Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
The US has a surprisingly large lever to push for democratic change in Malaysia. The two sides have been engaged since June 2006 in extensive talks about signing a new free trade agreement (FTA), which if implemented would give Malaysian export products preferential treatment in US markets. Because exports represent roughly 130% of Malaysia's gross domestic product, potential greater access to US markets is a big economic deal.
The administration of US President George W Bush has made it clear that it is committed to successful negotiations, but could also use the talks to wring important political concessions from Abdullah, in particular towards good governance and democratic change, reforms that could help to relieve the pressure surrounding the ongoing protests and government crackdowns.
For instance, a US push for a gradual easing of electoral restrictions on opposition parties and greater freedom for non-governmental organizations to put a check on government would allow some of the pressure now building on the streets to be vented in parliament. Abdullah's UMNO party, which has ruled the country uninterrupted since achieving independence in 1957, currently enjoys an overwhelming majority in parliament.
The US could also pressure Malaysia to more effectively implement its anti-corruption legislation. Endemic corruption continues to weaken the Malaysian state and provides a big hurdle to US investors who must abide by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. In return, the US could offer preferential concessions in an FTA to groups that increasingly are being left behind by Malaysia's development, including fisher-folk and agricultural workers.
Pakistan serves as an increasingly grim example of what can go wrong when the US fails to engage a strategic ally by lobbying for democratic and economic reforms that could go to redress underlying socio-economic problems. And the US could also arguably enhance its ongoing fight against terrorism by improving and re-engaging its relationship with Malaysia. Indeed, a more democratic, prosperous and religiously moderate Malaysia could serve as a valuable conduit for future US engagement with the broader Muslim world. Read the whole article here from the Asia Times Online here....
