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."
Malaysiakini : "The actions of the two reporters may have hurt the feelings of the
people but I was satisfied that they did not intend to offend anyone. It
was an act of sheer ignorance," he said in a statement.
"Therefore
in view of the circumstances at that particular time and in the
interest of justice, peace and harmony, I decided not to press any
charges against them."
- Former AG, Abdul Gani Patail former (2010)
COMMENT | The case the quote above refers to is the one where two “reporters” spat out the holy communion after going undercover in a Roman Catholic church.
Quo Vadis Malaysia : So say a non Muslim goes to a mosque and at the ablution area, decides to urinate there as it has running water and a drain (it has happened a few weeks ago, by the way).
Can the non muslim claim ignorance and be let off?
Why were the two muslim "reporters" even in a church and partook in a ritual that is totally alien to them if not to cause mischief?
Kilimanjaro : Thaya, you have written on something that is very close to the hearts of the NM. In fact, I felt it like a soothing balm for the pain and hurt the NM have to endure. Probably, Shakespeare may have wanted to rewrite "Julius Ceaser" as now a contemporary history that is unfolding in front us have more than one Brutus.
The love and respect for Anwar and Anthony Loke may have simply fizzled out and may be translated into possible loss of votes for PH. Religion is not a sensitive issue just for Malays/Muslims, it is also a sensitive issue for the NM and while the Muslims seem to be enjoying all the force that can stand in front and backing them, NM have to be left to lick their wounds in a step-child manner.
They seem to forget how religious conversion issues have destroyed the kingdom of UMNO. And how true the words - UMNO will never ever learn.
In the yesteryears, NM went for the "heads" of the MCA and MIC. Despair and frustration, hurt and pain with these two parties led the NM to abandon these parties altogether.
They are now reduced to be called "traitors" actually. PN/PAS are not worried in the loss of NM suport. They can seek and secure the support of MCA and MIC individuals to sign SDs and get what they want. Why bother the support from the NM?
Unfortunately, neither PKR nor DAP can have the same luxury. I feel very strongly that the DAP has visibly strayed from its often stated objective of being the "Protector" of minorities.
It had gone through many trials and tribulations but the support from NM had only increased. Although the PKR leadership at the top are Malays, it had somewhat enjoyed support from the NM, partly due to its partnership with the DAP.
With all the hoo hah making its riounds, who is talking for the NM? Not even the DAP.
Anwar did not waste a second to show how chivalrous he cn be but he is also my PM, or so I thought. That wish and hope met the first road-block. The state elections are just around the corner and seriously I am not motivated to to vote at all. Let the Selangor MB be chivalrous but I wonder whether he will be the MB without the NM support.
There will be arguments that if the NM do not back the PH, most probably PN and PAS may take over Putrajaya. I say it loud and clear, let it be so. As if we the NM are the darlings of the present Unity Govt We have been told to make the sacrifices to prevent PAS/PN from getting into Putrajaya. Frankly, what has been UMNO's contribution towards NM and the country.
Almost every single initiative of UMNO is for UMNO and the Malays. So what is in the Unity Govt for the NM? Is it money that Anwar wants to throw at NM? What good is money when our political rights are being sidelined?
Never in the history of the DAP the NM are so disappointed with the DAP. It has been sounding like a broken record of late.
When it stood firm against PAS's Islamic state, NM were solidly behind the DAP. Of course, those were the days of Lim Kit Siang and Karpal. I have this gut feeling that Anthony Loke may lead the party to its downfall just like how MCA and MIC went.
Politics is like a slippery snake. Now that Anwar had tasted the levers of power, he may most likely seek support from the Malays if the NM abandon him.
So be it if it comes to that. Let the Malay parties settle their own scores instead of using the NM as pawns for their political adventures. How stable would a Malay Govt be without NM support? Well, both Muyhiddin and Ismail Sabri bit the dust, didn't they?
NM must have the resolve that enough is enough. We too have to think of the future of our children and grandchildren in this country.
I have been "cursing" our elders who have "buried" us with their reckless support for BN. I have faith in our younger generation - where we failed shamefully. For a reset of this country towards matured politics, a peaceful and harmonius nation, the initiative has to come from the NM.
Stop supporting any party that does not go along with the Constitution - that NM have as equal rights and for now I will include DAP as the worst - Et tu, Brute? To wake up the DAP and the PKR, let them lose Penang and Selangor for one round. That is the only way they will learn their lessons, if at all.
As for the leaders of Sabah and Sarawak, led their people decide. With such cunning leaders like Anwar who was quick to ignore Peninsula religious politics in favour of the Borneo states, I wish him well. Let him enjoy his support from a ruined and almost dead horse called UMNO.
