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."
Lawmakers oppose 'Palestinian solidarity week' in schools
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Malaysiakini : Several lawmakers have raised objections to Putrajaya's decision for
all public schools to observe a "solidarity week" in support of the
Palestinian cause.
Ba' Kelalan assemblyperson Baru Bian in a
statement said while he sympathises with the victims of the armed
conflicts, the Education Ministry's directive involved making students
take sides over a complex geopolitical matter. "It is essential that we empathise with their suffering and promote a message of peace.
"However,
taking sides in these conflicts and involving our young children in
such politically complicated matters is not conducive to their
well-being and education. "Schools should remain neutral spaces for learning, growth, and understanding," Baru (above) said.
The
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secretary-general pointed out that this
neutrality was important because political parties in Malaysia routinely
use religious and racial issues to drum up support. "Moreover, we
must consider the precedent set by such actions. If we involve schools
in one international conflict, what would stop us from doing the same in
the case of other wars, like the Ukraine conflict or any future crisis?
"It
is crucial to maintain the integrity of our educational institutions
and keep them free from the entanglement of global political disputes,"
he added. In view of this, Baru urged Putrajaya to reconsider the
decision to ensure that schools remain unbiased and children are
nurtured to be responsible, compassionate, and well-informed global
citizens.
Malaysiakini yesterday reported that the
Education Ministry, through a notice from the office of Education deputy
permanent secretary Azman Ahmad, instructed for the solidarity week to
be held from Oct 29 to Nov 3, with six proposed activities for all
schools. The circular prompted objections
from NGOs who urged the government to keep international conflicts,
religious disputes, and war cries out of schools and educational
institutions.
‘Not the way of progress’
In
the Dewan Rakyat, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin questioned the need for
the solidarity movement to be held in schools, where the primary focus
of students should be on their education.
Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin
"I personally feel there is no problem for us to show solidarity against violence and war crimes. "But what is the need for us to bring the matter to schools and involve children who should be focusing on their own future?
"I
also don't support Israel's or Hamas' use of violence, because I uphold
universal peace. And I believe all the MPs here want peace," said
Willie who stood up to interject Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham's debate of the
Supply Bill 2024. Willie said the Education Ministry's decision was not a sign of good
governance, and could potentially "destroy" progress in nation-building
efforts.
"Yes, our government walks the talk. They talk so much, they walk here and there, but nothing happens. "We keep moving backwards. This is not the way," he stressed.
Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham
Ngeh,
in response, agreed with Willie and noted how the developing situation
in Gaza is one that many adults had difficulty understanding. "If
we as adults find this situation difficult to resolve, for me, I don't
think we need to bring it into schools where the children will not
understand. "And I'm afraid if there are parties sowing seeds of hate in the hearts of our children," he said.
Deputy Women, Families and Community Development Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu
Separately,
Deputy Women, Families and Community Development Minister Aiman Athirah
Sabu said the Palestinian issue should not be seen through a religious
lens, but instead as a humanitarian cause and the Palestinian struggle
for freedom as a sovereign state. "It would be better for children
to be given exposure and accurate information on what is the real issue
in Palestine," she told Malaysiakini in Parliament today.
Gerard Lourdesamy : It is for parents to decide whether or not to explain the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the "actual" situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and in Israel to their children. That is the right of every parent. Why is the government intervening?
Why should headmasters and teachers with their own political and religious bias be allowed to explain such a complicated and controversial issue to children and young people? Since when did the conflict in the Middle East become a part of our school curriculum?
This is nothing but overt indoctrination by the state in support of one side over the other. It offends Articles 8, 10 and 12 of the Federal Constitution. Such indoctrination leads to extremism and the radicalisation of young people. It also encourages hate and mistrust.
Truly Malaysian : Madani s late friend ex AbIM comrade Sidek s daughter is the Education minister.
She is there not because of competence.
Suggest readers read OutSyedTheBox blog today.Can have a lot of weeks for world issues so Malaysia could produce a lot of Jihadis.
So Sarawak has rejected Madani s directive that all letters must be written in Malay.They are sticking to BM and English.
Wished the journalists question Madani on this and see what BS he comes up with.
World Citizen : I saw a video the other day where young primary school children are told to step on and deface an Israeli flag that was put in front of their classroom. The children were happily jumping all over it. This is what they are teaching our young children and instilling hate in their young minds.
Is this the way a country should teach their young and I am scared to think what kind of country we will end up to be! Are the PM and the Minister of Education blind to this kind of things or are they even encouraging it?
At
the same time, the Amanah Women chief said she believes the Education
Ministry will take into account measures to prevent children from being
exposed to excessive violence as part of the planned activities.
