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."
Review our shortcomings Published on July 30 , 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Dear Editor,
I was puzzled to read the letter in The Star, on fatwa needed on MACC procedure by Prof Dr Kamarudin Mohd Yusoff.
While I appreciate his compassion for the death of Teoh Beng Hock, that shows concern beyond religiosity, what I do not agree with is his reasoning that the investigative procedure used by MACC is professionally taught by Westerners and since Westerners are godless people their method of investigation is based on the end justifying the means.
This is a simplisitic notion that does not address the root cause of the problem. Procedures are basically written by humans and they could be reviewed and changed, but what is critically important is the intention of the interrogator and whose purpose he or she is serving.
When one analyses the behaviour of MACC since its change of name, what I see is the selective nature of how it conducts its investigation.
This is evident when it is prompt in investigating opposition politicians, but slow when it involves top Government officials or former and present ministers.
Therefore till the MACC is able to build up its professional image, immersed in a culture that is not subservient to any political authorities, the fatwa that is intended by Professor Dr Kamarudin will merely be academic and a public relation exercise that lacks substance.
A paradigm shift in thinking is needed, where those who are still beholden to old culture in the MACC should be replaced and punished if found guilty, as one reflects on the tragic death of not only of Teoh Beng Hock but also those who have died in similiar circumstances in our beloved Nation.
Blaming the Westerners for our own shortcomings is shortsighted and should be avoided.
