ETC. ETC. ETC

I reflected on my previous postings and noted that I haven’t written “real” stuffs lately. Real as in the stuffs that makes me cry, whine, puke and function like a true workaholic drama queen. I hereby, want to make some amends and write things that were really bothering me this month. Could be the dullest stuff any of you ever come across throughout your life. But never said you guys MUST agree and read everything I wrote.

OMAR TAN: A BRIEF ORBITUARY

Frankly, I don’t know him very well. He is those activists that went unnoticed because he was not aiming for the crown of glory but merely doing things that other people are not bothered with. If the more important leaders impress the crowds with their speeches, he will be the one, taking care of the podium or perhaps ensuring that the crowd is comfy. He will do the least favorable tasks you could say, but the ones which only an honest true person would want to do in a social movement’s struggle for justice. When Union Guy faced his criminal charge 6 years ago for exercising his freedom of expression, the late Omar Tan was there with his comrade, Abang Nasir, lending support whenever and wherever he could. He also came for our wedding ceremony, smiling all the way, patting Union Guy on the back while saying “tahniah, kahwin jugak kamu!”

I didn’t get to say this earlier or even when we bump into each other during those colorful post reformasi demonstrations, but I will say it here,” Thank you.”

ISA7 RETRIAL

It’s back to Magistrate Court for ISA7. The night before, Union Guy and I were writing press release for the decision day at High Court. We didn’t prepare a counter version of press release, of which is needed in the event that the Prosecution’s appeal is accepted. When it happened, we were too busy to respond to the media that I remembered shouting at one of the camerawoman who tried to record my picture. I just want to bail Union Guy, get the hell out of here and went back to the comfort of our home. Other family members of the rest of ISA7 seemed panicked or upset the whole day, but we created an immediate bond as we identify with each other’s feelings. “You learn how to bail people when you’re doing law, eh? Have you imagined bailing your own hubby?”

“Nah...But there is always a first time, kan?”

LET US REBUILT KAMPUNG BEREMBANG, AMPANG

Another case of “Yeah, we want you guys in, because we want to balance the racial composition in KL, but sorry, some big shot want to built a giant commercial complex, so we have to tear down your houses!”

Squatters are not like Big Bang theory. There’s space and “bang!” you have galaxies and planets. Squatters are the product of our country old policies. But somehow, it’s easier to just kick people out than taking out the flipchart and start on a lecture on social development with “In the 60s, there are less Malays in the city…” It’s December and many of the children staying in Berembang are sitting for SPM. What about PM’s caution to MPAJ not to demolish the houses yet? The villager’s new houses are yet to be completed and all the villagers are asking for is a home, shelters not even some expensive palace or condos (Ehem, ehem). What about that, MPAJ?

RAJA SHAHRINA ‘S SMS

“Yeah, it’s true, Dato’ Azhar Mansor wants to christen a bunch of Muslims. The SMS is true”

I did not say anything as my driver ventured further into that issue. First thing first, I would blame the bunch of Malays for not being strong willed enough to protect their faith and even if they truly wants to convert, is it still Dato’ Mansor’s fault? It gets tiring to hear about how Holy Waters, Temples or Churches are to be blamed for the number of Muslims converting to other religion. A question of faith is a personal choice. It goes back to your own beliefs and will to embrace that particular faith. So, stop blaming other objects or people for the choice that you make on your own!

If Bond can be a blondie...

Surprise, surprise.

I skipped Dalton, Brosnan and rooted for Craig. That's blonde over a bunch of suave male brunettes. I don't include Connery and Moore in the equation because they are the walking Bibles on how to become a 007 agent. But then again, critics might differ and say after Craig, James Bond will never be the same again. Not after Connery or Moore.

I am not a fan of Ian Flemming 's body of works. His spy-centred fictions are so cold-war-isque. You get to see M16 beating the hell out of a bunch of internationally wanted crooks who are normally; a- Russians, b-Russians or c- speak and act like Russians but are they really Russians? The fact that "M" prefers to function during the Cold War better than Post 9/11 hardly escaped my boggling mind as a casual joke to fill up her lines.
"Well, it is a casual joke," Hubby offered his piece of mind in-between iced-Milos and popcorns.
"Shhh", the Chinese guy beside me offered his salivated piece of mind to us. Hah!

Coming back to Casino Royale-the movie, Daniel Craig piqued my interest even before his role as James Bond. He gave a stellar performance as a cold blooded hitman that formed part of the secret Israeli squad in "Munich". Since "Munich", I was hoping to see him more, but never as a James Bond. Perhaps, in some other heavy laden thrillers or edgy drama of sort, but not as a I care-less-for-the-script-as-long-as-I-have-the-Porsche-and-girls kind of character.

Anyhow, I went to watch the movie yesterday and happy to say Bond finally gets to say some witty lines, projects his feelings through his piercing blue eyes, demonstrate his almost sadistic and naughty combative modes with his nemesises sans hi-tech gadgets but by using his raw physical strength. His head is of course "larger than usual" with an ego that could not fit an elevator, but for the first time, I am seeing Bond as a great character. Plus having a beauty with brains as a Bond Girl, that eleviates the charming factor of the romance between them. Until, she broke his heart, of course. Its back to the cold, cold world for Bond, then.

If Bond can be a blondie, perhaps I can be a Bond girl too? A question that my hubby thought is absolutely unthinkable.

So how I rate Casino Royale? I think I will give it 4 cups of iced milos with 3 and a half irritated shoos! Way to go, Craig!

Will I meet the Scottish Gentries?

I was frustrated earlier this year when I had to reject a conditional offer to pursue a master in human rights in Strathclyde University, Scotland due to financial restraint. My academic records are hardly what I would call "impressive" and that gave me a hard time in securing any scholarships. In the past, any awards of grants or funds or any form of financial support for my work or travel was appropriated due to what I can offer and my track record of work not how many A's I get for my undergrad exams. So, it was bye-bye to Strathclyde, and of course Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura or Snow Patrol and Teenage Fanclub. And there's also Stuart Christie, the anarchist and of course his anarchist grandma, the Pollok Park, the Modern Art Gallery and other interesting leftovers of the city`s cultural renaissance in 90-80s. Damn.

Until, yesterday that is.

No, no millionaire or anonynous "Hamba Allah" came to me and offered money so I can pursue my postgraduate studies. I am not THAT nice that people simply drop their cash on my lap. There, on my table I saw a bulky brown envelope with British High Commission `s emblem on it. So, what does that brown envelope hold?

Surprise, surprise.

I actually get to go to Glasgow finally. Although for a short 3 months fellowship. Oh hell, I will try to cram as many gigs, tourings and other mechanics of fun in my daily schedule during the short stay. What can I say? I am esctatic. Perhaps I will start another on line journal on how
I spent my 3 month stay in Glasgow. Another interesting possibility is that I finally get the chance to meet the "Scottish Gentries" or visit them at The Chateau. Cool.

Glasgow, here I come!

Marx and Si Pedagang Agama

"Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people.

The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions."

::Karl Marx having a hard time accepting Hegel 's "Philosophy of Law" ::

One of the reason why Marx dislike religion was because he felt that religion is hypocritical. It might profess and advocate valuable principles but to him, it also sides with the Oppressors. Jesus was known to advocate for the rights and welfare of the poor but still, it was the Christian church that merged with the Roman empire which took part in the enslavement of people for centuries. Martin Luther preached for the individual right to intepret the Bible but it also supported the Aristocratic rulers and denied the struggle of the peasants who fought against economic oppression during that era. It is also embedded in history that Churches in the Mid-Ages were preaching about hereafter and salvation in life in return for a reward in heaven while at the same time, they accumulated power and wealth gleefully. These are of course, historical instances apparent to Marx before and during his time which he observed and used to substantiate his analysis. We on the other hand, could of course list down other examples of how religion secured monarch status quo or preserved an empire from one civilization to another.

Marx's opinion that religion opiates people from seeing their sufferings and realizing real life oprression seemed to materialize in our local politics nowadays. Well, it was apparent during Tun Mahathir`s reign but it seemed that with our Premier `s call for Islam Hadhari and our society's submission to the ideals of religion notwithstanding the fact whether they understand what they are preaching or practising, more of our "beloved" Malay Muslim political leaders put so much effort in presenting themselves as god-fearing pious bunch. My only fear is that the images of political leaders performing ablution before issuing official statements publicly (re: our "beloved" State Assemblyperson from the sunny province of Port Klang) or swearing by the Al-Quran to prove her innocence ( re: the lady with the big, big hair) will divert OUR attention from the actual issue. They can perform as many ablutions as they wish or swear by ALL the Qurans sold at Jalan Masjid India, but none of that could religiously whisked away their corruption charges or other forms of political power malfunction. Don't drag God into your problems or even worse, hire God as your Advocates & Solicitor. You have enough money to hire lawyers to do the job for you. There is a term that Union Guy used repeatedly when he came across all this nonsense. He would be calling these people the "Pedagang Agama". Who are these religion traders? They are people that use religion to create delusion in order for the public to worship appearances (as public will always do because public will always be public, you see) which will divert them for the underlying reality. Sounds damn "sold-out" to me.