasons to detain Raja Petra. "
Firstly, I don't understand this: How did his articles ridiculed Islam? Like really how? What did he say about Islam that was ridiculous? And what did he write specifically that ridiculed Islam? How come these evidences are never mentioned?
Secondly, is one arrested for being a possible cause of anger? If there's a rumuor against you like Teresa Kok you get ISA for 1 week. If you're a possibility to cause anger you get detention for 2 years? What happens when you wave a keris around say let is soak with chinese blood or anyone's blood for that matter.... what do you get for that?
He also added that :" “His articles could arouse anger among Muslims,” Syed Hamid said, adding that he signed the detention order on Monday after he was satisfied with the reasons to detain Raja Petra. "
Firstly, I don't understand this: How did his articles ridiculed Islam? Like really how? What did he say about Islam that was ridiculous? And what did he write specifically that ridiculed Islam? How come these evidences are never mentioned?
Secondly, is one arrested for being a possible cause of anger? If there's a rumuor against you like Teresa Kok you get ISA for 1 week. If you're a possibility to cause anger you get detention for 2 years? What happens when you wave a keris around say let is soak with chinese blood or anyone's blood for that matter.... what do you get for that?
Friday, September 19, 2008
High stake poker.
The situation between Anwar and Abdullah is really like a high stake poker. A VERY high stake poker.
Now who is holding the stronger hand? Who is calling who's bluff?
And all this while the world finance sector is in turmoil!
Very high stake poker!
Now who is holding the stronger hand? Who is calling who's bluff?
And all this while the world finance sector is in turmoil!
Very high stake poker!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The bad soap opera - Blocking malaysia-today.net
It's like the bad soap opera on tv - you know what lines will be coming next - just like the banning of Malaysia-today.net. And "No", it's not a politically motivated move... just one day after Anwar's victory. Perfect.
I think our government clearly went against the guideline they have set for themselves when they setup the MSC- not to censor the internet. I believe, this move to block MT has definitely shaken the confidence of investors. It leaves me wondering how strong or resolute will the government follow through their other promises/guidelines/acts? Will they 'bend the rules' to suit?
It just doesn't lend credibility. Not that the current govt has much left, or if there's any to start with.
And what reason did they give to ban the site? At first the reasons given were that the published materials that are libellous, slanderous and defamatory. Really? Says who? Says our home minister here. Has the court proven so? Not yet. I'm no lawyer but can one simply say things like that?
Of course after a few days, the tone has changed. Now it's about religion.
"No" It's not politically motivated afterall.
I got another question running in my head. SKMM is a department under a minister. SKMM ordered the ban. The minister said, "No" they did not order the ban. Okay, I got all this parts so far.
So why not lift the ban now? Unless the minister agrees with the move. So don't say that you didn't give the order to ban because you here, you just gave the approval. Or did you? I'm confused.
And like all soap opera, even the bad ones.. they end their episodes well. They end it with just enough pull for us to wonder what will happen next (but of course we can kinda guess but you never know right?)...
So quoting the star here:
I think our government clearly went against the guideline they have set for themselves when they setup the MSC- not to censor the internet. I believe, this move to block MT has definitely shaken the confidence of investors. It leaves me wondering how strong or resolute will the government follow through their other promises/guidelines/acts? Will they 'bend the rules' to suit?
It just doesn't lend credibility. Not that the current govt has much left, or if there's any to start with.
And what reason did they give to ban the site? At first the reasons given were that the published materials that are libellous, slanderous and defamatory. Really? Says who? Says our home minister here. Has the court proven so? Not yet. I'm no lawyer but can one simply say things like that?
Of course after a few days, the tone has changed. Now it's about religion.
"No" It's not politically motivated afterall.
I got another question running in my head. SKMM is a department under a minister. SKMM ordered the ban. The minister said, "No" they did not order the ban. Okay, I got all this parts so far.
So why not lift the ban now? Unless the minister agrees with the move. So don't say that you didn't give the order to ban because you here, you just gave the approval. Or did you? I'm confused.
And like all soap opera, even the bad ones.. they end their episodes well. They end it with just enough pull for us to wonder what will happen next (but of course we can kinda guess but you never know right?)...
So quoting the star here:
*start quote*
Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, the Deputy Minister of Energy, Water and Communications, said he was not aware that SKMM had ordered ISPs to block the website.
“I do not read Malaysia Today. Media practitioners must be sensitive to culture and religion,” he said.
Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek declined comment as it was not under his jurisdiction.
SKMM chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Mohamed Tarmizi, who is overseas, declined to elaborate, saying a press conference would be held to explain why such action was taken.
It is understood that this is not the first time SKMM has ordered a website to be blocked.
Malaysia Today remains accessible through its mirror website.
*end of quote*
How classic is that? No one seems to be able to comment. Happy birthday Msia.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Why we should vote opposition...
Like the new 15cents drop in fuel prices? Like the fact that our PM finally took the train after so many years? Like that our PM actually attends debates in the Parliment? Like that suddenly our government seems to care of us? Like that more land scams are discovered? Like that a more fair and competitive Malaysia is build?
Like it? Love it?
Then vote the opposition. (At least for now.)
All the changes we have seen in the last 5 months has happened because we have voted the opposition in. It is because the ruling party has felt the earth move under them. Their power was rocked. Now, suddenly, they listen.
They treat us like children, luring us with candies for so many years... and when that don't work, they take the 'big projects away' like the second Penang bridge, like the LRT system for Penang.
But it is them now who are like kids, we took their candy away and they're crying and shouting and throwing toys around the house. Just read the newspaper... you'll know what I mean.
Like kids, we need to be firm with them... tell them in no uncertain terms that we don't like what they do. As such...I hope.. really hope that the by-election tomorrow goes to Anwar.
Like it? Love it?
Then vote the opposition. (At least for now.)
All the changes we have seen in the last 5 months has happened because we have voted the opposition in. It is because the ruling party has felt the earth move under them. Their power was rocked. Now, suddenly, they listen.
They treat us like children, luring us with candies for so many years... and when that don't work, they take the 'big projects away' like the second Penang bridge, like the LRT system for Penang.
But it is them now who are like kids, we took their candy away and they're crying and shouting and throwing toys around the house. Just read the newspaper... you'll know what I mean.
Like kids, we need to be firm with them... tell them in no uncertain terms that we don't like what they do. As such...I hope.. really hope that the by-election tomorrow goes to Anwar.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Myth - Plausible
Well... Saiful says it's not political! Sure or not?
When you put pieces together like this piece of news :'Saiful ‘appears’ to garner votes - the star 20th August, 2008'.
It's way too too too obvious isn't it?
No, there's no conspiracy against Anwar. Really one!
When you put pieces together like this piece of news :'Saiful ‘appears’ to garner votes - the star 20th August, 2008'.
It's way too too too obvious isn't it?
No, there's no conspiracy against Anwar. Really one!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Mythbuster meets TVB
You know I've always liked HK TVB series. It's full of drama, lies, love, hate and sometimes conspiracy.
I also like discovery channel a lot. Mythbusters is among my favourite. You know it always ends with a 'bang'... fans will know what I mean.
Hehe.. so what do you get when you them together. The Anwar-Saiful sodomy case :) It's so full of drama and myth-tery, don't you think? Check this out from Aisehman for a very quick context.
I've just got so many questions of my own...
Saiful says, “It has nothing to with politics. It is between Anwar and me,” he said..... , just before the by-election... hmmm suspicious don't you think? See here.
And the whole drama has so many inconsistencies. Some say he's sodomised once, some says multiple times, some says forceful and some says consensual.
Now wait a minute. First of all, if it was consensual, then why isn't Saiful charged. So if it was forced.... how can a small man like Anwar pin down a guy a head taller than he is and 'do it'? Anwar's close to 60 and Saiful is a strapping strong lad in the 20s? Is it posible? Were there signs of struggle too? If so why wasn't it mentioned at all?
And if Saiful was sodomised, multiple times? He went back for more? Or was it just once?
So what do you think? Plausible or busted?
I also like discovery channel a lot. Mythbusters is among my favourite. You know it always ends with a 'bang'... fans will know what I mean.
Hehe.. so what do you get when you them together. The Anwar-Saiful sodomy case :) It's so full of drama and myth-tery, don't you think? Check this out from Aisehman for a very quick context.
I've just got so many questions of my own...
Saiful says, “It has nothing to with politics. It is between Anwar and me,” he said..... , just before the by-election... hmmm suspicious don't you think? See here.
And the whole drama has so many inconsistencies. Some say he's sodomised once, some says multiple times, some says forceful and some says consensual.
Now wait a minute. First of all, if it was consensual, then why isn't Saiful charged. So if it was forced.... how can a small man like Anwar pin down a guy a head taller than he is and 'do it'? Anwar's close to 60 and Saiful is a strapping strong lad in the 20s? Is it posible? Were there signs of struggle too? If so why wasn't it mentioned at all?
And if Saiful was sodomised, multiple times? He went back for more? Or was it just once?
So what do you think? Plausible or busted?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
How I nearly puke over my coffee
See here. The topic reads "China chemicals starve Indian pharma". If you read further, it says , "But because China has stopped, there's pressure on materials coming from Taiwan, Korea, Europe. And everyone's taking a little bit advantage and jacking up their prices."
So apparently closing factories in China causes prices to rise why? because everyone else is taking advantage to jack up the prices. So now when China's factories take a break for the olympic is China's fault and not the countries that jacking up their prices?
Why not blame the fund managers for pushing up oil prices? Where are they, the fund managers from? How come those issue are not covered nor their country blamed? How about food prices? How about energy prices?
*******
On the local front, this news made me 'vomit blood'. The issue of opening up UiTM to non-malays is actually a 10% issue. 10% of the total places in UiTM is hardly opening up to other races isn't it?
And I quote: "If something like this is allowed to happen, then there will be a worrying situation where many Malay institutions will crumble and be 'Malaysianised'.
So the problem here is that a university being Malaysianised? So much for Merdeka day coming.
So apparently closing factories in China causes prices to rise why? because everyone else is taking advantage to jack up the prices. So now when China's factories take a break for the olympic is China's fault and not the countries that jacking up their prices?
Why not blame the fund managers for pushing up oil prices? Where are they, the fund managers from? How come those issue are not covered nor their country blamed? How about food prices? How about energy prices?
*******
On the local front, this news made me 'vomit blood'. The issue of opening up UiTM to non-malays is actually a 10% issue. 10% of the total places in UiTM is hardly opening up to other races isn't it?
And I quote: "If something like this is allowed to happen, then there will be a worrying situation where many Malay institutions will crumble and be 'Malaysianised'.
So the problem here is that a university being Malaysianised? So much for Merdeka day coming.
Media bias against China Olympic? What's your say?
A friend of ours wrote this:
****************
Dear NBC Sports,
We get it. We really do. We're all well aware of China's poor track record when it's come to human rights. We've also become familiar with the Chinese training setup, and how children are trained up for years apart from their families in a relentless pursuit of excellence. We know that it's all alien to the American culture.
But can you please refrain from constantly calling China and everything Chinese into question during your coverage of these Games? Can your commentators actually focus on the athletes and the competition? Would it be possible to find another human interest angle, since you've saturated your coverage so far with all this commentary about China?
And if President Bush comes to the studio for another interview, could you actually talk to him about the Olympics, instead of human rights, other world conflict, Sudan, and steroids in baseball?
Can you please do all that? Or can you at least put a muzzle on Bob Costas?
Please?
This is not to say those issues are not important. They are. But there is a time and a place to discuss them, and the Olympic Games are surely not the place for it. Not when people have poured forth every ounce of effort they have to get to Beijing. They are the ones you need to be talking about. Leave the political commentary to the ones best suited to it.
Signed,
An Olympic fan who'd like to actually listen to Olympics-related commentary.
***********
What do you think?
****************
Dear NBC Sports,
We get it. We really do. We're all well aware of China's poor track record when it's come to human rights. We've also become familiar with the Chinese training setup, and how children are trained up for years apart from their families in a relentless pursuit of excellence. We know that it's all alien to the American culture.
But can you please refrain from constantly calling China and everything Chinese into question during your coverage of these Games? Can your commentators actually focus on the athletes and the competition? Would it be possible to find another human interest angle, since you've saturated your coverage so far with all this commentary about China?
And if President Bush comes to the studio for another interview, could you actually talk to him about the Olympics, instead of human rights, other world conflict, Sudan, and steroids in baseball?
Can you please do all that? Or can you at least put a muzzle on Bob Costas?
Please?
This is not to say those issues are not important. They are. But there is a time and a place to discuss them, and the Olympic Games are surely not the place for it. Not when people have poured forth every ounce of effort they have to get to Beijing. They are the ones you need to be talking about. Leave the political commentary to the ones best suited to it.
Signed,
An Olympic fan who'd like to actually listen to Olympics-related commentary.
***********
What do you think?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Addidas run
Last sunday was the long awaited Addidas run. What a run it was. It was also the first run I ran all the way 10km without stopping. On top of that I felt dizzy at about the 7th km which I am pleased to say that I'm kept my mental strength and kept going. I think I didn't eat enough ni the morning. Once I had a gulp of 100plus in the following drinks station the dizziness went away. Actually now that I think about it, it may have been dangerous that I kept going even though I felt dizzy.
What was really dissapointing was that I finished at 78mins. Granted I went to use the gents for 2mins mid way at the Esso station. It's still 76mins! Actually I was happy with 76mins in the beginning.. because that was the target I set for myself.
Only to notice that I have set the wrong target.
No wonder my breathing was not breathless throughout my training and the run itself. Aiyoh..... Ok next target is at 65mins for 10km!
What was really dissapointing was that I finished at 78mins. Granted I went to use the gents for 2mins mid way at the Esso station. It's still 76mins! Actually I was happy with 76mins in the beginning.. because that was the target I set for myself.
Only to notice that I have set the wrong target.
No wonder my breathing was not breathless throughout my training and the run itself. Aiyoh..... Ok next target is at 65mins for 10km!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
The problem with a Purpose Driven Life
First of all, I don't really have an issue with a purpose drivien life. I think everyone should have a purpose. A purpose liken to a conviction. And I once heard a very smart man say: a belief is something we cling on to but a convinction is something that clings on to us. I think having a purpose to live is very very important - it drives us forward and gives us fufilment.
That purpose or conviction could be as simple as making the best food in kitchen, be a business tycoon, be the best politician or be the best evangelist but it could also be as simple as wanting to be a taitai or to be a housewife.
Whatever that thing is, I believe that purpose would grab hold of you. You just can't force it to come or force yourself to go for it. It doesn't have to be 'spiritual' or 'secular'... all are spiritual.
The hallmark of Godly purpose I believe is that Peace and Joy and Sureness which follows. You can't explain it but you just know it. Like it's inside of you.
******
The problem I have with the purpose driven life is when 'purpose' takes centre stage of life. It's when our driving force is "purpose". It's when a life that's PURPOSE driven instead of God led that I think there may be a problem. I think. One is motivated by God, the other by sheer willpower from our own. I believe our value & identity in Christ is not judged by our 'Purpose'. It's not about what we do. We're human beings and not human doings.
However there's lot of things out there that incline on making us a 'do' christianity. We are told to 'do' holiness, to 'do' godly stuff, to 'do' ministries and to 'do' serving. Hey! Bible says 'be' holy for God is holy. It's like being a guy or a gal. You don't 'do' guys' stuff to be a man.. you just be, as simple as that. And as I read the bible more, most if not all the things starts from resting in Him, in Jesus' finished work.
Remember Jesus said that we can do nothing except through Him. Nothing.
*****
Lastly on the great commision.
It says to make disciples. Disciples are not converts. Disciples are just much more than that. Again, it's not about doing evangelism to 'convert' it's about becoming like christ to influence. The difference is subtle but the outcome huge.
Last last, on chapter 36 of the book, it quotes: The most important thing is that i complete my mission that the Lord Jesus gave me' -Acts 20:24 .
That's not accurate. "24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Hmm... testifying, gospel,God's grace.
In another passage Phil 3 "7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
What is Paul's purpose? I thought he's suppose to preach the gospel and all that, wasn't he the guy tasked to preached the gospel to the gentiles? Letter after letter, he seems addicted to the "grace of god" -- how come he doesn't say 'go and make converts'?
Even to the mature christians in ephesians, he says:
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
So I think there you have it, Paul's own words. His purpose in life.
That purpose or conviction could be as simple as making the best food in kitchen, be a business tycoon, be the best politician or be the best evangelist but it could also be as simple as wanting to be a taitai or to be a housewife.
Whatever that thing is, I believe that purpose would grab hold of you. You just can't force it to come or force yourself to go for it. It doesn't have to be 'spiritual' or 'secular'... all are spiritual.
The hallmark of Godly purpose I believe is that Peace and Joy and Sureness which follows. You can't explain it but you just know it. Like it's inside of you.
******
The problem I have with the purpose driven life is when 'purpose' takes centre stage of life. It's when our driving force is "purpose". It's when a life that's PURPOSE driven instead of God led that I think there may be a problem. I think. One is motivated by God, the other by sheer willpower from our own. I believe our value & identity in Christ is not judged by our 'Purpose'. It's not about what we do. We're human beings and not human doings.
However there's lot of things out there that incline on making us a 'do' christianity. We are told to 'do' holiness, to 'do' godly stuff, to 'do' ministries and to 'do' serving. Hey! Bible says 'be' holy for God is holy. It's like being a guy or a gal. You don't 'do' guys' stuff to be a man.. you just be, as simple as that. And as I read the bible more, most if not all the things starts from resting in Him, in Jesus' finished work.
Remember Jesus said that we can do nothing except through Him. Nothing.
*****
Lastly on the great commision.
It says to make disciples. Disciples are not converts. Disciples are just much more than that. Again, it's not about doing evangelism to 'convert' it's about becoming like christ to influence. The difference is subtle but the outcome huge.
Last last, on chapter 36 of the book, it quotes: The most important thing is that i complete my mission that the Lord Jesus gave me' -Acts 20:24 .
That's not accurate. "24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Hmm... testifying, gospel,God's grace.
In another passage Phil 3 "7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
What is Paul's purpose? I thought he's suppose to preach the gospel and all that, wasn't he the guy tasked to preached the gospel to the gentiles? Letter after letter, he seems addicted to the "grace of god" -- how come he doesn't say 'go and make converts'?
Even to the mature christians in ephesians, he says:
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
So I think there you have it, Paul's own words. His purpose in life.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Taking a walk
I took a walk about 9-10 years ago. It was on one of those nights when I can't sleep. I remember how I felt that night. I felt good that night. Like really GOOD.
Because for the last 12 months prior to that walk I was constantly depressed. A close friend, who after spending his last moments with me committed suicide. I guess I could not forgive myself. I guess I could have done more? I guess many things and it all happened about a year before that walk.
But that night I felt good. Peaceful. Because Jesus found me. He found me when I needed Him most.
I still can remember the walk clearly that night. (I was about 2 months old as a christian maybe?) It was about 12:20am. I was smiling to myself. My feet had a bounce and the cool breeze of midnight felt just right. I must be humming a tune to myself because I was just happy. I just learned how to talk to God and I must be having a great conversation with Him because the 20mins I walked to the 7-eleven seemed to pass so quickly.
At 7-eleven I bought myself a pack of 20s reds (Marlboro) because besides being happy, I could need a smoke. Hehehe, yes besides being happy with myself, I needed a fag.
The long awaited fag was good at first draw. But I certainly missed the Bensons in UK or Marlboros in Singapore, they were just much finer :) Those of you know who knows, know what I mean :)
So as I walked home, I smoked all the way (it's called chain smoking sometimes :) ) while talking to God. Yes, you can still talk to God while you're smoking! I remembered an interesting question He asked me halfway through which caught me by surprise. He asked me why am I still smoking?
I replied, I dunno. Er.. it satisfy? Right?
He asked again, does it really?
I know what He meant. Because before I found him 2/3 months prior, nothing satisfy. But with Jesus, my thirst was quench. I was just happy. My heart of 'full'. I was just so low before... but at that point nothing could be better.
So He said something like, you know eric, ciggis don't satisfy you anymore from now on.. not like last time. You don't need it Eric. I mean think about it Eric?
Ooohh.. He got me there :) I agree with you Jesus I replied. I threw the stick I was smoking and the remaining of the pack. Laughing I told him why haven't I thought about that sooner. We continued talking as I walk home.
That was it. That's how I remembereed the last packed of ciggis I smoked as a smoker. (I didn't have much redrawal after that either :P ) God has been so kind to me.
Because for the last 12 months prior to that walk I was constantly depressed. A close friend, who after spending his last moments with me committed suicide. I guess I could not forgive myself. I guess I could have done more? I guess many things and it all happened about a year before that walk.
But that night I felt good. Peaceful. Because Jesus found me. He found me when I needed Him most.
I still can remember the walk clearly that night. (I was about 2 months old as a christian maybe?) It was about 12:20am. I was smiling to myself. My feet had a bounce and the cool breeze of midnight felt just right. I must be humming a tune to myself because I was just happy. I just learned how to talk to God and I must be having a great conversation with Him because the 20mins I walked to the 7-eleven seemed to pass so quickly.
At 7-eleven I bought myself a pack of 20s reds (Marlboro) because besides being happy, I could need a smoke. Hehehe, yes besides being happy with myself, I needed a fag.
The long awaited fag was good at first draw. But I certainly missed the Bensons in UK or Marlboros in Singapore, they were just much finer :) Those of you know who knows, know what I mean :)
So as I walked home, I smoked all the way (it's called chain smoking sometimes :) ) while talking to God. Yes, you can still talk to God while you're smoking! I remembered an interesting question He asked me halfway through which caught me by surprise. He asked me why am I still smoking?
I replied, I dunno. Er.. it satisfy? Right?
He asked again, does it really?
I know what He meant. Because before I found him 2/3 months prior, nothing satisfy. But with Jesus, my thirst was quench. I was just happy. My heart of 'full'. I was just so low before... but at that point nothing could be better.
So He said something like, you know eric, ciggis don't satisfy you anymore from now on.. not like last time. You don't need it Eric. I mean think about it Eric?
Ooohh.. He got me there :) I agree with you Jesus I replied. I threw the stick I was smoking and the remaining of the pack. Laughing I told him why haven't I thought about that sooner. We continued talking as I walk home.
That was it. That's how I remembereed the last packed of ciggis I smoked as a smoker. (I didn't have much redrawal after that either :P ) God has been so kind to me.
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