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."
DAP: Act on violent displays, review Palestine solidarity campaign
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Hypocrisy of Hamas: "Gazans Can't Leave" But Leaders are Abroad
Malaysiakini : DAP is very disturbed over the organisation of a programme in a primary
school that included elements of violence and extremism with the use of
replica weapons and is calling for strict disciplinary action against
those responsible.
Gerard Lourdesamy : DAP should have spoken much earlier especially for a party with 40 seats in Parliament. The DAP must also remember that from 1974 until 2018 the DAP was always in the Opposition. In fact prior to 1999, the DAP and PAS were the sole Opposition parties in Parliament in the face of strong BN governments.
Going back to the Opposition should not be a problem for the DAP and the vast majority of the non-Malay voters. So far, since Anwar become PMX almost 1year ago I do not see any material or significant differences in government policies and economic direction compared to the previous PN/BN/GPS governments between 2020 and 2022.
The economy is not doing well, prices are still high, wages have stagnated and the ringgit is at its lowest against the US dollar. Institutional and legal reforms are dead. And after Anwar's injudicious remarks on the Israeli-Hamas conflict and his open support for Hamas and its atrocities on 7 October, I doubt that foreign investors and fund managers are going to look at Malaysia with favour.
Anwar has failed to stem the tide of rising Islamic fundamentalism and extremism in Malaysia. This was created and ecouraged by him and Mahathir in the 1990s to counter PAS. The strident public comments from Malay/Muslim political leaders and NGOs since the conflict started is bordering on hate, incitement and blatant anti-semitism.
Anwar seems to be galavanting around the world just to look important when in reality he has lost all goodwill in many Western countries and he is widely regarded as an insignificant player in the wider Arab and Muslim world other than in Turkey, that too due to his close personal relationship with the controversial Erdogan.
Anwar still behaves like a radical ABIM youth leader and not like a head of government. Frankly, he is not leadership material. There is paralysis in government because of his inability to make tough decisions, his proclivity to play politics all the time even with his coalition partners and his posturing on many issues depending on his audience.
At present Anwar's priority is not the well being of the people and the economy but rather his milking of the war in Gaza in order to become popular with the Malay voters. Sadly, his efforts are not working as most of them prefer PAS. Anwar has not changed fundamentally since his UMNO days. His mentality is that of a top political operative not a leader.
He has used the Chinese and Indian voters to get to the top, something he has been wishing for since 1998. But now he seems to be taking them for granted. I doubt this UG will last until 2027 if Anwar continues like this. In fact, if Najib is released on a royal pardon the political dynamics will change again.
The DAP must play its proper role in the UG. Do not become MCA 2.0. The DAP will never get much Malay support no matter what it says and does. In politics, principles are also important especially when your top leader is like a chameleon. The DAP must play the check and balance role in the cabinet. Otherwise in GE17, it will also get decimated like PKR and Amanah.
As it stands, many non-Malay voters are thinking of staying at home rather then vote for either side in the next elections. Like the people in Gaza, we are used to being ignored, neglected and marginalised by the majority and their supremacy doctrine since the NEP was implemented. In summary, the UG is as bad as PN. Anwar has turned out to be a major disappointment.
