Picking Sides
Nobody cares about villains. All they know is that the villains are evil and they must be stopped. It's so much easier to take sides when you've got labels on people. They could be religious people or atheists, the government or the opposition, or Android or Apple fans. They can take on many forms, all depending on where you stand.
As long as you are against these villains just because you are on the other side, you're good for nothing. This is the problem that is happening. People are reacting and over-reacting to things without reason. With LGBT (I actually find that term condescending), you can be the bad guy for recognizing their rights or for thinking it is another social ill. Not many care to implore. As much as I'd like to say that the homophobes have the silliest reasons, those who are supporting the gay community are guilty of the same charge. There are those who fall in between these two examples but for the sake of the discussion, let's keep it simple and just use the extreme ones.
To those homophobes, let's take religion out of the picture because whatever you invisible friend said doesn't apply here. Are you against homosexuals because it is not normal? Slavery used to be normal but that's illegal now. Women weren't allowed to go to school but now they are studying whatever they want at any level they want. So what is normal? It is what the majority of the society see fit. The thing about society is that it evolves and so does its values. So that means the arguement that homosexuality is not part of our culture is nonsense. It is as good as saying that you are against it just because you think others feel the same way. It is as good as saying because your invisible friend told you so. It's not valid.
Moving on to the other side, why are you supporting gay people? Because it is their right to love anybody they want? Because they didn't choose to be that way? Because they can't help but to feel that way? Those are decent points but if you are hating homophobes, bear this in mind. Some homophobes can't help but to feel that way. Some homophobes didn't choose to be homophobes. How did you expect them to react when they've been taught all their lives that a married couple consists of a husband and a wife? If you judge these homophobes just because they don't agree with you, you are no better than them.
So which side is right? There is none. No matter what you do, you will always be the villain to someone on the other side. I don't know if those who are supporting gay rights actually understand why are they doing it. It will be scary to think that people are disagreeing with each other without knowing why. If you have a good reason, you don't need to pick a side to have a stand. Don't hate homosexuals or homophobes just because.
If you're still wondering what's my stand on the matter, I don't have one. I believe that anyone can do anything they like as long as it does not jeopardize the rights of others.
As long as you are against these villains just because you are on the other side, you're good for nothing. This is the problem that is happening. People are reacting and over-reacting to things without reason. With LGBT (I actually find that term condescending), you can be the bad guy for recognizing their rights or for thinking it is another social ill. Not many care to implore. As much as I'd like to say that the homophobes have the silliest reasons, those who are supporting the gay community are guilty of the same charge. There are those who fall in between these two examples but for the sake of the discussion, let's keep it simple and just use the extreme ones.
To those homophobes, let's take religion out of the picture because whatever you invisible friend said doesn't apply here. Are you against homosexuals because it is not normal? Slavery used to be normal but that's illegal now. Women weren't allowed to go to school but now they are studying whatever they want at any level they want. So what is normal? It is what the majority of the society see fit. The thing about society is that it evolves and so does its values. So that means the arguement that homosexuality is not part of our culture is nonsense. It is as good as saying that you are against it just because you think others feel the same way. It is as good as saying because your invisible friend told you so. It's not valid.
Moving on to the other side, why are you supporting gay people? Because it is their right to love anybody they want? Because they didn't choose to be that way? Because they can't help but to feel that way? Those are decent points but if you are hating homophobes, bear this in mind. Some homophobes can't help but to feel that way. Some homophobes didn't choose to be homophobes. How did you expect them to react when they've been taught all their lives that a married couple consists of a husband and a wife? If you judge these homophobes just because they don't agree with you, you are no better than them.
So which side is right? There is none. No matter what you do, you will always be the villain to someone on the other side. I don't know if those who are supporting gay rights actually understand why are they doing it. It will be scary to think that people are disagreeing with each other without knowing why. If you have a good reason, you don't need to pick a side to have a stand. Don't hate homosexuals or homophobes just because.
If you're still wondering what's my stand on the matter, I don't have one. I believe that anyone can do anything they like as long as it does not jeopardize the rights of others.
Speed Doesn't Kill
Say, there is a country where the national speed limit is 120kph. One day, the minister in charge of regulating the speed limit saw a pothole on the road and he thought it was too dangerous. Certainly, the potholes can be undone but making sure the road is absolutely smooth is unrealistic. So he lowered the speed limit to 100kph.
The next day, he saw a mini hatchback on the road doing 100kph and it was so unstable and almost caused an accident. Again, the speed limit is lowered to 80kph.
Then, he saw a motorcyclist on the road doing 80kph and he thought it's not safe to be doing that fast on such a small motorcycle, so he set the speed limit to 60kph.
Then he thought overtaking was too dangerous of a maneuver, so all the roads in the country were changed into a single lane.
So the people got angry and burned his house down.
Anyway, the reason he lowered the speed limit is perfectly acceptable. Driving at such speed was dangerous. But his solutions could have been better. He could have made driving schools produce better drivers so that they are able to drive safely at high speed. If anyone wanted to remove danger absolutely from driving, then that person should walk if he wants to go somewhere. No matter how good the road condition is, how safe the car is, how careful the drivers are, there will always be danger on the road. So it is not a question of removing danger. It is a matter of making drivers more prepared for such events.
By that logic, people don't need authorities to ban or prohibit anything they see as a possible danger. There's been talk about how it is "haram" to celebrate mother's day. Let's recall what has been banned for the sake of keeping Muslims safe from derailing. Celebrating Valentine's day. The use of the word "Allah" in the Malay version of the Bible. Joining rallies. The best has to be the poco poco though. No one saw that coming.
Whether such issues pose a threat would be another matter. Banning everything just because there is a threat that it would demoralise Muslims is not the right approach. Because then, they might as well ban Avengers because Thor is a demigod, or ban Harry Potter because it promotes magic.
Given the right exposure and proper education, such "threats" are nothing.
Instead of banning everything, why not produce better Muslims? One who would not be swayed from his beliefs and morality from doing the poco poco dance while wearing a Manchester United jersey who also celebrates Valentine's day and Mother's day.
While you're at it, make sure they stick to the left lane if they think I'm driving too fast.
The next day, he saw a mini hatchback on the road doing 100kph and it was so unstable and almost caused an accident. Again, the speed limit is lowered to 80kph.
Then, he saw a motorcyclist on the road doing 80kph and he thought it's not safe to be doing that fast on such a small motorcycle, so he set the speed limit to 60kph.
Then he thought overtaking was too dangerous of a maneuver, so all the roads in the country were changed into a single lane.
So the people got angry and burned his house down.
Anyway, the reason he lowered the speed limit is perfectly acceptable. Driving at such speed was dangerous. But his solutions could have been better. He could have made driving schools produce better drivers so that they are able to drive safely at high speed. If anyone wanted to remove danger absolutely from driving, then that person should walk if he wants to go somewhere. No matter how good the road condition is, how safe the car is, how careful the drivers are, there will always be danger on the road. So it is not a question of removing danger. It is a matter of making drivers more prepared for such events.
By that logic, people don't need authorities to ban or prohibit anything they see as a possible danger. There's been talk about how it is "haram" to celebrate mother's day. Let's recall what has been banned for the sake of keeping Muslims safe from derailing. Celebrating Valentine's day. The use of the word "Allah" in the Malay version of the Bible. Joining rallies. The best has to be the poco poco though. No one saw that coming.
Whether such issues pose a threat would be another matter. Banning everything just because there is a threat that it would demoralise Muslims is not the right approach. Because then, they might as well ban Avengers because Thor is a demigod, or ban Harry Potter because it promotes magic.
Given the right exposure and proper education, such "threats" are nothing.
Instead of banning everything, why not produce better Muslims? One who would not be swayed from his beliefs and morality from doing the poco poco dance while wearing a Manchester United jersey who also celebrates Valentine's day and Mother's day.
While you're at it, make sure they stick to the left lane if they think I'm driving too fast.
Protection
No, it's not safe sex. Even if some people think it would promote promiscuity and would be quite a matter to discuss, I'll save it for another day. We are constantly being protected by the authorities. Think of the concerts cancelled, the song lyrics censored, the books banned and my personal favourite, the tax on imported cars. All this done in the name to conserve our culture, to keep the young from negative influences, to prevent us from being social degenerates and of course to prevent Proton and Perodua from sinking.
But now, there is a more pressing issue. The BBC coverage on Bersih 3.0 has undergone a censorship by Astro to cut out the unpleasant bits, making it more newsworthy. Indeed, we need to be protected so that we won't do anything stupid like you know, vote for the opposition and stuff. I'm not a fan of the opposition despite my disagreements with the government.
I truly understand what Bersih is fighting for and I'm all for it, although Ambiga needs to plan a little better next time. The majority of the Bersih participants are only exercising their human rights, but with such a crowd, you'd need more control. It takes one idiot to make Bersih look bad and on Saturday, there were more than one.
Back to the main point, if there's any. If international news can be censored, what would stop a vote for the opposition from being ignored or tossed away just to "protect" us?
But now, there is a more pressing issue. The BBC coverage on Bersih 3.0 has undergone a censorship by Astro to cut out the unpleasant bits, making it more newsworthy. Indeed, we need to be protected so that we won't do anything stupid like you know, vote for the opposition and stuff. I'm not a fan of the opposition despite my disagreements with the government.
I truly understand what Bersih is fighting for and I'm all for it, although Ambiga needs to plan a little better next time. The majority of the Bersih participants are only exercising their human rights, but with such a crowd, you'd need more control. It takes one idiot to make Bersih look bad and on Saturday, there were more than one.
Back to the main point, if there's any. If international news can be censored, what would stop a vote for the opposition from being ignored or tossed away just to "protect" us?
we separated ourselves from animals, claiming our intelligence are far superior.
we drew a line on the map and we distinguish ourselves from our neighbours.
we gave names to those born in different colours.
we fought amongst ourselves in the name of our god and religion.
we created our own version of the truth.
we desperately tried to prove our strengths but conveniently made exceptions to our flaws.
we think so highly of ourselves that we perceive differences as imperfections.
the enemy only exists in the minds cluttered with irrational fears and the weak only exists for those who put themselves on pedestals.
humanity. what a joke.
we drew a line on the map and we distinguish ourselves from our neighbours.
we gave names to those born in different colours.
we fought amongst ourselves in the name of our god and religion.
we created our own version of the truth.
we desperately tried to prove our strengths but conveniently made exceptions to our flaws.
we think so highly of ourselves that we perceive differences as imperfections.
the enemy only exists in the minds cluttered with irrational fears and the weak only exists for those who put themselves on pedestals.
humanity. what a joke.
When Epic Fail Becomes an Understatement
Fauziah Ariffin of Obedient Wives Club said
"I believe we have been misunderstood and misinterpreted. When we said that husbands should treat their wives like first-class prostitutes, we were not putting wives on the same level with prostitutes. We are talking about first-class elite types, not street hooker types."
"I believe we have been misunderstood and misinterpreted. When we said that husbands should treat their wives like first-class prostitutes, we were not putting wives on the same level with prostitutes. We are talking about first-class elite types, not street hooker types."
Landslide
Generous donations are made only after it is too late. The sincerity of these charitable people are not in question. We feel sorry now, our hearts saddened by such tragedy. But this tragedy is just an accumulation of faulty policies and shady implementations. Of our ignorance and our habit of taking things for granted and our complacency.
Everyone is washing his hands of this matter. Better policies will be made. A new infrastructure will be built. But those 16 lives are forever lost. Nothing can be done to undo that.
To our first lady, you bet your comment on the Japanese earthquake are gonna come back and haunt you someday. Where's your environmentally-friendly planning and development?
To those religious nazis, if catastrophes happen because of sin, why does it have to strike an orphanage? What excuse does your God have this time?
Everyone is washing his hands of this matter. Better policies will be made. A new infrastructure will be built. But those 16 lives are forever lost. Nothing can be done to undo that.
To our first lady, you bet your comment on the Japanese earthquake are gonna come back and haunt you someday. Where's your environmentally-friendly planning and development?
To those religious nazis, if catastrophes happen because of sin, why does it have to strike an orphanage? What excuse does your God have this time?
This.Is.War
It's a wonder that the debate over the use of English in teaching Mathematics and Science in schools is not quite resolved. The debate itself has somewhat evolved into a matter of patriotism. The debate has drifted away from its true intentions and became a battlefield to seek the superior language. The room for arguement is vast and it will be monopolised by those in power, those who are not afraid to voice their opinions and I fear those who are drunk from the atmosphere of self-righteousness. Because they will not stop for a moment and talk it over. Rationally. Because they feel something is taken away from them and they must fight back. Because they will lead an army of angry men who don't know why they are marching other than because they have to. Because to them, this is war.
Education in Malaysia
66 schoolboys in Terengganu were sent to boot camp for having effeminate tendencies by the state Education Department. I can't really say whether I support or am against transexuality but under what law was this action sanctioned? Razali Daud, the department director said that
"As educators, we have to do something about it before the young ones misunderstand people and reach the point of no return."
"We are not intervening with the process of nature as we are merely trying to guide these students to a proper path in life."
"If left unchecked, it could become a problem later in life for them, their families and society."
How is sending them to boot camp not intervening? And if they really are trying to guide students to a proper path in life, perhaps switching Science and Math into English and back to Bahasa Melayu was really a necessity to test our language skills. Maybe hiring a racist principal would prepare them for real life events in this multiracial society. Maybe hiring a teacher who is capable of murder would really discipline those delinquents.
Back when I was in secondary school, i knew this male teacher who looks like a vampire. He used tonnes of hair products and drove around in a modified Iswara with a huge ass spoiler. Yes, he was a teacher. And back then, we all know he was a pervert. There were several cases where he did some bad shit and i forgot which got him fired. A pervert is hired to become a teacher in a coed school. If that shit wasn't bad enough, after he got fired, he taught at a juvenile center. Really, those kids with issues got a pervert as a teacher in their way to become a better person?
So I don't think those 66 boys really need more help from the Education Department.
"As educators, we have to do something about it before the young ones misunderstand people and reach the point of no return."
"We are not intervening with the process of nature as we are merely trying to guide these students to a proper path in life."
"If left unchecked, it could become a problem later in life for them, their families and society."
How is sending them to boot camp not intervening? And if they really are trying to guide students to a proper path in life, perhaps switching Science and Math into English and back to Bahasa Melayu was really a necessity to test our language skills. Maybe hiring a racist principal would prepare them for real life events in this multiracial society. Maybe hiring a teacher who is capable of murder would really discipline those delinquents.
Back when I was in secondary school, i knew this male teacher who looks like a vampire. He used tonnes of hair products and drove around in a modified Iswara with a huge ass spoiler. Yes, he was a teacher. And back then, we all know he was a pervert. There were several cases where he did some bad shit and i forgot which got him fired. A pervert is hired to become a teacher in a coed school. If that shit wasn't bad enough, after he got fired, he taught at a juvenile center. Really, those kids with issues got a pervert as a teacher in their way to become a better person?
So I don't think those 66 boys really need more help from the Education Department.
Nothing But The Obvious
Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria wanted to ban the Manchester United jersey and that wasn't enough. He now wants to ban poco poco dance. No, he couldn't think of anything else to point out. Like the mat rempits riding in gangs at midnight. Or the fact that the highest divorce rate among the three major races is from the Malay society. Or how an ustaz was responsible for the death of a 7 year old kid.
But no, the poco poco dance is of utmost importance and must be banned immediately to save us helpless people from destroying our own faith and go down a wrong path.
Seriously, there's something fucking wrong with this country.
But no, the poco poco dance is of utmost importance and must be banned immediately to save us helpless people from destroying our own faith and go down a wrong path.
Seriously, there's something fucking wrong with this country.
unhealthy obsession
breaking the silence
i have nothing much to say this time. just the fact that :
1. the malaysian government spent RM6 billion on six second-generation patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
2. the 2011 Year One English textbooks have errors like "He closed his eyes and fell aslept".
something is terrifyingly wrong in this country.
1. the malaysian government spent RM6 billion on six second-generation patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
2. the 2011 Year One English textbooks have errors like "He closed his eyes and fell aslept".
something is terrifyingly wrong in this country.
day thirty
so you are almost there. this is your last letter. finish this letter and you are going to complete that stupid letter challenge you took in the first place. you have no idea what the challenge is for, and you have no idea why you took it. perhaps because you want to do some soul searching. it kinda worked. heck, you're talking to yourself now. do it in public and you'll have to see a shrink soon.
so you have to talk to at least 29 other people before you can talk to yourself huh. sure a long wait just to beat the crap out of yourself. what are you afraid of? what angers you? what makes you turn cold but still try to fake a smile? maybe certain things are best left unsaid after all.
what is bothering you? you've done everything you can think of, and you're not asking for much. but even that doesn't turn out right. you give it your best and fate still manages to fuck it up. maybe your best is not good enough and it will never be. maybe you should just give up. maybe you can't fight fate. you can try but it's a losing battle. you don't really care that your grades were bad, the fact that you're kinda alone in college, or you were so close to hitting your housemate, or all that shitty nightmares you've been getting. you just want to feel belonged. maybe that's why you want to go home so badly. maybe that's why you try so hard to make the people you love happy. but nothing is right.
you're never gonna be superman.
day twenty nine
hi mom,
im sorry i bought a guitar. and i did some other stuff too which probably won't make you too happy when you find out. i figured that sometimes, certain things are best left untold. im sorry if i was wrong.
your rebellious son,
benjamin
day twenty eight
hey,
you've changed my life more than you would ever realise. and i thank you for that. thank you for making a roller coaster out of cable cars.
yours gratefully
benjamin
day twenty seven
hello there,
still remember me? the guy you sat next to during jpj test? have you pass the B2 license yet? anyway, what are you up to now? still sticking with accounting? i know it's kinda random for me to write this but i have this 30 letter day challenge thing going on. still, it's nice poking people randomly. do reply when you have the time. oh, before i forget, thanks for teaching me how to fold a crane. it was you wasn't it? heh. now i shall excuse myself and continue my work. nice knowing you by the way.
yours sincerely,
benjamin
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